Dior: Diorshow Iconic Mascara Review

Dior, Diorshow Iconic Mascara

Today I have another mascara review, this time I review the Dior, Diorshow Iconic Mascara in Black.

"A Dior exclusive innovation for a revolutionary oblique brush. The incredibly soft elastomer brush features slanted bristles to capture each lash one by one. In one quick stroke, with no special application method necessary, the brush acts like a brushing on lashes. Enriched with a unique lifting formula, Diorshow Iconic sculpts, stretches and curves the lashes with extreme hold and high definition."

I bought this mascara for £23.00 in Debenhams, I also had £5 to use on my Debenhams Beauty Card so I put that towards the cost so I only paid £18.00 for it. This was my first Dior mascara, I bought it because my mum loves it and has used it for years, she also said it lasted ages and doesn't dry out, so I thought I would give it a go.

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_123172963799_-1

My bare lashes, I have only combed them with my MAC lash comb.

This is my lashes after two coats of Diorshow Iconic Mascara, and one coat on the lower lashes.

This is my complete eye makeup look with my usual eye liner.

Overall I found this mascara was slightly too wet, almost tacky for me. It made it more difficult to apply and took longer because my lashes kept sticking together. It also created some little clumps which you can see in the shots above. I do love the packaging of this mascara though, it looks great in your makeup bag! Just a classic silver tube with Dior printed all over it, the actual size of the product seems bigger than most mascaras which is surprising for a premium make up brand. The brush is a rubber/plastic one with lots of soft tiny bristles.

 

Loving the packaging!

You can see the structure of the brush and all of the tiny bristles.

Length: 3/5 This mascara did add some extra length to my lashes, but only after a second coat, which unfortunately caused some slight clumping. Adding a second coat took a lot longer as well because the formula was slightly tacky. Because my eye lashes are naturally longer, its difficult to add a huge amount of extra length to them, so it defined my natural length, sculpted them into place while adding a slight curl, this in turn added extra length to my lashes.  I give Diorshow Iconic 3/5 for length, it did add some extra length and help sculpt and curl my lashes, but the formula did clump making it harder to add further coats.

Overall Performance: 3/5 The overall performance of this mascara is decent. The formula I found to be too wet which made it really difficult to apply the mascara whilst separating my lashes as they all stuck together. The formula did clump during the application even on the first coat, but I think this is because the formula is really thick. I like the idea of the brush, it would make a fantastic lash comb! I think, however, due to the formula being so wet and thick it stuck between bristles preventing them from separating my lashes evenly. The mascara didn't flake, transfer or smudge throughout the day and it held my lashes in the same place all day as they were that morning. The also mascara comes off with no difficulty, I used my normal makeup wipes.

The mascara defined my lashes well but didn't give them enough separation as I would have liked. I did like the completed look with my eyeliner as I felt it was a darker more glamorous look, maybe more suitable for special occasions or for going out. I prefer the fanned out look to my eye lashes, this gave some of them a more spiky look.

Volume: 3/5 So the Diorshow Iconic did add voulme to my eyelashes, I think the thicker formula did this, at the same time it did clump slightly which was annoying and took longer to apply. The first coat did add some extra volume but when I applied a second coat, which I usually do with mascara, it started clumping and stuck some of my eye lashes together.

Expense: 2/5 I don't feel the Diorshow Iconic was worth the price I paid for it, I was glad I got my extra £5 off! I love having premium makeup brands and Dior is such a good brand with a great range of beautiful products, but the Iconic didn't live up to my expectations and I think its all down to the formula, it's just too thick for my lashes, maybe because my lashes are so fine it weighs them down and they stick together. I really do love the brush though and if the formula was maybe more whipped it would provide excellent separation with that amazing brush. However, my mum loves this mascara and it looks great on her, she has shorter lashes than me so maybe that's why.

L.O.V.E RESULT:

      11/20

Overall I wouldn't buy the Diorshow Iconic mascara again, (unless it was a present for my mum) and I won't be adding it to my makeup bag. I think this mascara would be better suited for shorter lashes and I am looking forward to trying another Dior mascara in the future, I have my eye on the New Look, watch this space!

My Lashes

Finding the right mascara for you is all dependent on your natural eye lashes, a mascara might look great on someone else but not work for you, one mascara might have really bad reviews but it could work really well for your eye lashes. It's difficult to judge how good a mascara is without trying it for yourself, you have to discover what sort of mascara works best with your eye lashes. I have found that the rubber/plastic brushes work the best on my eye lashes and a drier formula is better at giving me the effect that I want.

So my lashes.. well I am lucky, my lashes are naturally quite long, but they have no volume and without mascara you can barely see them (I am blonde and really fair). Because my lashes are long and fine they are delicate and prone to breaking, I hate when I am taking my makeup off at night and I see my poor lost eyelashes on the make up wipe. I have started to take better care of my eyelashes recently by being as gentle as I can when taking my mascara off and putting a little Organic Coconut Oil on them a couple of nights a week.

