In-Depth Better Than Sex Mascara Review: Big Volume, Real Drawbacks

Overview

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara is a prestige volumizing mascara built around a large hourglass brush and a rich black formula. Its promise is dramatic, fuller-looking lashes in one or two coats. This is not a subtle everyday mascara. It is designed for shoppers who want thickness, plushness, and a more glam finish right away.

Key Specs

Who It’s For

This mascara makes the most sense for shoppers who want bold volume, already have some lash length, and do not mind a fuller, slightly less separated look. It works best on upper lashes and suits glam makeup more than a barely-there face. If your lashes are very short, very straight, or easily weighed down, the oversized brush and creamy formula may feel like too much.

Performance & Feel

Better Than Sex Mascara makes an impression fast. One coat gives noticeably thicker, darker lashes and a rounded, fluffy effect that fills in the lash line well. The hourglass brush hugs the center lashes especially nicely, which is part of why the finished look feels so dramatic. If volume is your top priority, it delivers.

The trade-off is control. The brush is big, and it carries a lot of product, especially when the tube is new. That can make inner corners, outer corners, and lower lashes a little messy. Wiping excess off the tip before you start helps, and so does turning the wand vertically when you reach the smaller lashes near the tear duct.

The formula itself is creamy and a bit wet at first. On the first coat, that works in its favor because it creates immediate thickness without turning stiff. On the second coat, you can build to a fuller, almost false-lash look, but separation starts to drop. If you keep layering once the first coat begins to set, clumps show up quickly. This is a mascara that rewards a light hand.

Length is decent, though volume is clearly the main story. You will get some extension at the tips, but not the long, fanned-out effect that lengthening mascaras do better. Curl hold is also just okay. If your lashes already hold a curl, the result looks lifted and plush. If your lashes are very straight, the richer formula can weigh them down a bit by the end of the day.

Once dry, the lashes stay fairly soft instead of crunchy, which helps the finished look feel less stiff than many volumizing formulas. Wear time is respectable, not exceptional. On normal lids, it can look good for a full workday with only minor flaking. On oily lids, in humidity, or if your eyes water, it is more likely to smudge under the eyes than drier formulas. That is the biggest reason this mascara feels a little polarizing. Some people get gorgeous wear from it, and others see shadowing by late afternoon.

Removal is easy compared with waterproof mascaras. A cleansing balm or good micellar water takes it off without much rubbing, and that matters if the eye area gets irritated easily. Overall, the finish is dramatic, full, and attention-grabbing, but it is not the neatest or most foolproof mascara at this price.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Instant volume: One coat already makes lashes look thicker and more dressed up.
• Rich black pigment: It adds strong definition and gives the lash line more depth.
• Soft finish: Lashes stay flexible instead of hard and brittle.
• Easy removal: The original formula comes off more gently than most waterproof options.

Cons

• Large brush: It can be awkward on short lashes, inner corners, and lower lashes.
• Clumping risk: A second or third pass can make lashes stick together fast.
• Average wear: Smudging is a real possibility on oily lids or humid days.

See also

If you love this same big, fluffy lash effect but want a cheaper alternative, start with our L’Oréal Lash Paradise mascara review.

• Maybelline Sky High mascara review for a lighter, length-focused option
• best mascara for short lashes if oversized wands usually miss your lash line
• See our review of Lancôme Lash Idôle for cleaner separation and lift
• best mascara for thin lashes if you need fullness without heavy buildup

Frequently Asked Questions ▾

Does Better Than Sex Mascara smudge?

It can. On normal lids, many people get solid wear. On oily lids, humid days, or watery eyes, the original formula is more likely to leave some shadowing under the eyes than drier mascaras.

Is Better Than Sex Mascara good for short lashes?

Not usually. The formula gives good thickness, but the brush is large and can be hard to control on short lashes or small eyes. If you struggle to reach the roots neatly, a slimmer wand will feel easier.

How many coats should you use?

One coat gives noticeable volume. Two coats create the full glam look most people buy this mascara for. More than that usually adds clumps instead of better definition, especially once the first coat starts to dry.

Is the original Better Than Sex Mascara waterproof?

No. The original version is not waterproof. If you need better resistance for heat, long events, or tears, Too Faced does sell a separate waterproof version, but it will be harder to remove.

Is it worth the price?

If you specifically want dramatic volume and like classic bristle brushes, yes, it can be worth it. If your priorities are clean separation, precise application, or better smudge resistance, the prestige price feels harder to justify.

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