Let’s be real for a second. In the beauty world, trends move faster than a TikTok scroll. One minute we’re all obsessed with "clean girl" aesthetic and barely-there lashes, and the next, everyone wants to look like they’re wearing three pairs of falsies at once. But through all that noise, one specific product has stayed stuck in the collective consciousness. I’m talking about Too Faced Mascara Better Than Sex. It’s the pink, metallic heavyweight that basically defined the 2010s makeup scene.
You’ve seen it. You’ve probably owned it.
It’s a polarizing tube of goo. Some people swear it’s the only thing that gives them actual volume, while others complain about the "dreaded flake" by 3 PM. But even with a million competitors launching every year, this mascara remains a bestseller at Sephora and Ulta. Why? Because it taps into a very specific desire: drama. Not "I woke up like this" drama. More like "I am a silent film star from the 1920s and my eyes are my only personality trait" drama.
Jerrod Blandino, the co-founder of Too Faced, famously claimed the name came to him during a product testing session when he realized the formula was, well, better than a certain intimate activity. Whether you buy into the marketing or think it’s just cheeky branding, the formula itself changed how we think about lash brushes.
The Hourglass Brush Obsession
The brush is the secret sauce. Or the problem, depending on who you ask. Most mascaras back in the day used thin, plastic wands or simple tapered bristles. Too Faced went the opposite direction. They introduced this chunky, hourglass-shaped brush inspired by the curves of a woman's body—specifically, according to brand lore, Marilyn Monroe.
It’s huge. It’s fuzzy. It holds a ton of product.
When you wiggle that wand through your lashes, the hourglass shape allows the stiff bristles at the ends to grab the tiny lashes in the corners, while the center dip coats the middle lashes. It’s designed to provide a "false lash" effect in a single coat. Honestly, it's a lot of mechanical engineering for something you put on your face. Because the bristles are extra-stiff, they actually comb through the lashes rather than just painting them, which is why you get that thick, separated look.
But there’s a learning curve. If you’ve never used a wand this big, you’re going to get mascara on your eyelids. It’s inevitable. You’ve gotta be careful. The sheer volume of the brush means it picks up a lot of formula, which leads us to the biggest debate in the makeup community: the "dry" vs. "wet" formula debate.
👉 See also: Finding the University of Arizona Address: It Is Not as Simple as You Think
Why Too Faced Mascara Better Than Sex Is So Controversial
Most people don't realize that mascara formulas change over their lifespan. When you first pop open a fresh tube of Too Faced Mascara Better Than Sex, it’s relatively wet. It glides on. It’s easy. But about two weeks in, the air gets to it. This formula is infused with film-forming polymers and collagen, and it thickens up fast.
This is where the love/hate relationship starts.
- The Pro-Dry Crowd: These users think the mascara is actually better after it’s been open for a month. The thickened formula grips the lashes better and builds massive volume without sliding around.
- The Anti-Flake Crowd: This is the group that complains about the black specks under their eyes. Because the formula is so heavy on the "volume" side and slightly drier than your average drugstore tube, it can get brittle. If you touch your eyes or even just blink hard, you might find some fallout.
Is it a dealbreaker? For some, yeah. For others, the trade-off for lashes that look three times thicker is worth the occasional smudge. If you find yours is flaking, a common pro-tip is to layer a waterproof topcoat over it, or just make sure you aren't over-applying. Three coats of this stuff is basically the limit before things get crunchy.
What’s Actually Inside the Tube?
It’s not just black pigment. Too Faced puts a lot of emphasis on the ingredients list, which includes Acacia Senegal Tree Extract. This stuff is basically a natural thickener that helps nourish the lashes while providing the "lift." There’s also unique peptides that are supposed to keep lashes conditioned.
Does it actually make your lashes healthier? Probably not in a way that’s going to change your life. But it does prevent that "stiff as a board" feeling that cheaper mascaras often have. The pigment itself is an "extra-black" carbon pigment. In the makeup world, not all blacks are created equal. Some are more like a dark charcoal. This one is deep, matte, and intensely dark, which is why it makes blue or green eyes pop so much.
The Waterproof vs. Original Rivalry
Eventually, Too Faced listened to the people who hated the flaking and released the Waterproof version (the one in the light teal tube with the raised water droplets). This is a completely different beast.
If the original is a velvet dress, the waterproof version is a raincoat. It’s much more "shrink-wrap" on the lashes. It doesn't flake, but it’s notoriously difficult to get off. You’ll need a heavy-duty oil-based cleanser or a dedicated bi-phase makeup remover. Don’t even try with just a face wash; you’ll end up losing lashes.
