L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara Is A Budget Friendly Dupe For Better Than Sex
Pros
- Intense pigment
- Lengthening
- Volumizing
Cons
- Can smudge and transfer under eyes
- Formula can clump very easily
- Flakes throughout the day
- Massive brush can be hard to use on smaller eyes
Overview
L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara is a classic that’s been around for years. It gives lashes length and volume while separating. But, beware: it can transfer and smudge.
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Is L’Oreal Lash Paradise a dupe for Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara?
I’m sure even if you haven’t used it, you’ve definitely heard the praises of Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara (rated ****3.7). It has a cult following, partly thanks to its risqué name, but also thanks to its mega volumizing formula. However, $28 on a mascara every three months (the recommended usage for a mascara) adds up and not everyone can afford that. Several have tried to emulate the formula, but few have succeeded. Except for L’Oreal Lash Paradise: an OG drugstore mascara that is similar down to the brush and formula.
Promises vs. Performance: This OG makes lashes look bomb, but do they last?
L’Oreal Lash Paradise is a volumizing and lengthening mascara that also nourishes lashes with each wear. The formula is infused with floral oil to condition lashes, making them feel soft to the touch with or without mascara. It has an ultra soft wavy brush that aids in a clump resistant application while catching each lash for thicker, fuller looking lashes. In addition, it has a long wear formula that is smudge resistant. Bonus points: Lash Paradise is fragrance free, suitable for sensitive eyes, and comes in 4 shades of various blacks plus a brown.
From the formula to the wand, this mascara is a near exact dupe for Too Faced Better Than Sex. Lash Paradise has an identical hourglass-shaped densely packed, boar bristle that deposits intense pigment. Although, this brush style isn’t my favorite. It’s a large and in charge brush that I find can be a bit too big for my small eyes. Plus, the combination of the dense brush and the intense pigment lends itself to a clumpy application. Even if I wipe off the excess mascara on the mouth of the tube, I find it still clumps.
However, Lash Paradise does deliver on its volume and lengthening promises. It makes lashes look thick, full, and fluffy and I get sky-high length. Getting a false lash effect without having to deal with a pair of falsies is always nice! But, I can’t say my lashes stay looking good all day long. At least on me, this formula transfers and smudges, despite if I set my under eye concealer or not. It also flakes a good bit. I can’t say I love the raccoon eye look!
Quick Rating Rundown
How It Compares: A dupe for the cult favorite Better Than Sex, but is L’Oreal Lash Paradise the best drugstore mascara?
If you’re looking for the best Better Than Sex Mascara dupe, this is it. Right down to the brush, this mascara is nearly identical. It has the same hourglass-shaped, densely packed boar bristle brush that adds mega volume to lashes. The formula lengthens and defines lashes with its intense pigment. However, the intense pigment can be a con, too, as it gets clumpy quite easily. I find the performance identical to Better Than Sex, too. Both of these formulas smudge and transfer on me and I find they flake throughout the day.
But the best of the best when it comes to drugstore mascara? Maybelline Lash Sensational (rated ****4.6) has my heart. I get the volume, length, and separation I want. Lash Sensational has a curved wand that helps lift and curl lashes. Plus, this formula wears well for 8+ hours with minimal flaking, smudging, or transfer.
For a complete list of our favorite drugstore mascaras (rated ****4.0+), check out our MILABU PICKS article, ‘The Best Drugstore Mascara Formulas Around $10.’
Advertised Product Highlights
L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara
WAND TYPE: Ultra soft wavy brush with boar bristles
SHADE/COLOR: Blackest Black
LONGEVITY: Long wearing
BENEFITS: Volumizing; Length for up to 24 hours; Clump resistant; Smudge resistant; Suitable for sensitive eyes; Formula infused with floral oil to condition lashes
OTHER: Comes in 4 shades (Blackest Black, Black, Mystic Black, and Black Brown)
CLEAN BEAUTY CLAIMS: Free of fragrance
Edited by Maddie