Sunday, September 22, 2013

Maybelline One by One Volume Express Mascara - Brownish Black

In the same way that many beauty lovers know Revlon for their lip products, I think that Maybelline's claim to fame are their mascaras. With so many options to choose from in their permanent range and such a widespread number of reviews, it is hard to miss all the raving that occurs regarding their mascaras. Naturally when Priceline had a sale and Maybelline mascaras were only $10, I made a special trip to go and pick up one that had been catching my eye for a while.

When I think of my ideal mascara, the terms definition and length come to mind. Unlike many, the idea of volume isn't terribly appealing for me - largely due to the fact that every day I am surrounded by teenage girls who have no concept of using makeup to make themselves look attractive and instead pile approximately ten layers of mascara on to their lashes until they look like fattened dead caterpillars poking out from their lashline. Yep, when you are faced with that kind of visual every single day you kind of become a bit turned off with the thought of a volumising mascara!

It was only natural then that I liked the idea of One by One, which did claim to give a bit of volume but also excellent definition too. I did a bit of research and found that it was quite well liked by most people and then made the decision to give it a shot.

First up is the brush. My favourite kind of brushes are plastic ones, which is what One by One has. This is unlike any brush I have come across in that it is really quite chunky, shaped very much like an AFL football, although each of the bristles are quite long. One might expect that this would be a little tricky to use but I found it quite manageable. For use on the lower lashline (which I never do) it is a bit fiddly.

The packaging is pretty appealing, bright and bold with the red tube and green writing. It does have a borderline Christmas vibe (am I the only one who thinks this?) but in the end it is the formulation that I really care about.

I think Maybelline was spot on when they named this 'One by One.' My pet hate is when a mascara makes my lashes stick together in one horrible mess, but this defined and coated every.single.lash. I am so impressed. Not once did I struggle with clumping or feeling the need to excessively comb through my lashes with an old and unused mascara wand because this worked so beautifully the first time. I've taken a photo of it on my lashes (albeit a horrendous one) and you can see the length and definition it gives.

I am quite biased in that I love really dry formula and don't often get along with wet ones. I would describe this as in the middle of both, and surprisingly I find it works just fine and I don't dislike it at all.

When attempting to layer this mascara it gets a bit more challenging. Though I wouldn't describe it as clumpy, my lashes most definitely need to be brushed through a couple of times to fix it up. I personally think that a single coat is more than enough for lovely looking lashes.

Usually I go for waterproof formulas but I didn't this time, and it has worked out quite well because unlike their waterproof cousins, this is so much easier to remove! Unfortunately the only shade left at Priceline was brownish black, and it is noticeable, though only slightly. If I had the choice I definitely would have gone for blackest black.

This lasts an entire day without flaking or smudging. It hasn't caused any irritation or problems whatsoever.

Overall I am so impressed with this and am really glad that I purchased it. If you want more than 'natural' looking lashes, but don't want terribly dramatic ones either, then this is a perfect in-between.

I give this 8 out of 10.




Apologies for the horrible photo, but can you see the length and definition it gives?

28 comments:

  1. I would like to have it and see the effect with mis lashes :-)

    International giveaway (MAC): http://envueltaencrema.blogspot.com.es/2013/09/sorteo-mac-vuelta-al-cole-2013.html

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  2. I prefer plastic bristles with a drier formula too!
    Btw, I absolutely love the way you write, you really have a way with words :)

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    1. My goodness, thank you dear Sheri :) Plastic bristles and dry formulas all the way :)
      x

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  3. Ahahahahaha...I love the visual about teenagers with dead caterpillars on their eyes!!! You are hilarious! :-) Such an entertaining review about a simple mascara - love it

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    1. Yay! Glad you enjoyed this post :) It's true though, I don't know what those girls are thinking... :)
      x

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  4. I love those kind of brushes, this looks great :) have a great night!

