Diorshow Iconic Overcurl mascara review - va-va-voom lashes that last

Diorshow Iconic Overcurl mascara review - va-va-voom lashes that last

Dior didn’t mess about when they named Diorshow Iconic Overcurl. Is it a touch hubristic to call a mascara iconic before it’s even hit the shelves? Perhaps, but they weren’t wrong. Call it supreme confidence, call it nominative determinism, whatever happened in the years since this glamorous baby was brought into the world, there’s no denying it’s become a modern makeup icon.

The overcurl bit came to pass as well. This formula will stretch your lashes into perfect wide-awake flutter and then keep them up there all day. Obviously, there’s a price to be paid for pure luxury and don’t expect to get away with pretending you haven’t made an effort - natural look this ‘aint. But if your idea of the best mascara is high-impact volume, curl that won’t quit and a nice little surprise when it comes to removal, Diorshow Iconic Overcurl more than delivers.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

It’s hard to imagine many mascaras making a better impression than Diorshow Iconic Overcurl. Just look at it - the dazzling silver tube, elegant lettering and tactile textured branding all add up to a seriously classy customer. It even feels great just to hold the tube in your hands - something about the high-gloss finish I suspect.

Essentially, having this tube on your dressing table offers a similar bump of aesthetic satisfaction to a fancy new pen on your desk or a bottle of champagne in the fridge. It’s a promising start.

FORMULA AND INGREDIENTS

Specifications Shades: Black, blue, brown

Waterproof version available: No

Added extras: Conditioning Jojoba and seed oils

Diorshow Iconic Overcurl makes a few promises with its formula, which are 24 hours of volume and curl plus lash fortifying care. Starting with volume and curl, the ingredients list certainly ticks all the boxes you’d hope for to deliver the intended effect - various waxes, stretchy polymers and inky black pigment.

The 24 hours part I’ll turn a blind eye to, much like I do with all makeup that promises days worth of wear. Really, who needs their lashes standing at full attention for that long? Are you not sleeping or are you desecrating your pillowcase with gunky black smudges every night? Either way, I’m concerned.

Care-wise, we get some nice softening ingredients like natural seed oils and jojoba, a reassuring prospect if you worry about the long-term effects of the load-it-on then scrub-it-off cycle we get tend to into with mascara.

The formulation feels volumising, which is to say it loads onto the lashes heartily and bulks them out substantially so you’ll know it’s there. Not in a bad way - in a “why can I feel my lashes batting against my brow bone?” way. There’s no doubt this is one of the best lengthening mascaras if you also want a curl effect that really lasts.

(Image credit: Dior)

EASE OF APPLICATION

Plenty of mascaras are easy enough to apply, but far fewer can be described as enjoyable like Diorshow Iconic Overcurl. The feeling of pulling the bushy curved brush and stretchy formula upwards through your lashes is genuinely gratifying. As is the fact that even one coat gives an impressive degree of volume and lift. Many will find a single coat is enough for their requirements, certainly If I was planning to wear this during the day or to work I’d probably stop at one.

I went into my second layer feeling nervous. Often, impressive first coats lead to overly bulked, spidery or clumpy second ones. Brushing it through definitely took a bit more graft this time around but my lashes remained reasonably separated and, with some wigging, steadfastly unstuck. If you’re a three coat girl you might want to keep a lash comb handy.

The formula dries quickly, which helps keep application neat and clean, although the relatively chunky brush did cause a few little smudges when applying to the lower lashes. That’s standard stuff for brushes this shape and easily sorted with a damp cotton bud.

What’s it like to wear?

This is a mascara you wear when you want to get noticed and in turn you will notice that you’re wearing it. Even an accidental glance on the reflective side of my kettle had me thinking, hello lashes! Friends may ask what mascara you’re wearing, your partner will probably venture a tentative “you look… nice?” while praying they haven’t forgotten some important occasion that warrants the extra effort. It’s that kind of mascara.