Day-to-day my mascara routine never really changes, I start by combing my eyelashes with the MAC Lash Comb, this just helps separate my eye lashes before I curl them. This is a great buy at only £6.00, and it is a duo brush with an eye lash comb on one end and an eyebrow brush on the other, they both fold away so they are great for in your make up bag.

http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/9392/22077/New-Collections/New-Accessories/Accessories/Duo-Lash-Comb-Brow-Brush/index.tmpl 

I curl my eye lashes first at the very roots of the lashes, then again about a quarter of the way up. The eyelash curlers I use are by Emite and they are AMAZING, definitely the best I have ever used. I got them in a GlossyBox but they usually sell for £20.00. The curlers apply the right amount of pressure and the shape allows you to grasp every lash. They also look really great, the black with the flash of red, reminds me of Louboutins!

http://www.glossybox.co.uk/emite-eyelash-curler

http://www.emitemakeup.com/index.php?option=com_hikashop&ctrl=category&task=listing&cid=74&name=eye-lash-curler&Itemid=164

With both of these tools keeping them clean are really important in getting the best results, product will build up on them there is nothing that will stop that but regularly cleaning them makes such a difference, I  just use a make up wipe and ensure I clean the rubber on the curlers as well. Your lashes also stick to build up product which can actually pull them out or damage them.

I usually wear black liquid eyeliner on my upper lid, a little wing is my every day look with pencil liner on my bottom lash line.

The mascara I'm wearing in these shots is the YSL Babydoll Mascara with Diorshow Primer. I usually wear two coats of mascara, but it depends on the formula and if it is prone to clumping or flaking, there is nothing worse than clumpy eyelashes....

Wish Lish 2014

This is my wish list of mascaras I want to try in 2014, I might not get around to reviewing them all, but these are some that have caught my eye and I would like to review in the future. 

From left to right : 

L'Oreal Paris False Lash Flutter Mascara £10.99

"L'Oreal Paris False Lash Flutter Mascara extends the look of lashes towards the outer eye without clumps. For Lashes worth Fluttering."

I want to try this mascara because the brush looks so interesting, I haven't tried one this shape before, also I can’t resist the name "Lash Flutter" and I love butterflies which really draws me to this mascara.

http://www.boots.com/en/LOreal-Paris-False-Lash-Flutter-Mascara_1305566/

Yves Saint Laurent Babydoll Mascara - Effet Faux Cils £24.50

This one claims: "A vastly spread look that captures all the light. A micro-faceted brush that creates volume lash by lash: lashes are multiplied, precisely defined, magnified."

I have used this mascara before, I think I loved it, but it did dry out quickly and I threw it away and forgot about it. When I see my lashes in photos when I was wearing it they look amazing, why did I stop using it? I am curious to try this one again, and if possible find a cheaper alternative or dupe.

http://www.boots.com/en/Yves-Saint-Laurent-Babydoll-Mascara-Effet-Faux-Cils_1319203/ 

MAC In Dimension 3D Lash £18.00

"M.A.C's lightweight whipped formula now in an intense blacker than black pigment saturates lashes root to tip, adds volume, extends length and creates curl, while conditioning for softness and flexibility. The final result: extreme dimension that won't smudge, clump or flake. Exclusive mega brush designed to apply optimal amount of mascara."

Sounds great to me! The brush of this mascara looks so good, I usually prefer the rubber/plastic brushes, I think they comb my lashes through better. I have only tried one MAC mascara before and I didn’t like it but this one looks like a better brush and sounds like a better formula, it’s a “lightweight whipped formula”, I have however found that these whipped formulas can dry out and flake easily.

http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/152/26749/Products/Eyes/Mascara/In-Extreme-Dimension-3D-Black-Lash/index.tmpl

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara £12.00

I have wanted to try this mascara for a while now, I think it's because it looks so cute! It’s like a baby mascara and the packaging it so pretty as well. I have heard good things about this mascara and I think the price is decent, so I will definitely give it a try this year. I never really pay attention to my bottom eyelashes, I just use the same mascara as I do on my top lashes but I really want to try this regardless.

http://www.boots.com/en/Clinique-Bottom-Lash-Mascara_1163242/

Urban Decay Lush Lash Growth Serum-Infused Conditioning Mascara £15.00

"Nourish, thicken and lengthen your lashes from the inside out. Infused with Peptides that lengthen the growth cycle (as well as moisturizing Panthenol), this formula builds AND beautifies them simultaneously."

This mascara is near the top of my list with its lengthening properties and conditioning treatment how could it not be, win-win. If it can make my eyelashes look amazing and at the same time condition them and help them grow I would wear this every day.

