Bourjois Volumizer Mascara

Most of you will no doubt have seen MAC's very own take on the 2-in-1 mascara brush, yet high street favourites Bourjois are the first drug store brand to bring this innovative concept to the masses. So, does double the brush mean double the impact? Let's have a look...

First things first - to state the obvious - Volumizer mascara is in fact just ONE brush. Attached to an ultra skinny wand, the 2-in-1 effect is achieved by pushing the slim wand through a thicker wand that removes a whole heap of excess mascara in the process. This allows for the more subtle and natural look that makes up Step 1, and the more dramatic, 3-d effect of Step 2 - clever, huh?

Step One Brush

The brush itself is BIG. Close in size to that of Benefit's Bad Gal, if you've got smaller eyes or hooded lids you may find this application leaning towards the more messy side of things. The bristles effortlessly coated the lashes well, yet the sheer wetness of the product's formula resulted in the majority of our lashes sticking together.

Step Two Brush

As for Step 2? It was a pretty hit and miss affair. On the initial application we found the brush collected far too much product, which, inevitably, resulted in some pretty hefty clumping. However, once we'd left the lashes to dry for a few minutes the formula became pretty easy to manipulate, and with the aid of a lash comb managed to present us with some gorgeously fluttery eye curtains. It's all swings and roundabouts in the world of mascara, hey?

Brush mid "transformation"

Throughout the day the Volumizer confidently holds up well. Not only does it keep the curl of the lashes nice and soft, it also doesn't drop or flake like some thicker mascaras. If you're someone who likes your lashes big and bold then you might enjoy the dense effect that Step 2 has to offer.

Excess mascara after brush "transformation"

At £9.99, we struggle to accept the price of this product. It seems that every year drug store mascaras are getting closer and closer in cost to that of mid brand companies - and with MAC's Haute & Naughty only costing $18 (£11.69 in today's exchange rate) - it does make us long for the days when you could pop into Boots and pick up a tube for a fiver.

Step One applied to lashes

Bourjois no doubt have some truly fantastic mascaras in their repertoire, yet we can't help but feel Volumizer has somewhat of a way to go in order to match up to it's contemporaries. It's certainly a quick weapon to have in your handbag to swiftly take you throughout the day - and Step 2 really does pack some punch when fanned out - we just wish the formula wasn't so darn wet.

Step Two applied to lashes (Photo taken before lashes were combed out)

If you like your lashes thick, black and bold then Volumizer might just be up your alley (we can see this becoming a real favourite with young teenage girls) Yet if you prefer the more natural look, then the 2-in-1 treatment might just be a step too far...

Bourjois Volumizer Mascara is currently available from Boots priced at £9.99 *GET A FREE BOURJOIS EYE LINER WORTH UP TO £5.99 WITH EACH PURCHASE UNTIL OCTOBER*

*this product was purchased by the Beauty Bite*