About six hours after applying I was still resolutely flake free and none of the formula had transferred - a solid achievement with my hooded lids. Four hours after that one tiny smear had besmirched my upper lid, which is about six smudges fewer than your average formula and very impressive indeed.

Surprisingly for such a dramatic and hard-wearing formula, Diorshow Iconic Overcurl promises to ‘rinse away easily with lukewarm water, no makeup remover required.’ Such easy, chemical free removal is usually limited to tubing formulas like Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara, which tend to sacrifice lash-bulking powers for easy wear and removal. But sure enough a reusable pad doused in warm water was enough to sweep away the mascara without much scrubbing required on my part. I’m not quite sure how Dior managed to pull that one off, but hey, why question it.

From high society looks to high drama lashes, there is plenty to recommend this mascara. Particularly so if you like beauty products that make a real impact. If you are more of a barely-there type, or prefer to pick from the best cheap mascaras on the high street this may not be right for you. That aside, this is a glamorous lash-lifter that feels and lasts just like the special treat it appears to be.

Celeb A-Listers Swear By These Best Waterproof Mascaras to Avoid Smudges

Celeb A-Listers Swear By These Best Waterproof Mascaras to Avoid Smudges

These waterproof mascaras simply won’t budge, even on steamy summer days.

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Whether on the silver screen, scrolling through Instagram or on the pages of a magazine, you can find footage of celebrities anywhere and everywhere crying tears of joy, diving into the ocean during their beach getaway, or working up a sweat during an intense workout. No matter the scenario, their mascara seems to always be intact. So, what’s the secret to mascara that doesn’t run, budge or flake? Finding the best waterproof mascara. It’s a trick that all celebrity makeup artists are quite familiar with.

While your life probably isn’t quite as dramatic as most A-listers, there are still plenty of perks of including one of the best waterproof mascaras in your makeup bag. Even in humid weather, regular mascara is prone to smearing and smudging, and this stuff really stays put. Plus, the formulas have come a long way, offering everything from lengthening to curling to volumizing, delivering the lush lashes we all crave. Just in time for the warmer spring and summer weather, these are best waterproof mascaras that will keep lashes lifted while you’re at the beach, lounging by the pool or doing hot yoga.

1. Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara

BEST OVERALL

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more beloved mascara than the original, non-waterproof version of this one, which is the best-selling prestige mascara in the country. It has racked up countless rewards. Add waterproofing to the mix and you end up with the best waterproof mascara. Each swipe—and you can do a few sans any clumping—delivers impressive results, extending and volumizing lashes every time. The innovative hourglass-shaped brush grasps every lash for a fluttery, feathery effect. Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara, $26, ulta.com

2. Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara

BEST CLASSIC

Maybelline Great Lash truly has a cult following, so it’s no surprise this smear-proof version is one of the best waterproof mascaras. The formula builds up lashes while lifting and separating each hair. While it brings on the drama, it doesn’t bring on clumps. Most impressively, it costs less than a fancy latte. Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara, $4, amazon.com

3. Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara

BEST FALSIES EFFECT

If you’ve ever wondered where the name comes from, Diorshow refers to the fact that this mascara was actually developed for makeup artists to use backstage at shows. That explains all that lash drama. The carefully created brush is designed to grab every last lash to lift and curl it, delivering that coveted false eyelashes effect. Take it from the runway to your very own catwalk of life and you’ll see that it lasts for up to a whopping 24 hours. Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara, $30, sephora.com

4. tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes Waterproof Mascara

BEST NOURISHING FORMULA

A quadruple threat, this four-in-one formula lengthens, curls, volumizes and conditions, making it one of the best waterproof mascaras. Even better, it’s spiked with lash-loving ingredients, including tarte’s Skinvigorating beeswax, a natural waterproofing agent that keeps the mascara in place through rain and sweat. There’s also mineral pigments to soothe and soften lashes, as well as carnauba wax to guarantee it applies smoothly. tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes Waterproof Mascara, $23, sephora.com

