Product Review: Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes Mascara and Magic Kajal Eye Pencil

As a beauty blogger, I get to try all sorts of products: some great, some bad and some that are full of promise but end up being somewhat disappointing. I'm sorry to say that the latest products I received from Givenchy ended up in the latter category. After my fantastic experience with their new Gelée d'Interdit Smoothing Gloss Balm, I was very excited about trying their latest mascara and eyeliner.

Every newly launched mascara claims to give a woman a bigger, bolder pair of lashes and Givenchy's Phenomen'Eyes Mascara ($29.50) is no exception. The round applicator promises to grab every lash from the root, lengthening and volumizing for a "fanned-out panoramic effect" with lots of curl and no clumping. The applicator did deliver on these promises and allow for very precise application; I was able to tilt and angle it to apply mascara to every lash. I also liked the luxe look of the packaging with the short round tube and branded silver cap. Unfortunately , the mascara formula itself wasn't very good. After a few short hours of wear, it started to leave dark smudges on my lower eye and continued to do so throughout the day.


The Givenchy Magic Kajal Eye Pencil ($22) also turned out to be hit-and miss. Inspired by the kajal used by Indian women to line their eyes, this high-pigment pencil contains wax, oil and vitamin E to make it creamy and soft to apply and to minimize tugging on the sensitive eye area. Givenchy claims the formula is long-lasting and ideal for lining the inner rims of the eyes. I tried lining my inner eyelids and was pleased with how the formula stayed put even though I had watery eyes and was wearing contacts. However, when used as a conventional eyeliner worn along the upper lash line, Magic Kajal didn't deliver. Within an hour of applying it I had a smudgey mess all over my eyelids.

Have you tried either of these Givenchy products? What do you think of them?

11 comments

  1. The mascara brush looks pretty cool, although it kind of looks like it would clump. I generally like givenchy products, but I haven't had luck with their eyeliners previously either, although I do like their powders.

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  2. No, I've never tried any Givenchy products. I have to say that brush looks pretty cool -- too bad it didn't work for you!

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  3. I barely ever wear mascaras! I dunno I guess too much clumping back in the days so I just decided to lay off it haha

    and what do you mean, I spoon with my LV bag every night before I fall asleep...

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  4. American brands don't know how to make Kajal. You might get more authentic options at your local Indian store or at any ayurveda store.Also, always apply kajal with a brush. Pencils and kajal sticks tend to smudge.

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  5. You always come through with your honest beauty reviews - I totally respect you for it, Lisa! I've been wanting to try the Phenomen'Eyes Mascara for a while now and was thisclose to buying it on the cruise a few weeks ago. Glad I held out on it - will stick to my trusty lashblast for now!

    Hope you've been doing well, Lisa and hope to see you soon :)

    Jen

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  6. woww that mascara brush looks very... different. lol! but based on your review, i am very intrigued to try it. xx

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  7. Whoa, that applicator is insane. I don't even know how I would go about using it without poking my eye out! I wonder how effective it is!

    x The Pretty Secrets

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  8. oh i did like the mascara. : )

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  9. I had heard good things about this mascara, but smudging is not so good. I am in the process of writing a mascara post. I found two cheap options that do surprisingly well.

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  10. cool products!! :D

    xx

    Don't forget to watching the GUCCI live show in my blog next 20th of june at 12:30 pm in Milano!! :)

    www.sickbytrend.com

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  11. great review... i would have been a sucker for the wand itself!


    x0
    annette

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