Review: Paula's Choice Illicit Lash Maximum Impact Mascara

Hi all.

There are loads of mascara reviews doing the rounds at the moment (Um, when are they not?) but I'm seeing more than usual this month so I figured I may as well add to the bunch!

The new Paula's Choice mascara - See full name in post title, it's a bit of a tongue twister - has been my go-to mascara for over a month now and it is way up there in my top 5 of all time faves too. Before I blabber on about the product, let me give you some info on the brand and the woman behind it.

Paula's Choice is the brainchild of Paula Begoun, the author of various titles including 'Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me' and 'Blue Eyeshadow Should Be Illegal'. Having been in the beauty industry for well over 25 years, Paula has all the know-how to distinguish fact from fiction and it was this knowledge, she created her own line of products.

Now, I've never tried any products from Paula's Choice but when I was moaning about having poker straight lashes on Twitter, I was offered the chance to try out the new Illicit Lash Maximum Impact Mascara (it's still a tongue twister!) so jumped at the chance.

The first thing I noticed about the product was the brush.

Me and rubber bristled brushes don't get along very well and I feel that they do very little to give my lashes the oomph they need so I was a teeny bit hesitant. Also, the shape of the brush reminded me of the CoverGirl 'Lash Blast Length' (or the Max Factor 'Lash Extension Effect' mascara) which I had absolutely no joy with. However, I didn't let that stop me from trying it out and now I'm so glad that I did.

What they say:

"Instantly separates and lengthens, this exceptional mascara utilises an innovatively designed rubber brush to ensure every last lash is lusciously coated. Working to dramatically emphasise the base of your lashes, the lightweight formula contains plant based conditioning agents to leave lashes soft with a subtle sexy fringed curl."

Do I agree? YES!

You can see from the photo above that I really don't have any natural length to my eyelashes whatsoever. There is zero flutter and minus zero curl so I almost always have to wear mascara to give my eyes some sort of definition. Well, with one generous coating of the Paula's Choice mascara, I had fluttery lashes and immediately looked more awake and 'put together' than before.

The rubber brush did not disappoint me like previous mascaras had done in the past and I was so impressed with the look of my lashes that I haven't even dared to pick up another mascara since. The best part of the mascara is that there is no clumping when applying the mascara and no flaking once it's dried or even after a night out. Hell, I even watched Armageddon and ended up crying my eyes out (that last scene always gets me!) and still had full fluttery lashes at the end of it.

After using the mascara for over a month, I'm still impressed at the end of every day that there aren't any dodgy flakes of mascara all over my face. I have the same lengthened and defined lash effect that I've wanted for so long and my lashes look a lot fuller than they actually are so I'm going to be stocking up on this treasure to last me a little while longer.

Paula's Choice Illicit Lash Maximum Impact Mascara is priced at £11.30 and is available online from the Paula's Choice website.

Have any of you used this mascara or any Paula's Choice products before? If not, then why mascara are you loving right now? Comments in the box!

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your