While I've been on the luxury mascara bandwagon for some time now, I do still love to try out drugstore mascaras occasionally. There is something to be said about only spending a tenner on something that needs to be tossed out ever 2-3 months! When I saw the new Maybelline Total Temptation Mascara had not only a traditional style bristle wand, but was being called a dupe of my of my current favourites, I knew I needed to try it. After all, spending a third of the price on a mascara just as good sounds too good to be true… so is it?
Maybelline claims: "Build on bold volume to create irresistibly soft, separated, and fluffy lashes coat after coat. Maybelline's Total Temptation Mascara features a creamy and whipped formula enriched with coconut extract.
Bare, curled lashes. One coat. Two coats.
So my first thought was, "oh geez we're still on the coconut train?". I'm honestly still wondering why infusing beauty products with coconut, peach, cocoa etc is a thing…To answer your first question: Yes it does smell a bit coconutty/tropical.
Moving on, I had heard this was a dupe for one of my current favourite mascaras, Lancome Monsieur Big, so naturally I've compared the two. Total Temptation claims bold volume with a separated, fluffy look. While I did get nice black pigment, and some decent volume, I wouldn't describe my lashes as 'fluffy' or 'soft' looking. I also didn't notice any length but did find it added thickness to each lash. Sadly, because of this, it wilted the curl a bit for my fine thin lashes. If you have naturally thick lashes you most likely won't have the same issues I did.
In terms of wear time, I didn't notice any smudging but did have some flaking each time I've worn it. I wouldn't say the flaking is significant enough to make it a complete write off for me. Having said that, I only wear two coats. The formula is a thicker mousse texture, which in my experience does tend to be flakier the drier it gets. Even though I have watery eyes I didn't see any signs of it running, but it does remove easily with micellar water or cleanser.