MAC Upward Lash Mascara – Upward Black Review

Hey lovely people,

I know females across the globe swear by mascaras! If there was only one product they could use in the day, a lot of women opt for mascara rather than a lipstick! I was surprised to read this because the charms of mascaras was lost on me. Call it the advantage of youth or the fact that I had naturally curled lashes or the fact that I have been an eyeliner and lipstick girl (in that order) all my life. I just couldn’t understand what the big deal was. Yes, the models in the ads had fab eyelashes, but that’s because of them using falsies – not mascara. Right? Hmmmm….this was till the time I used a decent mascara. Yes, that was the problem, it wasn’t that the product category was nonsense, but my choice of mascara brand was. My first decent mascara was Dior Extase and I suddenly realized a couple of things – yes, I did have naturally curly lashes, but they weren’t half as full or long as they could be made to look with the right product.

This started my phase of trying out better mascaras and for almost 1.5-2 years, I got stuck to Estee Lauder’s Sumptous Extreme Mascara (not the same tube though)!! Why? Because initially, I got it as a GWP, liked it and then kind of stayed with it.  Then why did I pick up this MAC one? Let’s find out:

Product Description:
A mascara that creates high-rise levels of volume, length and curl in seconds.  Upward lash alters reality by turning your lashes into total shape-shifters, creating high-rise levels of volume, length and curl in seconds. The secret lies in the moulded brush with a hollow centre that retains a large reservoir of mascara for instant loading onto fringe. At the same time, its mini shape reaches the base of even the littlest lash in a single stroke, pushing to most horizontal hairs up from the roots for aerial-view eyes.

Apply to outer, middle and inner lashes.

Key Claims and Benefits:

• Ophthalmologist tested.
• Safe for contact lens wearers.
• Fragrance-free.
• Volumizing.
• Curling.
• Lifting.
• Non-clumping.
• Flake-proof and smudge-proof.

Price: USD $22/about INR 1800 for 12 gm.

Packaging:  The packaging on this one is eye-catching, especially for anyone who loves MAC lipsticks. It’s like a giant MAC lipstick – imagine a double-sized MAC Heroine! Hmmmm….well, that’s something dreams are made of! Yes, I do dream of makeup some times! Don’t you? I thought it was normal!!

The mascara comes packaged in a regular black cardboard packaging.

My Experience with MAC Upward Lash Mascara – Upward Black:

Lets be honest, MAC is not really known for its mascaras. So, while doing a tutorial with them, when this one was suggested by the MUA as an amazing mascara – I was like, hmmmmm….whatever!

However, while she was doing my makeup, my attention was suddenly caught by her lashes. It seemed like she had falsies on. Since, I myself was dying to try falsies, I asked if she was wearing them, but she gave this wicked wink to me and pointed to the mascara instead! Now, I was truly intrigued.

So, we tried this mascara with my look, liked it, bought it, and here’s my review.

First things first, I am no mascara pro, but that has got to be the smallest mascara brush around. The wand is fairly long but the actual brush part is really small. How does it impact the application? Since it’s small, this is the only mascara I can actually use on my lower lashes, without it smudging and spoiling my whole makeup. Also, it can actually reach the hair close to the inner corner of your eye. Having said that, do note that not only is the brush small but also that the bristles are fairly separated. What does that do to the application on the upper lash line, if over applied, it can make your lashes clump together since there aren’t enough bristles around to separate them and make the lashes look spike-y. Honestly, there is nothing wrong with the tapered or spikey look, it’s just a matter of preference. Some like the lashes to look all feathery, some like them to look tapered.

The mascara is amazingly pigmented, one coat is sufficient for jet black lashes. You don’t really need to go over them with a second coat. Honestly, the way this mascara works is – less is better. So, you definitely should NOT build up too much product. If you do, the look isn’t too appealing. If you go light handed with this, it produces a better result. Try it in the store – you will know exactly what I am talking about. And this bit, you will know only if you try it with a soft hand. If you are used to piling on the mascara or putting in coats after coats, this one will leave you upset! Seriously!

As pictures speak a million words, you can see my before and after pics and please excuse my unkempt eyebrows – the picture is speaking a million words about that too! 😛

The Company promises that the mascara will lengthen, provide volume and curl. In my humble opinion, I think the mascara does provide length and hold the curl well. Volume too is there, however, not too much.

Th mascara lasts the whole day, I haven’t had issues with it smudging or flaking. Neither has it irritated my eyes.

Pros of MAC Upward Lash Mascara – Upward Black:

• Lengthens, holds the curl, and provides volume.
• Super pigmented.
• A little goes a long way.
• Does not irritate my eyes.
• The small wand enables you to reach the hair close to the inner corner as well as the lower lash line.
• Sturdy, eye-catching packaging.
• Lasts the whole day.
• No smudging or flaking.

Cons of MAC Upward Lash Mascara – Upward Black:

• The wand can take a litle getting used to.
• Going overboard (which isn’t the product’s con but ours) will cause you to not like the mascara.
• You could pick up a Lancome mascara at that price point – I mention Lancome because they really rule when it comes to mascaras and have probably the widest array of mascaras.

IMBB Rating: 4/5

Is it the best mascara out there? Probably not, but it’s fairly good and if applied properly, can result in a dramatic look.

MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara
MAC Zoom Lash Zoomblack Mascara
MAC Dazzle Lash Volume Pro Mascara
MAC Zoom Lash Mascara New Hue
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara
BH Cosmetics Loveable Lash Mascara
Benefit Roller Lash Mascara
Burberry Bold Lash Mascara
MUA Every Lash Volume & Lengthening Mascara
Makeup Revolution London Ultra Black Amazing Volume Mascara
Essence Get Big! Lashes Triple Black Mascara