Japanese Drugstore Hunt 2000JPY & Below: Mascaras
Guess what? I think we could be coming near to the end of my Japanese drugstore series. I have exhausted most of the categories for cosmetics and have eyeshadows left as my last entry.
However, I haven’t covered every single thing, e.g. concealer, but I haven’t really heard much buzz on them and even in Japan, Bobbi Brown, MAC, Cle De Peau, and Shu Uemura reign supreme in that category. And as you can see these are not drugstore brands. But if you have a Japanese drugstore concealer to recommend, please do so! Or any other type of product you would like me to review.
Here’s a line up of Japanese mascaras from the drugstore that I think are worth getting (from left to right): Dolly Wink Long Mascara Black, Dolly Wink Volume Mascara Black, Dejavu Fiberwig Extra Long, and Majolica Majorca Lash Expander.
I need to throw in a little disclaimer that I have very oily eye lids so I need mascara base to make any mascara smudge-proof, except the Dejavu one.
The Dejavu mascara, 1575JPY, is smudge-proof only up to three months of using it and then it would start to get smudgy but three months is about time to toss out a tube of mascara. This in itself is a miracle for my lashes. For me, I prefer lengthening mascaras though I do have to warn you that you need to really work this mascara to get any decent lengthening effect.
The Dolly Wink Long Mascara Black, 1500JPY, has amazing lengthening effect without much effort so I like to use this if I’m in a hurry. For the Dolly Wink Volume Mascara Black, I like the fact that it gives my lashes some oomph without being too clumpy. For both mascaras, I use Kate Mascara Base, which I have to warn you that past the three-month mark, these would still smudge even with primer.
In terms of results, I still like Majolica Majorca Lash Expander, 1260JPY, that is a cult fave among Japanese cosmetics fans. It thickens and lengthens in a flattering way, but my only gripe is that it still needs a primer and it is extremely difficult to remove.
But in comes the Heroine Make Mascara Remover, 882JPY, which removes stubborn mascara like a charm. The ingredients list is impressive – tsubaki oil, rosehip oil, and royal jelly essence are in the list, while being free of alcohol, fragrance, colouring, and parabens.
This mascara remover has seriously saved my poor lashes from being ripped off and all you need to do is to swipe the wand under your lashes and then press gently with a cotton pad. Then I spread a cleansing oil all over my face, including my eye area, and everything comes off easily.
What is your fave Japanese drugstore mascara? Do you think drugstore mascara works just as well, if not, better than high end mascara?
If you are interested in the other posts in my Japanese Drugstore Hunt 2000JPY & Below series, here are the links: eyeliner, pressed powder, nail polish, lipstick, blush, and lip gloss.
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Thank you so much for this series – as someone who’s starting to buy a lot more Japanese cosmetics, it’s been invaluable.
I find the Dolly Wink Volume Mascara is on par with Dior’s Diorshow, which was my HG mascara for a long time!
Majolica Majorca Lash Gorgeous Wing. I tried the Lash Expander, but it clumped on me and looks too black. I guess we just don’t go together well.
LGW looks really natural, but still lenghtens my lashes, which is the effect I usually go for.
I’ve come to the conclusion that I prefer drug store mascaras rather than high end except for MAC fibre lash, but even with that I still love my Maybelline! As for that mascara remover, I need that in my life!
Hi Amanda, thanks for reading and commenting! I have not tried Dior mascara and if it’s comparable to Dolly Wink then I’m even happier with it!
@Helen: I totally agree with you though I have not tried MAC mascara which I heard can divide beauty junkies…some say it’s great, some really hate it…Maybelline is yet another reliable and affordable drugstore option.
@julia: MM all the waaaay
I tried the heroine make mascara remover but I hadn’t a real clue how to use it.. lol. Oil makeup removers works well to remove the MM mascara for me. I’m loving the MM mascara base too!
the only one i have yet to try is the majolica mascara and i have even heard all these great reviews about it too but for some reason i just don’t know why i can’t bring myself to purchase it…maybe because the packaging is too nice :\
the heroine mascara remover sounds so cool! i have never heard of that type of product before but it sounds great!especially with stubborn mascara
@nic: yeah the MM mascara base works great but so hard to remove even with oil cleansers. Though leaving it on for a longer time should do the trick but I am always so impatient :p
@kimby: you won’t regret trying MM mascara – bite the bullet!
I was wondering if you might do reviews on French drugstore brands? I’ve heard great things about Avene (for sensitive skin). There’s also others like La Roche Posay, ROC and Nuxe etc. Just a thought…^^
That’s a possibility…though French Pharmacy brands are v pricey in Japan….I do have some La Roche Posay I ‘ll be reviewing later down the path as I bought some in Germany.
Hi Yuming…I chanced upon Kao’s sensitive care range (face, body, hair) call Curel (thought it might be helpful for you). I just bought the face care trial kit and will try it out. Hope it’s good^^.