Unfortunately, I am neither, so this high-end mascara purchase for the first time in years totally bites the dust.
Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Waterproof Mascara
I have been pretty happy with drugstore mascaras and they suit better for my mascara practice - mark the date upon opening the tube and discard it after 3 months. So it had been years since I bought any high-end mascara except for those mini GWPs.
Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Waterproof Mascara was one of the three I picked up during the Nordstrom mascara sale (buy 2 get 3), so I didn't pay for the full price (thank God).
But for $32 a tube, it should be amazing, right? Wrong.
But for $32 a tube, it should be amazing, right? Wrong.
According to Giorgio Armani website,
"Just in time for Summer, try a waterproof, sweat-proof mascara.
Dress the eye with powerful, plush, voluminous lashes. Fine, fluid Microfil technology creates intensely captivating lash texture. Micro-waxes combined with a fineness agent allow for smooth and easy application, revealing weightless volume and length."
(I don't know what they're talking about..)
Ingredient list
I don't spot any magic ingredient here. If you do, please let me know.
To be fair, Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Waterproof Mascara is a decent one.
The formula is slightly dry but works nicely with the defining brush. It separates and defines. Not much of volumizing, but you will get naturally defined lashes that look nice. No smudging problem, either. Just like all waterproof mascaras I've tried, the formula thickens a bit and eventually gives better results.
It is all very nice when you don't have to think about the price you pay for this mediocracy. However, it is a very different story when you can get something better for far less money.
I thought the brush looked familiar...hmmm
Wait, the tube, too..!
I'm afraid L'Oreal is the parent company of Giorgio Armani Beauty.
I wish I could tell you that "I still like the Eyes To Kill Mascara slightly better than the L'Oreal Voluminous", but I can't.
The truth is, I like the Voluminous Waterproof Mascara better. It comes in glossier blacker formula and the shorter bristles work better to add volume to my lashes. The price is 1/4 of Eyes To Kill. And you'd be outraged if I say GA ETK contains 2/3 of the product. In the same sized tube, as you see.
It all boils down to personal preference but Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Waterproof Mascara is definitely not for me. I sure hope other two high-end mascaras I picked up would perform better than this.
Oh, and I will make sure to recycle the tube since it looks like made of brushed aluminum, one of the natural resources we're running out of, you know.
Shop Wisely
Yeah after the comparison. I rather go with the lesser-priced mascara! Great review though!
ReplyDeletexo - Sheila
www.sheislovelyblog.com
It was basically too much of expectation in this case. Guaranteed not every high-end mascara is great, right?
DeleteI would have to use other two I purchased, but I think I am good with ds mascaras. :)
Well after read your review I´m sure I´m very good with drugstore mascaras and of course my korean brands mascaras ar cheap and very good! Thank your for your review!
ReplyDeletexx
www.sakuranko.com
My pleasure. :)
DeleteI heard some of the Korean mascaras are really good, too! I would have tried them sooner if it was easier to get a hold of them. Someday, though. ;)
Lol the $$ must have been for the metal packaging... glad to know to avoid this one!
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly what I thought! Some people really like this mascara, though. It wasn't for me, unfortunately (or fortunately ;p).
DeleteYou know, I didn't care for this one either! It doesn't volumize lashes at all. Lancome makes way better mascaras imo!
ReplyDeleteIf it didn't do much for your gorgeous lashes, I'd rest my case.
DeleteThe new Grandioso mascara from Lancome looks so good. Intrigued!
I know so many people count this as HG, but I've never wanted to spend $32 on mascara! Because, like you, I like to throw it out in a timely manner (though I don't mark my calendar, lol! I should be better about it). I also only wear tubing mascaras, so there's that.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I feel somewhat relieved that this one did not work out for me. At least I don't feel that I need to spend that much on a mascara.
DeleteI think I'm being unreasonable since I keep lipgloss tubes much older. LOL. I just set an reminder on my phone and it is easy!
oh it is annoying when expensive make up doesn't perform extra ordinary.. I mostly use drugstore mascara for the same reason like you, but I do like some high end mascaras like Benefit They're Real or Lancome Hypnose..only their 3 month life span hurts our wallet too much T-T
ReplyDeleteI don't know why I keep wondering because I always come back to the original Voluminous wp. I know many hate this mascara, but it gives me naturally full lashes. No brainer for me. I still have to try my Dior and Lancome mascaras. Haven't lost my hope, yet! ;p
DeleteOh, this GA ETK mascara didn't work for me either. I was expecting it to blow me away, after reading so many excellent reviews... now I wonder how genuine those reviews are. Perhaps it's just my lashes, and now yours? I thought it was a total waste of money :-(
ReplyDeleteHonestly, after this, I don't think I'd purchase any more GA makeup. The ones I've tried (Fluid Sheer and lippies) are nice but I am afraid they are overpriced, and I'm confident I can find better things with same money. ;-/
Deleteuh brilliant idea about marking the date. why did i not think of this.
