I have been using this mascara for years and years now. I think I first tried it because many years ago I read in a magazine that it was a favourite of beauty editors and make up artists. I have tried many different types of mascara since but I always go back to this little gem.

The packaging is rather striking, it definitely stands out from the crowd. The tube is bright pink with a green lid, not the most stylish of combinations and to be honest it looks a bit cheap and nasty, but do not let this put you off, after all it’s what’s inside that counts. It doesn’t looks very attractive in your handbag but on the plus side it is very easy to find!

As I have blonde hair and pale skin my lashes are unfortunately very fair, so mascara makes a huge difference. I tended not to wear mascara during the day until recently when my optician informed me I had small eyes (not something a girl wants to hear), so I decided that mascara was a necessity. I like to look fairly natural during the day so I only apply one coat to just my top lashes, and I can't stand clumps or my lashes sticking together. This mascara makes my eyes look larger and more defined but still very natural, there are no tell tale signs such as lumps or spiderness that you get with some mascaras. I find that my lashes do look longer and fuller without the problem of the mascara containing any fibres, which I find tend to flake off and irritate my eyes. I have noticed that if I am short of time (or just being lazy) and I don't curl my lashes before applying it, the mascara does have a curling effect. This is not as good as if you had curled them first, but I find that the curling effect is further enhanced if when during application you hold the wand at the tips of your lashes for a second whilst pushing up and in towards your brow. This mascara does not give a false lash effect, but then I haven't found one that does, and it does not claim to do this.

I have found that if I apply more than one coat of mascara my lashes start to stick together, which I find really annoying and then try to separate them by removing the mascara from that bit with my nails, which completely undoes the effect of putting more than one coat on. Unsurprisingly two coats do give a more dramatic effect.

This mascara does also come in a waterproof version, which I have not tried, mainly as I find the normal one is waterproof enough for my needs. I wouldn't advise going swimming in it or wearing it to events where there is a high possibility of you crying e.g. a wedding, it would be best to buy the waterproof version. I find the normal one can withstand a fair amount of moisture before it starts to smudge. On the occasions where I have cried whilst wearing it I have found that if you can avoid rubbing it or touching it until it has dried then it doesn't run everywhere, and aside from the red puffy face you couldn't tell you have cried by looking at the state of the mascara. When wet it will come off on anything it touches, so best to dab your eyes with a tissue, but the normal version does not claim to be waterproof. When I remove my contacts I find that my eyes tend to water but my mascara never smudges.

In summary this is fantastic mascara, easily the best I have tried and I would definitely recommend it. I like to replace my mascara every 6 months to avoid infections, and the tube easily lasts the 6 months without becoming all dry and crumbly. It is a bargain at £4.99 so even if you do try it and for some reason don't like it you haven't lost much. It gives good definition to all of your lashes and makes them look longer and fuller. Quite frankly if the effect wasn't any good I wouldn't keep buying it.