Maybelline and the big cat

Maybelline is the top-selling make-up brand in the world, according to Forbes, and they sell one eye product every 1.5 seconds. Every day. In August, their Great Lash Mascara celebrates its 41st birthday!

I went to the fabulous Maybelline launch the other day – penthouse suite with sweeping mountain views anyone? Talk about lifestyles of the rich and famous. We were all floating around being glamorous and sipping champagne to welcome the latest Maybelline mascara to South Africa: Volum’ Express Colossal Cat Eyes. Cat eye make-up is still huge (and why wouldn’t it be?) and this mascara is designed to help you maximise the look.

They say: Our collagen enriched formula and unique ‘claw’ brush flick out and extend the look of lashes at the corners – a fierce look with up to seven times more volume!

BeautySouthAfrica.com says: I know yellow is huge at the moment but I find the packaging a little alarming for my slightly more conservative tastes; but aren’t the little burnt orange leopard paw prints on the top too cute?

The curved ‘claw’ brush definitely makes getting to those pesky little corner lashes much easier and so your eyelashes are indeed, as they said they would be, flicked out and cat-like. And the lengthening is phenomenal. But I am unconvinced by the volume, to be honest. Perhaps if I, as they suggest, add a stroke of gel liner to my lash line and wing it out at the corners it would give the impression of more volume.

But that aside, the mascara is a handy stand-by – to go with one or other of the Maybelline lipsticks that are always floating around in my bag. I am addicted to them. Inexpensive, glide on easily, great colours, and they don’t taste funny like I find some other brands do. And did I mention the price? R89.99 is an absolute bargain for such great lippie.

Maybelline is launching all manner of exciting new products this year and we will keep you informed as the year progresses.