Grande Cosmetics – GrandeDRAMA Intense Thickening Mascara (Black)

Posted on November 11, 2019 by The Pale Adventurer

Online Description:

What it is:

An intense, thickening mascara infused with omega-fatty-acid-rich castor oil to promote lush, dense-looking lashes with unbeatable shine and glossiness.

Highlighted Ingredients:
– Castor Oil: Rch in omega-9 fatty acids and vitamin E to support stronger-, thicker-, bolder-looking lashes while preventing breakage.
– Natural Wax Blend: For a buildable formula.
– Hemispherical Powders: Provide reflective qualities to promote natural brilliance, shine, and glossiness.

Ingredient Callouts:

Free of parabens and phthalates. This product is also cruelty-free, and comes in recyclable packaging.

What Else You Need to Know:

GrandeDRAMA’s buildable formula lifts, lengthens, and adds volume to your lash look like never before. Plus, it’s infused with castor oil—a tried and true favorite that is also a popular DIY ingredient for thicker, healthy-looking lashes.

Clinical Results:

In a consumer study using GrandeDRAMA:
– 97% saw dramatic lash volume
– 94% saw thicker looking lashes
– 94% saw instantly lifted lashes

Suggested Usage:
-Coat the applicator and sweep the hourglass-shaped brush from lash base to lash tips in an upward motion.
-One or two coats should do the trick. This formula builds effortlessly in one or two sweeps.
-Remove with makeup remover or soap and water.

My Thoughts:

Mascara is that one makeup product I REFUSE to live without. I can sacrifice brows, eyeshadow, foundation, whatever, but mascara is my vice. Since it is my favorite makeup product, I get a bit snobby about formulas. This doesn’t beat out my current favorite, Lancome’s Monsieur Mascara, but this is still a contender. Tons of pros, few cons, so let’s get into both.

Performance/Wear: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★/5

Performance isn’t an issue with this formula and it definitely delivers on the length and thickness. I do wish the bristles were slightly stronger, because I feel like they are too soft which cause clumping after a few coats, but nothing a lash comb can’t fix. I do notice a better health of my eyelashes after using this for a few weeks. My lashes don’t feel as brittle or break as easily as they do with other formulas that probably don’t have as many beneficial ingredients. You’re probably thinking, “Then why would you use mascaras without beneficial ingredients for an eye product?” Well, the fact is a lot of companies aren’t transparent about their ingredients or how much of each they use, which is where consumers run into an issue. For example, when topical products advertise about having gold in them. I believe the studies that say gold doesn’t do anything for the skin when applied topically, so branding that to consumers feels like a cashgrab, more than making and selling a product that’s actually worthwhile.

The castor oil, I think, is the biggest standout ingredient for me, because it creates water-resistance for the mascara. It isn’t advertised as being water-resistant or waterproof, yet the castor oil creates a barrier that doesn’t faulter when I sweat or get caught in rainy or humid weather. That’s going to come in quite handy when I move to Humid City, Florida next year. The color dries black, not a dark gray like a lot of other formulas will do. The only thing I don’t see that they advertise is the glossiness, which wasn’t a huge concern of mine, if I’m being honest. While the castor oil is a huge help with holding up against sweat and moisture due to weather, it also becomes a pain when trying to wash off the product. It really doesn’t like to be broken down, so I have to hold makeup wipes for about 30 seconds to my eyes to let the product break down and then wipe the heck out of my eyes. That is the only downside to the product, since it isn’t ideal to have any excessive rubbing on the delicate eye area.

The best way I can describe this type of formula is that it’s ideal for someone who likes a natural lash look, like someone who wears a natural look on a daily basis or minimal makeup. You don’t really get glam results without really layering it, which doesn’t really feel like the intention behind this mascara.

Price: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★/5

Retail, the price isn’t bad, considering it does help the overall health of my lashes and holds up against moisture, even though that isn’t a benefit they promised. A better deal is for those who are licensed professionals, can get a cheaper rate from Salon Centric.

Packaging: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★/5

The tube is pretty lightweight, despite its bulky appearance and the copper finish creates a sophisticated feel to it. The hourglass wand is one of my favorites, because I feel like it can get to the roots of all lashes across my eye with easy sweeps, vs other wands that are straight across, you have to tilt and adjust to get even application on every angle of your lashes.

Ingredients:

-Castor Oil: Rich in omega-9 fatty acids and vitamin E to support stronger-, thicker-, bolder-looking lashes while preventing breakage.
-Natural Wax Blend: For a buildable formula.
-Hemispherical Powders: Provide reflective qualities to promote natural brilliance, shine, and glossiness.

Water, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), Stearic Acid, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera (Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax), Oryza Sativa Cera (Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax), Polybutene, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil (Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil), Polyglyceryl-3 Rice Branate, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Polyvinyl Stearyl Ether, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-21.

Pros: