Mascara is probably (in my opinion) one of the harder types of makeup to find in a natural form. Don't get me wrong there are quite a bit out there, but since giving up by Maybelline Great Lash, I hadn't had the best luck... until this one from Pacifica. As you might know, I've tried 100% Pure's Fruit Pigmented Mascara, which was pretty good, but I've also tried Honeybee Gardens Mascara, which was terrible (in my opinion). When you're used to commercial mascaras performing like a dream because of the inclusion of chemicals that make them more fluid, permanent, plumping, non-clumping, etc. it's hard to find a natural version that performs just as well (and one that doesn't cost an arm and a leg...and a foot). I'm okay with sacrificing a little in order to use a better-for-you product, but I do have my limits.
I've been a fan of Pacifica products for a while now, especially their perfumes and body products. So during one of my [frequent] outings to Target when I saw Pacifica started a makeup line, I had to give it a try. I actually picked up several items including their Stellar Gaze Length & Strength Mineral Mascara. And yes, I got it in both brown and black.
PACKAGING
These mascaras come in some super cute packaging. They have white metal/plastic tubes with a fun blue and gold swirly design on the outside and the wand is a plush 100% vegan brush (which I generally prefer over plastic molded wands). I will mention that the little black stopper that the brush pulls through when opening the mascara popped out in one of them, but I pushed it back in and it hasn't done that again. This is also a shorter wand than other mascaras I have tried and I actually like it. I feel like I have better control when applying to my lashes. Even though I am a fan, I have a feeling that some people may not like this feature, especially if you are used to a longer wand.
PRODUCT
Pacifica's Stellar Gaze Length & Strength Mineral Mascara is "infused with coconut oil and vitamin B to hydrate each lash as it
lengthens, strengthens and adds volume." It is 100% vegan, cruelty-free and formulated without FD & C color, parabens, talc and mineral oil.
Yay, yay and more yay! These additives can be major irritants, especially to people with sensitive skin or allergies. Some have also been linked to major health issues, so avoiding these kind of ingredients is a top priority for me.
Supernova is the black color and stardust is the brown. I will say that the black is more dramatic on the lashes, especially if you have brown lashes to start with. For me both show up, but I save the brown for casual days when I run errands, etc. Supernova is my go-to for work and going out. I usually apply two coats of whichever I am using. The formula is the same for both colors, smooth and creamy, and coats my lashes without clumping. In combo with the brush, the formula separates and lengthens my lashes nicely. After the second coat (and sometimes a third) they look a bit more voluminous as well. Check out the images below - top to bottom - bare lashes, Stardust (2 coats) and Supernova (2 coats) .
I don't get any fallout or smudging from this mascara. If I have it on when I work out or in the rain I might see a bit of transfer since it is not waterproof, but day to day normal wear does not cause this. I also love how my lashes don't get that crunchy feeling as with other mascaras, they feel natural and soft. I assume this is from the moisturizing addition of the coconut oil.
It has a slight scent that does not linger after application, a bit like clay or minerals (if you've ever used mineral makeup then you know what I'm talking about). And my eyes never itch while wearing this mascara like with some others.
Yay, yay and more yay! These additives can be major irritants, especially to people with sensitive skin or allergies. Some have also been linked to major health issues, so avoiding these kind of ingredients is a top priority for me.
Supernova is the black color and stardust is the brown. I will say that the black is more dramatic on the lashes, especially if you have brown lashes to start with. For me both show up, but I save the brown for casual days when I run errands, etc. Supernova is my go-to for work and going out. I usually apply two coats of whichever I am using. The formula is the same for both colors, smooth and creamy, and coats my lashes without clumping. In combo with the brush, the formula separates and lengthens my lashes nicely. After the second coat (and sometimes a third) they look a bit more voluminous as well. Check out the images below - top to bottom - bare lashes, Stardust (2 coats) and Supernova (2 coats) .
I don't get any fallout or smudging from this mascara. If I have it on when I work out or in the rain I might see a bit of transfer since it is not waterproof, but day to day normal wear does not cause this. I also love how my lashes don't get that crunchy feeling as with other mascaras, they feel natural and soft. I assume this is from the moisturizing addition of the coconut oil.
It has a slight scent that does not linger after application, a bit like clay or minerals (if you've ever used mineral makeup then you know what I'm talking about). And my eyes never itch while wearing this mascara like with some others.
I have no problem removing this mascara at the end of the day. I still use the oil cleansing method to do so and it washes off cleanly leaving no residue.
Ingredients: Aqua, glycerin (vegetable), glyceryl stearate se, jojoba esters, tapioca starch, stearic acid ( vegetable), copernicia cerfera (carnauba) wax, euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax, arabic/acacia gum, acrylates, crosspolymer, potassium cetyl phosphate, microcrystalline cellulse (plant), cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, panthenol (vitamin b), cellulose gum, gluconolactone, macrocystis pyifera (brown kelp) extract, hydrolyzed oryza sativa (rice) protein, sodium benzoate, iron oxides c1 77499.
PRICING
$ out of $$$
You get .30 fl oz for $14.00. This is a low to mid-range price for a natural mascara. There are some [that I'd love to try] that are $23 (.23 fl oz) and $42 (.20 fl oz). So comparatively, this is a steal. This might be a good one to try if you're just starting to transition from mainstream to natural cosmetics.
$ out of $$$
You get .30 fl oz for $14.00. This is a low to mid-range price for a natural mascara. There are some [that I'd love to try] that are $23 (.23 fl oz) and $42 (.20 fl oz). So comparatively, this is a steal. This might be a good one to try if you're just starting to transition from mainstream to natural cosmetics.
PURCHASING
You can purchase this mascara on Pacifica.com, target.com, beauty.com, vitacost.com, Amazon and iherb.com and more.
CONCLUSION
While this is not the most "natural" mascara out there, overall, this has been the best one I have tried in terms of both performance and price. I'm still on the search for one that might be better while still at a decent price, but I'd definitely purchase this Pacifica mascara again (Supernova). And actually, they have now come out with a water-resistant mascara that I may have to try as well!
Let me know if you've tried Pacifica's mascara and what you think, or if you have any other natural mascara suggestions. I'd love to hear your feedback!
While this is not the most "natural" mascara out there, overall, this has been the best one I have tried in terms of both performance and price. I'm still on the search for one that might be better while still at a decent price, but I'd definitely purchase this Pacifica mascara again (Supernova). And actually, they have now come out with a water-resistant mascara that I may have to try as well!
Let me know if you've tried Pacifica's mascara and what you think, or if you have any other natural mascara suggestions. I'd love to hear your feedback!
