Pat McGrath Dark Star Mascara Gives Me Full, Fluffy Lashes

If you want fluffy lashes, Pat McGrath Dark Star Mascara provides.

Pat McGrath Dark Star Mascara is one of those mascaras that I had a complicated relationship with at first. I tested this mascara out consistently for about a week before landing on my actual thoughts. Sometimes, I felt like this Pat McGrath mascara was too clumpy, but other times I felt like it could be layered beautifully. Turns out, it just needs a bit of extra love when applying. This became a mascara I enjoy using because it gives me full, feathery, fluffy lashes.

Quick Rating Rundown

This Product

(4.3)

:Pat McGrath Dark Star Mascara

Price: $32.00

0.43 oz

Value

(4.6)

Application

(4)

Volume, Length, Define, Lift

(4.8)

Longevity

(4.4)

Extra Benefits

(3.7)

Industry Standard

(3.8)

:Chanel Le Volume De Chanel Mascara

Price: $38.00

0.21 oz

Value

(2)

Application

(4.7)

Volume, Define, Lift

(4.8)

Longevity

(4.4)

Extra Benefits

(3)

Luxury Clean Option

(4.5)

:MERIT Beauty Clean Lash Mascara

Price: $26.00

0.24 oz

Value

(3.9)

Application

(4.6)

Length, Define

(4.4)

Longevity

(4.7)

Extra Benefits

(5)

MILABU PICKS

(4.5+)

:Best Mascaras You Should Know About

Price: $13 – $35

various

Value

(4.5+)

Application

(4.5+)

Volume, Length, Curl, Define

(4.5+)

Longevity

(4.5+)

Extra Benefits

(4.5+)

^{Our Rating Criteria}

Promises vs. Performance: Say hello to lifted, separated, fluffy lashes!

Pat McGrath Labs promises Dark Star mascara will provide “instant-intensity.” In just one coat, this mascara will give volume, antigravity lift, and length. The formula is promised to be layerable, but weightless for intense black drama. To get the “out of this world” lashes promised is with the help of the precision contoured brush which has fibers of varying lengths to help grab each lash. As Pat McGrath says, “transform your lashes on impact with a supernova of Deep Space drama,” AKA dramatic lashes.

Like I said, it took me a solid week of continuous use to really decide how I felt about this mascara. I’ve noticed the application is inconsistent with it sometimes clumping and other times layering flawlessly. But, each time I get long, fluffy flashes that looked wispy and full. What I’ve learned is that you have to give this mascara a bit of extra love when applying. It’s best applied in thin coats, slowly building up to your desired intensity. To avoid clumping, it’s best to wipe off the excess product before applying. Once I discovered these tricks, I’ve found I really do enjoy this mascara. If you want long, lifted, full lashes with a lightweight feel and all day wear, Dark Star is it.

How It Compares: I enjoy Pat McGrath Dark Star, but it’s not the best mascara.

As much as I enjoyed Dark Star from Pat McGrath Labs, it’s not that one and done mascara I often want. You know the kind: apply haphazardly without having to worry about clumping, building volume, or using a lash primer underneath. For this, I still sing the praises of Chanel Le Volume because it does all that and more. In addition to being easy to apply, it gives me big lashes in terms of volume, length, and curl. And, I don’t have to worry about major smudging, transferring, and flaking with this formula.

That being said, Pat McGrath Mascara is still a really beautiful formula. It provides length, lift, separation, and volume. While it does need some extra time when applying, it gives me the most beautiful fluffy lashes. If you’ve tried Chanel Le Volume and it just isn’t doing it for you, give Dark Star a try. Just be wary of the shelf life. I find this mascara dries out pretty quickly, which results in flaking.

Performance Rating

This Product

(4.4)

:Pat McGrath Dark Star Mascara

Price: $32.00

Application

(4)

Volume, Length, Define, Lift

(4.8)

Longevity

(4.4)

Industry Standard

(4.6)

:Chanel Le Volume De Chanel Mascara

Price: $38.00

Application

(4.7)

Volume, Length, Curl, Define

(4.8)

Longevity

(4.4)

^{Our Rating Criteria}

Milabu Beauty Method: Give Pat McGrath mascara a bit of TLC when applying.

There’s a few things I found help Dark Star in terms of ease of application.

First, you’ll want to prep your lashes by curling and priming. I recommend investing in a good lash curler (like Kevyn Aucoin’s, $21) and lash primer (my favorite is Lancome Cils Booster, $28).

Then, when applying you’ll want to work in thin coats. I find it layers best if you work slowly, letting the mascara dry down ever so slightly (think tacky feel) in between coats. Another pro tip is to wipe off any excess at the tip and base of the brush to avoid clumping.