Multi-effect mascaras promise several things at once. Worth an honest look at what that means, because the arithmetic is not in their favour.
The trade-off
The three main mascara effects work through opposing means:
Volume needs a dense formula and a full brush that deposits heavily.
Length needs a thin formula and a fine brush that coats without bulk.
Curl needs a curved brush and a formula that holds shape.
A brush cannot be both densely fluffy and finely combed. A formula cannot be both thick and thin. So a multi-effect mascara does one of them well and the others adequately — usually the one its brush is shaped for.
Look at the wand. It tells you which effect the product actually leads on, whatever the number on the box.
When multi-effect makes sense
- You want one mascara, not three, and are content with a good general result
- Your lashes have no strong deficiency — reasonable length, reasonable density
- Travel and simplicity
- You are not chasing a specific look
When a single-effect formula is better
- Short lashes → a dedicated lengthening formula does noticeably more
- Sparse lashes → dedicated volume
- Straight downward lashes → a curler plus a curl formula
- You want a particular look rather than general improvement
Getting the most from it
- Curl first, on clean dry lashes
- Wipe excess from the brush
- Wiggle at the roots, then draw upward
- Two thin coats while the first is still damp
- Comb through with a clean spoolie
The realistic view
A competent general-purpose mascara that improves lashes across several dimensions without excelling at any. For a lot of people that is exactly right — the alternative is owning three tubes and using none of them past their three-month life.
Care
Replace every three months, never pump the wand, and remove by holding a saturated pad against closed lashes then wiping downward.
The full composition is in the Faberlic catalogue. For choosing by effect, see the mascara guide.