Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara

Most Helpful Positive Review

Great mascara by a more natural brand

This is one of my favorite mascaras. Sometimes I run out and rely more on one of my other mascaras (hey, I need to have options!). Then I run into Ulta and spot this and forget why I quit using it. The mascara isn't water proof (but they offer waterproof mascaras), but it lasts all day on me for an ...average day. Some of my days end up being more than just an 8 hour work day - it recently lasted 9 hours of work, plus a quick dinner out, then 3 hours of a training. I expected it to smudge a little, but no problems! I never have issues with smudging for me, unless I rub my eyes a ton or my allergies are in full force. My skin (and eyes) are somewhat sensitive - not the most sensitive out there, but more so than most of my friends. I have no issues with this mascara, and have been using it on and off for several years now. I love that one quick coat can give a better than natural look, or you can build it up. If you do build it up (which I always do), I love that it doesn't get stiff or flaky. It rarely clumps for me, but when it does, a quick brush through with a lash brush fixes it (this happens if I apply a ton, and again, not often). Even though it lasts all day on me, it easily washes off with my normal face cleanser (Boscia's Makeup Breakup or an Amore Pacific face wash). I also like that Tarte is a brand with more natural ingredients - okay, it's not all natural and it's not saving the world, but it's a good move if you're looking to start getting into more natural ingredients (also worth noting that natural doesn't necessarily mean better, more effective, or free of irritants!). I know that you're supposed to trash your mascara after 3 months, but since I don't use the same one every day, I never do. If I did use this every day, I think it would last a little over 3 months (I gave a friend a travel size tube I got in a gift set and she has been using it for at least 2 months - she's a blonde and I don't think that the black is too harsh on her at all). Lights, Camera, Lashes works really well with Tarte's primer but also works well without it (I just find that the primer gives a little more oomph!). It holds a curl nicely, and thickens without huge clumps and adds length. The length isn't very dramatic, but again, you can build it up if you like. My lashes are decently long, and if I build it up too much without letting it dry, I end up with smudges on my glasses and occasionally under my eye brows.