YSL The Shock Mascara

When it comes to mascara I know a lot of people prefer drugstore mascaras as they have to be replaced every three months for hygiene reasons. I myself however, find that because my lashes are so genuinely pathetic, a good mascara can really make a significant difference to my overall makeup look which really boosts my confidence. My all time favourite mascara is the YSL Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils and has been for at least ten years, and I always have a tube within my stash at all times as I love how dramatic and volumised it makes my lashes. Over the years, YSL have released a number of different version of the Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils such as Baby Doll and Shocking, but their newest version; the YSL The Shock Mascara really caught my attention.

The new mascara launch is particularly exciting because it’s the very first makeup and fragrance co-launch from the brand, with the YSL The Shock Mascara being launched alongside the new YSL Black Opium Floral Shock fragrance. I think the YSL The Shock co-launch is a clever idea as both the YSL Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils and YSL Black Opium fragrance are both bestselling products so it’s amazing to see a new incarnation of them both.

Although there’s been a number of new versions of the YSL classic mascara, the packaging has always remained pretty similar with the trademark gold metal casing, and YSL logo on the lid and tube which match up once the tube is closed. The YSL The Shock Mascara however has a vamped up packaging which really suits its name as it’s so unlike anything else within the YSL makeup line with its glossy black plastic tube, and lilac metal lid and writing on the tube.

The original YSL Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils has a long, quite narrow wand with natural bristles whereas the YSL The Shock Mascara‘s wand has more of an hourglass shape which are also natural bristles. The Shock Volumising Mascara is described as being YSL’s most volumising mascara which coats every single lash with maximum volume in just one stroke without clumping. “The hourglass shaped brush allows more of the exclusive shock formula to grab hold of lashes. With brilliant, high intensity colour, this long-wear mascara will give you dramatic lashes that don’t smudge.”

I really love that the hourglass wand has varying lengths of bristles so they catch lashes of every length, and there’s a tiny gap between each of the sections of bristles so you have enough wiggle room to thoroughly coat your lashes without overloading them and making a mess.

For the bottom lashes, I think the wand works really well due to the dip in the middle of the wand and shorter bristles so you can gradually coat the lashes. I do find the original Faux Cils Mascara to be a little messy when the tube is brand new, but I don’t find the YSL The Shock Mascara to be at all messy and it’s just so easy to use from the very first use whereas some mascaras need a couple of weeks for the formula to thicken.

I usually roll my eyes when I read the claims of mascaras that say you only need one coat but the YSL The Shock Mascara really does give fantastic volume, drama and length in one single coat but I always use two coats as I’m all about the drama. Considering how much I love the original version of the mascara, the new version had a lot to live up to but it has exceeded my expectations by far and I think I love it even more than the original as it’s so much more volumising and intense.

I’m not sure you could ever have too much volume, but the effect may be a little much for those that prefer natural looking lashes but if like me, you love your lashes to be super intense, volumised and lengthened, this mascara is most definitely for you and they even have three shades to choose from; Asphalt Black, Rough Burgundy and Underground Blue.

The Black Opium Floral Shock Eau de Parfum is the newest addition to the Black Opium family and I couldn’t wait to try it as I adore the original fragrance – who doesn’t?! I have a miniature size but the full size bottle features a stunning black glitter gradient design which fades into the clear glass base to reveal the pretty pink fluid of the fragrance with the typical round cut out detail in the middle. Described as being a  “fresh and invigorating interpretation of the iconic Black Opium coffee signature. Black Opium Floral Shock hits like that first jolt of espresso when you wake up in the morning. A shot of sensuality. “

Top Notes: Bergamot Essence, Pear Accord, Freesia Accord.
Middle Notes: Orange Blossom Absolute, Golden Gardenia Accord, Solar-floral Accord.
Base Notes: Coffee Accord, Sandalwood Accord, Vanilla.

To me Black Opium Floral Shock is very similar to the original but a little softer thanks to the floral notes, but it still manages to pack a punch. It’s a perfect alternative to the original if you found it to be a little too heavy especially for the warmer months, but it still carries the strong coffee, sandalwood and coffee base which makes it undeniably YSL Black Opium, and I’ll certainly be purchasing the full size once I’ve used my miniature bottle, to join the rest of my Black Opium fragrance family.

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