✨ Don't miss: The Recipe With Boiled Eggs That Actually Makes Breakfast Interesting Again
Most professional makeup artists I know actually prefer the original for photoshoots because it has a softer, more romantic finish. The waterproof version can look a bit more "spidery" because the wax content is so high. It’s great for weddings or rainy days, but for every day? Stick to the pink tube.
How to Apply It Like a Pro
Most people mess up the application because they treat it like a skinny wand. You can't just swipe and go.
- Wipe the tip. The hourglass brush always collects a big glob of mascara right at the end. If you don't wipe that off on the rim of the tube, you’re going to get a clump on your inner corner lashes.
- The "Wiggle and Lift." Start at the very base of your lashes. Wiggle the wand side to side to deposit the bulk of the product at the root. This creates a "tightline" effect that makes your lash line look thicker.
- Pull through slow. Slowly pull the wand toward the tips.
- Wait. Give it 30 seconds before doing a second coat. If you go in while it’s still totally wet, you’re just moving the product around rather than building it up.
If you do get a clump, don’t panic. Don’t add more mascara. Take a clean spoolie (those little disposable mascara wands) and brush through while it’s still slightly tacky. It’ll grab the excess and leave the volume behind.
The Competition: Is It Still the King?
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. There are a lot of dupes out there now. L'Oréal Lash Paradise is the one everyone brings up. It has a similar brush, a similar pink tube, and a similar promise of volume.
Honestly? They’re close. But they aren't the same.
The L'Oréal formula is a bit more "fibrous," whereas Too Faced Mascara Better Than Sex feels more like a cream-to-powder finish. The Too Faced version usually gives a more dramatic "curl" that stays up. Drugstore mascaras have come a long way, but there’s still a weightiness to the Too Faced formula that makes the lashes look more expensive. Whether that’s worth the $30 price tag compared to an $11 drugstore tube is a personal financial decision.
However, if you struggle with your lashes falling flat throughout the day, the prestige version usually holds the shape longer because of those specific film-forming polymers.
🔗 Read more: Finding the Right Words: Quotes About Sons That Actually Mean Something
A Quick Word on the "Travel Size"
Here’s a weird beauty industry secret: a lot of people think the travel size of this mascara is better than the full size.
I’ve heard this from dozens of people. The theory is that the smaller tube allows for less air to be trapped inside, or maybe the wand-to-tube ratio is just better. Because the full-size wand is so big, it can pull a lot of air into the large tube every time you use it, drying it out faster. The travel size stays "fresh" longer and is often easier to control around the corners of the eye. If you’re on the fence, buy the mini first. It’s cheaper and honestly might perform better for you anyway.
Ethical Concerns and Brand Identity
Too Faced has gone through a lot of changes since being acquired by Estée Lauder. They’ve stayed pretty firm on their cruelty-free stance, which is a major win. The Mascara is vegan, which is actually harder to achieve than you'd think in the mascara world (many use beeswax).
However, the brand's aesthetic has shifted. It used to be very "pin-up girl," and now it’s very "Gen Z sparkle." But this mascara bridges the gap. It’s the one product that everyone from a 16-year-old just starting makeup to a 50-year-old executive can agree on. It works because it solves the one problem everyone has: thin, invisible lashes.
Avoiding the "Fake" Market
Because it’s so popular, Too Faced Mascara Better Than Sex is one of the most counterfeited beauty products on the internet. If you see it on a random discount site or at a flea market for $5, it’s fake.
Fake mascaras are dangerous. They’ve been found to contain things like paint thinner, high levels of lead, and even bacteria. Since you’re putting this literally millimeters from your eyeballs, don’t risk it. Stick to authorized retailers. If the price is too good to be true, your eye health is the cost.
Final Thoughts for Your Lash Routine
Look, at the end of the day, mascara is personal. What works for your best friend might be a disaster for you. But there’s a reason this product has survived every trend cycle for over a decade. It’s reliable drama in a pretty pink tube.
If you want the best results, remember that mascara needs to be replaced every three months anyway. Don’t try to save a tube that has gone dry and crumbly; that’s when the flaking starts and the irritation begins.
Actionable Steps to Get the Most Out of Your Too Faced Mascara:
- Prep the canvas: Ensure your lashes are completely free of oil or leftover makeup from the night before. Any residue will cause the mascara to slide off.
- Curl first: This mascara is heavy. If you don't curl your lashes before applying, the weight of the formula might actually pull them down.
- The "Double Wand" Method: Use the original for your top lashes for that fluffy volume, and if you have the waterproof version, use it just on your bottom lashes to prevent smudging throughout the day.
- Warm it up: If your tube feels a bit stiff, tuck it into your waistband or pocket for five minutes while you do the rest of your makeup. The body heat thins out the waxes and makes it apply like a dream.
- Tighten the cap: This formula dries out faster than most. Always make sure you hear that final "click" or feel the resistance when closing it to keep it airtight.