The Budget Fashionista

For full, gorgeous, look-at-me lashes, Diorshow mascara from the Dior Beauty cosmetics line has been the last word in mascara, winning acclaim and accolades from Elle, In Style, and Allure – not to mention countless satisfied customers worldwide. Described by many devotees as the false-eyelash look minus the hassle, what sets Diorshow apart from other mascaras on the market is its unique, ultra-thick brush that pumps up eyelashes right from the root. Well, that and the $24 dollar price tag.

Now shoppers can get all the volume-boosting benefits of a luxury mascara even without the big-name label, thanks to the recent release of CoverGirl’s LashBlast Volume Blasting mascara (around $8, at drugstores). Like Diorshow, the CoverGirl version boasts a jumbo brush that’s up to twice the size of other leading brands, ensuring that no lash gets left un-glammed. Thanks to the rubber bristles, you can even layer several coats without clumping.

For best results: using an eyelash curler, gently press down on lashes as close to the root as possible with three quick squeezes. Apply three coats of mascara, brushing through lashes with a clean eyelash comb to separate if necessary. To avoid the spider-lash effect, don’t allow lashes to dry between coats.

The bottom line: While Diorshow does have adorable packaging and a delicate rose-y scent, CoverGirl’s LashBlast offers a nearly-identical volumizing effect – for less than half the price! If you’re more concerned with performance than packaging, save some of your hard-earned moolah and give LashBlast a try.