One of the things I love most about makeup is how easy it is to accentuate the features I love and downplay the ones I'm not so crazy about. (A quick contour on my nose and cheekbones—life-changing.) With the right products it works seamlessly, with one infuriating exception: my stick straight eyelashes.
All About My Lashes: Stubbornly Straight
I was blessed with a pretty full set of long-ish lashes, but it's almost impossible to tell. What's worse, even with an eyelash curler and mascara, my eyelashes rarely hold a curl for long. Back in my twenties I had no reservations about blasting an eyelash curler with heat from a blow dryer, but I've grown wiser (and more terrified of burning them off completely) in my mid-thirties. I tried eyelash extensions, but never loved the way they look or felt. I thought I'd found the solution in lash lifts, and do recommend them when asked, but I wasn't mentally prepared to drop a small investment on my lashes every four-to-six weeks.
Just when I'd resigned myself to never getting the fluttery, eye-opening lashes I've always wanted from mascara alone, I was tipped off to the viral Lash Without Limits Mascara ($5) from Essence Cosmetics. With nothing to lose, and at an unheard of $5, I gave it a shot.
Essence Cosmetics Lash Without Limits Mascara: the Pros and Cons
Off the bat, I loved the wand. The flexible elastomer bristles helps grab every lash and coats them evenly. Even better, after two coats my lashes looked defined, not clumpy. But, in the spirit of full transparency, my first impression of it's curling power wasn't great: the curl fell almost immediately. I waited a few minutes (till the mascara was dry) and went back over my lashes (gently) with the eyelash curler for a second time. That's when the magic happened. This Lash Without Limits formula plus that second effort was what I needed for defined, sky-high lashes that kept its curl.
Before: barely detectable lashes and a nonexistent curl
After: defined, separated and lifted lashes
Overall, Essence Cosmetics' Lash Without Limits mascara is a must-have addition to your makeup bag. My lashes look longer and naturally lifted; like baby lash extensions. While I did notice some smudging a few hours in, it was minimal, and, in my opinion, worth the quick touch up for a product that works so well on my straight lashes. Now that I'm comfortable with the formula and know the curl-enhancing trick I need, I can't wait to go back in and amp up the coats for a more dramatic effect.
