Marc Jacobs Beauty by Marc Jacobs

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2 (4.5) Stars:

“If only Velvet Noir Mascara had been waterproof!”

The NEW MARC JACOBS BEAUTY Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara is a supreme, superb black, which I loved; the bold black is just as lashes should be: dark, vampy, dramatic.

It’s 1990’s grunge, heightened and nurtured from ragged flannel to a luxuriously, modern velvet visage; a neo-classic retrospective of past meeting present-day noir, still rich in history and culture, and born of inspiration that begs you to be inspired as well.

At first glance, the mascara looked thick, yet slightly wet and possibly messy.

This is from the product being in boxes in stock rooms, not a product defect as some reviewers stated. I, simply, gave it a little shimmy between my palms (never shake mascara up and down, then you’ll have a real mess and a lot of wasted product, dried up in the cap, on the wand, etc.)

When opening it again, I wiped off the excess from the wand (as you’re supposed to with all mascaras) and all was well – no mess.

It is worth noting that I am severely eyelash-challenged and wholeheartedly believe my brother inherited all the lashes assigned to our family. Given that, I usually, use at least 3 mascaras: one to define, one for volume and another for length and perhaps another for depth of color; all waterproof formulas.

I generally dislike non-waterproof mascara, pretty intensely. Instead of enjoying your evening, if you dare laugh too hard (which I always do) or shut your eyes for the briefest of moments, you now look like an expertly groomed racoon with two black waterlines trailing down your beautifully strobbed cheeks.

While Velvet Noir didn’t give me 80s raccoon eyes, it did smudge a bit; giving me a slightly smoked out eye, when I blended out the tiny baby racoon prints left by this mascara. Still, it is a great product; with, again, the blackest of black color with a divine subtle scent of roses, which left me pleasantly surprised!

Amazingly BLACK! I loved it, but I would have loved Velvet Noir so much more had it been waterproof. I feel my eyes are too small, so I never wear mascara on my bottom lashes; a waterproof formula would have eliminated the slight smudging problem I encountered.

Velvet Noir Mascara did give me volume and length. It wasn’t clumpy for me, as other reviewers stated, but perhaps that is because I wait quite a bit between coats. For example, I’ll put on the first coat, roll up my hair and then put on the second coat, etc.

I didn’t expect much of one mascara, as I said my lashes are seriously lacking, but Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara came through with its beautifully, dramatic black color… It is aptly named, that’s for sure!

Marc Jacobs really did choose the perfect face for this campaign in Winona Ryder.

She was the face of 1990’s grunge, starting with the growing pains and heartache of “Reality Bites” to the very noir “Edward Sciccorhands” and her power-couple status with Johnny Depp. Ryder is just as beautiful now as then; if not moreso…. she’s grown through her experiences; and past meets the present, once again, with her collaborating with Marc Jacobs.

Velvet Noir is, most definitely, the blackest mascara I’ve ever seen! You could see I had lashes! No, they weren’t anything like falsies, but isn’t that the point of false eyelashes? To be somewhat exaggerated?

Again, if the formula had only been waterproof… I could have put on a few more thin coats and gotten more volume and length. I’ll just have to pray it’s released in a waterproof formula at some point.

I did like the brush a lot. The inverted curvature allowed me to get to the lashes that need mascara most, giving me the look of longer lashes. And Velvet Noir did give my lashes a bit of a curl, but I did hit it with a lash curler, just in case!

I have to mention the overall packaging is gorgeous, very luxe and I love the mascara tube! The octogon shape fits perfectly in your hand, making for a good grip as your applying. The look is very Art Deco meets Futuristic and it’s unique shape melds beauty with function very well!

All in all, I give Velvet Noir 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.

Now, if Marc Jacobs Beauty decides to add a waterproof formula to this line? All I ask is: Let me review it again? It will get the 5 stars it deserves.

Until then, I’ll add a coat of waterproof mascara on top of Velvet Noir, but nothing will match the beautiful, dark almost-coal-black color created by Marc Jacobs for his Spring 2016 Collection. It’s quite simply Inspired.