Walk into any Sephora and you’ll see it. The heavy, metallic pink tube. It’s iconic. Honestly, Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing Mascara has become such a staple in the makeup world that we almost take its existence for granted. It launched back in 2013, which is basically a century ago in "beauty years," yet it remains a top-selling prestige mascara globally. Why? Because it actually does what it says on the tin, though it isn't without its quirks.
Most people don't realize that the hourglass shape of the brush wasn't just a random design choice. It was specifically engineered to mimic the bust-waist-hip ratio of Marilyn Monroe. That's a weird bit of trivia, right? But it serves a functional purpose. The stiff bristles are designed to grab every single lash, even those tiny ones in the corners, and pull them upward. It’s thick. It’s dramatic. It is definitely not for the "clean girl aesthetic" lovers who want a barely-there look. If you want lashes that look like you’re wearing falsies, this is usually the first recommendation you’ll get from a makeup artist.
The Science of the Hourglass Brush
Let’s talk about that brush. Most mascaras use a tapered or straight wand, but Too Faced went with the hourglass. This shape allows the extra-stiff bristles to deposit more formula at the base and the tips of the lashes simultaneously. It’s about surface area. When you wiggle the wand from the root, the center of the hourglass holds the bulk of the product, while the flared ends fan everything out.
The formula itself is a bit of a contradiction. It’s infused with Acacia Senegal Tree Extract, which is meant to nourish and thicken the hair. It’s a "wet" mascara at first. You know how some mascaras feel dry and crusty after a week? This one stays creamy for a long time. However, that creaminess is exactly why some people struggle with it. If you have oily eyelids, you might find it smudging by 3 PM. It’s a trade-off. You get incredible volume, but you have to manage the moisture.
I’ve seen dozens of reviews where people complain about flaking. Here’s the reality: this mascara dries down to a very specific film. If you apply three or four coats—which, let's be real, many of us do for that "wow" factor—the weight of the product starts to crumble once it fully sets. Two coats is usually the sweet spot for the Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing Mascara. Any more than that and you're entering "spider lash" territory, which is fine if that's your vibe, but it will flake.
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Is the Waterproof Version Better?
This is the eternal debate in beauty forums. The original pink tube vs. the teal tube with the raised water droplets.
The waterproof version is an entirely different beast. It uses a different set of polymers to ensure it stays put through sweat, tears, or a rainstorm. Interestingly, many people who find the original too "smudge-heavy" swear by the waterproof one. It holds a curl better. Because it doesn't have as much water in the base, it doesn't weigh down the lash hair as much. If you have pin-straight lashes that refuse to stay up, the waterproof variant is actually the superior choice.
But be warned. Removing it is a project. You can't just use a standard face wash. You need a heavy-duty oil-based cleanser or a dedicated bi-phase eye makeup remover. If you try to scrub it off with a makeup wipe, you’re going to lose some lashes. It's that stubborn.
Performance on Different Lash Types
- Short, Sparse Lashes: This mascara is a godsend for you. The bristles are dense enough to catch short hairs and coat them in enough pigment to make them visible.
- Long, Fine Lashes: You might find it a bit heavy. Since the formula is thick, it can sometimes cause long lashes to droop. Using a lash curler before application is non-negotiable here.
- Sensitive Eyes: Too Faced generally does a good job with their ingredients, but the heavy fragrance (yes, it has a slight scent) and the thickness can irritate some people. If you wear contacts, be careful with the flaking potential.
Avoiding the Dreaded Smudge
Nobody wants raccoon eyes. Since Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing Mascara is so pigment-dense, it’s prone to transferring onto the brow bone. A pro tip that actually works? Dust a tiny bit of translucent setting powder on your lashes before you apply the mascara. It gives the formula something to grip onto.
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Also, skip the bottom lashes with the original formula. Use a tubing mascara or a waterproof one for the bottom. The original is just too "juicy" for the lower lash line where your skin produces more natural oils throughout the day.
There’s a common misconception that the formula "goes bad" quickly because it gets thicker over time. In reality, that's just the air hitting the product every time you pump the wand. Stop pumping the wand! Seriously. Twist it out instead. Pumping forces air into the tube, which dries out the film-forming polymers and leads to that clumpy texture everyone hates. If yours feels too thick, a single drop of saline solution can usually revive it for another two weeks, but don't push it. Mascara should be replaced every three months for eye health.
The Cultural Impact and Competition
It’s hard to overstate how much this product changed the industry. Before this, most "volumizing" mascaras were thin and required five coats to see a difference. Too Faced proved that consumers wanted instant gratification. They wanted one coat to look like a transformation.
Of course, the name caused a stir. It was a bold marketing move by Jerrod Blandino, the brand's co-founder. It was provocative, it was memorable, and it worked. Since then, we've seen dozens of copycats. The L'Oréal Lash Paradise is frequently cited as a "dupe," and while the brush is strikingly similar, the formulas behave differently. The L'Oréal version is drier. The Too Faced version has a richer, deeper black pigment—thanks to those high-quality carbon black pigments they use.
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Why the Price Point Matters
At roughly $30, it’s an investment. You’re paying for the R&D of that brush and the specific blend of waxes. If you’re a casual makeup user who just wants to look awake for a Zoom call, a drugstore brand is fine. But if you’re doing photography, going to an event, or you just really love the ritual of a high-end product, the weight of the tube and the intensity of the pigment do feel different.
Actionable Tips for Best Results
If you've just bought a tube or you're struggling to make your current one work, try these specific steps.
Start by wiping the excess product off the tip of the wand onto a tissue. The wand usually picks up way too much at the end, which is how you end up with a big blob on your inner corner lashes. Apply the first coat by wiggling at the base and pulling straight up. Wait exactly 30 seconds. Do not wait for it to dry completely, or the second coat will clump.
Apply the second coat only to the outer half of your lashes to create a "winged" effect. This lifts the eye without making the whole lash line look too heavy. If you notice any clumps, use a clean spoolie or a metal lash comb immediately.
To maximize the lifespan of your Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing Mascara, store it in a cool, dry place—not your steamy bathroom. The heat and humidity can break down the preservatives faster and change the consistency of the waxes. If the smell changes or it starts to feel gritty, toss it. Your eye health is worth more than a $30 tube of mascara.
Finally, if you find the full size too intimidating or it dries out before you can finish it, buy the travel size. Many professional makeup artists actually prefer the mini version because the wand is easier to control and you're guaranteed to use the whole thing before it gets clumpy or expires. It’s a smarter way to test if the formula actually works for your specific eye shape and oil levels without committing to the full price tag.