I prefer the “no-mascara” mascara look—meaning I want my lashes to look natural but with a little extra oomph. That’s exactly what I get with two swipes of Call Me Queen Mascara (and a quick curl using Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler, which I swear by). I swept the formula along my lashes twice, paying extra attention to my outer lashes for a lifting, cat-eye effect without the need for eyeliner.
The cone-shaped spoolie also came in handy to coat my short, inner lashes without clumping, which often leads to a messy cleanup and ruins the perfectly blended Fenty Beauty Pro- Filt’r concealer under my eyes.
The true test of a great mascara is how long it lasts throughout the day. We’re currently having a heat wave in New York City and my eyelids are quite oily, making product transfer to my eyelids (a common occurrence with most traditional mascara formulations). Because of this, I typically grab a tubing or waterproof formula to add an extra barrier against transfer. But after using Call Me Queen at the office for a week straight (sweltering subway rides included), I was pleasantly surprised to find not a single smudge on or around my eyelids.
Because I’m so obsessed with this new mascara, I handed a few of the purple tubes to my Allure colleagues to give it a try. Read on for their first impressions of Call Me Queen
Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor
I’ve never been a mascara girl. That’s because my lashes are so short and wispy that most formulas weigh them down after a few layers. This one does the opposite—its bristles catch every single hair to lift, define, and lengthen. After a few hours of wear on a hot day (New York City’s summer heat is relentless) though, it did ever-so-slightly smudge onto my undereyes. I was able to take a wet napkin and sweep it away without any fuss.
Bianca Richards, social media manager
I’m pinching pennies out here, so I can’t afford to splurge on my favorite luxury mascara right now. Luckily, the Essence Call Me Queen Mascara has been a great substitute. The bristles on the wand grasp my lashes so well, ensuring that each hair is evenly coated without looking clumpy. It’s a bit challenging to find a lengthening mascara that doesn’t appear clunky since that formula is what gives the appearance of fuller, volumized lashes. I love a simple, subtle lift for a more natural effect and this mascara does exactly that. The packaging feels like a Polly Pocket toy (lol), but I wouldn’t hold that against the brand or the product.