"Yes, these are my REAL eyelashes!" (Thanks, Lancome!)

Author's Rating:

Pros: lengthens and thickens, easy to remove

Cons: pricey, results may be too intense for some users

The Bottom Line: 
Lancome Hypnose Custom Volume Mascara is worth every penny!

Author's Review
People often ask me if my eyelashes are real.

The answer is yes, they are 100% real; I just get a little help from Lancome Hypnose Custom Volume Mascara in black.

I'm the kind of person who will blow money on pricey makeup without blinking an eye (get it? Blinking an eye? Mascara? HAHAHA. Yes, I'm a nerd), but I still get mad when that pricey makeup doesn't live up to its reputation. I don't have that problem with my Lancome Hypnose Custom Volume Mascara-it works wonderfully (and for about $25 with tax at Macy's, it darn well better!).

The mascara-all 0.22 oz of it-comes in a simple silver box with the Lancome logo at the top. For some reason, I cracked up when I read some of the instructions on the packaging: "To safeguard Lancome purity, reserve this product for your personal use. Treat the applicator with the hygienic care you give your eyes. Never apply this product in a moving vehicle. Do not dilute mascara with water, saliva, or any other substance.". Who the heck dilutes their mascara with saliva? Gross. I guess somebody must have done it, or it wouldn't be written on the package. Anyway, moving along...

Lancome Hypnose Custom Volume Mascara is ophthalmologist tested, and (according to the saleslady) safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. The following ingredients make up this fine mascara: water, paraffin, beeswax, stearic acid, carnauba wax, acacia senegal (whatever THAT is), palmitic acid, triethanolamine, PEG-40 stearate, simethicone, sodium polymethacrylate, aminomethyl propanediol, hydrogenated jojoba oil, hydrogenated palm oil, hydroxyethylcellulose, panthenol, polyquaternium-10, methylparaben, proplyparaben, and possible amounts of chromium and iron.
Right on. Maybe I should stop reading the ingredients in my makeup; I'm kind of afraid to put this stuff on my eyes now.

The mascara itself is in a black, curved container with gold trim and gold lettering which reads "Lancome Paris". The wand looks similar to every other mascara wand that I have ever seen; it isn't made of that plasticky stuff that some mascaras are using now, and it is straight, not curved. I prefer a straight wand, as I have found that it is easier to get your lashes to look long and full when using one.

Upon first glance, the wand appears to be goopy and clumpy (in fact, my sister was very hesitant about using it). However, it goes on smoothly, with no clumps; just make sure that you are wiggling the wand in a zig zag motion as you apply the mascara. One coat of Lancome Hypnose Custom Volume Mascara is definitely dramatic enough, but since I'm not exactly the natural type when it comes to makeup, I tend to use two.

One problem I have noticed is that this mascara makes my lashes long to the point where I end up with black smudges about half an inch or so below my eyebrows. This problem can be avoided by applying a makeup sealer, such as Benefit She-Laq, to the tips of your lashes (or possibly by trying the waterproof version of the mascara). Also, this mascara really DOES make your lashes look fake (as mentioned in my title), so if you are more of a natural gal, Lancome Hypnose Custom Volume Mascara is NOT the right mascara for you. I'd recommend using a brand such as Clinique (which I have also reviewed, if you want to check it out) for a more simple look.

The nice thing about Lancome Hypnose Custom Volume Mascara is that it washes off easily; I use those $5 packs of Ponds makeup wipes, and this mascara comes off without a problem! A lot of intense mascaras don't do that, so this was a nice surprise.

Okay, let's summarize:
I personally love Lancome Hypnose Custom Volume Mascara, but that's because I am a major fan of dramatic eye makeup. The mascara is pricey, but worth it, and really will make your lashes longer AND fuller (I noticed that mine appeared to be twice as long and twice as full). It washes off easily, and is suitable for contact lens wearers. You can purchase it at most department stores, Sephora, and www.lancome.com.

Oh-and don't be fooled by the fancy french name; Lancome is made in the U.S.A.

If you have questions that I failed to answer, please visit your local department store and stop by the Lancome counter, or visit www.lancome.com

Thanks for reading!