Well this is a different kind of vibrating wand for women. And although it might not be in particularly good taste, you can use it in public.
So says the chippie who does her makeup in trains, planes and automobiles. And streetcars (my sister has photographic proof).
Designed to curl, lengthen and volumize even the teeniest of lashes, the much-hyped Lancôme Paris Ôscillation mascara ($39 CAN/$34 US) lives up to the buzz.
The formula is smooth, gel-like, and the specially designed wiper-bit in the mouth of the tube ensures the flexible polymer brush is evenly loaded as you withdraw it. But all the work is in the wand. Powered by a tiny, battery-operated generator in the handle, the brush hits about 7,000 vibrations per minute. “I observed makeup artists making a zig-zag movement from the base of the lashes up when applying mascara,” says Jean-Louis Guéret (right), the man behind the design of all Lancôme’s mascara brushes. “I want this to give every woman the same expert results, whatever her level of skill.”
If, like me, you’re used to 30-plus quick wand strokes per eye as a single coat, using this mascara takes some adjustment. The trick is to hold the wand at the base of your lashes and slowwwly move it straight up to the tips, and reapply at the tips for more length. Guéret had to tell me to slow down, actually. He’s got his own application down — he gave our group of journalists a demo. Click twice on the image for a blowup and check out his lashes. The curl, length, drama — all Ôscillation.
I’m still adjusting to Ôscillation. I’m usually in such a rush, making up on-the-go, that I automatically grab for something that requires no thought, no application consideration. When bold lashes are my goal, however, this one delivers. I just have to remember I’m not the one who has to Oscillate Wildly.
Lancôme Paris is available at drug, department and Sephora stores in Canada and the US, and at lancome.ca and lancome.com
Mascara image courtesy of Lancôme Paris.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Wicked-cool! You tried it? Does it flake? Smudge? Come on – apart from the learning curve, is there anything you don’t like about it? Is it better ‘n my Fantastic Lash?
(BTW, LOVED the intro! Hahahahahaaa!!!)
No smudging. No flaking that I’ve noticed. No smearing of consequence — I actually think I need to wear it more often to be certain, though. Glad you enjoyed the intro! *giggle*
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Wicked, I LOVE that you got a pic of him trying it on himself!!
This mascara is the bomb, but I firmly believe it has way more to do with the formula rather than the vibrating wand (which sounds just like a pocket rocket, for those considering applying this in public). I just find it keeps my lashes up, rather than falling flat like pretty much everything else.
I actually don’t know whether Jean-Louis had planned to demo on himself — early in the meeting I started asking him if he was going to and I kept on asking, pest-like. *grin*
I remember you telling me this was your new fave and why — thanks for putting it here, Rockie!
OOoooh I heard about this new mascara!!! The problem I find I have with alot of mascaras is that it doesn’t make my lashes look full or long enough. I am asian so my lashes are relatively non-existent. My favourite is still Lancome’s Fatale. Have you tried Fatale if so how does this one compare to that?
p.s – totally agree with “You Look Hot Today”, awesome intro!
Check out the image of Jean-Louis — you’ll see that on his left eye, no discernable lashes. With Ôscillation, wowEE! I also have unimpressive lashes, and I get great results.
I likely tried Fatale, but can’t remember my impression of it, which means I moved on fairly quickly. My oily lids probably beat it down. Thanks re: the intro — had a bit of a giggle myself when it appeared on the screen as I was typing!
OMG his lashes do look impressive!!!! I have to give this MASCARA a try!!!!
And he didn’t curl his lashes first!
I agree with the comment about non-existant Asian eye-lashes. In the pic, I noticed that his lashes still has length (see his side profile), unless I’ve mistaken that for his eyebrows! It appears that he has no lashes, because his hair and lashes are white. Using black mascara solves that problem easily. However, finding a mascara that creates enough length without clumping and straightening is a challenge. I find that a good quality pair of false eye lashes is the only way you can actually see a noticeable difference in photos for non-existant lashes. The only problem with that is it’s difficult to apply without the help of a professional…unless you get better with practice…not too practical for daily use either.
Ack! I think you’re right, Wynne — Jean-Louis DOES have lashes! You’re also right that for teensy, stubby, fragile lashes, falsies are a good way to go when you want drama. Lash primer is another option — very soon L’Oréal’s newest, Double Extend Beauty Tubes, should be hitting stores. That has primer on one end and water-resistant (similar to Clinique’s Lash Power, Kiss Me Mascara and Cargo’s Better than Waterproof) mascara on the other.
And sometimes putting the spotlight somewhere else, like on lips, is an alternative, too, especially if you have pretty lips and can rock a bold colour.
I am sure it’ll be a hit if it arrives our shores!!!