If you thought 3D was all you had to worry about, L’Oreal now introduces the concept of Lash Architect 4D – a false lash effect in 4 Dimensions. Honestly. 4 Dimensions? Is the Dungeon Dimensions a reality? (Discworld fans, wave your hands 😉 )
In all seriousness, the 4 Dimensions L’Oreal refer to are – Volume, Length, Texture and Curl. Basically, this would be everything you ever need or want in a tube of mascara…. And its waterproof. That should make it 5D, right? 😛
This mascara caught my eye not so much because of its claims, but because of the pretty metallic teal colour of the tube. What can I say, I’m shallow that way 😛 I happen to find this particular shade of teal very soothing, and paired with the metallic cap, I say its a very attractive piece of work.
The problem with mascara is that it is one of those things which need to be used. Staring at the lovely packaging isn’t going to make my lashes look any better. So do you reckon the performance lives up to the packaging?
Um… not quite.
I like the wand. Its slim and the bristles are dense and are able to catch most of my short lashes quite well.
See how the wand is fitted at an angle? It is very slight, but it actually makes it easier to use, for me. I find the angle helps it get my lashes more easily, and also helps it get into corners and the smaller lashes.
This also happens to be a long mascara wand. The brush bit is quite long, and so is the whole composition of the mascara so I found it took some getting used to. But I actually found that I liked the length.
I found that the length actually allowed me better control, and I could actually be more precise with my mascara application, compared to a shorter handle. It was strange but a good sort of strange.
Unfortunately, although I initially had quite a good impression of this mascara, I found it didn’t quite live up to its promises, nor did it give me the sort of lashes I like to have. There was volume. I appreciated that, because I have short lashes. Volume and the deep black of the mascara formula allows my lashes to be seen.
However, I did not experience much length and as for curl, it was non existent if I did not first curl my lashes. When I apply it to curled lashes, it helps the curl stay for a couple of hours. But by the end of the day, my lashes are back to being straight.
L’Oreal Lash Architect 4D mascara Left: Before Right: After
So whilst the deep black works to help my lashes look more visible, the formula just didn’t do too much else for me. I also found the formula a bit clumpy. Despite this being a waterproof formula, I found that it would actually smudge on me. I tried it on a day when I had no other eye makeup on except this mascara. I did not even go out in the sun and was in an exclosed mall for about 5 hours. After about 3 hours, I realised that the bottom lid was smudged and it had to be the mascara. I had nothing else on.
I think this one may be more impressive on someone who has longer lashes than I do, or someone who prefers volume to lengthening. For myself, I’d stick with Maybelline The Falsies 🙂
In a nutshell
The L’Oreal Lash Architect 4D mascara promises length, volume, texture and curl. I experienced volume and I like how black the colour is. It makes my sparse, short lashes look more visible. However, I did not experience any curling effect nor lengthening. I found that although it initially held up my curled lashes, it did not hold it up throughout the day so my lashes would have straightened out by the evening. Also, this smudged on me, and really, this isn’t a problem I have at the best of times. I think the construction is good – the long handled brush makes it easy for me to apply the product to my lashes, but the product itself could do with a little more work.
Pros: Long handled wand made it easier for me to apply product, Brush was easy to use and applied product to lashes easily, Deep black colour made lashes look more visible and volumized, Pretty tube colour!
Cons: Smudged on me after a few hours, Does not hold a curl very well, Does not make my lashes look impressive, Pricey for a pharmacy product, Formula was a little clumpy
Who will like this: Anyone who already has long lashes and wants a dramatic effect
I will continue to use this, not because its great, but because it serves its purpose as an everyday mascara. Also, I already have it and its not so bad that I’d bin it immediately. If I’m not looking for something dramatic (believe me, it takes a LOT to get drama out of short and skinny lashes) and just want an everyday look it’d do. But I personally think you could get a similar effect out of a Maybelline mascara and it would cost less. Just sayin’ 😛
Have you tried this Lash Architect 4D mascara or any other Lash Architect mascara? Do L’Oreal mascaras work for you and if so, which one?
