Lash Primers

Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum

7/10/13

It took me quite some time to buy into the whole "lash primer" thing before I decided to give it a try. I'd received a deluxe sample of Lancôme's Cils Booster XL Super Enhancing Mascara Base, and what better time to try something than when it's free? While my go-to mascara is by Dior, I figured it was worth a shot. I noticed that my mascara actually stayed put with the Lancôme primer! I managed to get through a hot day without mascara anywhere it shouldn't be. You know, like under your eyes or on your eyelids. Not a good look. 

Since I liked the results so much, I ordered Dior's Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum. That's a mouthful. I read the information and it's essentially Dior's primer with "extras," which include a laundry list of promises, including promoting long-term lash growth, strength, vitality, priming, plumping, and lengthening. Those are some pretty lofty promises. Frankly, I really just want a primer that will give something for my mascara to bind to, and provide extra staying power. That said, I wouldn't mind longer, stronger, plumper lashes! Bring it. 

(click photo to enlarge)

I never leave home without mascara and under-eye concealer, so I took my new miracle lash primer/serum out of the box and began my routine. First, the under-eye concealer and curling my lashes with my beloved Shu Uemura eyelash curler. I then opened my new primer and pulled out the wand. Like the Lancôme sample I'd tried, the brush and product were both white, but I immediately notified that the Diorshow Maximixer had a pointy tip, unlike their mascaras. The brush tip doesn't have bristles, so it appears to suffer from poor design. 

I then began application utilizing the same method I did with the Lancôme sample primer as well as years of mascara application. The goal is to apply evenly, while concentrating on the base of the lashes for added volume. To my dismay, the new primer/serum/eyelash wonder didn't apply evenly or easily. I actually found myself combing the product through my lashes before applying mascara. I generally comb through lashes between mascara coats but never with a primer, albeit my second try. I allowed the primer/serum/mystery product to dry and applied two coats of my usual favorite mascara (Diorshow BlackOut). It didn't go on at all smoothly, and I'm sad to report that mascara did most definitely not stay put. This was incredibly disheartening since I'd had such success with a free sample. 

My verdict? I'm buying a full-size bottle of Lancôme's primer. It glides on and keeps my mascara, well, on my lashes - unlike Diorshow's primer. I'll be sticking with Diorshow Black Out mascara for now, and am sad to have paid for a useless and pricey product. Use those samples! You never know when you'll discover a great product. 

Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum is $28.50 a bottle. 

Lancôme Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base is $24 a bottle. 

Diorshow Black Out Mascara is $25 a bottle. 

All are available through Sephora and Nordstrom.