It is pink. It is heavy. And the name is, frankly, a bit much. If you have spent more than five minutes in a Sephora over the last ten years, you have seen that metallic tube sitting prominently on the endcap. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara is one of those rare beauty products that managed to transcend a viral moment to become a permanent fixture in the global makeup zeitgeist. But does it actually work, or is it just the result of a brilliant marketing department and a provocative name?
Honestly, the "Better Than Sex" moniker was a gamble by Too Faced co-founder Jerrod Blandino. He reportedly blurted out the phrase during a product development meeting because he was so impressed with the formula. It stuck. Now, it’s one of the best-selling prestige mascaras in the world. People buy it in droves.
I’ve seen it used on red carpets and I’ve seen it crumbled under the eyes of tired college students. It’s polarizing. Some people swear it’s the only thing that gives them lashes that look like extensions. Others complain about the "dreaded flake." To understand why this specific tube of goop became a cultural icon, you have to look past the pink packaging and into the actual science of the brush and the film-formers inside the tube.
The Hourglass Brush: Genius or Gimmick?
The brush is the heart of the machine. Most mascaras use a tapered or straight wand, but Too Faced opted for an hourglass shape. This wasn't an accidental aesthetic choice. The curves are designed to mimic the silhouette of a woman’s body, sure, but functionally, the dip in the middle allows the bristles to grab the tiny lashes in the center of the eye while the flared ends pull the outer lashes upward and outward.
It’s dense. Very dense.
If you prefer a "clean" look—think Glossier or Merit—you will probably hate this wand. It deposits a lot of product. Fast. One swipe and you’ve basically doubled your lash thickness. It uses multidimensional bristles that are intended to separate, but because the formula is so thick, you often have to work quickly to avoid the "spider leg" effect.
What’s actually in the tube?
The formula is a "collagen-fueled" concoction. It relies heavily on an Acacia Senegal tree extract to nourish the lashes and provide a bit of a lift. It also uses a specific type of film-forming polymer that sets the lash in place once you’ve curled it.
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There are no fibers in the standard version. That’s a common misconception. People often think the volume comes from little nylon hairs, but it’s actually just the density of the waxes—mostly paraffin and beeswax—building upon themselves. This is why the mascara feels "wet" when you first open a brand new tube. Most enthusiasts actually prefer the mascara after it’s been open for two weeks. Once a little bit of air gets in there, the formula thickens, and the application becomes much more manageable.
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara vs. The Competition
We have to talk about the "dupe" conversation. Every time a new drugstore mascara launches, the internet tries to claim it’s a "Better Than Sex" killer. The most famous comparison is L’Oréal Lash Paradise. They look similar. The brushes are nearly identical.
But they aren’t the same.
The L’Oréal version is drier. The Too Faced formula has a certain weight to it that provides a "fringe" look—that soft, fluttery, slightly over-the-top volume that is hard to replicate with cheaper waxes. That said, the price jump is real. You are paying for the weighted metal tube and the prestige branding.
- The Original (Pink Tube): Massive volume, deep black pigment, prone to some smudging if you have oily eyelids.
- The Waterproof (Teal Tube): Smudge-proof, holds a curl better, but is notoriously difficult to remove without a heavy-duty oil cleanser.
- The Chocolate (Brown): A newer addition that offers a softer, more "natural" look for people with fair skin or those who find stark black too harsh.
Is it worth thirty dollars? That depends on your lash goals. If you have thin, wimpy lashes, this provides the "oomph" you can't get from a rubber-bristled wand. If you already have long lashes, this might be overkill.
The Flaking Problem (And How to Fix It)
If you read 1-star reviews of Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, they almost all mention flaking. You know the look—tiny black specks on your cheeks by 3:00 PM. This happens because the formula is so heavy on waxes and doesn't use as many "glue-like" synthetics as some of its competitors.
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There is a trick to stopping this.
First, don't pump the wand. Every time you pump the wand into the tube, you force air inside, which dries out the formula prematurely and leads to clumps. Instead, swirl the wand. Second, use a lash primer. Too Faced makes one, but any decent primer will create a tacky base for the mascara to grip onto.
Finally, check the "open-jar" symbol on your tube. Mascara has a shelf life of three months. Because this formula is so rich, it tends to expire and get "crunchy" faster than others. If it’s flaking more than usual, it’s probably just old. Toss it. Your eyes will thank you.
Why it Dominates the Market
The beauty industry is fickle. Trends move from "clean girl" to "mob wife" aesthetic in the blink of an eye. Yet, this mascara stays on top. Why? Because it delivers a specific "look" that is very difficult to achieve without falsies.
It provides "drama."
In a world of subtle tints and "no-makeup" makeup, there is still a massive demographic of people who want their eyelashes to be the first thing people notice. Too Faced tapped into that desire for excess. They didn't try to make a "subtle" mascara. They made a loud one.
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The brand has also been smart about expansion. They didn't just stop at the pink tube. They released travel sizes (which, honestly, often perform better because the formula stays fresh), the waterproof version, and even a "Better Than Sex" eyeliner. They’ve built an ecosystem around the idea that "more is more."
Real Expert Tips for Application
- Wipe the tip. The hourglass brush tends to collect a big glob of product at the very end. If you don't wipe that off on the rim of the tube, you’ll end up with a mess on your inner corners.
- Wiggle and Sweep. Start at the very base of your lashes. Wiggle the wand back and forth to deposit the bulk of the product at the root—this creates the illusion of eyeliner and thickness—then sweep upward.
- Layer while wet. Don't let the first coat dry completely before adding the second. If you apply wet over dry with this specific formula, it will clump.
- The Spoon Trick. If you're worried about getting the thick formula on your eyelids (which is easy to do with this giant brush), hold a plastic spoon over your lid while you apply.
Moving Toward a Better Lash Routine
If you are currently struggling with lashes that won't hold a curl or mascara that ends up on your brow bone, it might be time to audit your application rather than just blaming the product. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara is a high-performance tool, but it’s not "plug and play" for everyone.
Start by ensuring your lashes are completely free of oils or leftover makeup from the night before. Use a high-quality lash curler—the Shu Uemura or Shiseido ones are industry standards for a reason—and pulse it three times at the root. Apply the mascara primarily to the outer two-thirds of your eyes to create a "cat-eye" lift.
If you find the original formula too heavy, try the travel size first. It’s a lower investment and gives you a chance to see how the formula reacts with your specific skin chemistry over an eight-hour day. Most people find that once they master the "wiggle" technique, there's no going back to drugstore alternatives. The volume is simply in a different league.
For those who prioritize clean beauty, keep in mind that while Too Faced is cruelty-free, this isn't a "natural" product. It is a high-tech, synthetic cosmetic designed for maximum visual impact. If that's what you're after, you've found the gold standard.
Next Steps for Your Best Lashes:
- Audit your current tube: If you’ve had your mascara for more than 90 days, replace it immediately to avoid the flaking and bacterial buildup that causes irritation.
- Try the "Half-Lash" technique: Apply the Better Than Sex formula only to the outer corners of your lashes for a lifted, winged look that doesn't feel as heavy for daily wear.
- Invest in a bi-phase remover: Because this formula is wax-heavy, rubbing your eyes with a standard face wash will cause lash breakage. Use a dedicated oil-based makeup remover to gently melt the product off at night.