I don’t wear L’Oreal makeup very often. I don’t know why I’m not so drawn to the brand these days. But the new Voluminous Butterfly Mascara has been on my radar screen, and I decided to use my 20% off coupon and $4 discount from the CVS Beauty Club to try it and a liquid foundation from a different brand (review coming soon on that one too).
I am drowning in mascaras lately, just as I seem to be drowning in blush, but hey that’s the downside of being a beauty blogger. 😉 I have a number of mascaras that I like a lot, and I’m beginning to put them into usage categories based on the amount of time I have to apply my mascara, where I’m going, what I’m doing etc.
Voluminous Butterfly Mascara comes in regular and waterproof. I chose the regular. I find regular mascara works well for me, and I hate trying to remove waterproof mascara — just too difficult. It comes in a few shades, and I went with Blackest Black since I was choosing this for its oomph factor.
So the two points-of-difference to focus on for this mascara are the brush and the formula, but before we go into them, I’d like to give a shout out on the look of the tube. Great packaging, very Art Deco!
The Brush
L’Oreal describes the brush as “a breakthrough wing tip brush to lengthen, stretch and volumize every lash to the outer corners of the eye”. The brush head is made of plastic, and it has two different sides. One side that’s a normal brush shape, and one side that’s winged out and curved.
I’m left-handed, and lefties are supposed to be spacially-oriented. Not me. I got the language-orientation instead. I was able to use the curved wing tip side of the brush very well on my left eye to get those outer eyelashes. But when I switched to my right eye and had to change the orientation of the brush, I had a much harder time. I flipped it around in my left hand, but I found it hard to maneuver. Probably just me. Hopefully, I’ll get the hang of it because I liked the big outer lash look!
I used the regular side of the brush for my bottom lashes and to get at my little lashes in the inner corner and that worked fine.
I love the look of the tube, as I mentioned, but I wish the brush handle was not so thick so it would be easier to manipulate.
The Formula
L’Oreal says that the formula contains 1.2 mm fibers to coat the lashes and make them look longer and thicker. It describes the look as “delicate”, and I would disagree with that (it’s a kind of spiky look rather than a soft, natural look). For me, the formula is volumizing and lengthening too, but I already have long eye lashes. However, I found the formula just a little bit clumpy. I’m not a big fan of fibers. I had to work at separating a couple of lashes on each eye and removing a couple of little clumps. In the photo of my lashes, you can see what I mean about the clumping. (I thought I got it out but I guess I didn’t.)
That said, I liked the overall look. It was quite voluminous, a dark, dramatic look.
Because initially at least, it took me longer to apply than some of my other mascaras due to issues manipulating the brush and removing clumps, this will not be my everyday mascara. But I’m glad I bought it, and I will practice with the brush till it becomes second nature. Hopefully, I’ll get used to the fibers.
L’Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara is widely available in the U.S. at drugstores like CVS, Walgreen’s, RiteAid, supermarkets, specialty stores like Ulta, mass merchandisers like Walmart, Target etc. At CVS where I purchased it, the prices was $8.99. It’s made in the U.S. And here’s the ingredient list:
So what do you think? Have you tried Voluminous Butterfly Mascara yet? Is it on your list?
I have had my eye on this mascara ever since the commercials for it came out. I look for it every time I go to CVS too but never end up going home with it. I have a thing for mascaras and love to have a variety on hand. The more I like the better. The bulky handle concerns me. I am left handed too and not very graceful. I am getting a tube of this in the Target bag I ordered and am anxious to give it a go when it arrives. Thanks for the helpful review.
You are right, the handle is bulky. Although the product looks nice in the tube, I am not sure why they made it such a wide tube and the handle is bulky right at the point where you hold it. I’ll be very curious to hear what you think once you get it in your Target bag. Please weigh in again, if you have a chance 🙂
Thanks for the review. I also have seen the ad on TV and am curious to try it. Voluminous is one of my favorite mascaras – – along with Almay One Coat. I also am going to look into the CVS Beauty Club which I hadn’t heard of before. Those discounts and coupons will make me more motivated to experiment with new products.
Liz, I like the longer outer lash look so I like the mascara, and the unusual brush head that’s a little challenging to maneuver on the opposite eye is what makes the look happen. The brush handle is a little awkward for me because it’s bulky but I like the mascara for occasions when I want more oomph. The CVS Beauty Club is the only way to go for me if I’m shopping at CVS because their products are overpriced by about a dollar compared to Walmart, Target. Another good place to shop for makeup at a really affordable price is Bed Bath & Beyond! Please comment again about what you think if you do try it! Thanks 🙂
Oooo more choices! When it first came out all I could find was the black, which made me a little sad-faced. Thanks for letting me know there are more options! The CVS site has black-brown so hopefully I’ll be able to find it instore there. I haven’t even been able to find it at Walmart. You’re right about rewards/club being the only way to shop those drug stores though. You can get a really nice deal if you can match rewards with sales and coupons, but I always tend to forget what’s when and miss out on the whole thing, hahaha.
