Black Ecstasy Intense Thickening & Lengthening Mascara

Black ecstasy has a classic kind of a brush that's often found in mascaras and compared to Eyes to kill classic it has shorter bristles that are more densely packed. Formula is also slightly "thicker" and creamier giving a bit more dramatic look. Color wise even though it's supposed to be dramatic dark black I found that it's as black as any other black mascara (for example some mascaras that are labeled as deep black for like Hypnose are truly darker and deeper black). Black ecstasy gives decent volume and holds up curl really well. Didn't clump and it was easily buildable. I wish it would give more volume. Try not to maneuver your lashes after mascara dries because it will start flaking like crazy. You can even see flakes in my photos below. No smudging during just some more flaking.

I use--and try--lots of mascaras. I use only high-end product, but am still often displeased by one aspect of its performance or another. Firstly, I always wear mascara even when I am doing a make-up free look, hence the wearing of "lots of mascaras." Secondly, even the good stuff burns my eyes. Thirdly, my eyelashes are not big, full, thick lashes--quite the opposite. This product, which I purchased in #01 Obsidian Black, is long-wearing, does not clump, does not burn or irritate my eyes, and really makes my lashes look va va va voom. I use a lot of the Giorgio Armani Beauty line--primer, foundation, sheer blush, lipstick, and I am pleased with everything I have purchased to date. The mascara, too, is nothing short of wonderful.

Purchased this on the "buy 2 get 1 free" mascara promotion day based on the glowing reviews. Of the 3 mascaras, this one just did absolutely nothing for me - so I'm counting it as the free one. The problem for me was the brush. It's very fat and made it difficult to get the mascara on without getting it all over my eyelids. It's also not very tapered, which made it difficult to get at the outside corners. There's also a lot of space in between the bristles. The formula didn't wow me, either. On the plus side - beautiful packaging and no scent. For the price, I expect a lot more.

In the past, I have not been convinced that high-end mascaras were necessarily worth the price. I have been happy with mid-range priced mascaras for many years now. But, I recently tried this one and am a convert now! The mascara was intensely black. It was easy to layer multiple coats, as I like to do. There was no clumping or spidery lashes when I added more. The litmus test for me in a mascara is flaking and raccoon eyes. Usually, because my skin is oily, I tend to get mascara meltdown underneath my eyes by the afternoon(and I only apply mascara to my upper lashes, not my lower). This did not flake or smudge underneath my eyes. My lashes are blond and pretty puny, and this gave me long, thick, fluttery looking lashes. I am in love with this mascara!