Project Focus 10: L’Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara

~ stashy

Lucky #7 of the Project Focus 10 review is L’Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara:
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I’ve tried pretty much every mascara L’Oreal has ever released because I’m still trying to find a replacement to my beloved – but discontinued – L’Oreal Bare Naturale mascara. Does this one do it for me?

Firstly, I should advise that I’ve had this mascara sitting in my stash in its package for over a year before I opened it. I’m not sure if having it for that long affected its performance.  It normally retails for around $16 but I bought mine on sale for around $10 (is it just me or has drugstore mascara prices gone up a lot lately?)
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L’Oreal claims:

Its revolutionary Butterfly Brush with asymmetrical lash line shape extends and lifts outer corner lashes to give you a winged-out look that instantly volumizes lashes at the roots.
The unique Cocoon Fibers wrap lashes in a soft, delicate veil to create silky, spectacular lashes that flutter.

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It does have that weird “butterfly wing” style of a silicone wand – it’s mostly marketing gimmick – but the 2 different sides do serve a purpose.  The regular shorter denser bristle side provides a good amount of volume on initial strokes onto the lashes.  Then I flip the brush to the “wing” comb, more sparse bristle side and use that to build length.  I did note that I didn’t get spidery looking lashes even when I built up several layers. The combination of the 2 bristle styles create really long lashes with a good amount of volume.
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I tested it with and without my lash primer and mascara top coat and the mascara performed very well even when worn alone. I do still prefer wearing at least a lash primer which helps with bulking up my lashes even more.  But, I would not say that my lashes felt soft or delicate as L’Oreal claims. I’m rather shocked that I ended up liking this mascara so much. 😛
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A couple of things to note. This mascara is scented – like a granny perfume. I’ve encountered scented mascara only a couple of times before: Manhattan mascara (a German brand) and Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal. I don’t understand the need for a scented mascara. 😕 The other item of note is that despite this mascara having an oddly shape (non-cylindrical) tube, which prevents rolling, it always manages to line up perfectly when closed. It also features a satisfying click mechanism when closed completely. 😀

However, I will say that unlike some mascaras where they get better as time goes on, I found that the performance of this one got progressively worse over time. I experienced more flaking and smudging now than when I first opened the tube (I’ve been wearing this about 2 months now). If I’d done this review a week or 2 into wearing this mascara, I probably would have rated it higher.  It’s not a replacement for the Bare Naturale mascara, unfortunately!
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A display I came across recently, showing the new “Intenza” version of the Butterfly mascara beside the regular Butterfly one. It has an extra wing or something – I’ll probably pick that one up soon.

Pros:
• Exceptional length
• Good volume
• Useful wand
• Long wearing
• Holds curl
• Good packaging

Cons:
• Scented
• Slight smudging on lower lashes
• Some flaking

Stash worthiness: 8/10

Have you tried the L’Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara? What’s your favourite mascara at the moment?

Please go check out my collab buddies for their Project Focus 10 post:
♦ Ingrid of Curly.Spring.Blossom
♦ Jodi of A Brash Attitude
♦ Joy of Styled With Joy

57 thoughts on “Project Focus 10: L’Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara”

    1. The Voluminous is a really great mascara too – very dramatic but it also tends to flake on me – I guess it’s all the fibres it has? Yeah I really hope scented mascaras aren’t going to be a thing going forward – so unnecessary.

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  2. I like that you say it holds a curl. That’s always a problem I have. The other problem, though, is that it’s not quite dark enough. I like Benefit They’re Real Mascara because it’s so black and gives my lashes drama. But, like I said, it totally weighs my lashes down 😦

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    1. I actually have worn this mascara without using a lash curler (while away and forgot to pack one) and it was impressive at holding a curl even without it!
      I know blackness of a mascara is a concern for a lot of people but I never seem to notice it for myself… they all look black to me? Maybe it’s because I have dark colour lashes to begin with…

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  3. That’s too bad this one couldn’t replace your HG. It sounded so promising until you got to the part where it flakes and smudges.
    I feel like the formulation of mascara doesn’t change as long as the packaging isn’t opened, so your experience is probably what the mascara is really like.

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    1. I’m with you – I don’t think the formula changes if it’s sealed and unopened. I’ve still got about 4 tubes left of the L’Oreal Bare Naturale mascara and each one I open up is fresh and performs just as well.
      Yes too bad about this one – it’s nice but not HG material!

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    1. Thanks! I guess it’s fairly new – maybe released in 2013? I just thought the wand was interesting. I’ve used mascaras that have just the flat comb wands and they’re really good for building length but not volume – I thought this would be the best of both worlds and it is!

