This Too Faced Mascara Is My Secret to Curled, Defined Lashes

We put the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review.

The last thing I need is for my makeup to let me down this Summer, especially after I’ve been inside for the past year and a half. I don’t wear much makeup during the warmer months, but when I do, I opt for products that can withstand hot, humid days in my city. One essential Im never without: my mascara. I look for one that not only survives intense heat, but also gives my lashes a ton of drama. After hearing so much the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, I wanted to see what this product was like for myself—specifically if it lives up to its promise of delivering “mind-blowing lashes every time.” Read on for my review, below.

About My Lashes: Average length with a natural curl

My eyelashes are neither short nor long (they are what I would consider an average length) and they have a slight, natural curl. I typically look to mascaras to add volume and definition. Length is typically an after-thought, as I’m OK with having my natural lash-length if the mascara does everything else that I want.

Khera Alexander

How to Apply: Comb through until youre happy with your lashes

Mascaras are usually simple and easy to use and Too Faced’s Better Than Sex is no different. I swept the applicator over my lashes multiple times, layering it until I was satisfied with the way my eyelashes looked. After approximately five coats, my lashes were thick, lengthy, and separated enough for me to move forward with the rest of my beauty routine.

The Results: Full, curled lashes with minimal flaking

The Better Than Sex Mascara gave my lashes a natural amount of volume with barely any flaking. (I only really saw two flakes—and that was after hours of wear). It also withstood the temperamental weather of my area has been having. No smudges here—despite the exceptionally hot, humid days.

The brush has an hourglass shape that helped coat each lash individually, and the product is infused with a film-forming polymer and Acacia Senegal Tree Extract for maximum curl and volume. Too Faced definitely nailed the “curl” part, but I would have loved to have seen more length. Personally, I think the reason for this is because of the size of the brush. It’s a little larger than the wands from other mascaras I typically use, and I find that smaller brushes give me more control to build the product on my lashes.

Though the Better Than Sex Mascara was good, I found that it didn’t thicken and lengthen my lashes as much as I had anticipated. Don’t get me wrong — this product delivers, but it didn’t quite ‘wow’ me the way I assumed it would based off of its name. Instead, I think this mascara is better for people that have longer, thicker lashes that also prefer bigger mascara brushes.

Khera Alexander/Design by Cristina Cianci.

The Value: Similar to other prestige mascaras

For 8ml of product at around $26, this mascaras price tag is comparable to other mascaras from similar brands. IMO, its totally worth it, as Too Faced is a brand that delivers fun, impeccable packaging with high quality products and formulas.

Similar products: You have options

L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Washable Bold Eye Mascara: This cult favorite gives lashes major volume, length, and separation at an affordable price—and its a great dupe for the Better Than Sex Mascara. Easy to use, easy to find, and priced really well, the LOréal Paris Voluminous Original Washable Bold Eye Mascara can give your lashes the Better Than Sex look at a fraction of the cost.

ILIA Beauty Limitless Lash Mascara: Made with two different mascara wands in one, the ILIA Beauty Limitless Lash Mascara will lengthen your lashes, thicken them, and separate them with its lash-separating comb in no time. Made with a blend of natural and synthetic ingredients, this mascara can intensify the look of your eyelashes and nourish them at the same time. If I had to pick between the Better Than Sex mascara, and ILIA’s, I would pick this one — the ILIA brush gives a little more separation while thickening.

Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara: Another affordable mascara option, the Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara volumizes, separates, and gives your lashes length that’s absolutely unreal. For anyone that’s similar to me in terms of brush preference, listen up: the wand is a little wobbly — if you prefer a brush that’s a touch more stiff, the options above will give you what you’re looking for.

Specs

Product Name


Better Than Sex Mascara

Product Brand


Too Faced

Price


$27.00

Shade Range


One

Full Ingredient List

Water, Synthetic Beeswax, Paraffin, Glyceryl Stearate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Butylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax/Oryza Sativa Bran Cera, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Polybutene, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Copernicia Cerifera Cera/Cire De Carnauba, Aminomethyl Propanol, Glycerin, PVP, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Polyester-11, Cellulose, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Propylene Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Acacia Seyal Gum Extract, Sodium Phosphate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Dextran, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Black 2 (CI 77266).

Standout definition and curling ability

Intense color

Long wear time with minimal flaking

Spoolie brush can prove too big for short lashes

Clumps after several coats

The Too Faced Cosmetics Better Than Sex Mascara will give your lashes major curl, lift, and separation. Its worth giving a try, as it deposits intense color with just a few coats. My one gripe: the relatively large size of the spoolie brush can make it difficult to maneuver through lashes.

Khera Alexander

Editor’s Note: We reviewed this article on September 14, 2023. As per our editorial policy, we are constantly updating our content, to make sure it reflects the best of the best when it comes to beauty, wellness, and fashion. We want to assure our readers that we still stand by our recommendations, which we do.

Best for: Volume and intense color 

Active ingredients:Film-Forming Polymer, Acacia Senegal Tree Extract, Peptides 

Potential allergens: Acacia Senegal Gum, Potassium Sorbate

Price: $26 

Whats Included: Product only

About the brand: Too Faced Cosmetics was created in 1998 to celebrate beauty and provide high-performing cosmetics that are still full of fun. With their creative packaging and quality ingredients, Too Faced seeks to inspire all customers to embrace themselves and express their creativity with their products.

If you have shorter lashes, The Better Than Sex Mascara product may be a hit or miss. However, if you have average to longer lashes naturally and enjoy using larger mascara brushes, this product will give you amazing definition, volume, lift, length, and curl.