Essence I Love Extreme Mascara Review: Worth Buying?
The mascara aisle can feel like a gamble. You want big lashes without spending forty dollars or dealing with panda eyes by noon.
The essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara keeps showing up in “best cheap makeup” lists, and readers keep asking me if the hype is real.
I have used this mascara through long bridal days, humid summer shoots, and lazy weekends. Below is my honest take after real wear time, backed by the current ingredient list and what other shoppers report.
This one solves a specific problem: dramatic volume on a small budget. But it is not perfect for everyone, and I will be direct about who should skip it.
In A Nutshell
- Price and value: Usually around $5, which makes it one of the cheapest volume mascaras on the market. The payoff far exceeds the cost.
- Best benefit: Serious, bold volume in two or three coats. Lashes look fuller and thicker fast, with a deep black finish.
- Formula facts: Vegan, cruelty free, and PETA certified. It is alcohol free and fragrance free, which matters for sensitive eyes.
- Key ingredients: Built on Carnauba Wax, Beeswax, and Candelilla Wax for grip and body, plus Black Iron Oxide for that inky color.
- Best skin and lash types: Great for straight, sparse, or short lashes that need a boost. Less ideal for oily lids.
- Main flaw: The regular version smudges and flakes on some people by mid afternoon. Oily eyelids are the main trigger.
What Is essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara
This is a drugstore volumizing mascara made in Italy by essence, a German budget brand loved for low prices. The “Crazy Volume” version uses a large, chunky brush built to grab lots of product and pack it onto the lash.
- EXTREME VOLUME: Take your lashes to the next level with the I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara from essence! The ultra-black pigments deliver a bold, dramatic look that lasts all day.
- EXTREME COVERAGE: The extra-large elastomer brush coats every lash to create intense & defined volume in just one swipe! It provides intense & dramatic volume and length for stunning and long lasting results.
Last update on 2026-07-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
The pitch is simple: extreme, false lash style volume for the price of a coffee. It comes in a glossy black tube with a screw cap. There is a standard non waterproof version and a waterproof version for people who need staying power.
It is a classic volume mascara, not a tubing or fiber formula. That means it builds thickness through waxes and film formers rather than tiny fibers. The look leans bold and dark rather than natural.
The Unboxing And First Impression
There is no fancy box here. It arrives in simple packaging, which fits the budget price. The tube itself feels lightweight and plasticky, but the cap seals well and clicks shut with no wobble.
The wand is the star. It is a big, dense bristle brush that feels almost oversized when you pull it out. First timers may find it messy near the inner corner.
On opening, there is no strong smell, which tracks with the fragrance free formula. The product on the wand looks rich, creamy, and very black. My first swipe deposited a lot of pigment right away.
Top 3 Alternative For essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara
If this one does not suit you, these three are worth testing.
- Volumizing And Lengthening Mascara: Full lash fringe that’s feathery soft, with no flaking, no smudging, and no clumping; Just voluptuous volume and intense length. 20x more volume and up to 2x more length. Based on a consumer claims study, November 2020
- L'Oreal Paris Mascara: Get the long, full eyelashes you love with our best mascaras and primers; Choose from our innovative volumizing formulas and variety of brushes
Last update on 2026-07-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
- Lash Sensational Mascara: Exclusive fanning mascara brush with ten layers of bristles reveals layers of lashes for a sensational full-fan effect; Add the look of length and volume without clumping; Ophthalmologist tested, contact lens safe
- Define Your Eye: No eye makeup look is complete without Maybelline Mascara; Amp up the drama with The Falsies Mascara, keep it classic with the iconic Great Lash, or go for a smooth, clump-free natural-but-better look Colossal or Lash Sensational Mascara
Last update on 2026-07-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
Maybelline Lash Sensational Washable Mascara
- If you receive this mascara UNWRAPPED, it did not come from essence cosmetics.
- NO FALSIES NEEDED! Lash Princess False Lash Mascara defines and separates lashes while achieving a bold look.
Last update on 2026-07-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
The Texture Feel And Scent
The formula is creamy and slightly wet on application. It glides on smoothly and does not drag or tug at the lashes. This softness is why it builds volume so quickly.
There is no detectable fragrance, which is a relief for anyone with reactive eyes. I felt no sting or watering during wear, even on sensitive days.
Because it stays soft and flexible, it does not turn crunchy or stiff. Your lashes still feel like lashes. The trade off is that a wetter formula can transfer more, especially before it fully sets.