I usually go to Maybelline for my drugstore mascara fix or the Revlon Grow Luscious one. For some reason, I never really used any L’Oreal mascara, maybe because of the price. Its a bit pricey for something from the pharmacy that will last you 6 months. I pay RM90+ for a department store one that lasts me a year and makes my lashes look like I have falsies on. I guess that’s the difference 😛
Paris B
L’Oreal Lash Architect 4D Waterproof mascara Price: RM54.90 Availability: All L’Oreal display counters at most major pharmacies
LeGeeque says
September 3, 2012 at 8:34 amThere’s something weird with my eyes and skin. NO matter how waterproof a mascara claims to be, all of them are smudge-city on me. EVERY.SINGLE.ONE. I’ve long given up hope on them and I only use tubing mascaras. Which reminds me, I MUST post it to you. 😉
Paris B says
September 3, 2012 at 10:10 pmI have little trouble with smudging but it’s a pain when it happens! Btw you did send it 😉 I just have to try it
Becca says
September 3, 2012 at 9:09 amI don’t believe we have this one available here, but the brush and packaging looks just like the one for the L’Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes mascara I have. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m curious–haven’t tried a fiber mascara in a long time! I hope it has better results than this one did for you though :/
Paris B says
September 3, 2012 at 10:13 pmHmm you know what the problem is with Loreal? They release products by different names in different countries so this might very well be the one you mentioned! With they’d just standardize it all 😛
Hanny Daforcena says
September 3, 2012 at 9:49 amI’ve never tried L’Oreal’s mascaras at all because of their price, heh heh heh. I was kinda curious about the gold one though. Wonder how it will work… I would also want to try the infamous Voluminous Carbon Black one, but them spree websites mark the prices up so high I’m better off with a Clinique mascara. >.<" Dilemmas, dilemmas.
(Psst, I find that Rimmel has a host of good mascaras too! Those work on me fine!)
Paris B says
September 3, 2012 at 10:15 pmHmm.. Not familiar with the one you mean but Loreal releases products by different names all the time in different countries. So confusing 😛 I haven’t tried Rimmel mascara yet. Have heard they are good so will check them out next sale 🙂
Nikki says
September 3, 2012 at 9:51 amHmm looking at your photos, it does help coat each strand of your lashes thus making it look a bit thicker! Too bad it doesn’t hold the curl!
Paris B says
September 3, 2012 at 10:16 pmYep! I get the volume for sure, just no length and curl. Something had to give I guess 😛
Issa says
September 3, 2012 at 10:31 amI also go for Maybelline mascaras because it works for me and it is cheaper than L’Oreal, hihi…. Besides, when I found my HG mascara from Maybelline (Magnum Volum’ Express), I did not switch to other brands anymore 🙂
Paris B says
September 3, 2012 at 10:18 pmI agree! Maybelline is cheaper and works well so no point switching 😉
jyoan says
September 3, 2012 at 11:53 amTried the formula of this in store and found it doesn’t do anything, so didn’t buy it. I have now cultivated the habit of not buying mascaras unless I can test it, because there have been too many disappointments. Haha.
Of L’oreal mascara, I have only bought the gold volume collagen one. That’s good! =)
Paris B says
September 3, 2012 at 10:21 pmI think mascara is always such a gamble. I did like the length of the wand though. Made it seem easier to handle 🙂 I think I vaguely remember the gold Loreal mascara but I don’t think I ever tried it
Callie says
September 3, 2012 at 1:09 pmOnce, I learnt about this method which helps curl the lashes better. Source of info? Can’t remember. Here goes… Curl lashes then apply a very thin coat of mascara. Curl again then apply mascara normally. I’m not sure if it works as I’ve not tried it out. It was mentioned that since it’s just a very thin coat initially, you will not break your lashes when you curl again. It would be good if you do it gently. On the other hand, have you tried heaters? Those which heats up and help curl your lashes? My friend ever tried and say it curls very well. It lasts too!
Paris B says
September 3, 2012 at 10:27 pmThanks for the suggestions Callie 🙂 I have tried curling my lashes after mascara before too but maybe I was over eager so I find my lashes breaking off so I didn’t try it again. I might be interested in trying a heated lash curler though. Haven’t tried any nor know of a good one – suggestions welcome 🙂
Callie says
September 3, 2012 at 1:11 pmAdding… if you are interested, I can ask my friend for the brand.
