Is Essence Mascara ($3.49) From Ulta Any Good?

So, I have this affliction:

I love makeup but I hate spending money on it.

Many a time have I shelled out pocket change hoping to find the holy grail:

inexpensive yet fabulous makeup.

Many a time have I been sorely disappointed.

But, sometimes, just when I'm ready to give up my treasure hunting days,

I'll find a wonderful product that works like a million bucks,

without the status price tag.

Few & far between, yes...

but it's just enough to keep me hooked!

So, one of my latest acquisitions is

Essence Multi Action False Lashes Mascara

which I bought at Ulta for only $3.49.

What do I expect from mascara?

To darken lashes and make them look longer and thicker

without clumping or leaving me with tarantula eyes.

My dream mascara would make my lashes look significantly longer

and help my lashes to curl better.

Ummm, like so:

*sighing with jealousy*

Well, I figured with this newest wave of

"fiber"-using mascaras I've been seeing that claim

"Like False Lashes Without the Hassle!", that maybe

the powers that be just might have stumbled upon new technology that would

enable my expectations & dreams to come true...and without a makeup counter price. Maybe?

So, like a gullible fish, I bit.

Here are the results of my latest "treasure hunt".

 Above & immediately below,

pics are with 2 coats, slowly & carefully applied for max benefits.

The next 2 pics are with a less carefully applied single coat. 

So, you can look at the pictures yourself to determine if you like the way this mascara looks.

After all, some people like a more "obvious" mascara look, while some prefer a more natural one.

As for me, I didn't like the look with 2 slow, careful coats (top pics). Too much like "tarantula eyes".

The bottom two pics were better, but didn't "wow" in length like I had hoped.

Let me say, however, that this mascara held up great all day long.

It stayed where it was supposed to.

It didn't flake or smudge.

So, for $3.49 it's a GREAT, cheap, everyday mascara.

And if you happen to like very noticeable mascara, this is an inexpensive way to achieve that in 2 slowly, carefully-applied coats.

But it didn't supply me with the ridiculously long, yet non-clumpy look I dream of:

(is it just me or is this obviously air-brushed?)

So, I will use it all up, eventually,

and continue my treasure hunt like a good little pirate.

In the mean time,

I've already bought a new waterproof mascara

 that also promises my dreams will come true. 

After all, I *needed* new waterproof for church (yeah, I cry a lot at church).

But that's for another review! 

Do you have a recommendation for me?

I've had Benefit Cosmetics' "They're Real" ($22) recommended to me,

as well as Tarte's "Lights, Camera, Lashes!" ($19).

What do you think?

Comments are the heartbeat of blogs, so show me the love ;)

Quick View