Bobbi Brown has been a brand which I’ve admired from afar for a long time, but only was finally able to start trying in 2018. It’s availability around me has always been poor, but I splurged on a lipstick formula I’d heard fantastic things about which did not disappoint, and bought a box of treats from ASOS at the tail end from last year. I was really happy that in that box of treats was the Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara as I’d heard fantastic things about it.
I’ve had a deluxe mini that I’ve been trying for a good two months now. The packaging of this mascara is slick and simple, the full size is a plain silver tube rather than black than what is featured here, the full size has the Bobbi Brown logo featured on the side just like this deluxe sample.
The wand is what I prefer, a hair bristle rather than a rubber wand. A straight up and down wand that looks like nothing particularly special with a slight tapered end to tuck into all the difficult corners. But let’s admit it, it’s pretty boring and nothing different or special right?
The first few uses I had with this I thought were okay, but as I say with every mascara review I never judge a book by it’s cover with a mascara and wait until I’m a good few chapters in. Mascara dries out and that can be for the good or the bad, and with this one it definitely bettered with age. The first uses saw this be a pretty-decent lengthening mascara that separated as you went, but a good month on was when this really started coming to it’s best.
One coat still left a lighter lengthened look, but secondary coats made the lashes long whilst also adding the perfect amount of volume for a completely non-clumpy lash. I can appreciate a non-clumpy lash, but this gives that fluttery false lash effect. The lashes are a kohl-black and it has that matte kind of finish that looks really natural. My lashes have a natural curl but some mascaras can make them heavy – this one stays holding a curl all day. One of the things I also really like about this is that whilst it’s long-wearing and the formula doesn’t budge or transfer on me it also to the touch feels really soft and almost fluffy. It’s so unnoticeable on the eye it feels like I’m not wearing anything on my eyes.
Normally in the depths of winter I wouldn’t have chance to test the “sweat resistant” claim this mascara possesses, but having been under the weather with a cough, cold and a bit of a temperature I’ve had moments where a fever has taken over me and I’m happy to say the mascara didn’t smudge. That’s not a test to say it’s workout tested, but at least I got some good out of being ill being able to comment on it’s performance!
I wouldn’t say that this is the easiest mascara to remove at the end of the day, but it’s not the most difficult either. A good soak for a few seconds with micellar water means it swipes off from the lashes 95% free of residue, but a balm swipes it all off.
Smokey Eye Mascara on the Eyes with no other eye makeup
Smokey Eye Mascara full eye look
Everywhere I’ve checked reviews of this mascara it’s been fantastically rated 4 stars and above only, and I can see why. If you like a long, separated, volumised but non-clumpy mascara that’s long-wearing, smudge free and comfortable I don’t think you can do any wrong with this one. If I didn’t have a pile of mascaras awaiting review (12 and counting!) then I would be rushing out to restock for when this met its demise. It’s priced at £25, which is priced at the point most of my favourite mascaras are from Lancome and YSL and it’s up there with the same quality and appreciation I have for those.
Well done Bobbi, you’ve sold me on another formula.
Available from ASOS here, John Lewis here.
Have you tried the Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara?
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Email: helplesswhilstdrying@gmail.com
It actually made your lashes look really stunning
Candice | NatalyaAmour.com
Author
Thank you!
This looks amazing but can you suggest a mascara which wont cut my pockets and work wonders
Author
I’m a high end mascara girl at heart – this one is probably the best budget one I’ve tried though https://helplesswhilstdrying.com/2017/08/30/loreal-paradise-extatic-lash-paradise-mascara-worth-the-hype/ xx
The lengthening and volume it gave to your lashes! OMG!
Love,
http://thebeautywonk.com/
Author
I know, right – so fluttery!
Your lashes look absolutely beautiful! 😍 I’m assuming this sample was the waterproof version since you mentioned it was difficult to remove? Would you purchase the full size? Bristle wands apply mascara more nicely in my opinion x
Author
There is only one version of this which is “sweat proof” which I think is why it’s a little trickier to remove (I’ve definitely had worse though where I’ve had to scrub my eyes to feeling raw). I would definitely purchase the full size if I didn’t have so many in waiting to try, test and review!
Kinda want to go out and buy this right nooowww.
Hi Rachael!
I have always wanted to try Bobbi Brown products, but never have for similar reasons to you. We did not have a counter near where I was living. I just moved and want to try this mascara. Your lashes and eyes look gorgeous. Thanks for sharing this review!
<3 Alana
Author
Thanks for reading Alana! Definitely get yourself down to a counter and have a play with the different products!
I definitely will! And we just moved to a place that does have a Bobbi Brown counter nearby. Thanks again!
<3 Alana
Your lashes look gorgeous! I have a Marc Jacobs mascara and the results look so similar!
Author
I’ve heard great things about the MJ mascaras, I’ve not got round to trying them yet!
I had a sample of this which lasted me a good while! Really loved it whilst it lasted and is actually a product that I would look to buy. That’s really something because ordinarily I would not buy a high-end mascara but I loved the formula of this. I also like that the wand is simple and “boring” because it actually did the job for me rather than be something gimmicky.
Author
I remember you saying that you liked the mascara! I agree, I’ll take a wand that works over one that points at a 90 degree angle for the sake of being different!
I don’t know if I could bring myself to pay full price for this as there are cheaper mascaras that work just fine, but I definitely would try it now if the opportunity came! The ways it looks is exactly what I want in a mascara and I need something that is a little difficult to remove because it rains all the time here :]
Author
I’m such a high end mascara one – the only ones I’ve found that work well for me are L’Oreal ones and I despise buying from them!
No judgment here! You need to buy what you like and will actually use, haha.
Those results look amazing!!
Author
Thanks!
Is this mascara hypoallergenic as I have very sensitive eyes.