L’Oreal Volume Million Lashes So Couture (press sample) and L’Oreal Volume Million Lashes So Couture (not a press sample), €15.99 each.
The wonderful L’Oreal Volume Million Lashes So Couture mascara took my lashes to new heights. It’s incredible, the best mascara I’ve ever tried. Then, my tube dried up and I moved on in pursuit of a better best. That’s beauty blogger logic at its most pure.
The candidate for the better best? L’Oreal Volume Million Lashes Noir Excess. It’s from the same Million Lashes range, so you’d imagine it’s got the same So Couture spark, and it has ‘excess’ in the the title. Excess equals lots, which, in terms of lashes, is good. Hopes high, let the fight begin!
Left – L’Oreal Volume Million Lashes So Couture. Right – L’Oreal Volume Million Lashes Noir Excess.
Above – L’Oreal Volume Million Lashes Noir Excess. Below – L’Oreal Volume Million Lashes So Couture.
L’Oreal Volume Million Lashes So Couture
Wand – Thin, solid brush with short bristles. It doesn’t bend, so I feel like you have more control and can really press it into the base of your lashes. It’s easy to work with, even with smaller eyes and on bottom lashes.
Shade – Black, proper black. If it’s not priest’s sock black, it’s bloody close.
Lift – Like a gym bunny flossing for Snapchat. Plus, there’s no drooping. The boost in volume that you get on application stays until take off your makeup.
Separation – Just the right amount. Not so much that you can see big gaps, but enough to fan out all lashes and create the illusion (well, it’s an illusion in my case) of fullness.
Longevity – This stays on so well that it can be a bit of a nuisace. You won’t get rid of it without an oil or very effective remover. On the upside, its death grip means it won’t smudge, flake or melt off during the day.
Overall Effect – Long, fanned-out lashes with buckets of lift and a little boost in bulk.
L’Oreal Volume Million Lashes Noir Excess
Wand – Bigger and more bristly than its rival, but not the biggest I’ve tried. There’s a lot of bend in the wand, more than I found helpful. It often wobbled its way off my lashes and onto my skin.
Shade – Again, black. No more or less than So Couture. (Kinda related sidenote: how often do you buy a black mascara that isn’t black? In my years of hoarding, it happened once, with a super cheap one that dried into very dark grey. I don’t know why brands stress the depth of shade so much, when I’m basically never disappointed with how black my black mascara is. Anyone?)
Lift – Not as much as with So Couture, but there’s noticeable curl and added length. Altogether grand.
Separation – It’s more chunky than So Couture, and not immune to clumping. Of the two, this makes my lashes look the most full.
Longevity – Excellent! Again, there’s no issue with flaking or smudging through the day. The only difference lies in the removal; Noir Excess washes off with much less fuss.
Overall Effect – Enthused application can lead to the dreaded spider lash look, but I get by okay when I stick to fewer coats. At its best, it provides fat black lashes with a touch of volume.
The Verdict
L’Oreal Volume Million Lashes So Couture comes out on top. Yeah, you sacrifice a bit of fullness, but you get a lot more lift and application is much easier, cleaner. While other affordable mascaras can be compared to L’Oreal Volume Million Lashes Noir Excess, So Couture out-performs any other chemist one I’ve tried. Both work best after they’ve dried out a bit, so expect maximum results around the three week mark.
Other Makeup Featured In Pictures:
Emma
I tried the original Volume Million a few years ago and thought it was the worst mascara I’d ever tried. After wearing it for a couple of hours, it flaked so badly. I haven’t given the range a second look since. So I’m surprised at you saying they last so long and don’t flake. Maybe it was just the formula of the original. They do look lovely on your lashes though.
Beti
I have a problem with mascaras smudging on me, actually most of them are so I have to use a waterproof version or just high end ones that I tried and loved. I also want volume and length, I know I know I want everything :)) so sometimes I use two different mascaras. I love your mascara reviews, they make me try new ones from the drugstore 🙂
Shireen L. Platt
I’ve never tried both mascaras but then again, I’ve only recently ventured into L’Oreal for mascaras, it has always been Maybelline for me or higher end brands. I’ll put both on my list to try including Telescopic which has a cult following. Recently I have been using L’Oreal Voluminous Original and omg, it’s brilliant!
Shireen | Reflection of Sanity
LindaLibraLoca
Always on the hunt for the better best, I can so relate to this! And then, years later, you see someone reviewing your old favorite and it occurs to you that you just FORGOT to repurchase it while looking for something else…
Sharon Leavy
I’ve tried the Excess Noir and I like it – I just don’t find myself reaching for it very often, so I don’t love it. There’s nothing wrong with it, it just seems very meh to me. I do like L’Oreal for mascara though. Great post!
Becca
Well. This is very comprehensive. I’m impressed. I usually run outta things to say after ‘my lashes looked full’. I must admit, I’m a real mascara slut (sorry to drop the ‘s’ bomb on your blog) and will try anything. This does look pretty awesome though. Must add to my exhaustive Boots shopping list..
Becca | theBeautyInbox
Lorraine Haigney
Ha, slut away!
My Boots list is embarrassing. I don’t think I’ll ever reach the bottom!
Lisa @ Midwest Glam
Oh I’m always on the lookout for new mascara! I haven’t tried any of these though. In fact I don’t think I’ve tried any of L’Oreal’s eye products. I’m really liking the looks of Noir Excess though. Not sure how I feel about the larger wand though. I’ve been hurt before lol.
Lorraine Haigney
Haha!
I’m usually happy with L’Oreal’s eye range – can’t believe you were never tempted by Telescopic! That mascara was EVERYWHERE is the early bloggy days.
Elke
Lovely review! 🙂
Xuvious
I think So Couture is better, I hate it when lashes look too clumpy. So Couture maintains that right balance of fullness and neat lashes. 🙂