ReplyDeleteand oh noooesss. i find some mascaras only do well to accentuate what amazing lashes you were already (or in our case, already not) given. so...that's balls for this eh?
i might check out that voluminous one. i have a few of the million lashes and they were all kinds of 'meh' as well.
Just set a reminder on you phone! I used to use a marker. LOL
DeleteI tried many different things from the Voluminous line including the million lashes. Although I liked most of them, I still like the original wp. This one does not do anything for the first week, but it works great after that. ;)
Never tried this GA mascara but heard about it. It's actually on my wishlist.
ReplyDeleteL'Oreal makes great mascaras ! My favourite is the Faucils papillon.
This review saved my monney. Thank you Lena <3
Xoxo,
Michelle
Ah, I tried and love the Butterfly lashes, too! If you like the dramatic effects, I'm pretty sure you won't like the GA ETK. Too natural. ;o
DeleteOh wow the two mascaras are nearly identical! And I can't believe you get less product in the GA mascara even though they're the same size!! High end can be amazing but with some products I do wonder if they are even trying...
ReplyDeleteThe bristles on the Voluminous are shorter and rounder, which is nicer for my lashes.
DeleteI never use up a mascara since I discard it often, but it is a matter of principle. Maybe they don't think we would read find prints and do the math occasionally! ;-/
I hate it when a high product doesn't excell, Loreal do some great mascaras thgough. I'm currently using their volume million excess waterproof version, for around £10 it works really well. The only high end ish mascara i like is Lancome and Chanel :)
ReplyDeleteHanh x | hanhabelle
I agree! There are so many nice alternatives from the ds offerings. I haven't tried any Chanel mascara but always liked Lancome mascaras. Definicil was my very first mascara, too. :)
DeleteThanks for the comparison! I've not tried any high end mascaras but MUFE smoky lash and diorshow was amazing for me. In terms of drugstore mascaras, our drugstore mascaras and the exact same ones that you have in the US sell here for about $15-20US so I would much rather spend the same price for a japanese/korean brand mascara that works much better for me than one from l'oreal/maybelline. I love my mascara with fiber and the japanese make the most waterproof and I find the fiber so buildable without looking weird on the tips of the lashes!
ReplyDeleteOh, in that case, I'd do the exact same thing as you! I find Japanese fiber mascara really awesome but it is hard to get a hold of them here not to mention they are marked up. I haven't looked at Korean brands, though. Maybe I should start considering them as well. :)
DeleteLove the side by side comparison. I stopped buying high end mascaras a while ago since they do pretty much the same as drugstore ones or even worse!! Can't see myself spending $30 on a mascara that will expire in 6 months :( Sometimes I use my sephora points to try out a high end mascara once in a while. Luckily you got this on sale. I wish there was a Nordstrom rack in Canada!
ReplyDeleteMacarons and Mischief
I'm just like you. It's been so long since I spent this much on mascara and I guess I was hoping to find out what I'd been missing. So far, nothing has been missed. LOL
DeleteI'm really liking Nordstrom for my higher end shopping. I practically stop ordering from Sephora. ;o
Oh my will you look at the similarities! Thank you Lena for this I'll definitely pass this one especially since as you know, Voluminous wp didn't work for my lashes much. I'm still on the search for the perfect one, not sure at this point if I'll find it, ever. :(
ReplyDeleteWhat is worse is that I find Voluminous a better mascara. I really hope other two high-ends will turn out to be nice. Hope you'll find your mascara soon, Hélène. :)
DeleteI had a sample of the non-waterproof version and felt it was just meh. But I have difficult lashes and most mascaras and I are not friends. Having said that, if I ever do find the perfect mascara, I'd buy it even if it costs $40 since I saved a lot of money not buying mascaras in my lifetime, lol.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about "the perfect mascara"! But some wise person once said "finding a perfect foundation and mascara is a never ending journey for women" or something. Let's hope the other two (Lancome and Dior) are much better. :)
Delete