I tried Kylie Jenner's new mascara. Here's my thoughts.

Jul 19, 2023

Mamamia's Tried and Tested series is your weekly review of the latest to hit our desks in beauty, health and wellness. You won't find any #sponsored content here, just honest, relatable and independent advice. This week, Senior Lifestyle Writer Erin Docherty reviews the new Kylash Volume Mascara to see if it's worth the hype.

A thing you need to know about me: I don't like spending big on mascaras.

Really, I don't.

While I'll admit I have some seriously spendy faves of which I'll gladly sing high praises (Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara, how are we?) — when it really comes down to it, mascara is usually one of those beauty products I prefer to skimp on. Like cleansers.

I said what I said.

But why? You'll happily drop, like, $200 on a serum?? I hear you (Mum) ask.

Fair question. But my reasoning is fairly straightforward.

While mascaras are hands-down one of the best beauty products for transforming your look in a matter of seconds, we all know they usually have a pretty short lifespan and are supposed to be tossed out every few months (right guys? RIGHT).

For this reason, I think they're never really worth spending huge on (unless, of course, they're really, really ridiculously good).

Watch: You know what I also tried? Putting lube. On my face. Post continues below.

So, when Kylie Jenner's first-ever mascara formula — the new Kylash Volume Mascara — sauntered its way across my desk in its signature matte, baby-pink packaging, I was intrigued to see how it shaped up.

Because you know who wants to spend a heap of money on a small tube of formula, only to find it's not really worth the fuss? Nobody. That's who.

It's the first launch from the brand in quite a while, so there's been a lot of hype around this particular product.

The TikTok reviews have been going OFF (James Charles and Jeffree Star even reviewed it), so I thought I'd put it on my lashes and suss out if it's actually any good.

Listen: While you're here, have you listened to our new episode of You Beauty? Omg, you totally should! Go on. Post continues below.

Now, just a note on my lashes (cause, y'know — we all have different ones): They're actually a little longer than they appear, but they're blonde at the tips (weird flex) so they look pretty... average length. They're also pretty straight.

Okay, the review! The all-important review.

Here are my honest thoughts on Kylie Jenner's new Kylash Volume Mascara.

According to the MECCA website, the new Kylash Volume Mascara features a "clean and vegan formula that doesn't compromise on performance."

It also promises to provide "instant volume, length and holds curl," and "separate and coat each lash without feeling heavy, flaking, or smudging."

In terms of the formulation, it looks like the mascara contains ingredients like grapeseed oil, pro-vitamin B5 (to strengthen and protect lashes) as well as rice bran wax, carnauba wax, and synthetic beeswax (for the lift and shape).

For price point, the Kylash Volume Mascara costs $40 and is available at MECCA stores and online.

Where should we start? The packaging! Let's talk about the packaging.

In keeping with the rest of Kylie Cosmetics products, the mascara comes in a baby pink, velvety-feeling matte tube, with the words 'KYLASH' raised and printed along the side. It kind of gives Maybelline Sky High vibes.

Here's what it looks like:

Meet Kylash Volume Mascara! Be nice, you guys.

Looks pretty chic, no?

There's only one shade available at the moment — 001 Black.

Now, the wand isn't as oversized as I would usually like. I'm very specific on my mascara wands and love those big, chunky types. This one is a pretty standard, medium-sized deal.

However, the formula looks quite smooth and non-clumpy on the brush.

The wand situation. (Pls don't judge my keyboard).

When it comes to testing the product, I found that it definitely takes a good few swipes (like at least three to four) to properly distribute the formula onto your lashes — so it involves a bit of work to build up a fuller look.

If you're the kind of person that likes a really subtle, natural, everyday look, this is perfect for you. However, if you tend to go for a more dramatic/fuller look day-to-day, this might be a bit of a downside.

Overall, I found the formula to be pretty lightweight, but I did notice that there is a bit of clumping upon layering the coats.

In saying that, after you properly layer the formula and brush the clumps out, the added volume and length is definitely there.

Here's what my lashes looked like before (left) and after (right) trying the mascara:

Before (left) and after (right).

My face resembles an egg, I'm aware — but the lashes. What do we think of the lashes?

I feel like they look... better?

Here's another comparison — one eye with the mascara and one without:

In case we can't tell - I'm wearing mascara on the left, and nothing on the right.

I would usually use an eyelash curler prior to mascara application, but I really wanted to see how the formula would fare by itself.

I noticed there wasn't as much curling power as I'd hoped for, but they did look significantly longer and more defined, with a really subtle lift.

The formula also wore pretty well throughout the day, and I didn't really experience much smudging or transfer. I noticed a tiny bit of flaking beneath my lashes but nothing major.

On first impressions, I thought the packaging looked really sleek and pretty and felt quite luxe.

At $40, it's definitely on the upper end of the mascara spectrum. It's certainly spendier than some of the really great formulas you can pick up in the chemist. And there are HEAPS of good affordable formulas out there that will give you similar results.

For this reason, I wouldn't say Kylash Volume Mascara is particularly ground-breaking in comparison to what's already on the market. For me, it's not going to be one of those Holy Grail-level products that will be a 'must' in my makeup bag.

In saying that, it isn't a bad mascara. It certainly delivers some really nice results when it comes to volume and length and does make your lashes look defined and lifted, without too much smudging or flaking.

But, if you're not keen on breaking the bank to buy a little slice of Kylie Jenner, there are definitely similar, more affordable options on the market with the same (if not better) results.

Want to hear more from Erin Docherty? Follow her on Instagram.

Would you try Kylie Jenner's new mascara? Oh! And do you have anything you'd like me to put to the test?? Let me know! Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Feature image: Supplied/Erin Docherty.

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