I got the Lavera Volume Mascara after my Dr Hauschka one ran out. Between getting the same one again (which I knew was great) and trying a natural mascara from a different brand, I opted for the more adventurous route with something new. In case you’re in a hurry – and don’t want to read the whole review about my new Lavera Volume Mascara – the conclusion is: I wish I stayed with Dr Hauschka.
Packaging
The silver colored tube looks very elegant. The brush used for Lavera’s Volume Mascara seems fine, I don’t think my issues have anything to do with the shape or size of the bristles.
Texture
I’m obviously comparing it to Dr Hauschka’s Volume Mascara, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing. It makes more than enough sense to compare these two competitors in the category ‘natural mascara’.
So, here’s how the application goes with Lavera’s Volume Mascara. The brush is big enough and precise enough. The mascara itself is just a bit more runny than expected, which results in my lashes sticking together. It’s hard to separate them nicely. Using the brush to apply mascara and at the same time separate my lashes doesn’t go as smoothly as what I’m used to from my Dr Hauschka days. With some practice, I’ve managed to find a way to apply Lavera’s Volume Mascara without too much damage. Using quick, light strokes does help a bit, but I’m also settling for less separated lashes. As a result, bigger lashes – because they consist of a few clumped together. Perhaps some would call it a more ‘dramatic’ look and even love that! I don’t mind so much, after getting used to the little ‘packets’.
If only Lavera’s beautifully natural mascara wouldn’t make my eyes burn, I would definitely have considered a second purchase.
Scent
Nothing special, just a nice neutral fragrance.
Ingredients
Ingredients, INCI: Water (Aqua), Alcohol*, Sorbitol, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tricaprylin, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate , Hectorite , Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Wax, Lysolecithin, Xanthan Gum, Jojoba Esters, Rosa Damascena Flower Water*, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Fragrance (Parfum)***, Citronellol***, Geraniol***, [+/- Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Ultramarines (CI 77007)].
The ingredients in Lavera Volume Mascara seem really natural. but I would like to compare them to the ones in Dr Hauschka’s, to see which of these could cause this burning sensation.
The following ingredients are present in the Lavera Volume Mascara only: Tricaprylin, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Hectorite, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Wax, Xanthan Gum, Jojoba Esters, Rosa Damascena Flower Water*, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate.
Some others are only in the Dr Hauschka Volume Mascara: Pyrus Cydonia Seed Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Beeswax (Cera Alba), Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Euphrasia Officinalis Extract, Silk (Serica) Powder, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Hectorite, Rosa Damascena Flower Wax, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Linalool*, Silica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).
Lavera uses Alcohol as the second ingredient, in Hauschka it’s the third. The only ingredients in the Lavera Volume Mascara I’m not familiar with are Tricaprylin and Hectorite. The latter appears to be a component of bentonite clay. Even though allergies to natural substances are very possible, I prefer to dig a little deeper into Tricaprylin. On ewg.org/skindeep there’s not much information to be found for this particular substance. On truth in aging I find an article referring to a study where Tricaprylin has been injected in baby mice and also tested on rabbits. Apparently it’s one of those substances that have been tested on animals, before organic makeup lines start using them in their ‘not tested on animals’-end products. How interesting, don’t you think!?
It has been found to not irritate the rabbit’s skin, somewhat irritate the eyes and possibly be toxic to the blood and organs – only when ingested in large amounts though. I wonder if the Tricaprylin is to blame for the burning sensation on the edges of my eyes. They aren’t burning really badly, but it is a noticeable feeling and not pleasant at all. I though I could keep wearing it for now (just because I bought it and want to get my money’s worth out of it – grrrr) but more and more often I end up using just my eye shadow, and that says it all…
What I like about the Lavera Volume Mascara
- Well, I do like the fact that it’s cheaper than Dr Hauschka.
- Perhaps the dramatic look with every few lashes bundled together has something. Most of the time, I prefer my natural doe-eyes though, with everything nicely separated.
- Contains a few organic ingredients, such as the castor oil and the rose water.
What I like less about the Lavera Volume Mascara
- Obviously, a mascara shouldn’t cause your eyelids to burn. Not sure what’s causing it, but I’m not getting this one again.
- I’m not a huge fan of the texture, but could find a way to work with that, it all the rest were okay.
- Tricaprylin doesn’t seem to be a natural substance and it has definitely been tested on animals.
Final thoughts & other Organic Makeup Reviews
Sorry Lavera, I’m not a fan. Would buy this mascara again, if it didn’t burn my eyelids, and if it didn’t contain at least one ingredient that has been tested om animals. So basically, I won’t. There are many more reviews on Amazon, and quite some positive ones too… I agree that its texture is very wet and easily makes stains on the skin around the eyes, and that the rim of the tube gets very messy fast. This mascara doesn’t flake though – it’s way too runny for that. After drying, it doesn’t smudge very easily either, but I don’t care for the hard feel of my lashes. Plenty of reviewers seem to enjoy it, although at least one other person mentioned a reaction.
Where to find Lavera’s Volume Mascara?
- International shoppers may want to have a look on LoveLula.
- For readers in the US – Amazon
offers it at a good price.
Pricetag: around US $ 20
What do you think of the Lavera Volume Mascara?
Please share your own reviews and organic skincare tips!