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_123932012499_-1

Lash Domination™ 10-in-1 Volumizing Mascara £16.00

This is another one I have wanted to try for a while, I really like a lot of the Bare Minerals products but I have never tried a mascara, hopefully this will be my first. My best friend has this mascara and I saw her use it and it looked really good.

"Volume you can see. Power you can feel. The be-all, end-all, 10-in-1 volumising, lengthening, thickening, separating, long-wearing mascara has arrived."

http://www.bareminerals.co.uk/Lash-Domination-10-in-1-Volumizing-Mascara/UK66477,default,pd.html

Maybelline the Rocket Volum' Express Mascara £7.99

This is Maybelline's newest mascara, I have tried dozens of their other ones so I think I should give this one a go as well, they are always a fair price and most of them are pretty good.

http://www.boots.com/en/Maybelline-the-Rocket-Volum-Express-Very-Black-Mascara_1379055/

Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara £24.00

"Volume Length Curl Seperation Mascara. For a sophisticated result- Extreme VOLUME, absolute LENGTH, bold CURL: your lashes take on a new dimension and become the assets of fascinating, intense eyes." Literally everything I want in a mascara, will it deliver? This mascara is more expensive, but it is Chanel, if the mascara does deliver on all of its claims then it’s worth the £24.00 in my opinion.

http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/CHANEL+INIMITABLE+INTENSE+Volume+Length+Curl+Seperation/D238471,default,pd.html

Sublime De Chanel £24.00

"Infinite length and curl. An innovative, precious mascara for every-day wear, SUBLIME DE CHANEL expresses a timeless and ideal vision of femininity down to the tips of the lashes."

Another Chanel mascara, maybe a comparison between the two would be good. This one does sound similar to the Inimitable Intense Mascara, but I like the look of this brush, it has super fine bristles which are great for separation and definition.

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_123152002499?CMP=SSH&tmcampid=28&tmad=c&sku=6840176&gclid=CMTXwMCgjbwCFa-WtAodBR4AKw

Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes Mascara £21.00

I have used this mascara before and remember liking it and it also smelt like roses, the packaging is so cute and I want to try this one again so I can review it properly and start comparing it to my other reviews. There are a few Lancome mascaras I have used in the past, I have liked most of them but I found that similar to the YSL Babydoll, they dried out too quickly.

"Hypnôse Doll Eyes coats every single lash without weighting them down, for a wide-eye look."

http://www.boots.com/en/Lancome-Hypnose-Doll-Eyes-Mascara_1226846/

Dior Multi-Dimensional New Look Volume & Treatment Mascara £23.00

"The new prodigious mascara with volume enhancer action, lash by lash. An exclusive nano-brush captures and coats every single lash, even the tiniest ones. A Lash Multiplier™ serum treatment formula thickens, separates and extends the lashes for an infinitely multiple lash effect."

I currently have the Dior Iconic which I will review, when I was buying the Iconic I couldn’t decide between it and the New Look so I want to try this one as well.

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_123172013299_-1

Chanel BEAUTÉ DES CILS Nourishing Mascara Base £24.00

"BEAUTÉ DES CILS is the 'specific beauty care' for lashes to be used on its own or as a primer. Worn under mascara, it intensifies and prolongs the makeup effect. Applied daily, it protects and acts like a rejuvenating treatment thanks to its nourishing and fortifying formula. Watch your lashes grow stronger."

I currently use the Diorshow primer and I love it, but I am curious to try something new, a comparison of the two would be good. I use my primer every day, it helps condition the lashes and can help your mascara last longer. I really like lash treatments, either in the mascara or as a primer, don’t forget that healthy lashes are the most important thing in finding a perfect mascara for them.

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_123152002799?CMP=SSH&tmcampid=28&tmad=c&sku=6840192&gclid=CNLMwc6hjbwCFYUIwwodpCAATA

Hopefully at the end of the year I can award one of these mascaras “Mascara of the Year 2014”  If I do get round to trying and BUYING them all, the grand total of all these mascaras is £220.48!

Love Lashes x

Welcome to Love Lashes x...

So a bit about me, my name is Melanie, I'm currently studying a BA in Media and Communications, I live with my fiancé in Scotland. I'm obsessed with fashion, make up, beauty, healthy living and everything that sparkles!

I am a huge mascara junkie, I buy it all the time cos' I'm constantly in search of that one holy grail mascara. I have tried hundreds, literally hundreds, of mascaras and still haven't found the one, and at the same time I forget which ones I have already tried... so I buy them again. What better way to remember than to actually document them all right here on Love Lashes x, maybe that way other mascara enthusiasts can benefit from my reviews (with pictures) as well. I love make up and beauty in general, so if I do feel the need, I will branch off from mascaras and let you know about other products I have tried and tested too.

I want to try every mascara out there... maybe that's a little excessive, but as many as I can at least, from the most expensive designer brands to the cheaper drugstore ones, if there is a mascara you want me to review just let me know, I'm open to suggestions.