Illuminating mascaras are an interesting bunch of products; they range from restrained to garish in effect, and purport to make eyes sparkle or add drama by providing a glittery or glossy topcoat to layer over mascara. They are nice for an evening look, but often appear odd in daylight. One relatively recent release, L’Oréal Double Extend Eye Illuminator in Black Crystal, may provide a subtle sheen to lashes if used sparingly; although it still may not be for everyone.
Glossy Lash Topcoat Provides Dramatic Eye Makeup Look
Mascara looks sexiest when freshly applied, and a moist, “patent leather” sheen is still evident. Bourjous Glossy Wet Look Mascara Top Coat allows that high gloss finish to last all night; it gives a beautiful clear shimmer that is easy to work with and remove, and a light coat doesn’t appear too gaudy even during the daytime hours.
Bourjous also markets a Vibrant Duochrome colored topcoat, which is supposed to heighten the beauty of the eyes. Its effects are very slight, however; and layering on enough to “punch up” the hue of the iris results in sticky, clumped lashes. It is a decent enough option for a very delicate eye enhancement, though.
L’Oréal Double Extend Eye Illuminator
This double-ended product contains both mascara and topcoat, and comes in four varieties: Black Crystal for All Eyes, Black Copper for Blue Eyes, Black Quartz for Brown Eyes, and Black Bronze for Green Eyes. The Black Crystal is meant to perk up any shade iris, and the others provide a contrasting shade to intensify eye color and sparkle.
All the mascaras are jet black, and seem to lengthen lashes better than they thicken them. The reflective top coats are layered on over the still-fresh mascara, and the brush used to apply them is one of those applicators that looks a lot like a medieval mace: a ball with spikes jutting out of it.
The Black Crystal is subtler than the colored topcoat varieties; it provides a slight but charming sparkle, and does seem to make the eyes more attractive. Used very lightly, it may be appropriate to wear during the day; although I doubt many conservative workplaces would appreciate the look.
I also tested the Black Copper shade, applying it only to the tips of the lashes. It did definitely punch up the bluish-gray color of my eyes; but it is also extremely noticeable in natural light, appearing as though I sprinkled tiny particles of copper-colored glitter on my lashes. When I tried it only on the outer upper lashes, and layered it over a brown mascara from another product line, it looked quite a bit less conspicuous; but I’d still only recommend it for makeup users in their teens and twenties. On the other hand, I have a positive horror of “cougar cosmetics;” consumers who take a more playful attitude toward eye makeup might enjoy this product a lot more than I did.
Both products flaked onto the und ereye area slightly as the hours went by, and came off easily with Neutrogena One-step Cleanser. Final verdict: Fun, but not a necessary addition to anyone’s makeup kit.
Benefit Prrrowl Mascara Topcoat & Lip Gloss Duo
This dual-sided product pairs an iridescent peacock blue topcoat with a shiny pink lip gloss. The mascara topcoat makes slightly yellowed sclera (the white part of the eyes) look a bit whiter and brighter. However, just like lining the inner lower rim of the eyes with a blue liner to get the same effect, it can look pretty strange in direct sunlight. Still, it is a much better option than liner applied too close to the eye, which may cause injury or infection if the eye liner slips or the pencil tip is not kept scrupulously clean.
Pixi Duo Lash Tints Enhance Eye Color
Pixi’s products can be found at any Target store; they are quite a bit more expensive than most discount store cosmetics, but provide such unusual options that their section is well worth a visit. The Duo Lash Tints include regular mascara along with 5 beautiful shades of topcoat, including a rich plum color meant to enhance all eye colors, and a chic navy blue to camouflage yellow discoloration. Ranked a “best beauty product of 2007” by Conway and Regan’s Beauty Buyble, pixi Duo Lash Tints brighten the eyes and enhance the eyelashes without looking too showgirly. Don’t overdo, or clumping and matting will overshadow the stunning impression.
Any of these mascara-enhancing products can provide an enticing eye makeup look, especially for evening. Curl the lashes first, so that the topcoat will be easy to see. Using too many shiny shadows along with these products is overkill: Try to stick with rich jewel-toned or soft neutral mattes instead. Choose a topcoat shade that picks up a glint of a metallic or lamé shirt or scarf, or nearly matches a single large, eye-catching piece of jewelry, and the results may well be more than just mildly pleasing.
Readers of this article may also enjoy “Eyelash Enhancing Products Make Lashes Long and Thick” and “Super Long Eyelashes” in Suite 101’s Home & Style section.
Sources
- Conway, Paula and Regan, Maureen, The Beauty Buyble, New York: HarperCollins, 2006.
- “ Glossy Wet Look Mascara Top Coat by Bourjois,” talkingmakeup.com.
- “ Pixi Duo Lash Tint,” kissandmakeup.tv, Nov. 2007.
- Tracy, “Benefit Prrrowl Mascara Top coat and Lip Gloss Duo,” beauty-reflections.com, Dec. 2010.
Amy Sillup - I have a B.S. in Chemistry from Delaware Valley College and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. I have worked as a ...
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