Hey beauty lovers! After collecting TONS of feedback and using this mascara myself for months, I’m finally ready to spill ALL the tea on Maybelline’s Total Temptation Washable Mascara. Is it worth the hype? Let’s find out! 🔍
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The Total Temptation comes in that iconic pink tube that stands out in your makeup bag. First thing you’ll notice? The SMELL! Several users mentioned it has a pleasant coconut-like scent that’s refreshingly different from that typical chemical mascara smell. It’s a small detail but makes the application experience more enjoyable.
The wand is on the larger side with traditional bristles (not those plastic ones). This is a love-it-or-hate-it feature depending on your eye shape and lash type. If you have smaller eyes, you might accidentally hit your eyelid during application – something multiple reviewers with shorter lashes mentioned.
APPLICATION EXPERIENCE
OK so here’s where things get interesting! The consistency of this mascara seems to be quite thick and creamy. For many users, this is AWESOME because it means serious volume in just one or two coats. One reviewer even said it makes her lashes look so good that people frequently ask what mascara she’s wearing!
But that thickness is also the source of the #1 complaint: CLUMPING. Many reviewers noted that the formula can get clumpy, especially if you:
- Try to apply multiple coats after it’s dried
- Use it after it’s been open for a few weeks
- Don’t wipe excess product off the wand first
Pro tip from several users: For best results, don’t let it dry completely between layers. Apply your second coat while the first is still slightly wet to avoid clumping.
The drying time is longer than some other mascaras, which can be good or bad depending on your routine. It gives you more time to build and work with the product, but it also means you need to be careful not to blink too hard or look up right after application unless you want mascara marks on your lids!
WHAT IT ACTUALLY DOES FOR YOUR LASHES
When applied correctly, this mascara delivers:
- SERIOUS LENGTH – Even users with almost non-existent lashes (including one 57-year-old reviewer) saw significant lengthening
- Impressive VOLUME without looking fake or “spidery”
- That BLACKEST BLACK color that really makes eyes pop
- Separated lashes (when applied correctly) that look natural but enhanced
One reviewer in her 50s with barely-there lashes said this mascara gave her “a full lash line with length and volume” without the spikiness or clumpiness of other mascaras. Another said it gives a “natural look, like my lashes are just this beautiful and I have no makeup on.”
Several users compared it favorably to high-end options like Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara (though not everyone agreed with this comparison).
STAYING POWER & WEAR
This is where opinions get REALLY divided!
Some users report the mascara stays put ALL day without flaking or smudging. One even said it looks better than her previous luxury brand mascara that cost three times as much!
Others experienced significant issues with flaking after a few hours and raccoon eyes by mid-day. One reviewer specifically said it “looks like I just went five rounds in a boxing ring after wearing for around 6 hours.”
What explains this difference? It could be:
- Skin type (oily skin around eyes might break down the formula faster)
- Climate (humidity seems to affect performance)
- Whether you touch/rub your eyes throughout the day
- How many coats you apply
It’s definitely NOT waterproof, so expect it to smudge if you tear up, get caught in rain, or have watery eyes in cold weather. Several reviewers specifically mentioned getting “dots” on their upper lids from moisture.
REMOVAL PROCESS
The “washable” claim gets mixed reviews. Most users find it easier to remove than waterproof formulas, which is great for preventing lash breakage. One reviewer who had issues with broken lashes from hard-to-remove mascaras specifically switched to this one to protect her fragile lashes.
HOWEVER, many noted that while it comes off more easily than waterproof mascara, you still need an actual eye makeup remover to get it completely off. Regular facial cleanser or soap often leaves residue behind.
One user described the removal perfectly: “It comes off the lashes fine but smears on my face until I use a makeup remover after I shower.”
LONGEVITY IN THE TUBE
Several reviewers noted that this mascara has a shorter shelf life than other brands. One specifically mentioned that it starts getting “super goopy” at almost exactly 4 weeks of daily use. Others said it dried out quickly or became increasingly clumpy over time.
Given the affordable price point, many users didn’t mind replacing it more frequently. As one reviewer noted, “It’s cheap enough I replace often without worrying about wasting.”
COMPARISONS & VALUE
At around $5-9 depending on where you purchase, many reviewers considered this an INCREDIBLE value compared to high-end mascaras. Comments like “better than my $25 mascara” appeared multiple times.
Several former department store brand loyalists (including Clinique and Dior users) switched to this as their everyday mascara and felt it performed just as well for a fraction of the price.
WHO THIS WORKS BEST FOR
Based on the reviews, this mascara seems to work particularly well for:
- People with thin, short, or sparse lashes who need serious building power
- Those who prefer a more dramatic lash look rather than a subtle enhancement
- Users willing to take time with application to avoid clumping
- People who don’t have extremely watery eyes or oily skin
- Anyone looking for an affordable alternative to high-end volumizing mascaras
One reviewer with sensitive eyes mentioned this is the ONLY mascara she can comfortably wear, which suggests it might be gentler than some formulations.
WHO SHOULD SKIP IT
This probably isn’t the best choice if you:
- Prefer a quick, foolproof application with zero learning curve
- Have very oily skin around your eyes
- Need truly waterproof staying power
- Prefer a super-natural, barely-there look
- Have very small eyes that make larger wands difficult to maneuver
THE WATERPROOF VERSION DIFFERENCE
Several reviewers who had issues with the washable version tried the waterproof formula and had MUCH better experiences. One specifically updated her review to say: “I have been using the waterproof version and it is great. I have not had the flaking and smudging but it gives me length without clumping them together.”
If you love the look this mascara gives but have issues with smudging, the waterproof version might be worth trying.
REAL TALK: THE DRAWBACKS
To keep it 100% real, here are the most common complaints:
- CLUMPING can be an issue, especially as the tube gets older
- The formula can be TOO thick for some users’ preferences
- It doesn’t always stay put on oily skin or in humid conditions
- The large brush makes application tricky for those with smaller eyes
- It dries out or gets goopy faster than some other mascaras
FINAL VERDICT
Total Temptation has earned its cult following for good reason – when it works, it REALLY works! For many users, it’s become their holy grail mascara after decades of searching.
The price-to-performance ratio is exceptional, making it worth trying even if you typically stick to luxury brands. Just be prepared for a slight learning curve to master application and avoid clumping.
While it won’t work perfectly for everyone (what mascara does?), the majority of feedback suggests this is one of the best drugstore mascaras available for creating dramatic, full lashes without breaking the bank.
If you’re still on the fence, consider these final thoughts from long-term users:
“I’ve been buying this for YEARS! My favorite all around mascara – length and volume without looking fake or clumpy!”
“I’ve tried a lot of different mascara’s, including various Maybelline ones and this Total Temptation is far superior to most. The brush allows even the tiniest of lashes to be exposed. It doesn’t clump, but most of all my lashes pop looking long, full, and lush.”
“I LOVE this mascara! It is the ONLY mascara I buy anymore and that’s with over 30 years of wearing mascara and trying different ones even very high-end mascaras. This one is THE BEST.”
Bottom line: If you’re looking for seriously enhanced lashes at a drugstore price point and don’t mind taking a few extra seconds with application, Total Temptation is definitely worth adding to your makeup bag! 💁♀️
TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS
- Wipe excess product off the wand before applying
- Apply second coat before first coat completely dries
- Use a clean spoolie to separate any clumps after application
- Replace tube after 4-6 weeks of regular use for best performance
- Have eye makeup remover on hand for complete removal
- Consider the waterproof version if smudging is an issue for you
Have you tried Total Temptation? Drop a comment with YOUR experience! 👇
Buy on Amazon: Here
