Diorshow Mascara Gets Revamp, is Better than Ever

Diorshow mascara has changed for the better. (Photo: Dior)

Cult beauty products become that way for a reason: Their hues are universally appealing and their formulas are truly innovative and ahead of their time. Diorshow Mascara ($28) is one of those products every woman I know has raved about for years, but the truth is, I didn’t love it.

Dior created this now-iconic, thick wand back as a limited-edition item in 2002 after makeup mastermind Pat McGrath used a toothbrush to apply mascara for a Dior fashion show. It sold out instantly (and was brought back by popular demand in 2003) with editors and makeup artist raving that it was the best thing since Nars Orgasm blush. At the time, I working as a beauty intern, and as someone who grew up testing and scrutinizing products long before it was my career, I’m not easily swayed by bestsellers and “must haves.” I shelled out for a tube of Diorshow to see what all the fuss was about. It did amp up my lashes, but I found the formula too clumpy and intense for everyday wear. I never tried it again.

Then, a few weeks ago, a press release landed on my desk touting “New Diorshow Mascara 2015: Fuller Lashes, Bolder Impact, Fresher Longer.” I was skeptical, but I kept reading.

The first change made was its Air-Lock system, which has a modified opening and valve to help the tube seal tightly and prevent air from seeping in. Sounds like a bonus to me. The other alteration is the new “Lash Extension Effect” formula. Apparently some unique-to-Dior microfibers have been added that make your lashes more dense and full without clumping by fill in gaps. The microfibers were also designed with layering in mind, for times when one coat simply won’t do. The third tweak is the addition of a new ingredient called sericin, which aims to condition lashes so they’re silky instead of clumpy.

Diorshow mascara has a dense wand of bristles to fill in the gaps between your lashes. (Photo: Dior)

Upon first glance, the new Diorshow brush looked the same as I remembered: Much fuller than my typical mascara wand, the dense bristles loaded with formula. Without rubbing any off, I raked the wand through my lashes. Amazingly, they tripled in length immediately. I couldn’t resist applying a second coat. No clumps! Instead, I had ad-worthy lashes that were long, full, and even curled. But now for the real test: How would Diorshow fare throughout the day?

The first time I wore it out, the compliments came rolling in from fellow beauty editors at an event. “Your lashes look amazing — what is that?” one said. “I assumed you were wearing lash extensions!” said another. Impressing fellow beauty editors — harsh critics who test everything — is always a sign of success.

Weeks and many more compliments later, Diorshow has become my daily mascara. While my seasonal allergies have reached an all-time high, I haven’t experienced a single flake or smudge. Removal is easy with my gentle makeup wipes and cleansers, though I have noticed more inky product comes off than with my usual mascara. As someone who can’t handle the high-maintenance process of wearing bold lip color regularly, the va-va-voom formula of the new-and-improved Diorshow mascara makes me feel a little more glamorous all day long.

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