5. Armani Beauty Eyes To Kill Waterproof Mascara

BEST MULTITASKER

This earns a spot as one of the best waterproof mascaras by checking off all the boxes: It volumizes, lengthens and defines lashes for 24-hour wear. The secret ingredient might be the Microfil technology, which boosts the textures of lashes, while the patented, asymmetrical oversized brush has a bristle weave design to catch every eyelash. Armani Beauty Eyes To Kill Waterproof Mascara, $29, sephora.com

6. Urban Decay Perversion Waterproof Mascara

BEST BLACK MASCARA

Sure, there are lots of black mascara, but Urban Decay’s scores points for being the blackest of blacks. You know the type—the ones that really make lashes pop. And it now comes in a waterproof formula! Every coat brings on length and volume without any clumping or dryness. To make your lashes look just as beautiful from the inside, the formula is spiked with a nourishing combo of proteins, amino acids and honey extract. Urban Decay Perversion Waterproof Mascara, $25, sephora.com

7. Lancome Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara

BEST VOLUMIZING

Big, bold lashes will be yours for up to 24 hours, courtesy of the unique oversized brush with wavy bristles. The smudge-proof and sweat-proof formula is packed with polymers and waxes so that it glides right onto lashes, instantly plumping them up. Unlike many other waterproof mascaras, this one feels light as a feather all day long. Lancome Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara, $26, sephora.com

8. L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara

BEST DRUGSTORE MASCARA

As the best drugstore waterproof mascara, it volumizes and lengthens, extending lashes to create a full, feathery fringe. You’ll never have to worry about flaking, smudging or clumping with this formula that simply won’t budge. Lashes are left soft and luscious all day long. L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara, $9, amazon.com

9. Eyeko Beach Waterproof Mascara

BEST FOR BEACH WEAR

True to its name, this waterproof mascara has such impressive smudge-free staying power that it will even withstand a long hot, sweaty day at the beach. Sweep it on for maximum lashes—it instantly lifts, curls and adds volume. The formula is infused with coconut oil and waterproof pigments to make it last. Eyeko Beach Waterproof Mascara, $21, amazon.com

10. Givenchy Phenomen’Eyes Waterproof Mascara

BEST FOR PRECISION APPLICATION

The iconic mascara wand is famous for its spherical, 360-degree shape that is able to separate and coat every last lash in mascara, including the baby hairs. As a result, lashes are covered from root to tip, providing definition, length and curl. The formula spotlights a hydrating polymer that makes it smudge-proof, as well as a triple-action polymer that clings to lashes to lengthen and curl them. Givenchy Phenomen’Eyes Waterproof Mascara, $32, sephora.com

Mascara with fibers: what they are, why they’re different, plus our 7 best picks

Before the latter-day boom of false lashes, semi-permanent varieties, magnetic strip lashes, or a regular lash tint and lift, Maybelline was thinking a step ahead when it came to bigger lashes. Back in 2003, a Maybelline researcher filed a patent request for a formula for what was essentially a mascara with fibers.

Then positioned as a “lash builder”—described as a “tacky substance filled with tiny fibers,” according to The New York Times report about the patent—it was subsequently first marketed in Asia to address the needs of Asian women who wanted a solution for shorter lashes. A few other niche brands, such as the luxury makeup brand Trish McEvoy and France-helmed Longcils Boncza, purportedly favored by the likes of Audrey Hepburn, also have had first-generation versions of a lash builder, and the innovation has since taken off to global commercialization.

Fiber mascara claims to make lashes longer, fuller, and plumper, so it comes as no surprise that it’s maintaining a steady hold in eye-makeup-obsessed 2021. These days, there’s literally almost nothing we won’t do to achieve the lashes of our dreams. And with good reason: Longer, fuller, and more voluminous lashes have the ability to open up the face and draw attention to our eyes (our main vanity point these days, if we’re being honest), giving the impression of a brighter and more awake complexion.

What are mascaras with fibers made of?