Rach, they did have the brown-black in my local CVS. I hope you can find it. It’s an interesting mascara, a little awkward but a nice winged out effect for me! Have you tried Bed Bath & Beyond?
Great review ma belle Allison, I too am left-handed therefore as a mascara junkie I think I will take a pass on this one. On another note, l love the lippy…. red looks fab on you!!! xoxoxo
Merci, Nathalie! I think it was one of the Milani new lippies, either Milani Intense (I think it was that one) or Power Lip. 🙂 I just applied the L’Oreal again and I’m getting better at it, and it looks good, but that handle/brush head is still a bit of a challenge 😉 Have a good weekend, Nathalie! xoxo
Sadly, my local (if you can consider 20 miles away local) BB&B doesn’t carry makeup or have any sort of beauty department. I’d have to drive 54 miles for that privilege!
There is generally a CVS or other comparable drug store on every other corner though, so it should turn up soooomewheeere. Well… every other corner that’s not in my town… We’ve got a church, a funeral home, a feed mill, and….a traffic light. heh
That’s funny, Rach! I thought I lived in a small town (less than 2K) but we’re near other suburbs with lots of malls. Too bad about the BBB 20 miles away not having a beauty dept. Oh well, it’ll turn up 😉
Nice results Allison! I’ll pass on this one myself since I didn’t like the brush from Telescopic. I see they are somewhat different but I dislike having to hold the wand in a specific way. As you know, mascara for me has to go on and Boom! No time to waste! 🙂
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I agree with you, Helene. Having to hold the brush in a specific way is a pain. I have never tried anything like this brush before, and I can’t say I love that aspect of it. But I’m not sure I captured it well in the photo, but I like the winged out look. Not sure I’ll be a repeat purchaser, however.
Thanks for the review. I’m always looking for a new mascara. Visiting from SITS. Have a great weekend.
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Hey, thanks for visiting and commenting Debra! Happy St. Patrick’s Day 🙂
I love how long it makes my lashes look but it flakes like crazy for me afer a couple of hours of wear. I like the brush after a little practice(I’m a lefty too)but I can’t keep it on my lashes. I have this flaking problem with several other brands too so it may just be me. Any suggestions?
Gee, Sonja, that’s so interesting. I’m glad to hear that, as a lefty, you got the hang of it so there’s hope for me! I’ve been wearing L’Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara almost every day this week, including today, and I haven’t had any flaking. And I’m getting better at making sure that a couple of lashes don’t stick together. In terms of preventing flaking, curling your lashes (you probably already do it) will help prevent your upper lashes from touching your lower lashes or your skin above or below your eyes when you blink. Also, make sure your lashes are supple and not dry (probably not a problem for you), by using an oil on them before bed every now and then. You could try lash primer, though who wants to add another product, right? Another things to try to keep your lashes curled is a bit of a pain but maybe worth trying. Get a mascara/eyelash comb. Apply just a bit of mascara to the comb, comb through your lashes from root to tip, curl your lashes and then apply mascara as usual. The tiny bit of mascara on your lashes before curling can help them stay curled. Last suggestion is try another brand. My suggestion is Benefit’s They’re Real. I’ve never heard of that brand flaking, ever. (I hope it hasn’t flaked on you!!) Let me know how you make out, Sonja! Thanks so much for your comment 🙂
Allison, I have to say that fotd pic is just gorgeous! Your skin looks amazing and I LOVE the blush and lip combo!! <3
I really liked this mascara for the most part. What I didn't care for is that it got clumpy and dried out after about 3-4 weeks. It's an interesting brush for sure. I too am drowning in mascara. I probably have 5 open at the moment and won't let myself try anything new until I finish a few up lol…
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Thank you, Amber! The blush is Milani’s Coming Up Roses Lady Rouge, a highly pigmented blush that I apply with my fingers while my foundation is still a little wet. I think the lipstick is Milani, too: I think it’s Intense in the red shade. I just got Scandaleyes Retro Glam from Influenster, and I’m liking that one even more…but the L’Oreal Butterfly brush, difficult tho’ it still is for me, is very cool. I’m gonna master it yet!