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    1. Plastic brushes are just so much easier to work with, I think. You too
      x

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  5. I prefer plastic brushes as well I find it easier to coat each lash. You've convinced I need this too. I've been umming and ahhing about it but now I'm going to buy it haha. I need to steer clear of your posts I buy something new all the time because of you :P yet to be disappointed though!


    Sarah | More Than Adored

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    1. Haha, my apologies! I was umming and ahhing for a while too, but I am really pleased with it. Good to hear you've not yet been disappointed by any of my recommendations...let's hope it stays that way!
      x

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  6. Hey Candice! I recently bought this exact mascara at priceline for $10 too! I love it so much! Great review even though I bought before hand haha. But your review basically describes this mascara exactly.
    -Sophie xo

    http://itssophiebella.blogspot.com.au/

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    1. Oh yay! Thanks for your feedback, good to hear you had a similar experience. So pleased with it :)
      x

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  7. Wow gorgeous lashes!
    Great review! I can't wait to try out the Maybelline mascaras I purchased in my recent haul :)

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    1. Thanks Melissa! Oooh would love to hear your thoughts on it soon :)
      x

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  8. I definitely agree that Maybelline have the best mascara, I've tried quite a few of them and they've all worked really well. My current one is The Falsies Black Drama and I love it. I think after my spending ban, I might have to go out and purchase this one. Your lashes look amazingly long and defined in the picture!

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    1. I have heard SO many good things about the Falsies mascara, I was so close to purchasing it instead of this one. Good luck with your spending ban :)
      x

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  9. I also prefer length focus than the volumizing ones. However, Maybelline tends to produce the second ones and their wands are not too great in my opinion. I like to borrow my mom's Revlon's mascara since it has great definition and has length effect. But for extra effect, I double it with my Maybelline collection :)

    I wonder why they don't put it in a separated way like this one in Indonesia so I can see the wand color -_-"

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    1. I've never tried any Revlon mascaras...they are too expensive in Australia! They sound good though :) Not all mascaras are packaged separately like this one, but Maybelline ones often are.
      x

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  10. I seriously love reading your posts, they're just so hilarious. I love the caterpillar metaphor. Oh and your eyelashes look stunning, I wish mine looked like yours!

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    1. Aw thank you :) I get a bit carried away with my descriptions, haha!
      x

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  11. hahahahhaha fattened dead caterpillars!!! hahah, can't stop laughing! I love Maybelline mascaras, and the plastic brushes just like this. It looks great on your lashes, I'll have to try this one next time they're on sale :)

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    1. Glad you had a laugh at this! Be sure to pick it up when it goes on sale again, so worth it :)
      x

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  12. I always see those girls around where I live. I can't tell if they think it looks nice or they are trying to have a contest as to who can wear the most product on their face? I really like this review! I tried the Falsies and wasn't really a huge fan but I would give this a try if they go back on sale.

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    1. My goodness I agree, it gets to a point where you don't even know what they look like there are so many layers! It's a little sad really, I imagine they do that because they are insecure. Shame about the Falsies mascara. I've never tried it myself but I think it gets really good reviews.
      x

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  13. I love maybelline mascaras, I thin this must be one of the only ones I haven't tried! It's on my list now!

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    1. This is quite a popular one, for good reason too!
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  14. I've been super curious about this one but I haven't seen too many reviews. I usually like to splurge on mascaras like Benefit's They're Real, but since I'm running out I figured I'd save a little bit of money and try one from the drugstore. I love the super cute packaging on this. Your lashes look gorgeous! Going to check this out next time I run to the store.

    http://bigbeautybag.blogspot.com/

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  15. I found at first this mascara was harder to work for me, but then I found layering it over The Falsies worked for some reason. Probably because I do prefer a more voluminizing mascara but yep, clumpy spider lashes are enough to turn anyone off! xx

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    1. Interesting! I've never really experimenting with layering my mascaras much...good idea Ash! :)
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