Clinique Lashes Top to Bottom Mascara Set: Review

Although I mentioned the gift with purchase item I got for purchasing this set in an earlier post (All About Shadows), the Clinique Lashes Top to Bottom Set is what I set out to get originally. The set is available (as of the time of this post) here (it is available in most retailers that sell Clinique items). It's a mascara sampler with 3 deluxe sample mascaras, and full sized Bottom Lash Mascara.

To continue reading the review and see macros of the brushes, click the link below.

The packaging gives a nice illustration of the mascara effects, along with a quick summary of what the mascaras accomplish (shown above).

High Impact Mascara is formulated to provide lusher, plusher, bolder lashes for a dramatic look. I've had the full-sized version of this mascara in the past, and I actually already really love this mascara. It does lengthen and give enough volume to give your lashes fabulous definition. I honestly don't think this mascara gets enough love. The brush is a traditional bristle brush that's medium sized with equal width throughout. The bristles are very densely packed, while still have space between the bristles to prevent clumping.

Lash Doubling Mascara is formulated to magnify lashes up to twice their size. This has fairly small/thin bristle brush that tapers towards one end. The length is long though. It does pack on and load up the lashes quickly in couple swipes since the bristles are rather densely packed. If you add two many coats, it will clump so be careful. This mascara does meet the modest "up to twice the size" claim.

Lash Power Mascara Long-Wearing Formula is made to provide smudge-resistant, 24 hour wear. The bristle brush is once again skinnier in width with an oval/elliptical shape. The two ends are tapered slightly with a thicker middle part. The bristles are slightly spaced further apart, and the actual bristle length seems a little shorter than the other mascara wands. The formula helps slightly thicken and lengthen the lashes. It applies nicely without too much clumping. I actually like the small wand on this. It also lasted throughout the day without any smudging or flaking.

The Bottom Lash Mascara is formulated to boost tiny bottom lashes, while being smudge resistant. This is a full sized item in this set. It's small to start with, and usually retails for $10 on it's own. I've heard good things about this mascara and wanted to try it out for some time now. I have major issues with smudging mascara, so I wanted a formula specific for the bottom lash that isn't waterproof. It has the most ridiculously small bristle brush that slightly tapers towards one end, which is oddly well fitted for the lower lash. It coats each of the lashes and makes them stand out without clumping. I do like the fact that the bristles are far enough apart that it keeps the lower lashes separated. The downside to the small size is that you have to swipe about 3-4 times across to get all the lashes. I don't have any smudging issues with this mascara, and everything stays put. Overall I actually really like this mascara, and would buy it again.

Swatches

Note: As I take pics of the mascaras in action, I'll put it in this post. I figured it's more important to see the contents of the set prior to it being sold out and no longer available.

Lash Power Mascara Long-Wearing Formula on the top lashes only. About two coats. You can see it gives some length and some volume. It's meant to be more of a long-wearing formula more than anything else.

Lash Doubling Mascara on the top and bottom lashes. Sorry for the slightly fuzzy picture, but you get the idea that my lashes look fuller.

Bottom Line: This is a nice little set to try out some different mascaras from Clinique. Especially if you consider the fact that there are often gifts with purchase available, you can get this set and a bunch of other products for a great price. There is a full sized item in this set as well, the Bottom Lash Mascara.