This review pits Laura Mercier's Caviar Volume Panoramic Mascara against the popular Lancôme Monsieur Big, a battle of the mascaras for dramatic lash volume. The author, a fan of bold lashes, shares her experience with the Laura Mercier mascara, detailing its application, formula, and overall effect. High expectations, fueled by a friend's glowing recommendation, were unfortunately unmet. The review thoroughly explores the mascara's performance, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses, comparing it directly to the author's beloved Lancôme Monsieur Big.The comparison focuses on achieving dramatic volume and length, key factors for the reviewer's desired look. Discover whether the Laura Mercier mascara lives up to the hype and if it dethrones the reigning champion, Lancôme Monsieur Big. This honest assessment offers valuable insights for those seeking a mascara that delivers either a naturally defined or intensely voluminous look, helping you decide which best suits your lash goals.
Pros And Cons
- Not messy
- Doesn't transfer onto eyelids
- Formula is not super wet
- Good for lower lashes: gives definition and color without lengthening too much
- Keeps lashes separated
- Provides lift to lashes
- Easy to apply
- Underwhelming volume and length with first coat
- Doesn't build up significantly with multiple coats
- Minimal difference noticeable between lashes with mascara and naked lashes even after multiple coats
- Doesn't deliver dramatic, voluminous lashes as desired by the reviewer
- Provides significant volume and length with one coat
- Dramatic effect
- Consistently performs well from first to last use
- Messier formula
- Can transfer onto eyelids
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First Impressions & Packaging
Upon receiving my order of the Laura Mercier Caviar Volume Panoramic Mascara, I was eager to try it. My friend Mel raves about it, and we share similar tastes in mascara, favoring dramatic, voluminous lashes. The packaging was sleek and elegant, typical of Laura Mercier.
The wand is notably long, and the brush itself has a unique twisted pattern. This design is intriguing, promising precise application and potentially even lash lift. The mascara has a standard scent, nothing overly offensive or remarkable.
Application & First Coat Results
I applied the mascara using my usual technique: wiggly motions at the base and gentle blinking. However, the first coat proved somewhat underwhelming. The formula felt less wet than expected, and I didn't see the immediate volume and length I typically desire.
The mascara didn't clump, and it did offer a decent amount of separation and slight lift. However, the overall effect was subtle, not the dramatic look I was hoping for. It didn't compare favorably to my initial expectations.
Building the Lashes – Subsequent Coats
Hoping for improvement, I applied two more coats. Even with multiple layers, the volume and length remained minimal. The twisted brush did help prevent smudging onto the eyelids.
It became clear that this mascara prioritizes a more natural, separated lash look. While buildable, achieving the extreme volume and length that I sought proved impossible, leaving me deeply underwhelmed after three coats.
Lower Lash Application & Overall Impression
On my lower lashes, however, the mascara performed admirably. It added subtle definition and color without being overwhelming, making it a good option for lower lashes. This was my preferred application method.
Overall, this mascara is great for a natural look but falls short of delivering the dramatic, voluminous effect I prefer. It's lightweight, easy to apply, and non-clumping, but it's not my new holy grail mascara.
Comparison with Lancôme Monsieur Big
To highlight the difference, I compared the Laura Mercier mascara to my go-to, Lancôme Monsieur Big. With just one coat of Monsieur Big, the volume and length were significantly more dramatic.
Monsieur Big is a wetter formula, leading to some smudging, but the result was far more impressive for my desired look. It proved to be much superior in delivering dramatic length and volume compared to the Laura Mercier.
Final Verdict
The Laura Mercier Caviar Volume Mascara is a decent mascara, particularly for those seeking a natural, separated lash look. It's easy to apply, doesn't clump, and is smudge-proof, but it lacks the dramatic impact that I personally crave.
For those looking for extreme volume and length, Lancôme Monsieur Big remains my superior choice. The Laura Mercier mascara simply doesn’t deliver the same level of dramatic results. It may improve with age, according to some reviews, but as of now, Monsieur Big remains my undisputed favorite.