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty: A mascara with fibers is a mascara infused with tiny pieces of rayon, silk, or nylon fibers in the actual formula (yup, in the black stuff itself!), and they can help you achieve the lashes you dream about for a fraction of the price you might pay for a professional service that yields similar results. Just like the best mascara on the market, fiber mascara is applied just like standard mascara, but it differs because it deposits tiny fibers that stick to the ends and sides of your natural lashes with every swipe. This gives the impression of thicker and longer lashes. Another benefit of these formulas is that they tend to smudge less too, making them an ideal pick for those with oily skin as it doesn’t smudge off on the lower lashline as easily.

Editor’s picks: our fave mascara with fibers

(Image credit: Milk Makeup)

1. Milk Makeup KUSH High Volumizing Mascara Best vegan Specifications RRP: $25/£18 Size: standard (10 mL); mini (4 mL) Shades: Blackest Black Brush: crisscrossed Special call-outs: Hemp-derived cannabis seed oil (THC-free, non-psychoactive) Reasons to buy + Vegan + Cruelty-, paraben-, gluten-, silicone-, fragrance-, and alcohol-free + Volumizing and conditioning + Intense black finish + Signature “Puff Puff Brush” delivers clump-free results Reasons to avoid - Only one shade TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon

This high-volume mascara is one of our favorites as it’s infused with heart-shaped fibers that lock onto your lashes to create extra fullness. Don’t let the gimmicky shape of these fibers fool you—this mascara has quickly become a cult favorite product for a reason. The brush does a spectacular job of separating lashes and infusing them with volumizing fibers that yield fuller lashes in minutes. One coat will have a big impact, while two will give you the impression of false lashes. Oh, and did we mention it’s vegan?

(Image credit: Huda Beauty)

2. Huda Beauty Legit Lashes Mascara Best dual-formulated Specifications RRP: $27/£20 Size: 8.5 mL Shades: Extreme Black Brush: dual-ended: hourglass side for volume; curved side for curl and length) Special call-outs: two formulas: short low-gravity fibers for volume; 5 mm gripping fibers for curl and length Reasons to buy + Matte finish + Cruelty-free, ophthalmologically tested + Volumizing, curling, lengthening in one + Customizable results: Side A (Volume) has short, volumizing fibers for an extreme fuller, thicker effect; Side B (Curl & Length) has gripping waxes and 5 mm lengthening fibers for an elongated, curled, fluttery effect Reasons to avoid - Only one shade - Twice the work for a full falsies effect TODAY’S BEST DEALS £24 View at Boots.com £24 View at Feelunique £31.92 View at Amazon

Why settle for lashes that are just either extra long or extra full when you can have both? This double-ended mascara with fibers delivers volume and curl plus length and uses low-gravity fibers for lashes that boast major volume without weighing themselves down. Every beauty expert knows that some days call for volume, others call for fullness—and most all call for both! This mascara allows you to customize your look any way you like it, and we’re all about the fluttery finished look that can rival your falsies any day.

(Image credit: Smashbox)

3. Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara Best one-and-done Specifications RRP: $24/£17 Size: 9.56 mL Shades: Jet Black Brush: large, tapered Special call-outs: Vegan; SLS/SLES-, paraben-, and cruelty-free Reasons to buy + Vegan + Free of SLS and SLES, parabens, and phthalates; contains less than 1% synthetic fragrances; cruelty-free + Full, tapered brush grabs lashes at the root to create maximum yet natural-looking volume and length + No clumping, smudging, flaking, or spider-eye effect Reasons to avoid - Only one shade - Not for those who need significant lengthening - Hard to reach tiny lashes in inner corners TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon

What do you get when you cross vegan sensibilities with a fiber-rich formula? Smashbox Full Exposure Lash Volumizing Mascara adds natural-looking length and volume and a buildable kind of thickness. We love this mascara with fibers for travel or on-the-go as it pretty much checks all the boxes for a natural-looking everyday glam. We recommend starting at the base of your lashes and carefully wiggling the tapered brush from roots to the ends for a full coverage look. Continue building and adding more coats for a super dramatic finish.