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      1. They actually have a new mascara similar to this brush.. But they’re a little bit pricey so I guess I’ll wait and see more reviews on them before I’ll try one..hehe

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    1. I have the Maybelline Lash Sensational waiting in the wings to open up next – I typically do not get on well with Maybelline mascaras so I hope this one will be good. Lots of people name this as their HG mascara!

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    1. Oops! Hit send before I was finished! Anyway, it’s sad it didn’t maintain a standard quality throughout the tube. Good luck on your continued search to replace your beloved Bare Naturale!

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      1. Oh too bad you’re allergic to their eye products! Allergies in general just suck – sometimes it’s like detective work trying to figure out what caused the reaction(s).

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  13. I have used this mascara long time before and I completely agree with you that it came a little bit clumpsy and clogged up towards the end of use. But otherwise, I really like the unique design of the brush when compared to other mascaras in the market.

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    1. I’m glad the wand design wasn’t just a marketing gimmick and it did deliver on length and volume. I guess we should all be tossing mascaras by 3 months anyway so I should retire my tube soon. 😉

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  14. Scented mascara is the most idiotic idea ever -_- I had a catrice version that just smelled so bad I binned it. This sounds great, so I might get over the idea if the mascara actually performs well 🙂
    xo Anne – Doves & Roses

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    1. I remember reading about that perfumed Catrice one! I did get used to the scent of this over time. It doesn’t linger (or my nose gets desensitized) so it’s not a deal breaker for me. I hope this scented mascara business isn’t a trend for cosmetics companies!

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      1. Well, at least it doesn’t linger. It is still a bit strange that brands add fragrance to a product meant for the most sensitive part of the body…I agree, let’s hope it isn’t a trend.

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  15. Holy crap, $16?? I think you’re right, drugstore mascara is getting out of control.
    Why on earth is scented mascara a thing?! Maybe cosmetic companies really are losing their minds. It seems so counterintuitive.
    I haven’t actually tried this one. So many mascaras, so little time! I’ve been wearing the Benefit Rollerlash lately (thanks Glamour Vortex!) and really liking it a lot. I also love the Maybelline Lash Sensational and the Jordana Best Lash Extreme.

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    1. Yeah, I think they mark prices up just so they can have a “sale”. I never ever buy mascara at regular price. But when I look at these prices at the drugstore vs what I can get at MAC or Sephora – there’s really not that much of a gap!
      I have the Maybelline Lash Sensentaional waiting in the wings to be opened soon.. I hope I like it – Maybelline mascaras and I don’t typically get on too well (they are smudgy on me for some reason).

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      1. You’re really right, most pf the higher end mascara isn’t that much more expensive than the drugstore mascara any more. It’s bananas!
        I’m the same way with L’oreal mascara, it often smudges on me which is sad!

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  16. I really enjoyed this mascara when I tried it a year or so ago! I want to say that I even bought it a second time, but I can’t be certain. I also ended up buying the Butterfly Intenza thinking it would be just as good, if not better- but I ended up not liking that one at all.

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  19. I have that mascara. It isn’t my favourite but it’s not a bad product either. I’ve had it for a month but I use it only few times a week. I mostly use my Maybelline mascara. Btw, I like the granny smell it has 🙈😂

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    1. Aww haha, I guess scents are just a personal preference. I just find it weird to have scented mascaras! I’ll be trying out a Maybelline mascara next – the Lash Sensational one that everyone loves.

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  20. I always tend to have difficulties with silicone wand. 😦
    My favorite of the moment is Buxom (the one from the Holiday set we bought) simply because even after 3 coats there is NO clumps !!!

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  21. I have tried this mascara and I’d say it’s a good one. It was loooong ago though 😛 reason I don’t usually buy L’Oréal mascaras is because they are the priciest of all drugstore mascaras! I love them but the prices are insane lol. I usually pick up Maybelline mascaras .. you can never go wrong with Maybelline mascaras lol. My current fave at the moment is the Maybelline plush something I believe.. it’s the baby blue tube with pink lettering. I looove it!! I usually use numerous mascaras to achieve my desired look but I have only been using this one mascara and it is incredible it really makes my lashes super long and voluminous and separates them perfectly! Definitely recommend it!:D back to L’Oréal mascaras lol, I’ve noticed I love the way the formula works when it’s a few days or weeks old the formula gets more like thick or something idk lol have you experienced this!? Or am I the only weird one here lol

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    1. Yes, you’re right, L’Oreal mascaras are the MOST expensive – Revlons are pricey too!
      Actually, Maybelline mascaras and me don’t get along for some reason – they always smudge on me! Cover Girl is my go to drugstore mascara brand. That said, I did receive a Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara in a swap so I’m excited to give that a try.
      No, it’s not just you, I have noticed that after a couple of weeks the formula changed for the worse. Sucky!

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