Alright then, hands up whoever’s been reading MWS long enough to remember that I first told you about the existence of the Maybelline Pulse mascara way back in May 2009? Anyone? 😉 I mentioned there that it was not being brought into Malaysia at that time, and that it retailed for US$15 in the USA. My projected price was RM60 which you know, isn’t too far off the mark and yes, its here in Malaysia for a limited time I believe at RM59.90 😀
Anyway, at that time, I did say “Oh darn! Not another vibrating mascara!” and I will say it again “Not ANOTHER vibrating mascara!” This one, being from Maybelline and therefore under the L’Oreal group, I was not surprised to note that it operated on the same principle as the Lancome Oscillation mascara – the vibrating wand is activated by way of a button that you press so it is vibration on demand. Much better than anything that starts going the minute you open the tube, trust me on this.
Before you use it however, take note that you have to pull off the tab at the top, which removes a plastic bit and allows the battery power to run through the cap. Bit of elementary physics there 😉
Sometimes, one does have to pay a little bit of attention to details 😉 But all this swankiness aside from Maybelline, do I like this little buzzing wonder? Would it surprise you to know I do? 😀
Yep, I do like the Maybelline Pulse Perfection mascara. I wasn’t too enamoured with its higher end sister from Lancome and at nearly RM60 its not a cheap mascara either. However, what I do like about it is not so much of the novelty, but the brush and its formula.
Here’s the brush. I love mascara brushes like this one – slim, with little short bristles that grab onto your lashes like thorns. Erm… not very good imagery there 😛 But truly, this brush is excellent for me!
Also, I like the formula. Its not too thick as to be clumpy and its not too thin as to do nothing. As a package, the Maybelline Pulse Perfection mascara adds volume and length to my puny invisible lashes and holds them up all day! Here’s the proof in the pictures 😀
Maybelline Pulse Perfection mascara before and after photos
You can barely see my lashes in the before pictures and the after pictures show just 1 coat. I apply the mascara on curled lashes because it can’t curl my stubborn lashes, and because its just easier to apply mascara on curled lashes.
I usually wipe off excess mascara on the edge of the tube (there is very little excess which is great!) and position the wand just at the base of my lashes, and then depress the button at the end of the cap. The buzzing tells you the wand is “pulsing” but you still have to move your hand to direct it where it should go. Perhaps its my imagination, but I do seem to get thicker lashes with just 1 swipe (as you see in the photos) with this mascara than if I were to do it manually. I did try it manually, and I needed at least 2-3 coats to get that sort of volume.
Removing the mascara is easy for me. I use cleansing oil and with warm water, the mascara washes out quite easily and does not smudge at all throughout the day. RM60 is a lot for a pharmacy brand mascara, but in this case, I’d say its worth it. Perhaps I should get a backup since it might be limited edition here. Hmm…
Pros: Slim wand with short bristles that manage to grab most lashes easily, Easy to use, Adds volume and length faster than when applied manually, Easy to remove and does not smudge on me
Cons: Pricey for a drugstore mascara, Gimmicky
Have you picked up this one? Its been around for a bit. Or perhaps you refuse to buy into the vibrating mascara wand hype? At half the price of a Lancome Oscillation, I’d pick this one up in a heart beat. It works better and is less clumpy on me than its more expensive sister 🙂
Paris B
Maybelline Pulse Perfection mascara retails at RM59.90 at most Maybelline counters at major pharmacies and is possibly limited edition in Malaysia.
Cynthia says
April 29, 2011 at 9:29 amWow..Another vibrating mascara hit the drugstore. Somehow it looks way better than the high ends one. But RM60 for one mascara is kinda pricey as mascara lifetime only 3months. 🙁
ParisB says
May 4, 2011 at 2:55 pmPersonally, I don’t subscribe to the 3 month theory 🙂 If you look at the higher end mascara, they actually now tell you you can use it for up to 6 months before replacing. So long as I don’t get eye infections I use my mascara till they dry up and that’s usually way longer than 3-6 months so all in all, I think its not too bad 🙂
Hasegawa Ayane says
April 29, 2011 at 10:42 amI kept seeing this wherever I went and told myself that I’m not going to give into the gimmicky mascara but now that your review is out, OH SNAP! D8
ParisB says
May 4, 2011 at 2:56 pmhaha! I do honestly like it very much but I must agree that the gimmicky vibrating thing is rather off putting. If you do end up getting it, I do hope you like it too. Perhaps wait for a sale? 🙂
Hanny says
April 29, 2011 at 11:11 amOooo!! I have it but I haven’t opened it yet ahahahah!! ^.^ was part of my post-assignment-round-1 haul!!
ParisB says
May 4, 2011 at 2:56 pmHope you like it too!
Honey says
April 29, 2011 at 11:18 amHa Ha!! I’m with Hasegawa Ayane… not going to give in, not going to give in ^.^
ParisB says
May 4, 2011 at 2:57 pmSure??? 😉 Perhaps wait for a promo (I might too so I can pick up a backup)
Cas says
April 29, 2011 at 11:53 amPretty cool but I dont think I’d pay RM60 for it. I’m currently using Cover Girl’s Lash Blast Luxe and it does wonders for me.
ParisB says
May 4, 2011 at 2:58 pmHaven’t tried Cover Girl mascaras but will bear this one in mind should the opportunity arise 😉
makeup.addict says
April 29, 2011 at 12:45 pmI bought the mascara when it first came out in Malaysia in MidValley when there was a promotion for the first 10 customers of the day to get the mascara at half price, and I thank god I managed purchased it at RM30 because in my opinion, it is just not worth it. I do quite like the formula and the wand as it is similar to Maybelline Define-A-Lash (the one in the green tube), but my problem is the my fingers can’t really get a good grip on the button for the pulsing to go on continuously. The vibrations keep stopping every few seconds as my fingers usually slip or I managed to accidentally let the button go. I am one of those people who spends 5 minutes putting on mascara as I build it layer by layer, but by trying and struggling to continuously press the button on this mascara, by the end of it, my hands hurt. 🙁 So now, I am trying to use the mascara up without the vibrations and it does quite a good job but in no way am I going to purchase a new one when it runs out. MUFE Aqua Smoky Lash and YSL Faux Cils will always remain my HG mascaras and I will continue to purchase them forever. 🙂
ParisB says
May 4, 2011 at 3:02 pmHere’s how I hold mine to keep my finger on the pulse (as it were). I hold it with my thumb on the switch so I use my thumb to operate it. I tried to operate it with my index finger but it didn’t get a good grip and the position was awkward so the thumb works best. Do try it and see how it works for you 🙂 I’ve heard a lot of good things about MUFE Smokey Lash. Perhaps I’ll give that one a go next time 😀
Gisele says
April 29, 2011 at 1:35 pmI bought mine at Harbourtown in the Gold Coast for only 9.95AUD…You should go there if you ever decide to go to the Gold Coast. They also sell 2 great lash mascaras (twinpack) for 9.95AUD and maybelline moisture extreme lipsticks at 2.99AUD
ParisB says
May 4, 2011 at 3:03 pmThat’s a good price and a good tip for anyone heading to Australia!
ruby says
April 29, 2011 at 2:22 pmI just stumbled upon ur blog, but i was eyeing this mascara, but never bought it. Now, after reading ur thoughts on it, it makes me wanna get it. The weird thing is that, I live in the US, but i can get the mascara for about 3 dollars USD at like these closeout places. I cant believe it costs $15.
ParisB says
May 4, 2011 at 3:04 pmIt originally retailed at US$15 when it launched in 2009 I believe but since then I’m sure its quite easily available now at discount stores (which you are lucky to have! 😀 ) For us this one’s limited edition. I hope it works for you!
melchewvin says
April 29, 2011 at 3:21 pmi dont like it!!!!!!!!!! i bought it the sec it went on shelf ( i mean like when they are about to put it on shelf) i just can’t wait !!!!!!! bought it when back and tried hate it!!!!! it does not lengthens volumise but just clumps my lash!!!!!! haiz why maybelline? why?! you used to be good!!!!!!!!!!
ParisB says
May 4, 2011 at 3:05 pmAww that’s a pity that this one didn’t work for you 🙁 I find that if I try to layer it on, it can clump but 1 layer vibrated on does the trick quite nicely 😀
melchewvin says
May 4, 2011 at 5:28 pmwell i think i over rated this 1 haiz but other mascara from them is just fab!!!!
gio says
April 29, 2011 at 4:06 pmI have seen this around but I haven’t bought it yet because it is costs more than what I usually like to spend on drugstore mascaras. It looks great on you though. Maybe I should give it a try after all.. thanks for the review.
ParisB says
May 4, 2011 at 3:09 pmI have to agree that the price is very off putting especially because it IS just Maybelline after all, and by just topping up a little more, one could easily get a nice high end mascara! So best thing to do is wait for a sale before picking this one up, even if its just to try 😉
Nikki says
April 29, 2011 at 10:49 pmI am intrigued with this! I want to try this! I’ve tried the Lancome one and the battery died on me too early!!!!
ParisB says
May 4, 2011 at 3:13 pmYour Lancome battery died? Mine outlasted the battery but it eventually dried up so I binned it. Hope you get this one in Philippines soon!
lyn says
April 30, 2011 at 10:33 amI bought this but haven’t gotten around to trying it yet. I am a one-mascara woman 🙂 I’ve thrown out a number of Maybelline mascaras before because they were so clumpy on my lashes. I just hope this performs better as it’s pretty pricey for a drugstore mascara.
ParisB says
May 4, 2011 at 3:18 pmFor myself, Maybelline has been one of those brands where the mascaras worked for me so I do tend to still look towards them for inexpensive mascara. That said, the problem with trying a good high end mascara is that its so hard to go back to the drugstore! 😛
Sam says
April 30, 2011 at 1:09 pmI wasn’t a big fan of it – liked the mascara, but not the vibrating bit. I found it clumpy with the vibrate on.
ParisB says
May 4, 2011 at 3:23 pmAww I guess its a one man’s meat another’s poison thing 🙂 I did really like it especially with the vibration on hehe
Isabel says
May 1, 2011 at 12:12 amKinda odd that I’m seeing the word ‘clump’ appear here. I’m currently promoting the mascara and I’ve been using it to work. It’s the most non clumpy mascara I’ve ever used! Perhaps you’re using it wrongly? Try putting it at the base them vibrate it all the way up slowly. You gotta give it time to separate your lashes. With just one coat, it’s much longer and voluminous. Price is the only thing stopping me from grabbing a few =_=
ParisB says
May 4, 2011 at 3:25 pmI must say I agree with you Isabel. I would love to hoard them but the price is off putting! I’m going to wait till they go on sale or something 😛