Can Paradise Really Be Better Than Sex ?
The Battle between L’oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise & Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
This new formula from L’oreal has been touted as a dupe for the Too Faced Classic so I decided to take a trip to paradise.
Where Can You Get Your Hands On It?
As for L’oreal after a couple attempts at my local Walmart and grocery store I caved and bought mine at Shoppers Drug Mart
(for a significant price difference … I would not recommend this - definitely price check)
As for Better Than Sex it is available at Sephora, Ulta and of course toofaced.com
The Breakdown
| Voluminous® Lash Paradise | Too Faced Better Than Sex | |
|---|---|---|
| The Claims | Intense, volumized, and more beautiful Lashes. Lengthening effect. Voluptuous volume and length. Voluptuous Volume and Length. Full Lash Fringe, Feathery Soft. Soft Wavy Bristle Brush | Voluptuous Volume Mascara Created during a holy grail quest to find a truly buildable mascara, Better Than Sex provides extreme volume and a more dramatic look with each coat. |
| The Hype | Take your lashes to paradise! Our 1st mascara for voluptuous volume & length. Soft wavy bristle brush holds maximum formula for a dramatic volumizing charge. 200+ bristles catch every lash for a full fringe effect. Smooth glide formula provides silky volume in one coat. Lashes are feathery soft to the touch. Women agreed: 91% saw intense & volumized lashes and 87% saw more beautiful lashes. +98% lengthening effect. | One coat of the carbon black, collagen-fueled formula and lashes are full, defined and stretched to unbelievable lengths. Two coats and lashes are even more luscious, curled, and dramatic. Three coats and achieve the most intense black, oversized, multidimensional lashes possible! The Hourglass-Shaped brush unlocks the formula to create the perfect mascara that volumizes, lifts and coats both tops and bottoms of every little lash—with no lash left behind. A mascara so amazing…it’s Better Than Sex! |
| Ingredients | Aqua/Water/Eau, Paraffin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Copernicia Cerifera Cera/Carnauba Wax/Cire De Carnauba, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Styrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Cera Alba/Beeswax/Cire Dabeille, Synthetic Beeswax, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Polybutene, Cetyl Alcohol, Steareth-20, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Steareth-2, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acacia Senegal Gum, Tribehenin, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Behenate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Silica, Tetrasodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, BHT, [+/- May Contain/Peut Contenir: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499/Iron Oxides, CI 77007/Ultramarines]. B195342/1. | Water/aqua/eau, Synthetic Beeswax, Paraffin, Glyceryl Stearate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Butylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Polybutene, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Cera Carnauba/Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Cire de carnauba, Aminomethyl Propanol, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Polyester-11, PVP, Cellulose, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Propylene Glycol, Acacia Senegal Gum Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Dextran, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1. May Contain/Peut Contenir/(+/-): Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Black 2 (CI 77266), Ultramarines (CI 77007). *Vegan-friendly *Formulated without parabens |
| Size | 8.5 mL 0.28 FL OZ | 8.0 mL 0.27 FL OZ |
| Cost | $16.00 CAD at Shoppers $10.89 CAD at Walmart |
$30.00 CAD |
First Things First ... Does Size Matter?
In this case ... Not really! When it comes to size Lash Paradise has a slight advantage even though the size and weight of the packaging for BTS would have you believe otherwise – clever marketing - thinking you are getting more product for your dollars.
Which has more bang for the buck?
If you are looking to save a few dollars the choice is obvious especially when you compare it for price to size. Paradise is a clear winner but if you don’t mind the splurge Better Than Sex is the way to go.
So How Was It?
Paradise for me wasn’t the magic it promised to be. I did like the feel of the brush as I put on my first coat of the mascara. However, it did not lift or make my eyelashes more voluminous - in fact it left my lashes downright average looking with a decent colour payoff in blackest black. I applied two generous coats. It almost immediately transferred like crazy both above and below my eyes and flaked as the day went on.
Better than Sex has been in my makeup drawer for a few years now and consistently delivers on most of its claims. It volumizes and lifts with every application and leaves no lash behind. I have experienced a little flaking over time especially as the product gets older.
Final Verdict
As far as my eyes have it – I will reserve paradise for daily use until its finished and not repurchase but when it comes to nights out for a little va va va woom I will stick my tried and true Better Than Sex.
With Nice Things and Lash Loving,
Andrea
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