YSL The Shock Volumizing Mascara // Influenster #ShockTheWorld

Almost two months ago I received another Influester VoxBox. This time it was for the brand new Yves Saint Laurent Mascara called “The Shock!” Now with the campaign coming to a close, I decided to sit down and write up a full review of it since I have been using it for a good long while.

So here we go.

You might recall that YSL released another mascara last year that ended up flopping – BADLY. So much so that they even recalled it from stores. It was called the Vinyl Couture Colorful Mascara, and I wasn’t a huge fan of it, and I completely understand why they recalled it… but I’m getting off topic.

I’m not 100% sure but I think that The Shock is the revamped, reformulated version of the Vinyl Couture Mascara. While the new one doesn’t come in more than three shades, the formulation is MUCH better.

PROS:

• PIGMENTATION: The pigmentation of the mascara is extremely inky and intense. It is wonderful for making your lashes stand out.  As someone who doesn’t have a whole lot of lashes, it does make them look darker than they are.
• BRUSH/APPLICATOR: The bristles on the mascara wand do a good job at defining and coating the individual lashes. It has a slight hourglass shape to the brush and is small enough to get close to the lid so that you can coat the base of the lashes nicely. It does end up getting on my lid – but that’s what happens with most mascaras and me.
• BUILDABILITY: This mascara layers on very well. It doesn’t get too clumpy when you apply several coats.
• VOLUME: The formulation is great for giving your lashes extra drama. Honestly, it’s probably one of the better mascaras that I have in my collection as far as “volume giving.”
• WEAR: This mascara gives you 4-6 hours of wear time… however, if you do rub your eyes a lot (with allergies being what they are — HELLO SPRING) it will start to spec or flake off.  Be aware that this formula is not waterproof – so if you start to cry or if you get caught in the rain, it will smear. It also doesn’t transfer on your glasses if you wait for it to fully dry.

CONS:

• WEAR: This mascara formula is very, very heavy and if you curl your lashes at all – the heaviness of the mascara will inevitably straighten it out. I have stick straight lashes as it is, so it doesn’t really bother me, but if you are into curled lashes, keep this in mind.
• REMOVAL: Pardon my French, but this mascara is a BITCH to take off, especially if you apply multiple coats. I also have very fragile lash roots so when  I remove the mascara I have to be VERY careful not to accidentally remove lashes with the mascara.
• HEADACHES: If I wear this mascara for more than a few hours it will end up triggering a migraine/headache. I’m ridiculously not thrilled about that – because while I always seem to have a minor, annoying constant headache, wearing the mascara will intensify it.
• PACKAGING: This bit is a minor miff, but the metallic parts of the mascara tube and cap are just appliqued on there, and they will flake or scratch off. I accidently dropped the tube on the ground when I was getting out of my car, and it ended up scratching the foil off a bit. I wasn’t thrilled because I hadn’t taken “the pretty pictures” for you guys before it fell. Oops.

OVERALL:

For the price and effect, it is a nice mascara. I wish that it didn’t give me headaches when I wear it for longer than makeup pictures, but it is what it is. Score wise, out of 5; I would give it a solid 3. If you like non-waterproof, volume and definition mascaras, you may want to give it a try. It is a little up there in price, but it’s not too expensive like the Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Mascara – or other high-prestige brands.

Personally, I still prefer my Tarte Lash Paint Mascara, but this is alright in a pinch.

Do you have this mascara? What did you think of it? Let me know in the comments below.