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5 Mini Mascara Reviews | Would I Buy The Full Size?

by katieemmabeauty

So I’m one of those people who loves a mini mascara. Not only do they last nearly as long as their full size counterpoints, but they give you the chance to try something in a smaller (& cheaper let’s face it) form before you commit to buying the full size! I have 5 minis in my collection and I’ve been trying them out over the last few months to give you my two cents on whether I would repurchase!

So these are samples I picked up as free gifts with purchase, through advent calendars and one was a cheeky purchase… so let’s get cracking

Laura Mercier Caviar Volume Mascara – Mini

£22 for full size vs unknown

This is one of those meh mascaras… like it gives good volume, a bit of length and it’s very black. But past that, there’s nothing about it that particularly stands out to me and says I need to RUSH down to the shop (not that we can of course) and buy another one. The brush is a ‘natural’ bristle applicator with a slight twist to it, it gets product on your lashes quickly and I found it relatively easy to apply. I didn’t get much flaking (but as you’ll see, this isn’t really an issue I suffer with). Overall, it was a fine mascara.

ABH Lash Brag Volumizing Mascara – Mini

£26 for full size vs £14

I love my ABH eyeshadow palettes, but had tried little else from them, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. This has my favourite packaging out of the five with a stunning ombre effect from rose gold to black. It’s also (in a way I can’t quite describe), easy to hold… ha! It has a ‘natural’ bristle brush in an hour glass shape and this is the mascara if you want volume. Want thick, black lashes? Yeah this is your one. It’s not massively lengthening, and for that reason I probably wouldn’t repurchase personally, but if it’s your jam (and you like jam!), go for it!

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara – Mini

£22 for full size vs £12

Remember when I said I’d actually bought one of these? Yeah, this is that. I’ve been wanting to try the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara for AGES! I love my L’Oreal Lash Paradise mascara, and it’s mean to be the dupe for this so thought I’d try it out. This has a brush very similar to the ABH one and, to be fair, a very similar finished result. Thick, black lashes! I find this a little more lengthening than the ABH one, but I also do find it transfers when I put it on my bottom lashes. Would I repurchase? Probably not, because I feel like the L’Oreal one is just as good…

IT Superhero Mascara – Mini

£21 for full size vs £11

I mean somehow this is the cheapest mascara… and it’s also the one I knew least about! And all in all I leave feeling the least about it. Like it’s an ok mascara, it gives good length, good volume and it’s black. But something about it didn’t wow me and I’m not 100% sure why. It has a ‘natural’ straight brush and goes onto the lashes fairly seamlessly (I find the straight brush just a tad too long for the hard to reach areas), but I’m not sure I’d be rushing out to get this again

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara – Mini

£21 for full size vs £12

You know you get those samples and you’re like ‘do I really want to try this?’ and then you do and it opens your eyes to a new favourite? Yeah, this is it. The Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara totally blew past me, but I’m so happy this is now in my collection. I’m not personally keen on the packaging, but the tapered wand gives you the most stunning, separated and natural looking lashes! I mentioned my first impressions of this in my Tarte Haul, and my opinions have not changed! I’m still OBSESSED!

And there you have it, my reviews of the 5 mini mascaras in my collection! Are you a mini mascara lover?

Katie x

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59 thoughts on “5 Mini Mascara Reviews | Would I Buy The Full Size?”

  1. Thank you for this review! I was really curious about the Better than Sex mascara, but I don’t think it’s my cup of tea either the way you described it. I prefer lengthening mascara’s to mascara’s that just create thickness, since my lashes are pretty short and not curly at all. The last one sounds like a dream though!

    Reply

  3. Thank you so much for this review! Mascara is basically the only makeup I wear with lipsticks and can never find a great one that doesn’t flake. I’ll give it a try to the Tarte one seen the review and try also the rest! Thanks for sharing Katie x

    Reply

  6. I love mini products so much!! I started with the too faced better than sex as a mini and loved it so much that i had to buy the full version and i think ive repurchased twice!

    Reply

  11. So my eye makeup lover Twitter friend wrote a post! :p I knew about the tarte mascara which is hands down a great one. But I’m quite surprised to know about the Laura mercier and better than sex mascaras. These are quite hyped out there. I haven’t tried the l’oreal lash paradise which you mentioned but I’ll give that one a try. Thanks for changing my mind on those two! You saved me money! 😀 <3

    Isa A. Blogger.
    http://www.lifestyleprism.com

    Reply

  17. Mini mascaras are fun to try out, I’ve had a few I’ve rotated through this past year and I’ve really enjoyed using the smaller size! I’ve tried Better Than Sex and I find sometimes it can smudge on my top lashes if there’s too much product on the brush but the overall look it gives is pretty 🙂 x

    Reply

  19. I’ve not actually tried any of these mascaras! But YES to the mini size, they’re such a great option for trying something before committing to the full size. I’ve heard endless good things about the Better Than Sex mascara though x

    Reply

  22. It’s interesting that you found the L’Oréal mascara to be just as great as the Too Faced one because I tried both and I still feel like Better Than Sex is superior. Maybe I just got a dud of the other? I do love the Tarte one so much! My favorite for the past year has been Perversion by Urban Decay, though! It’s so good for lengthening (but the waterproof version… not as great haha)

    Reply

  26. I love a mini mascara! I find that you get so much better control and definition as there is less space between your hand and the tip of the wand if that makes sense. I am currently using a mini of Too Faced BTS that I bought from Boots and I prefer it now it has dried slightly. I have a mini of their latest mascara to try next and then I think I will try the Loreal one you recommended.

    Sophie Xx

    http://www.alongcamerosie.co.uk

    Reply

  27. Love these and they must be perfect for travelling! I love when brands have smaller sizes so you can try it and if it doesnt work out then you’re not too wasteful! The tarte packaging reminds me of a dragon! I love the too faced pink packaging. Thanks for sharing and I hope you enjoy these x

    http://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com

    Reply

  28. I don’t know why I’ve never bought a mascara mini before.. I definitely should! Also so please I read this as I was thinking about buying the Too Faced mascara for soooo long but if the L’Oreal one is just as good then I’ll stick with that and save my pennies!

    Katy | http://www.katystephenson.com

    Reply

  29. I absolutely love Too Faced’s Better than Sex! However, Tarte’s Lights Camera Lashes has to be my fave. Totally agree with you on the packaging, though, it’s kinda off putting. The product itself is amazing though!

    Reply

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