Sze Ling says
September 3, 2012 at 2:22 pm4D?? O_o
Companies should realize by now that we’re not kids anymore, and all these added “D”(s) are not going to help them sell products. Hmph!
Okay okay…that’s just me letting off some steam towards silly product naming.
On to mascaras. Now you’ve gotten me intrigued with the Revlon Grow Luscious. 😛
Paris B says
September 3, 2012 at 10:29 pm4D is like Magnum or Toto right? Lol! I like Grow Luscious! Not sure if it helped my lashes grow, but the effect was natural and nice.
Ika Roseworn says
September 3, 2012 at 3:02 pmI used to enjoy Loreal mascaras (Le Grande Curl and Voluminous come to mind) but I hate the pricing they put on their products! I now enjoy layering Revlon Luscious Grow ori and plumping together for trannie lashes, and love Maybelline Magnum and Falsies. Also love Maybelline Full n Soft and Revlon Photready 3D volume for natural looking lashes with a bit of “ooomph!”
I remember the original Lash Architect Loreal put out a few year ago. Clumpy clumpy clumpy! So when I saw this new 4D ones, I just walked pass it. Naaaah. You wanna sell drugstore, put drugstore prices, Loreal!!
Paris B says
September 3, 2012 at 10:30 pmHi Ika, you’re right about l’oreal and their pricing. Some day they’re going to catch p with the counter brands! I like the same mascara you do! Well except for the Tevlon Photoready 3D. I find it smudges something awful on me 🙁
Sukie says
September 3, 2012 at 5:01 pmIf this smudges on you I bet I’ll be panda-eyed before I can leave home with my oily lids! I personally haven’t found any other mascara that works as well as Shiseido’s as it helps hold the curl in my otherwise dead straight lashes! If a higher end mascara serves me well over a year I personally think it’s best I stick with it rather than try out various drugstore ones where I’ll probably end up spending more.
Paris B says
September 3, 2012 at 10:32 pmI’ve found that for me, the 3 brands for high end mascara that work are Shiseido, RMK and Paul & Joe. Few others come close and as you say, if one tube can last a year, why bother with something that you aren’t sure about or that sucks right? 😉
Callie says
September 4, 2012 at 12:43 pmHi Paris! I’ve inquired from my friend and she bought her heated curler from Best Denki in Singapore. Brand is Panasonic and it operates on batteries. It’s pink plus grey in color and there seems to be a word – Matsugokurun printed on the handle. Good luck with your lashes!
Paris B says
September 6, 2012 at 6:38 pmHi Callie, thanks for taking the trouble! I’ll be sure to check it out 😀
Sue Lin says
September 4, 2012 at 11:45 pmI don’t understand the price tag for L’oreal either. See that this smudges *horror* and with so much competition for mascaras, I just go wondering how they would justify the rather hefty price tag.
I like experimenting with random products at whim when I’m at the drugstore. However, lately I’ve been thinking it’s not really worth the risk. Maybe I’m getting wiser.
Paris B says
September 6, 2012 at 7:07 pmThat’s true in many ways. A drugstore item may be inexpensive but when they bum out, it’s still a waste of money! It’s a pity about this mascara. I liked the volume but the smudges drove me crazy
Lynda says
September 5, 2012 at 1:17 pmYeah I’ve tried this mascara, and not impressed at all. i prefer maybeline cats eyes mascara. I’d like to try high-end brand mascara, any recommendation, PB? but thinking about tossing the mascara every 6 month makes me wonder if high-end brand mascara is worth to try or not
Paris B says
September 6, 2012 at 7:39 pmHi Lynda, I personally like Shiseido Perfect mascara (review here) or RMK Curling mascara (review here) or if you can get it, Paul & Joe (review) These are best for me. As for tossing the mascara every 6 months, this post may be interesting 😉
Cathryn says
September 14, 2012 at 4:10 pmYes, it smudges! Even after I powdered my lower eyes area. Kinda disappointed 🙁