Is Lash Powder the Secret to Making Your Mascara Look Amazing?

This extra layer goes a long way.

By Lauren Valenti

Mar 15, 2016

Design by American Artist

If I'm going to add yet another step to my daily face beat, it's got to deliver.

So when Essence Lash Powder landed on my desk promising a falsies-like effect, I was intrigued. Baby powder has always been a secret weapon for makeup artists who want to amp up fringe, so this seemed like a more portable, intentionally-formulated alternative.

The Test Drive

I skipped curling my lashes (as always because I have yet to conquer my fear of the silver tongs), smoothed on one layer of Benefit's They're Real! Macara on, then proceeded to the powder step. I sprinkled a tiny amount of powder into the palm of my hand, then used the lash wand that came in tow to pick it up. To apply it, I wiggled the product from the root of my lashes through the tips, and repeated this until they were sufficiently coated i.e. chalky looking. I then layered another coat of mascara on top to seal in the product/make my lashes inky again.

The end result? I was feeling it. I was worried that the powder layer might yield a caked-on look, but instead my lashes looked naturally thicker and longer. They were so full to the touch, it was nuts. And compliments from a few friends only reaffirmed the the va-va-voomness of it all.

If I'm being honest with myself, I'm bound to skip this step because #life, but anytime I find myself with a moment to spare, I'll be heaping this stuff on. Oh, and at $3.50, it's an utter steal.