I, like a lot of women, have wimpy eyelashes. This is partially due to the fact that I’m a strawberry blond, making my eyelashes very light in color. It is also partially because I have ultra baby fine hair, making my lashes very thin. Compound that with short, stumpy eyelashes, and it becomes clear that mascara is not only desirable in my case, it is pretty much a mandatory part of my beauty regimen.
Finding a mascara that works on sensitive eyes, doesn’t clump together making lashes resemble spider legs, and strong enough to withstand allergy tears isn’t an easy task. I’ve been searching for more than forty years; virtually trying every mascara advetised on television. In all of that time, I’ve found some mascaras that thicken my lashes, some that lengthen my lashes, some that stay on for the entire day, some that clean off easily, and some that are waterproof. However, I’ve never found a single mascara that does all of those things – – until now.
L’Oreal’s Volume Shocking and Signature Club A’s Hot Seal Extension Lash have some similarities as well as some differences. Let’s compare these two beauty products against one another.
L’Oreal’s Volume Shocking comes in a single tube which opens on both ends. One side consists of a lash conditioner and primer. This is applied to clean, dry eyelashes with the mascara’s self-contained brush. It coats the lashes to help prepare them for the actual mascara; ultimately making them appear to be both thicker and longer. A note of caution should be interjected here. It is important to let the lashes dry completely before applying the mascara. This unfortunately takes some time; about two or three minutes. Applying the mascara before the eyelashes are dry will result in clumps and an uneven look.
I have also found it is best to comb the lashes out between the application of the primer and the mascara. This makes certain that lashes do not stick together during the final application.
Volume Shocking mascara comes in a variety of shades from medium brown to the blackest black. It should be applied to the lashes in thin coats with its own mascara comb. One coat is sufficient for normal eyelashes. Two or three coats may be necessary for thinner, shorter lashes. Once applied, I recommend combing through the lashes one final time to eliminate any possible clumps.
While L’Oreal Volume Shocking works if applied carefully and correctly, it is definitely not the mascara for those who are in hurry. The proper application of the primer and mascara, from beginning to end, will take about five minutes. Shortcuts will result in a less than satisfactory look.
Volume Shocking can be purchased at most major department stores for around $10. It contains a 1.02 fl oz of conditioner/primer and 2.02 fl oz of mascara.
Signature Club A’s Hot Seal Extension Lash comes in two separate tubes. The primer/conditioner comes in one 1.3 oz tube. The mascara comes in a separate 1.3 oz tube. The set also comes with a heated eyelash curler, which operates on two AAA batteries.
The first step in the application of this product is to heat the lashes while curling them. This process takes about 30 seconds. Once it is complete, you must apply the primer/conditioner immediately to the heated lashes. The application must not be overdone, but applied in a single thin coat, wiggling the primer into the base of the lashes and outward toward the tip. Once completed, the primer application must dry for one to three minutes before applying the mascara.
As with Volume Shocking, I have found that it helps to comb your eyelashes after the primer/conditioner is dry. This will dislodge any potential clumps and make certain that the mascara will evenly coat the lashes.
Signature Club A’s Hot Seal Extension Lash only comes in black and must be applied in thin coats with its own brush applicator. I do not recommend more than two coats of this particular mascara because it actually works best if it isn’t overdone. Duplicate the process used with the primer by wiggling the mascara into the base of the lashes and then brushing through to the tip in a clean, even sweep.
The Hot Seal Extension Lash can be purchased on-line or through television’s Home Shopping Network at a cost of about $29.95. This includes the two tubes of primer/condition and mascara and the heat seal eyelash curler.
Comparing the two against one another, here is how they break out:
Price Point: Goes to L’Oreal’s Volume Shocking. It is about one-third the cost of its competition ($10 versus $30).
Ease of Use: Goes to Signature Club A’s Hot Seal Hair Extension Mascara. It has one less application step than its competition.
Effectiveness: Goes to Signature Club A’s Hot Seal Hair Extension Mascara. It definitely makes eyelashes look thicker and much longer than any other mascara currently on the market.
Product Amount: Goes to Signature Club A’s Hot Seal Hair Extension Mascara.
Overall Value: Goes to Signature Club A’s Hot Seal Hair Extension Mascara. It also comes with its own heated eyelash curler, which is a good tool to have no matter what mascara you choose to use.
While I actually like both products, overall Signature Club A’s Hot Seal Extension Lash mascara simply out performs Volume Shocking. It definitely solves all of my eyelash issues, tinting them to a perfect shade of black while thickening and lengthening my short, stubby baby fine lashes; giving me the eyelashes of my dreams.
