Beautycounter Mascara Review

I have a confession to make: For all the safer beauty changes I’ve made over the years, I’ve also kept some unhealthy ones.  Until recently, I was using Latisse on my eyelashes to help them grow.  For the first couple of weeks, I walked around with blood shot eyes.  I should’ve taken this as a warning, but instead I stubbornly kept applying them to my lashes.  Some of the known side effects of Latisse include: eye redness or discomfort, dry eyes, watery eyes, eyelid redness, or puffy eyelids.  Since starting Latisse I’ve experienced all of these symptoms.  I haven’t always made the best decisions when it comes to my health.  Lame.  My husband teases me saying, “Well, you may go blind but at least you’ll have long eye lashes.”  I’m a work in progress.  Here’s my honest review of Beautycounter Mascara which is part of the Flawless in Five Collection.

Also, just so you know: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any of the products I have recommended, I may receive a commission at no cost to you. For more information, please see my disclosures. 

Beautycounter Mascara

As lax as I’ve been about my Latisse use.  One would think that I’d use just about anything on my lashes but no.  I still try to use things that are safer.  That’s one of the reasons I wanted to try the mascara from Beautycounter.  A lot of mascaras contain a pigment called carbon black to create the deep black color which can be bad news.  Plus, mascaras often have polyethylene glycols (PEGs) that may be contaminated with known carcinogens.  That being said, Beautycounter Volumizing and Lengthening Mascaras are pigmented with naturally-occurring iron oxides.  I like Beautyounter’s commitment to safer, cleaner cosmetics.

Beautycounter Volumizing Mascara

Volumizing mascara makes the lashes appear thicker.  Beautycounter Volumizing Mascara is made with natural fibers.  This advanced formula creates fuller, more dramatic-looking lashes without clumping, flaking or smudging.  It is made using botanical ingredients like carnauba and rice bran wax and bataua oil to soften lashes.

Beautycounter Lengthening Mascara

Lengthening mascara is designed to make the lashes appear longer.  Beautycounter Lengthening Mascara adds length and definition without harmful ingredients.  The formulation is smudge-proof and easy to remove.  Its made with plant-derived ingredients including carnauba wax organic bataua oil to help condition lashes.

What’s In It?

Beautycounter Volumizing Mascara Ingredients:

Aqua/Water/Eau, Cera Microcristallina/Microcrystalline Wax/Cire microcristalline, Acrylates Copolymer, Glyceryl Behenate, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Palmitic Acid, Cera Carnauba/Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Cire de carnauba, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Cellulose, Methylpropanediol, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Dimethicone, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Oenocarpus Bataua Fruit Oil^*, Rosa Centifolia Flower Wax, Jasminum Grandiflorum (Jasmine) Flower Wax,Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Citrate, Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid, Rosa Damascena Flower Wax, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).

^*Organic/Biologique

Beautycounter Lengthening Mascara Ingredients:

Aqua/Water/Eau, Cera Microcristallina/Microcrystalline Wax/Cire microcristalline, Acrylates Copolymer, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Glyceryl Behenate, Palmitic Acid, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Cera Carnauba/Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Cire de carnauba,Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Methylpropanediol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Dimethicone, Acacia Senegal Gum, Oenocarpus Bataua Fruit Oil^*, Jasminum Grandiflorum (Jasmine) Flower Wax, Stearic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Citrate,Myristic Acid, Rosa Centifolia Flower Wax, Rosa Damascena Flower Wax, Sodium Benzoate,Phenoxyethanol, May Contain: Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).

^*Organic/Biologique

How to Apply Your Mascara

1. Apply mascara to the base of the lashes and work your way up and out using the brush provided.
2. Turn the brush vertically to apply to lower lashes.
3. Repeat steps one and two until the desired result is achieved.

My Beautycounter Mascara Review

I’ve tried both formulations of the Lengthening Mascara.  I did find that the original was a lot dryer than the reformulated product.  So, I applaud Beautycounter for working to improve their products.  That being said, it is still worlds away from the “normal” feel of a mascara.  It added subtle length without feeling thick or gunky.  The key word here is “subtle”.  It does add length but you’d really have to look closely to discern whether mascara was being used at all.  It is great for a natural look.  The wand is very thin which really seems to help you hone in on each individual lash.

The Volumizing Mascara has been surprisingly good.  I had to apply the mascara using the brush vertically in order to see the best results.  The product tends to gather at the tip of the brush and because it is thicker than other mascaras, this method worked best.  When I tried using the product as directed, the results were ho-hum.  I definitely saw an increase in volume and length when I took the time to apply the product to each lash.

Beautycounter Mascara Wear Test

I didn’t see a lot of smudging for either mascara.  I did however, have some little flecks of mascara (like specks) flake off during the day.  It brushed off easily without smudging.  Both formulations lasted all day and are easy to wipe off.

Beautycounter Mascara Reviews

Here’s what other people had to say about these mascaras.  Customer Alyson K. says that the Volumizing Mascara is:

I have tried lots of mascaras and prefer those that don’t smudge, clump, wear off, but at the same time lengthen and thicken my lashes in a way that enhances them but is more natural than garish. This formula definitely meets that criteria. Since I am pretty used to, and really like, the more standard volumizing wand, ie. fat with bristles of differing lengths, it is taking me some time to get used to this unique “hourglass” shaped wand. That said, I may end up loving it, but since I’ve only used it 6 or 7 times just haven’t had time to perfect my technique. I will buy this again! Other mascara favorites of mine are Bobby Brown, Clinique and Tarte.

Lisa F. had this to say about the Volumizing Mascara:

I was pleased at the size of the tube. I am satisfied overall with the mascara but wish it was a little more moist. With 3 coats it has the same effect that I usually look for. It doesn’t rub or flake off during the day, but is easy to take off with eye makeup remover. It was recommended to add a drop or two of lavender oil which will help make it more moist and prolong it’s life. Glad I found a natural mascara that works!

Cynthia C. says the Lengthening Mascara really adds length and adds:

I didn’t think the thin consistency of the mascara would create the length that I crave, but after 2-3 coats, my lashes are long and beautiful! I normally use a lash primer prior to application but I’ve found I didn’t really need it with this mascara. I did have minimal flaking under my bottom lashes. Primer has helped that in the past. Are you considering coming out with a lash primer?? I would definitely buy it!! Keep the great products coming….I’m hooked! My consultant takes great care of me. She lets me know about new products and checks to see how I like my products.

Final Thoughts on Beautycounter Mascara

In the end, I would have to say that this mascara is decent.  It gets the job done and you can feel good knowing that the formulation is safer than the majority of the mascaras on the market.  However, Beautycounter’s goals have always been to not only provide safer products but to ensure that their products perform and are as indulgent as any other luxe mascara on the market.  That being said, this mascara does not feel luxe or indulgent.  It is safer…and that much is obvious.

The only downsides to these mascaras, in my opinion, are that:

• The application isn’t smooth enough.
• The volumizing mascara seems to require a bit of time and effort to get it just right.
• The formulations use oil (my eye doc told me not to use any oil around my eyes).

All-in-all, its still a great alternative to the junk-filled mascaras on the market today.  Until recently, I cared more about how a product made me look.  This last trip to the doctor has me questioning this perspective.  These mascaras are a safer choice.  I plan to continue to use them unless I find something that is equally safe and performs better.

Where to Get It

Beautycounter Lengthening and Volumizing Mascaras can be purchased from a Beautycounter Consultant here.

You can also find some good deals on eBay.