Product Review: Smashbox Lash DNA Mascara

Smashbox recently sent me a sample of their new Lash DNA Mascara. Honestly, I’ve only tried a few Smashbox products but their marketing style appeals to me. I like their indie-feel, slightly against the grain packaging; and I adore their eyeshadow pots.

I whipped out this mascara immediately and began my testing. Lash DNA is marketed to “repair previous lash damage” as well as enhancing curl and adding extreme volume. Sadly, I didn’t notice much enhancement or added length- it seemed barely visible.

In my testing, Lash DNA seems very similar to L’Oreal’s Bare Naturale mascara. Both Bare Naturale and Lash DNA are good candidates for a natural, no-makeup look.

The brush also takes some getting used to. As you can see from the photo above, it has longer bristles at both ends, and shorter bristles in the middle. For me, the longer edges made getting to my very outer, and inner, lashes difficult. When I focused on those areas, I ended up with mascara on my eyelids.

On the plus side, I didn’t have any flakes, smudges or clumps; and it did separate every single lash beautifully. I definitely think every woman should have a “barely there” mascara in her makeup case (for days at the beach, vacation, hanging at the house). However, Lash DNA does not seem to be marketed as a natural-look mascara.

Smashbox Lash DNA Mascara is available at Sephora.com for only $9. One other quick note careful where you shop, there seem to be huge price differences. For instance, Beauty.com has this mascara for $19!