*Links marked with asterisks are affiliate links, these help Ree with running costs of the blog
Priced at
Marc Jacobs mascara is back, and I was very keen to try Marc Jacobs Flashes Mascara because I’ve actually reviewed both of the mascaras that came before it.
I first tried Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara back in 2016, which I remember loving for its fluttery, dense lashes, impressive length and the way it held a curl. Then came At Lash’d Lengthening and Curling Mascara, which I also reviewed and really enjoyed for its buildable formula and the fact that it stayed flexible on the lashes.
So when Marc Jacobs returned with its new makeup collection, mascara was one of the first things I wanted to try.
The new Flashes Mascara is very different from those original mascaras when it comes to the packaging and overall look of the brand, but what really matters is what it does to the lashes. And I’m pleased to say that I do like this mascara.
So, after testing all three Marc Jacobs mascaras, how does the new Flashes compare to the originals? And is it one I’d recommend adding to your makeup bag? Here’s my full Marc Jacobs Flashes Mascara review.
Before and After Photos
As you can see, I’m not using loads of coats here. This is a fairly moderate application and you can see how much difference it makes to the lashes.
One coat gives me a good amount of definition and lift, but you could definitely build this up further if you wanted a more intense, false-lash effect.
How does Marc Jacobs Flashes compare to the old Marc Jacobs mascaras?
This is probably the question I’m most interested in answering because I’ve actually reviewed both of the mascaras that came before this one!
I reviewed Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara back in 2016, and then At Lash’d Lengthening and Curling Mascara when that launched in 2020.
And while the new Flashes Mascara isn’t the same formula as either of those, I can definitely see some similarities in the way it performs.
Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir
Velvet Noir was all about that big, dense, fluttery lash look. In my original review, I loved the way it gave my lashes volume and length while creating a flattering shape, and I remember being particularly impressed by how well the curl lasted.
It also felt surprisingly lightweight and, at the time, I found it lasted all day without smudging. Flashes gives me a similar sense of drama, but I think the effect is slightly different.
For me, Flashes is more about lift, definition and intense pigment, whereas Velvet Noir gave me that slightly more dense, voluptuous lash effect.
Marc Jacobs At Lash’d
At Lash’d was a little different again. I loved the lengthening and curling effect and the fact that it was so buildable. You could get a softer, more fluttery look with one coat and then keep building it, and I particularly liked that the formula stayed flexible on the lashes. This is probably where I see the biggest similarity with Flashes.
Flashes is also really easy to build, and I love that I can add another coat later in the day without the lashes becoming hard, crunchy or clumpy.
So, which one is closest to Flashes?
For me, Flashes sits somewhere between the two. It has the drama and intense black pigment that I loved about Velvet Noir, but it has some of the flexibility and buildability that I enjoyed about At Lash’d.
The biggest difference is that Flashes gives me a very noticeable result straight away. The wand picks up plenty of product, so even one coat gives you properly defined, lifted lashes.
So if you were a fan of the old Marc Jacobs mascaras, I don’t think you’ll find this is an identical replacement for either one. The formulas and brushes are different.
And, having tested all three, I think it’s fair to say that Marc Jacobs has managed to keep some of that original mascara appeal while giving the new formula its own identity.
Is Marc Jacobs Flashes Mascara worth it?
I wasn’t sure what to expect because, although I loved the old Marc Jacobs mascara, the new packaging and the whole aesthetic are very different. But the mascara itself has definitely delivered.
It gives me lift, separation, definition and intense black pigment, it’s easy to apply, it’s buildable and, importantly, it stays flexible on my lashes.
I particularly like it as a daytime mascara because I can get a really good result quickly without having to faff around with it. But because it’s buildable, I can also take it into the evening if I want something more dramatic.
And I love the fact that I can pop another coat on later in the day without it immediately turning into crunchy spider lashes.
The two things I’d flag are the fact that it isn’t the best choice for very watery eyes and it does take a little more effort to remove than some mascaras. Neither bothers me enough to change my overall opinion, though.
While the new packaging isn’t really my aesthetic, the Marc Jacobs Flashes Mascara itself is definitely one I’m happy to have in my makeup bag.
