It is the pink tube everyone recognizes. If you have spent more than five minutes in a Sephora or scrolled through a decade’s worth of YouTube makeup tutorials, you have seen it. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. The name alone was a massive marketing gamble back when Jerrod Blandino and Jeremy Johnson launched it, but it worked. Honestly, it worked almost too well. It’s one of those products that people either treat like a holy grail or complain about passionately on Reddit because it flaked on them once in 2017.
But here is the thing about beauty icons. They don't stay on top for over a decade just because of a cheeky name. The prestige mascara market is incredibly crowded. Every week, a new "disruptor" brand claims they’ve engineered a brush that will make you look like you’re wearing falsies, yet the Too Faced classic remains a global bestseller. Why? Because the formula actually does something specific to the architecture of the lash that most wet, slippery formulas can't replicate. It is a thick, collagen-fueled beast of a product.
The Hourglass Obsession
The brush is arguably more famous than the formula. It’s shaped like an hourglass. According to brand lore, the design was inspired by the proportions of Marilyn Monroe. Whether or not you buy into the Hollywood glamor marketing, the physics of the brush are what matter. The center is narrow, while the ends flare out. This isn't just for aesthetics; it’s designed to grab the tiny lashes at the inner and outer corners of your eyes that straight brushes usually miss.
When you pull that wand out, you’ll notice it’s "extra." There is a lot of product on those bristles. This is where most people go wrong. If you just swipe it on like a drugstore clear gel, you’re going to end up with a clumped mess. You've gotta wiggle it. Start at the root. Truly get in there. The hourglass shape allows the stiff bristles to push the lashes upward, creating a mechanical lift that holds because the formula is actually quite dry compared to its competitors.
Why the Formula is So Polarizing
Let's talk about the "dry" factor. Most mascaras use a high ratio of water and liquid waxes. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara uses a film-forming polymer and collagen. It feels "fluffy." When you apply the second coat, you aren't just tinting the lashes; you are physically building a layer of volume.
This is the source of the love-hate relationship.
If you have oily eyelids, a dry, volumizing formula can sometimes lead to the dreaded "mascara dandruff"—those little black specks that appear on your cheekbones by 3:00 PM. It’s the trade-off. To get that massive, doll-like volume, the formula has to be structured. It’s like hairspray for your lashes. If it were too wet, it would weigh the lashes down, and you’d lose the curl.
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People often compare it to the waterproof version (the one in the teal tube with the raised water droplets). They are different animals. The original is for drama and thickness. The waterproof is for hold and staying power. If your lashes are stick-straight and refuse to stay up, you’re better off with the waterproof, but you’ll lose some of that signature fluffiness that made the original famous.
Real Talk on Ingredients
We should look at what’s actually inside. It isn't just black pigment.
- Acacia Senegal Tree Extract: This acts as a thickening agent. It’s what gives the mascara its "grip."
- Film-forming Polymers: These are the reason the curl stays. They wrap around the lash and set quickly.
- Peptides: They’ve added these to help condition the lashes, though, let’s be real, you’re buying this for the look, not as a lash serum.
The pigment is intensely black. Some "black" mascaras end up looking charcoal or dusty once they dry down. Not this one. It stays deep, which provides that high-contrast look that makes eyes pop in photos. It’s a favorite for wedding photographers for a reason. It shows up.
The "Better Than Sex" Rivals
In recent years, the mascara has faced stiff competition. Benefit’s BadGal BANG! uses aero-particles for weightless volume. Lancôme Lash Idôle focuses on 360-degree separation. Then there’s the drugstore "dupe" conversation. Everyone points to L’Oréal Lash Paradise as the twin of Too Faced.
Are they the same? Not quite.
I’ve spent hours looking at the ingredient lists and wear tests. Lash Paradise is a fantastic mascara, don’t get me wrong. But it’s wetter. It clumps faster in the tube. The Too Faced version has a certain "flick" to the finish that the drugstore versions struggle to replicate perfectly. You pay the premium for the refinement of the pigment and the specific stiffness of the brush bristles.
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How to Actually Use It Without the Mess
To get the most out of your $30 investment, you have to change your technique. Most people pump the wand. Stop that. It pushes air into the tube and dries out that collagen formula even faster. Swirl it.
- The Wipe: Before the first swipe, wipe the very tip of the brush on the rim. The tip always collects a glob that ends up on your inner eye.
- The Base: Press the wand into the roots and hold for three seconds. This "sets" the lift.
- The Zig-Zag: Wiggle the brush as you move toward the tips. This separates the lashes so they don't merge into "three giant lashes."
- The Wait: Let the first coat dry for about 30 seconds before going back in. If you go in too wet, you’ll just move the first layer around.
The Shelf Life Reality
Because the formula is on the drier side, Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara has a shorter "peak performance" window than some other brands. You will likely notice it getting thicker around the three-month mark. Honestly, that’s when you should be tossing your mascara anyway for hygiene reasons, but this one will definitely let you know when it’s done. It starts to smell slightly different and the flaking increases.
Don't try to "revive" it with eye drops. It ruins the preservative balance and the polymer structure. If it’s crunchy, it’s over.
What the Experts Say
Makeup artists often keep two mascaras in their kit: a lengthening one and a volumizing one. Better Than Sex is almost always the volumizer. In a 2023 interview, several celebrity MUAs noted that while they might use a different wand for the bottom lashes to avoid smearing, the Too Faced formula is the "gold standard" for creating a lash line that looks dense enough to skip eyeliner.
It’s about the density at the root. Because the brush is so fat, it naturally deposits a bit of pigment onto the waterline, creating a "tightlined" effect without the extra step of a pencil. It’s a time-saver if you know how to handle the bulk of the wand.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth the Hype in 2026?
The beauty world moves fast. Trends shift from "clean girl" minimalism to "mob wife" maximalism in a weekend. But volume is never really out of style. The Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara has survived the rise and fall of various trends because it delivers a specific, dramatic result that a simple "tint and lift" product can't touch.
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If you want natural, "is she born with it" lashes, stay away. This isn't for you. You will hate it.
If you want lashes that people notice from across a dinner table—lashes that look thick, dark, and slightly dramatic—it’s still the one to beat. It’s a tool. And like any high-performance tool, it requires a little bit of technique to master.
Next Steps for Your Lash Game
If you’re ready to try it or give it another shot, start with the travel size. It’s a pro-tip in the beauty community. The smaller wand is often easier to control, and because the formula dries out quickly, you’ll actually finish the tube before it gets flaky. Pair it with a dedicated bi-phase makeup remover. Since this formula is designed to stick, a simple face wash won't cut it, and you don't want to be rubbing your delicate eye skin raw. Use a cotton pad, let it sit for ten seconds, and it’ll slide right off.
Check your local retailers for the "Better Than Sex" sets—Too Faced often bundles the mascara with their Lip Injection gloss or a primer for nearly the same price as the mascara alone. It’s the smartest way to buy.