What The Ingredients Actually Do
The formula leans on waxes to build that bulk. Carnauba Wax is the hardest natural wax and adds structure. Beeswax and Candelilla Wax give body and help the product cling to each lash.
Polybutene and PVP act as film formers, helping the coat hold its shape through the day. Black Iron Oxide delivers the intense black shade.
For comfort, the list includes Butylene Glycol and Caprylyl Glycol, gentle multitaskers. It is preserved with Phenoxyethanol and Sodium Dehydroacetate, both mild and common. There are no parabens and no alcohol, which supports the sensitive eye friendly claim.
How It Performs On Real Lashes
One coat gives noticeable darkness and light volume. The magic shows at two to three coats, where lashes look thick, dramatic, and full. This is where the “extreme” name earns its keep.
On my straight, medium length lashes, it added real fullness fast. Shoppers with short or sparse lashes seem to love it most.
The brush is large, so precision suffers near the corners. Curling first helps, because this formula does not hold a curl on its own. If you want a fanned, wide open look, plan to build slowly and comb through clumps.
Does It Smudge Or Flake
This is the honest sticking point. The regular, non waterproof version is known to smudge and flake on many wearers. Reviewers repeatedly report transfer under the eyes after several hours.
The trigger is usually oily eyelids or humidity. One shopper noted the formula “climbing” under the eyes after six or seven hours.
The waterproof version holds up far better and resists smudging. If you have oily lids or a long day ahead, choose waterproof. Setting your under eye with a light powder also helps the regular formula behave.
Who Should Buy This Mascara
This is a strong pick for budget shoppers who want maximum drama for minimal money. If you love a bold, thick, va va voom lash, it delivers well past its price.
It suits people with straight, short, or thin lashes who want instant fullness. It also works for anyone avoiding fragrance, alcohol, or parabens.
It is a great option for those who want a vegan and cruelty free mascara without hunting through specialty stores. For a five dollar tube, the volume payoff is genuinely impressive.
Who Should Skip It
Be honest with yourself about your eyelids. If you have oily lids or watery eyes, the regular version will likely smudge on you. Reach for the waterproof one or look elsewhere.
If you want a natural, feathery, everyday look, this brush is too heavy handed. It is built for drama, not subtlety.
People who need a curl holding formula may be let down, since this one relies on your curler. Those who dislike big brushes or want fine lower lash control should also pass.
How To Get The Best Results
Start with an eyelash curler, because this formula will not lift lashes for you. Curl first, then apply while lashes are freshly shaped.
Wiggle the brush at the root and pull up to spread product evenly. Build two to three thin coats rather than one heavy one to limit clumping.
Set your under eye area with a light translucent powder if you own the regular version. To remove it, use an oil based cleanser or micellar water, especially for the waterproof formula, which needs real effort to lift.
My Final Verdict
For the price, the essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara is a genuine win. It brings bold, dramatic volume that shames many pricier options, and the gentle, fragrance free formula is kind to sensitive eyes.
The catch is the smudging on the regular version. My advice is simple: buy the waterproof option unless you have very dry lids.
Is it worth buying? Yes, for the right person. If you want big lashes on a small budget and pick the correct version for your eyes, this little tube overdelivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is essence I Love Extreme mascara waterproof?
There are two versions. The original is not waterproof, while a separate waterproof version exists. If you struggle with smudging, choose the waterproof tube.
Is this mascara good for sensitive eyes?
It is fragrance free and alcohol free, which helps. Many sensitive eye wearers use it comfortably. Still, patch test first if you react easily to eye products.
Is essence I Love Extreme mascara vegan and cruelty free?
Yes. essence is PETA certified cruelty free, and this mascara is labeled vegan. It is also free from parabens.
Why does my mascara smudge under my eyes?
The regular formula stays soft and can transfer on oily lids or in humidity. Set your under eye with powder, or switch to the waterproof version to fix it.
How many coats should I apply?
Use two to three thin coats for full volume. One coat gives a lighter, everyday look. Build slowly to avoid clumps from the large brush.
How do I remove this mascara?
Use an oil based cleanser or micellar water. The waterproof version needs a dedicated eye makeup remover and gentle patience, since it grips hard.
Does it hold a lash curl?
Not on its own. This formula will not lift straight lashes, so curl them first with an eyelash curler before applying for the best open eyed effect.
Meet Liora Sage, the trusted voice behind Verity Vault, where honest product reviews meet practical consumer guidance. With a passion for helping shoppers make informed decisions, Liora dives deep into Amazon’s vast marketplace to uncover the truth about products across multiple categories.