(Image credit: COVERGIRL)

4. COVERGIRL The Super Sizer Fibers Mascara Best shade options Specifications RRP: $5/£4 Size: 10.35 mL Shades: Very Black; Black; Black Brown; Brown Brush: fanned-out Special call-outs: has a waterproof variant Reasons to buy + Touts 400% more volume and considerable definition + Special “Lash Styler” fanned-out brush reaches tiny lashes for a transformative, volumized effect + Four versatile shades + Leaping Bunny Certified cruelty-free + Has a waterproof variant Reasons to avoid - Some report flaking, smearing, and clumping - Takes a while to set TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon

If you want to take the “try before you buy” approach to mascara with fibers, COVERGIRL The Super Sizer Fibers Mascara may be the best fit for you. This drugstore fiber-infused formula will extend your lashes with a mascara wand designed to catch every last lash. The results are high-impact, wide-eyed lashes that everyone will envy—at a very affordable cost. Best yet? It also has a waterproof version.

(Image credit: Mia Adora)

5. Mia Adora 400X Pure Silk Fiber Lash Mascara Best indie Specifications RRP: $15/£11 Size: 4.8 oz Shades: Ultra Carbon Black Brush: 2 mascara tubes: 1 hourglass brush, 1 full brush Special call-outs: 2-step approach: primer first, followed by a green tea silk fiber formula Reasons to buy + Paraben-free + Hypoallergenic; non-toxic; cruelty-free + Weather- and smudge-proof + Customizable results: Step 1 (Wet Magnifying Gel) primes lashes; Step 2 (Dry Silk Fiber) applied onto primer creates a false-lashes effect; Step 3: Can repeat Step 1 for extra volume and length as desired + Women-owned Reasons to avoid - Formula can get flaky, chunky, or stiff with too many coats; some report fibers are too loose and can flake off - Some report smudging and clumping and a strong chemical odor - Two to three steps can be a fussy mascara experience TODAY’S BEST DEALS £49.99 View at Amazon

This two-to-three-step kit from a women-owned brand features green tea microfibers that work as tiny extensions to add volume and length. Start off by applying a coat of the wet magnifying gel, follow up with the tiny silk fibers, and seal the look with another coat of the wet magnifying gel for a truly voluminous and dramatic finish.

(Image credit: Dior)

6. Dior Diorshow Mascara Best premium Specifications RRP: $29.50/£21 Size: 10 mL Shades: Black; Brown; Blue Brush: XXL full Special call-outs: rose essence to condition lashes Reasons to buy + Iconic bestseller favored by makeup artists for its tried-and-tested formula that gets between lashes + Superior thick and volumized results; customizable, buildable volume + Microfibers and silk proteins recreate the look of falsies + Has a waterproof variant Reasons to avoid - Pricier - Some report flaking - Some report brush can be too big for precision application in corners and can get clumpy TODAY’S BEST DEALS £24.65 View at Amazon Low Stock £24.65 View at Escentual £28 View at John Lewis & Partners

Another cult favorite product, Dior Diorshow Mascara is super popular for good reason: Enriched with microfibers and silk proteins, this formula truly recreates the effect of lash extensions. This mascara is also infused with rose essence to condition lashes as you thicken and lengthen.

(Image credit: Hourglass)

7. Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara Best tubing Specifications RRP: $29/£21 Size: 10 g Shades: Black Brush: conical Special call-outs: tubing formula wraps around individual lashes Reasons to buy + Lengthening + Vegan; SLS and SLES-, paraben-, gluten-, formaldehyde-, phthalates-, mineral oil-, triclosan-, and cruelty-free; contains less than 1% of synthetic fragrances + Remarkable separation and definition + Removes easily with water Reasons to avoid - Harder to build volume - Some report flakiness TODAY’S BEST DEALS £29 View at John Lewis & Partners £29 View at Harvey Nichols Check Amazon

If you are sensitive to heavy formulas and worry about a fiber-infused mascara weighing your lashes down, this is the formula for you. This offering uses a tubing, film-forming technology to wrap around each and every lash with lightweight fibers for a high-impact finish that isn’t too heavy. Known for adding extra length to your lashes, reviewers also rave about the smudge-free formula.