Air Volume Mascara: What Happened To L’Oreal Mascara?

I’m going to give you my honest review of Air Volume Mascara.

L’Oreal makes some bomb mascaras, including their iconic Lash Paradise that I love. These have been some of my favorites for a while so I know that L’Oreal is capable of making good mascara formulas that apply easily, make the lashes look amazing, and wear free of smudging and flaking. Unfortunately, this was not the case with Air Volume Mega Mascara (at least for me). Its performance did not meet its claims, from application to wear.

Promises vs. Performance: Not a single claim was met.

L’Oreal has a lot of claims for Air Volume Mega Mascara. They call it “a new evolution of mega lash volume,” saying it “inflates and puffs up lashes, just like a hot hair balloon.” And, it should feel light as air, as the name suggests, defying the rules of gravity and volume. It has a lash multiplying effect to create volume and length. According to L’Oreal, the unique brush design plays a key role in this, ensuring each lash is coated with a combination of long and short bristles. Air Volume Mascara promises up to 24 hours of wear with no smudging or flaking.

I’m going to give it to you straight: I’m not impressed with this L’Oreal mascara. Immediately upon application, I found Air Volume Mega was difficult to apply with the large brush and clumped even on the first layer. It did provide volume, but not the good kind: my lashes looked thick and spidery. Length was nowhere in sight. Instead of the fluffy lashes I expected, I had a spidery lash look (not my fave!). As I layered the mascara, it was difficult to layer, continuing to clump and not keeping lashes separated. L’Oreal promised up to 24 hours of wear with no smudging and flaking, but I was met with smudges I had to wipe away throughout the day and raccoon eyes at the end of the night.

Quick RATING Rundown

This Product

(3.2)

:L’Oreal Air Volume Mega Mascara

Price: $14.99

0.28 oz

Value

(4)

Application

(2.7)

Volume, Length, Curl, Define

(2.9)

Longevity

(2.5)

Extra Benefits

(4)

MILABU PICKS

(4+)

:Best Drugstore Mascaras Around $10

Price: $4.99 – $13.99

various sizes

Value

(4+)

Application

(4+)

Volume, Length, Curl, Define

(4+)

Longevity

(4+)

Extra Benefits

(4+)

Industry Standard

(4.6)

:Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

Price: $11.99

0.32 oz

Value

(4.2)

Application

(4.8)

Volume, Length, Curl, Define

(4.7)

Longevity

(4.5)

Extra Benefits

(3)

^{Our Rating Criteria}

How It Compares: Air Volume Mega is not a drugstore winner.

I’d prefer my mascaras to apply easily, build volume and length, and not give me raccoon eyes by the end of the day. Unfortunately, Air Volume Mega Mascara did not meet these expectations. I was met with an uncomfortable application, short, clumpy lashes, and a wear full of smudging. I know lots of folks love this top-rated L’Oreal mascara, but I’m not one of them.

A true drugstore mascara gem is Maybelline Lash Sensational (rated ****4.6). With this mascara, I get volume, length, and separation free of clumping. It is easy to apply for a lifted lash look thanks to it’s curved wand. I get a long, wispy lash look that rivals that of falsies. And, I can wear this mascara for 10+ hours without worrying about smudging, transfer, or flaking. Now that’s a true winner!