Revlon 3D Extreme Mascara

It's safe to say one would expect nothing less than the very best from anything called Revlon 3D Extreme Mascara, if only because of the revered brand name. Beyond that, though, any cosmetic product that touts itself as 3D automatically suggests that it can do what others simply cannot. When the term is used to describe mascara, it may invite as much skepticism as it does intrigue!

Enjoy bold, intense lashes.

Anyone who's followed makeup trends in recent months may have noticed quite a phenomenon in the mascara world, in particular. The wands, typically basic brushes in a variety of shapes, have been refashioned into new-age models that do more than just, well, brush on mascara. Today they're double-ended, spherical or shaped into a tiny nib. Some of them even vibrate. It's enough to make most cosmetic purists shudder in fear.

Not this makeup aficionado, though (perhaps because I'm no purist, and also because I appreciate advancements in makeup as much as I do them in technology). While the Revlon 3D Extreme Mascara may not be the groundbreaking, newsworthy product that gets the whole industry buzzing, it is remarkable in its own right.

Fans of basic, classic mascaras can rest assured that their beloved formulas will always have a place on drugstore walls, but even newfangled products created by trusted brands may pass muster with these consumers. I grabbed the 3D Extreme Mascara at the recommendation of a friend after I ran out of my latest tube of Prescriptives Lash Envy, which I can safely say I go through at alarmingly rapid rates. My wallet welcomed the break from department store prices and I welcomed the chance to try something new.

Marketed as something that gives women an "extreme lash makeover," the product boasts a variety of characteristics that make it instantly unique:

• The tube is sleek, silver and modern. Though it's never the packaging that makes the mascara worthwhile, it's an appealing trait from a marketing standpoint. The freshness of a gleaming tube makes it more intriguing than the basic stubby black package.
• The brush is uniquely shaped. Granted, this is nothing new in a day and age when mascara brushes are fashioned into everything from squares to circles. However, for Revlon it is unique and, to the company's credit, quit effective.
• The formula is lightweight and intense at once, which is not any easy feat.

The mascara is said to create dramatic, bold lashes that boast extreme fullness, curl and length all at once. I fully expected either one or none of these promises to actually hold true – it seemed a bit ambitious to me, to be frank – but I also wanted to be fair. Revlon provided numerical statistics to back up the marketing, stating that the lashes would be:

• 25 times fuller
• 70 percent curvier
• 80 percent visibly longer

Sadly, I can't exactly measure these things (can any of us?), but I was thrilled to discover that 3D Extreme really delivers on its claims. One swipe of the brush was enough for me to see visible length and slight curl. A second, more generous coat resulted in ample curl and genuine fullness, accentuated by just the right amount of length – bold, but not so over-the-top that I looked like I was wearing a costume.

The mascara is available in three shades: black, blackest black and brown. Blackest black, which I used, is intense and ideal for creating a dramatic, smoky eye. However, it's great for daytime use when worn with eye shadow colors in the nude family.

As mentioned, the brush is uniquely shaped to encourage the mascara to do all of these magical things it promises. It is slightly tapered in order to lift and separate the lashes, which creates a more natural look, and also slightly widened in one section to amplify the lashes and create a fuller look.

It's safe to say I'm a fan. This mascara not only lived up to its hype, it also lasted the day without a single smudge and was very comfortable on my sensitive eye area. It's also easy to control, which makes it perfect for creating natural or dramatic looks. In other words, it transitions from day to night without a hitch. That – and its extremely reasonable price point – makes it a winner.

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