Pat McGrath’s New Mascara Brings Some Much Needed Drama to My Life 

You know how some people claim they hate drama but it's secretly their favorite thing in the whole world? I'm 100% that person. While I'll gladly eat up any rumors, gossip, and reality-TV smackdowns in secret, the one place I'm unabashed about liking drama is when it's in reference to my eyelashes. I tend to keep my makeup looks low-key, but I love a thick, fat jet-black lash to bring a little glamour to my day. But now that we've been quarantining for nearly five months, both my life and my lashes are seriously lacking in the drama department. 

If there's one person who could inject a jolt of spectacle back into my daily life, it's Pat McGrath. The legendary makeup artist has created some of the most memorable and stunning runway looks, um, ever, and her namesake makeup line is one of the most opulent and fantastical on shelves right now. So when I heard the brand was launching a new mascara, I already knew it would break me out of my minimal-makeup slump.

Dark Star is the second mascara in McGrath's line. Her first, Fetisheyes, launched in January of last year. While Fetisheyes is all about customizable, buildable volume and length, Dark Star instantly delivers high-fashion, thick curled lashes. 

As always with McGrath's line, I was sucked in by both the packaging and the campaign imagery before I even got my hands on the product. When I was able to learn more, like the fact that it was inspired by deep space and used backstage at shows like Versace and Louis Vuitton (prequarantine, obviously), I knew it was something special. 

“A Big Bang for lashes, a single swipe of Dark Star’s zero-gravity formula creates massive volume and mesmerizing deep-space darkness,” reads the press release from the brand. "At warp speed, Dark Star teleports lashes to a brave, bold, big new galaxy of glamour." To absolutely be dramatic: Sign. Me. Up.

Holding the mascara in your hands just feels special. The outer packaging features the brand's signature illustrations, and the tube is heavy and gilded. The hourglass-shaped brush is huge and fluffy with a dip in the middle and very densely packed. 

I tend to find that volumizing mascaras are generally hit-or-miss for me. I usually have to build up lengthening formulas since my lashes are so sparse, but Pat's never let me down before. This mascara was no different. After one swipe, I was instantly impressed. The first thing I noticed is the formula is both airy and creamy—the brand calls it a gel hybrid—and intensely black, which I would expect from something called Dark Star. 

The brush bulked up my lashes effortlessly, and while I wouldn't ever call this a natural formula, it didn't clump, and my lashes looked full and defined. It has a super-lightweight whipped texture, so even though it's an extreme look, it doesn't feel heavy or crunchy. And it's long-lasting: It stayed intact all day with minimal smudges. It's not ideal for lower lashes but held up fine on top.

I love that no matter how I apply it—blink into the brush, wiggle it through, or hold it vertically for tons of pigment—it gives me really full, long, fluttery lashes. Most impressive though is the instant curl. The formula opens up my eyes and makes my lashes look ridiculously long. Whenever I wear it, I feel like a glamorous muppet. (Yes, that's a great thing.)

Despite having a treasure trove of mascaras, this one truly stands out as a new favorite. And until I can swan around in a glamorous outfit or overhear some gossip on the subway, it's exactly the endorphin rush I've been needing.

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Pat McGrath Labs Dark Star Volumizing Mascara

$30

Pat McGrath Labs

Bella Cacciatore is the beauty writer at Glamour. Follow her on Instagram @bellacacciatore_.