Makeup & Eyes Reviews

Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion Original has earned its cult status not through drama, but through quiet, relentless performance. In our testing, it turned fickle shadows into faithful companions—color truer, edges sharper, and looks intact long after they should have faded. The translucent nude veil respects every skin tone, gripping pigment without tinting or chalking the lid.

It isn’t a perfect fit for every eye. Mature or very dry lids may find it a touch unforgiving, and sensitive eyes deserve a cautious patch test. The tube also inspires debate: luxe in feel, less so in perceived volume. But when we needed our eye makeup to simply not move—through humid summers, long workdays, and emotional nights—this is the primer we kept reaching for. Think of it less as a thrill purchase and more as a working wardrobe piece for anyone serious about their eye looks.

Babe Original Lash Serum is the beauty equivalent of a couture gown with a tricky corset: breathtaking when it works, but not without discomfort. In our testing, this prostaglandin-based formula delivered some of the most dramatic lash growth we’ve seen outside a prescription—reviving post-extension stubs, coaxing sparse corners to fill in, and giving naturally short lashes a new, fluttery presence. But that potency comes with real considerations: eye redness, itching, purplish lash lines, and in some cases more serious irritation that simply couldn’t be ignored. This is not a casual, slap-it-on-and-forget-it serum; it’s a treatment that demands precision, patience, and self-awareness. If you’re willing to accept those trade-offs in pursuit of long, almost extension-like lashes, Babe Original can be a lavish ally. If your eyes are sensitive or you prefer a gentler path, this is one luxury we’d advise you to skip.

GrandeLASH-MD is a classic case of high-reward, high-responsibility beauty. In our lab and real-life testing, it transformed short, damaged, or aging lashes into long, sweeping fringes that often drew double-takes and extension questions. For many of us, mascara became optional; for some, previously non-existent lashes quite literally reappeared.

But this potency comes with serious considerations. The prostaglandin analog that powers the growth also underpins a spectrum of side effects, from mild redness and lid darkening to more concerning changes like orbital fat loss reported in clinical literature. This is not a casual lash conditioner; it’s an active treatment that demands informed, careful use.

If you’re comfortable with that trade-off, the payoff can be lavish, almost transformative lashes that feel like your own—just amplified. If you’re risk-averse around your eyes, you’re better served by a gentler, peptide-only serum and a great mascara. GrandeLASH-MD earns its cult status, but it’s a luxury best approached with open eyes and full information.

Urban Decay’s 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow is less an eyeshadow in the traditional sense and more a light filter for your lids. In our testing, it transformed even the laziest brown crease color into something editorial—wet, dimensional, and quietly decadent. Space Cowboy in particular earned “ride-or-die” status among multiple testers, from minimalist makeup wearers to bridal artists, for its ability to flatter every eye color and age without screaming glitter.

This is not the product for those who demand opaque metallic payoff or zero-maintenance glitter; technique and, ideally, primer unlock its best behavior. There can be fallout, and the pan is undeniably small for the investment. But when it catches the light at golden hour, or under reception chandeliers, you understand why it went viral. For anyone building a curated, high-performance eye wardrobe, Moondust is the kind of single you reach for far more often than you’d expect—and miss deeply once you’ve tried it.

Tarte’s Tartelette Tubing Mascara is a study in modern lash luxury: clean, inky definition with a surprisingly gentle exit strategy. In our testing, it excelled at turning short, pale, or sparse lashes into something that genuinely reads as present—lengthened, darkened, and fanned out, without the weight of a traditional drama mascara. The tubing technology shines at night, when those little sleeves slip off under warm water and you realize you haven’t sacrificed a single lash to your makeup remover.

This is not a flawless icon: flaking and curl drop are real considerations for certain eye shapes, skin types, and lash textures. But for many of us, it quietly replaced both our everyday mascara and our “special occasion” one, because it threads that rare needle between impact and effortlessness. If you’re willing to learn its rhythm—quick coats, minimal fuss—it can absolutely earn a permanent place in your makeup bag.

GrandeBROW is that rare brow serum that can genuinely rewrite your brow story—if your follicles are willing to cooperate and you’re prepared for the commitment. In our long-term testing, it brought back tails we’d written off, filled in 90s-era overplucking, and deepened soft, fair brows into arches with real presence. The formula’s sophistication is clear: a prostaglandin analog does the heavy lifting while vitamins, peptides, and botanicals cushion the experience.

Yet this is a luxury with caveats. Tubes too often feel underfilled, the opaque packaging makes usage a guessing game, and the ongoing maintenance can be both financial and behavioral. There’s also no glossing over the potential for irritation or eye-area changes in sensitive individuals. If you’re chasing your best brows and comfortable navigating these trade-offs, GrandeBROW can be transformative. If you want fuss-free, guaranteed, one-and-done results, this is not that fantasy.

Monsieur Big is the mascara equivalent of a little black dress with a plunging neckline: undeniably flattering, slightly high-maintenance, and designed to be seen. In our testing, it delivered the kind of plush, inky volume that makes even mascara minimalists do a double-take in the mirror. Sparse, aging, or naturally fair lashes in particular looked suddenly present—thicker, longer, and more defined without the faff of strip lashes.

This is not, however, a low-effort, low-risk formula. The generous brush and thick texture demand a mindful hand to avoid clumps and smudges, and those with oily lids or sensitive eyes may find its limits sooner than they’d like. When paired with good technique and a proper remover, it behaves like a true prestige staple; when rushed, it can feel like an indulgence that doesn’t quite earn its keep. For the right lash personality—bold, dramatic, unafraid of a little ritual—Monsieur Big is a lavish companion. For others, it’s a beautiful occasional piece rather than an everyday uniform.

IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara is a study in high drama with high maintenance. In our testing, it delivered some of the most striking length and depth we’ve seen from a non-tubing formula—especially on short, fine, or mature lashes that usually resist transformation. The inky pigment, elastic-stretch polymers, and skincare-inspired actives work together to create a plush, almost lash-extension effect.

But this isn’t a lazy-girl mascara. The formula loads heavily on the wand, demands a wiped brush and thin coats, and tends to thicken in the tube faster than we’d like. Wear is beautiful on many lids, yet temperamental in humidity or on very oily skin, where flaking and smudging can creep in. If you relish a little artistry at your vanity and crave bold, editorial lashes, this is a luxurious ally. If you want effortless, no-thought application and perfect value per drop, there are more forgiving options.

Lancôme Cils Booster XL sits in that rare sweet spot between makeup and treatment, turning everyday mascara into something far more cinematic while quietly caring for fragile lashes underneath. In our testing, it consistently delivered longer, fuller, more defined lashes that drew compliments from across the room, yet still felt soft when touched. The vitamin-infused, micro-fiber gel base grips mascara beautifully, helping it resist smudging and flaking even on oily lids and long days. It’s not a slap-it-on-and-go product—application technique and fresh tubes make a noticeable difference—but when you get the rhythm right, the payoff is undeniably lavish. For anyone who considers their lashes non-negotiable, Cils Booster XL earns its place as a modern lash wardrobe essential.

Brow Power is that rare brow pencil that feels less like makeup and more like restoration. In our testing, it brought back arches that had been tweezed into oblivion, gently thickened barely-there hairs, and softened gray or wiry brows into something quietly elegant. The pressure-responsive pigment and oval tip make it almost impossibly easy to tailor intensity, whether you’re fair and feathery or deep brunette and defined. We do, however, consider the packaging a known diva—brilliant when she’s on, temperamental when she’s not. If you’re willing to navigate that trade-off, you’re rewarded with some of the most natural, flattering brows a single pencil can offer.

Brow Definer is Anastasia Beverly Hills at its most intuitive: a sculpting tool disguised as a simple pencil. In our hands, the triangular tip turned rushed mornings into a three-step ritual—outline, fill, brush—that still looked refined under unforgiving daylight. The formula walks that fine line between wax and powder, clinging to hairs while remaining soft enough to blend into a believable shadow. We did, however, wrestle with breakage and a product quantity that feels lean for a daily staple, making this more of a cherished instrument than a casual toss-in-your-bag pencil. If you’re willing to treat it gently, it rewards you with brows that look quietly expensive rather than obviously made up.

Lancôme Définicils is the mascara we reach for when we want our lashes to look like they simply woke up perfect. It doesn’t shout, it doesn’t clump, it doesn’t flake — it just quietly lengthens and defines, creating that impossibly natural lash line that reads as good genetics rather than good makeup. In our testing, it excelled on fine, sparse, and mature lashes that tend to look spidery with volumizing formulas, and it remained comfortable on even the fussiest, most sensitive eyes. The caveat: performance is only as good as the freshness of the tube, and some online stock felt older and drier than what we’re used to from the counter. If you’re willing to source it carefully and you crave a clean, classic lash rather than a dramatic one, Définicils earns its cult status as a quiet-luxury staple.

Maneater is Tarte’s answer to the “are those your real lashes?” question — and in our testing, it often earned that double-take. The inky cream formula, paired with a 500+ bristle hourglass brush, builds plush volume and elegant length with a feline, lifted effect that flatters almost every eye shape. We loved how soft and flexible lashes felt, even with multiple coats, and how kind the formula was to sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. This is not a waterproof warrior, and oily lids or humid climates can coax out smudging, especially on the lower lash line. But if you’re chasing dramatic, separated lashes with a prestige-feeling application ritual, Maneater is a lavish, high-performing choice — with a few smart precautions, it can be a true everyday indulgence.

Lancôme Le Stylo sits in that coveted space between kohl and gel: buttery to apply, disciplined once set. In our wear tests, it delivered plush, elegant definition that survived long days, humid air, and even watery eyes with far more grace than most pencils. The built-in smudger transforms it from simple liner into a full eye-look tool, turning one stroke into a soft wing or lived-in smoky haze in seconds. Where it stumbles is not in performance so much as in consistency — a fragile tip here, a stubborn twist-up there, and suddenly the luxury feels less generous. If you land a fresh, well-behaved pencil, it’s a beautiful, grown-up eyeliner that earns its place in a curated makeup bag. Just go in knowing you’re paying for texture and wear, not for an endless supply of product.

Bye Bye Under Eye is not a casual concealer; it’s a concentrated complexion tool that behaves like a soft-focus lens in cream form. In our testing, it excelled at one thing above all else: making even severe darkness and discoloration vanish with astonishing efficiency. The water-resistant wear, skincare-forward ingredient list, and ability to double as a spot corrector give it a distinctly prestige feel.

The trade-off is its personality: thick, deliberate, and unforgiving if you over-apply or skip hydration. On well-prepped skin and in practiced hands, the finish is smooth, bright, and quietly luxurious. On rushed mornings or very dry, textured under eyes, it can skew heavy and aging. For those willing to learn its rhythm, however, this travel-sized tube earns its place as a “special-occasion” staple—and for some of us, a daily security blanket.