I actually wrote a very similar post to this one when I received the 2024 Mascara Discovery Collection ($45CAD) from Shoppers Drug Mart just over a year and a half ago, so I am very excited to be revisiting this set and reviewing the best mascaras right now! In my opinion, these are some of the best sets available because the value it includes is insane. Not only do you receive seven (sometimes more depending on the year!) mini mascaras that are great for travel (or everyday use), but you also receive a certificate alongside them that can be redeemed for a full size of your favourite mascara. So keep on reading to see which mascara you should be picking up next!
- Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara ($39CAD/full size, $22CAD/mini size)
I know this mascara is very well loved in the beauty community, but if I’m being completely honest, I just don’t get the hype. Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s a really good mascara. I don’t disagree with that. I just don’t think it’s the best one out there and especially not the best one in this Discovery Set. It has a fluffy, hourglass-shaped brush that separates, lengthens and curls each lash. It also contains peptides to condition each lash and help them grow longer over time. While it does provide a significant amount of length and volume to the lashes, I find the formula is on the drier side and that it only gets drier over time with each use. Because of that, I find that I often can’t coat my lashes in enough product. I have to pass the brush through my lashes quite a few times to get the desired look. That’s just a little too inconvenient for me. But maybe I’m just being picky (surprise, surprise!).
- Clarins Wonder Volume XXL Mascara ($40CAD/full size)
I always love a good Clarins mascara. I’ve tried quite a few over the years and they’re definitely improving with time. What sets these mascaras apart from others is their formula that is enriched with a Lash Boosting Complex. This formula helps to boost the volume of bare lashes while conditioning them to lengthen and strengthen them over time. This particular mascara is the Wonder Volume XXL Mascara, and as its name suggests, it provides quite a bit of volume to the lashes. It is a drier formula so I found it didn’t give as much length as I would have liked. But if you’re looking for volume, this is the mascara for you!
- Lancome Lash Idole Mascara ($41.50CAD/full size, $24CAD/mini size)
I think this mascara will forever be one of my all-time favourite mascaras. Every time I use it, I find myself looking at it and wondering just what makes it so special. The results are obvious- long, long, LONG lashes with insane volume and definition. This is one mascara that can actually make it look like I’m wearing false lashes. But what is it that makes it different from other mascaras? Is it the curved brush with sharp plastic bristles that grabs on to and separates each lash or is it the lightweight gel formula that leaves the lashes long without a clump in sight? It’s probably a combination of everything but this is not a mascara to ignore. It’s perfect.
- Watier 24hrs Glam Intense Mascara ($36CAD/full size, $15CAD/mini size)
This mascara is a tubing formula meaning it uses elastic polymers to create little “tubes” around your lashes. The benefit of this is that instead of pigment coating your lashes which can smudge and flake, the tubes are decently waterproof and long-wearing, but also slip right off of your lashes when it comes time to take off your eye makeup. Now, I’m not usually a fan of tubing mascaras because they often don’t provide enough volume or length for my liking, but this one is different. It distributes a significant amount of product to my lashes making them look longer and fuller, and removing this mascara is a breeze at the end of the day. The tubes slip right off and don’t leave any trace of black mascara behind. It’s a winner in my books.
- Clinique High Impact Mascara ($37CAD/full size, $18CAD/mini size)
Before I get into the review portion of this Clinique High Impact Mascara, we must first acknowledge the fact that this mascara also comes in a burgundy shade called Black Honey. There is very little I love more than a burgundy mascara and they’re shockingly very difficult to find. Now that we have that out of the way, back to the review. The Clinique High Impact mascara has been around for so long. It’s truly a classic at this point. It’s suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers (none of which I have) and it’s decent for adding volume and length. Would I choose this mascara over the others in this Discovery Set? No. But would I use it if I had it in my makeup stash? Definitely.
- Benefit Fan Fest Mascara ($39CAD/full size, $22CAD/mini size)
I’ve said it time and time again on ze blog but I will always love a Benefit mascara. I feel like Benefit has been slowly decreasing in popularity for a number of years now (probably due to the lack of new and innovative products they’re launching) but their mascaras will always be one of their standout products. This particular Fan Fest Mascara features a curved brush that helps to fan out lashes side-to-side while also increasing volume and length. The formula also contains Rice Wax, that in addition to the fibrous bristles, helps to define and separate each individual lash.
- YSL Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara ($43CAD/full size, $25CAD/mini size)
In my last review of this mascara, I mentioned that it’s a super black pigmented mascara with an oversized brush that adds 200% more volume (YSL’s words but I’d agree). It also has 24-hour smudge-proof wear and holds up really well against my oily eyelids throughout the day. It’s a great mascara, but it’s also the most expensive one featured in this post. For the price, I’d say you can do better (like the Lancome Lash Idole Mascara).
So, there you have my review of each mascara in the Shoppers Drug Mart Discovery Set! This set really does offer a nice well-rounded mix of long-time, classic favourites alongside newer mascaras that have recently hit the market. There’s also a nice balance between formulas that focus on volume and those designed to lengthen and define the lashes. So, to wrap it up, if I haven’t already made it clear, the Lancôme Lash Idôle is my favorite mascara in the set, with the Lise Watier 24hrs Glam Intesnse Mascara coming in a close second for those who prefer a waterproof, tubing formula.
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