Milabu Rating

  • Overall
    (4.5)
  • Performance
    (4.7)

Price Category: Luxury

  • $29.00 Retail

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Pros

  • Lengthening
  • Lifting
  • Defining
  • Natural volume at base of lashes
  • No transfer or smudging
  • Minimal flaking
  • Water resistant, tubing formula
  • Ophthalmologist tested

Cons

  • Can look clumpy and weigh down lashes if too many coats are applied
  • Messy application
  • Faulty packaging

Overview

Length meets definition and lift with Hourglass Unlocked Mascara. This smudge-proof formula works like a tubing mascara for all day wear.

See Mascara in Action ▶️

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Our Rating Criteria

Is Hourglass Unlocked Mascara an undercover tubing mascara?

If you guys know me at all, you’ll know how much I enjoy a tubing mascara. They provide a water resistant long wear, free of smudging and transfer – AKA no raccoon eyes even if you sweat, shed some tears, or jump in the pool! Tubing mascaras work by coating lashes with “tubes” of mascara, which provide separation, definition, and a lash extension lengthening effect. And, one of the best parts is their easy removal. All you need is warm water and light pressure – no makeup remover or harsh rubbing required!

While Hourglass Unlocked Mascara doesn’t claim to be tubing, not only does it sound like one from the description, but it also wears like one. Let me explain.

Promises vs. Performance: Hourglass promises a smudge-proof wear.

Get the look of flash extensions instantly with Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara. Hourglass Unlocked Mascara promises more definition, length, and lift. The formula features film-forming technology that coats each lash in lightweight fibers (sounds like a tubing formula to me!). These fibers lock in place for high-impact, long wear results. Hourglass claims a water resistant, smudge proof wear that removes easily with just warm water.

Hourglass Unlocked Mascara might just be my new favorite luxury mascara. While Hourglass doesn’t claim this is a tubing formula, it sounds exactly like one with its film-forming technology, plus the performance lends me to believe it is. The conical-shaped brush has silicone/rubber bristles help achieve definition and separation while the formula adds length and natural volume. It’s lightweight without weighing lashes down, holding lift and curl all day long. I will say, it can look clumpy if too many coats or applied too fast (like most tubing mascara formulas).

I’m also very pleased with the wear of this Hourglass mascara. I experience no smudging or transfer even through a workout. There is a tiny bit of flaking, but the flakes don’t stick and can easily be brushed away. Then, at the end of the night, Hourglass Unlocked Mascara has an easy, no-tug removal that just requires warm water.

Note: the packaging of this Hourglass mascara has been reported faulty by some users. On some tubes, the wand gets stuck and removed from the cap.

Quick Rating Rundown

This Product

(4.5)

:Hourglass Unlocked Extensions Mascara

Price: $29.00

0.35 oz

Value

(4.3)

Application

(4.5)

Volume, Length, Curl, Definition

(4.6)

Longevity

(4.9)

Extra Benefits

(4.3)

Similar Product

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Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara rating

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Price: $25.00

0.38 oz

Value

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Application

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Volume, Length, Curl, Define

(4.2)

Longevity

(5)

Extra Benefits

(4.5)

Luxury Standard

(3.8)
Chanel Le Volume is the standard luxury mascara.

:Chanel Le Volume De-Chanel

Price: $35.00

0.21 oz

Value

(2)

Application

(4.7)

Volume, Length, Curl, Definition

(4.8)

Longevity

(4.4)

Extra Benefits

(3)

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Our Rating Criteria

How It Compares: Is Hourglass Unlocked the best mascara in luxury beauty?

Hourglass Unlocked Mascara is a beautiful lengthening, defining, and lifting formula. The conical-shaped wand and silicone/rubber bristles allows for separation and definition, with minimal clumping. However, if too many coats are applied, it can start to look clumpy and weigh down lashes! But, overall, this mascara formula is lightweight and keeps lashes looking bomb all day long. It has a water-resistant, smudge-proof formula thanks to its tubing-like film-forming technology. If you’re looking for the best mascara in luxury beauty, in my opinion, this is it.

Let’s also compare to one of my favorite mascaras of all time: Lancome Lash Idole (rated ****4.4). Idole gives my lashes a false lash look without the falsies and applies beautifully. I love this formula because it does a little bit of everything: volumizes, lengthens, curls, and defines. It does all of this while having a long wear with minimal smudging/transfer or flaking.

The most iconic, standard luxury mascara, and another favorite of mine, is Chanel Le Volume (rated ****3.8, performance ****4.6). Chanel Le Volume is perfect for achieving a dramatic, voluminous false lash look. There’s not much natural about this mascara! It has an easy application and precise wand for separation and definition. It wears beautiful with minimal flaking however it can transfer/smudge! The reason this mascara has a lower overall rating versus performance rating is because of the value. For $35, you only get 0.21oz of product, whereas with Lancome Lash Idole you get 0.27oz for $27, and Hourglass Unlocked is 0.35 oz for $29.

 For a complete list of designer makeup products we love (rated ****4.5+), check out our MILABU PICKS article, The 9 Luxury Makeup Products We Can’t Live Without

Advertised Product Highlights

Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Lengthening Mascara

WAND TYPE: Conical with silicone rubber bristles

LONGEVITY: Water resistant

BENEFITS: Ophthalmologist tested; Gives look of lash extensions; Film-forming technology; Removes easily with warm water

CLEAN BEAUTY CLAIMS: Cruelty free; Vegan; Free of gluten, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic fragrance, talc

Edited by Maddie

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