Lancome Hypnôse Star Mascara Review with Photos!

Lancome Hypnôse Star Mascara

Lancome Hypnôse Star Mascara ($28) is a mascara that provides ultra-volume at the lash line for a "sensuous curve from root to tip". The formula's "black-diamond effect" imparts a glossy gel-like finish. The dual-action brush has a flat side for optimizing product deposit at the lash line while the rounded side separates, defines, and lengthens.

When I'm looking into purchasing a new mascara, I always go for the mega-volume formulas. I have never tried any of the Hypnôse formulas, but I've always sort-of wanted to from the rave reviews. Lancome "Hypnôse" is Lancome's popular volumizing mascara, and because of it's crowd favoritism, Lancome has come out with a few additions to the Hypnôse line - Hypnôse Drama, Hypnôse Doll and the latest - Hypnôse Star.

I would consider it to be a wet formula, especially when the product is fresh. With the first use, I hated it because it was too wet and clumped my lashes together too much. But after breaking the tube in, the clumps were less, but it still didn't completely win me over.

Because the formula is wet, I found that even when I tried my best to separate my lashes through the application process, once I blinked a few times, some of my lashes would stick together. Is there such thing as no clumping with this mascara? No, I don't think so. But on the bright side, the clumps aren't excessive and they don't cause my lashes to look spidery or stubby.

It gives my lashes more of a spikey look, as it doesn't define each individual lash. I find the result to be much, much better with a mascara base, but even then, I'm not able to achieve a voluminous, thick, lots-of-lashes effect.

Wearing two hefty coats of Lancome Hynose Star Mascara.

It adds length, which is wonderful. I found that it made my bottom lashes appear longer than any other mascara, and added a pretty decent amount of length to my top lashes. Volume? Eeeeeh. I don't think it excelled in that department. Again, with a base, I was able to create a bit more length and volume, but to my bare lashes, it's average at best.

The wand is great though, and a pleasure to use. It's flat, and sort of cone-shaped, where the bristles start out short and extend further down the wand. You can really get precise and close to your lash line with this brush, and coat all of those little lashes well.

I like that the formula is very dark and it makes my lashes more noticeable, even at a distance. Would I consider the finish to be glossy? No, but it is indeed a dark formula.

It holds a little bit of a curl, but on days where I curled my lashes sky high to my eyebrows, my curl would drop almost instantly half-way and I'd have to re-curl them after my mascara has dried.

It wore really well on me without flaking and only very minor smudges by the end of the night. So minor that I wouldn't take off any points.

It's very simple to remove with warm water and some oil. It doesn't damage or pull my lashes out.

Overall, I'd rate this mascara a 3/5. I only like the results when used with a base, otherwise the results are very mediocre. As with any mascara (or product in general) results will vary. I read up on some reviews to see what others have said, and the results were very mixed. Some reviewers complained about flakes, but I didn't experience any. What many agreed upon is that it just didn't provide enough volume for a volumizing mascara. I'd agree with that. I won't be purchasing the full-size. I think it's a bit pricey for it's average performance.

Now, I'm cheating.. I added half false lashes to the ends of my eyes in the next photos.

Can the duck face ever be a good look? LOL This is me making fun of myself - I remember when I was around 16, every picture that existed of me was with a kissy face. Perhaps it was the only time my cheek bones existed? Haha!!! Who knows.

Have you used any of the Hypnôse mascaras?

The Round-Up

Pros:

• Added length to my top and bottom lashes
• Buildable formula that adds more length and mild volume with each coat 
• Super-black formula
• Awesome wand - gets to all of the lashes easily
• Pleasant scent - floral? 
• I didn't experience flaking or smudging throughout the day - only at the end of the night would I notice very minor smudges under my eyes that wiped away easily with my fingers

Cons:

• Sticky formula - sometimes my top and bottom lashes would connect if I didn't curl my lashes prior
• Wet formula causes me to get mascara on my eyelids during application
• Wet formula causes too many clumps
• Not enough separation/defining individual lashes

Price: $28, at your local Lancome counter or Sephora.