Makeup Review: Etude House Lash Perm Curl Fix in 01 Black

Not too long ago, I joined Etude House's Instagram contest without that much thought. I faintly remember telling my mom that EH was holding a contest where you had to create a look around the idea of colored eyelashes to win their new Lash Perm Curl Fix mascara, and she pushed me to join. After all, in her words, I had nothing to lose. 

After a few hours of play time with my makeup stash, this was the look I came up with.

Q: What do you do when you don't have colored mascara?
A: Use eyeliner!
PS: The wig was a last minute decision because my hair decided to be a rat's nest that day. (ಥ﹏ಥ)

I submitted my entry without really thinking that I had a chance to win since the other entries were really pretty and a lot of them looked so professionally done - whereas I just played around with what I had and took selfies. 

Much to my surprise, I saw my face smack dab in the middle of their post, announcing that I was one of the lucky winners. 

🎉Congratulations to our giveaway winners! 🎉 Each of you won one (1) Lash Perm Curl Fix in Black! ❤ Thank you to all our princesses who joined, 'til our next instagram giveaway! 😉 To our winners, please send us your details via PM in our Facebook page with the following format: Name: Age: Location: Contact Number: Nearest Etude House store (not department store): ✧ PLAY ETUDE! ✧ #EtudeHousePH

A photo posted by Etude House Philippines (@etudehousephilippines) on Sep 15, 2015 at 11:02pm PDT

 I claimed my prize at the Etude House branch in SM North Edsa.

SO today I will review my prize, which is the Lash Perm Curl Fix mascara released by Etude House with f(x) Krystal as the model/ambassadress. This mascara is also available in three other colors, and is sold for Php848. (USD11; KWON12000)

The mascara comes in a black box that has all the details, instructions and ingredients written on it. This mascara promises a good curl, 24 hours of hold and no smudging - which somewhat reminds me of Benefit's Roller Lash whose concept is more on curling the lashes for a lengthened and voluminous effect. Maybe this mascara is also circled around the same concept?

This is a curl fix mascara that completes powerfully curled up fine eyelashes for 24 hours with its strongly adhering Curl 24HR Technology™ on drooped lashes.

Powerfully curled? 24 hours? Drooped lashes? Sign me in!

No girly, princess packaging for EH this time. This mascara comes in black and white packaging, and it looks very classy and sleek. The design on the cap are like long, wispy lashes.

The brush is rubber bristled, and it has two sides to it. One is the flat jelly side, which has longer bristles that are less dense. The other side is the dome jelly, with short and sharp stubby bristles that look like shark teeth. Just like their names suggest, the dome jelly side has a curve to its shape, while the flat jelly's bristles are completely straight.

Following the box instructions, you're supposed to use the flat jelly side and wiggle it through your lashes for a curled and lengthened look. After that, you're to flip the mascara over to the dome jelly side and run it through your lashes for va-va-voom volume. 

Silly me was too scared to do the two full steps during the first time I used it, because I've had bad experiences with Maybelline's Rocket Volum' Express clumping and flaking on me, and for some reason I thought I would have the same experience with this mascara.

L: With mascara; R: Without mascara
Using the flat jelly side only
No eyelash curler

Using the flat jelly side only, it gives my lashes the most natural length and curl. There's also a little bit of volume, and it holds up throughout the day pretty well. My lashes were still curled by the evening.

L: With mascara; R; Without mascara
Using both flat jelly and jelly dome
No eyelash curler

As you can most probably tell, using the full power of this mascara gives drastic improvement to my lashes. Also, for the photos, I used this mascara on the eye that droops even more than the other and it's pretty evident that my eye looks more lifted and awake. There was minimal clumping, but nothing ridiculous or spidery.

I forgot to take photos of it, but the jelly dome brush is perfect for the lower lashes. Since the bristles are small and they really pack a punch on volume, it's the perfect mascara for the tiny little lashes on the lower lash line.

Being a monolid since birth, this mascara really worked wonders on my long but limp eyelashes. Most volume mascaras would work wonders on thickening and lengthening my lashes, but once I open my eyes, they would droop down with the huge, fatty fold of my eyelids. I thought I wouldn't get that much pop from this mascara when I first used it, but the more I reach for it, the more I loved it for its overall effect. This product slowly earned a spot in my daily routine.

However, I do advise that you use the jelly dome side IMMEDIATELY after using the flat jelly brush. If you wait for the initial coat to dry before using the jelly dome brush, you might get some major clumping. 

RATING

FORMULA

4/5

This mascara's formula can be a little too wet at the first try, but after a few uses, the liquid thickens up nicely without being too goopy. 

It's a very pigmented black, and it dries down matte once applied to the lashes.

WAND/BRUSH

5/5

The double-sided brush is genius, making this mascara useful for both daily and dramatic looks. Getting used to the application might take a while, but a little practice is all it takes.

QUALITY

4/5

Holds a curl, doesn't smudge, and completely waterproof - now that's a great deal! The only complaint I have about this is that my eyes get a little bit more sensitive when I use this mascara while wearing contact lens, but nothing too drastic.

PRICE

4/5

Php848 is a pretty penny for a mascara - but for this one, I am willing to pay the price. This is a one-stop shop kind of product that would be great for travelling or to toss in your makeup bag and pull out when you need a little lash fixing.

REPURCHASE?

YES

I would definitely buy another tube once mine dries down. I've also heard great things about the other colors of this mascara, which makes it very tempting to try the other ones - maybe pink or burgundy?

(Removal: I've seen lots of bloggers complain about how hard it is to remove this mascara but I personally have no problem with it when I use Etude House's Mascara Remover. The regular Lip and Eye Remover works too, but it needs a little extra work.)
Also! I changed the format of my reviews for the nth time. I hope it looks more organized - do you like it? Let me know!

On the other side of things, it's the Holidays! Happy Holidays to you, dear reader!
Here's to a cheerful end of 2015~
(人´∀`)