If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, then you’ll know that mascara is one of my favourite makeup products, and I’m on an ongoing mission to find my ‘holy grail’ mascara (yes, my life is full of purpose). YSL Babydoll has been on my mascara wishlist for – I kid you not – YEARS, and I finally bit the bullet and treated myself to it after Christmas. £25 is a lot of money to hand over for a mascara – I mean, that was enough money for two nights out in my uni days (50p drinks, I miss you). But so many factors swung YSL’s Babydoll for me: amazing reviews, my dream wand and of course stunning packaging.
When I first used the mascara, I loved it. As I said, the wand is the perfect sort for me – plastic and with lots of separated bristles that are perfect for wiggling up my lashes to leave them defined and long. The formula is also lovely – it’s not too wet and so doesn’t leave you in a total mess like some do (looking at you, They’re Real), and also doesn’t dry crispy.
However, as the days went on I started to wonder whether I was really blown away by Babydoll. I noticed that although my lashes started off looking really good, the initial curl and length didn’t really seem to hold up over the day. There have definitely been other mascaras that I’ve tried in the last year that have impressed me all day, namely Clarins’ Be Long and the much more purse-friendly Bourjois’ Twist Up the Volume.
While I do still like the mascara, I think my final opinion after a couple of weeks can be summed up with the answers to these questions: does it make my lashes look nice? Yes. Is it worth £25? Hmm, nah. Are there other mascaras that are as good, if not a bit better, on the market for less money? Yes. I’m happy I’ve tried Babydoll because it’s ticked it off my wishlist and it’s fine for the time being, but I don’t see myself re-purchasing.
Have you tried YSL’s Babydoll, or would you like to? Let me know in the comments!
I tried it a while ago and felt the same way: A very nice mascara, but for that price I want it to be pure perfection.
Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking
Exactly, is perfection too much to ask? 😉 xx
The packaging is absolutely gorgeous ahhhh!!!! I love the gold design
Candice | Beauty Candy Loves
It is SO pretty, can’t fault that at all xx
I hate when I want a product for such a long time and when I get it, it just doesnt live up to the hype. Too bad its not as good as you thought :/
Pam xo/ Pam Scalfi♥
I think I just want miracles for £25 tbh haha! xx
I haven’t tried Babydoll but YSL Faux Cils is my Holy Grail mascara! xx
Beautylymin
Ooooh that’s no doubt another to be added to my wishlist! xx
This looks lovely! I’ve actually never heard of this mascara before, but I don’t think paying that much for mascara is really worth it. I’d rather just use a drugstore brand!
Thanks for the great review 🙂
Lindsey Elyse | lindseyginge
I have to agree with you, I think I’ll return to my Bourjois fave next 🙂 xx
This has been in my wish list for a couple of years too. Haha! I couldn’t justify paying so much so I kept putting it off from purchasing. Your lashes are gorgeous though!
Shireen | Reflection of Sanity
Haha, is a gross amount of money isn’t it! Thanks Shireen 🙂 xx
The YSL mascaras are incredible! They’re definitely a luxury favourite of mine and I like how they offer different shades such as burgundy, this was a huge favourite of mine last year compared to regular black x
Jenny | Krystel Couture ♥
Ohh I didn’t know they had coloured ones 🙂 xx
Haha, I’m on that mission to find THE perfect mascara too! Interesting review – I felt exactly like this with several Chanel mascaras I’ve tried, nice but not nice enough for the price 🙂
Christina ♥ https://caliope-couture.com
Ahh it’s a shame isn’t it! xx
I love how you finally purchased it after it being on your wishlist for years – though what a pity you weren’t totally smitten with it! All the same, it looks lovely on your eyes and of course, the packaging is beyond dreamy – always a good blog prop haha 😉
aglassofice.com
x
You’re SO right there, I’ll have to keep it for the photo opportunities even once it’s ran out haha! xx
I got a small version of it Christmas 2014 and I really liked it. It’s not my favorite, and I haven’t purchased it again but I think it’s pretty good but I agree with you; there are other mascaras out there which are just as good, if not better, for less money.
x LS
http://www.sephira.dk
Glad you see my point; I think if I saw it again in a gift set or something like that then I would pick it up, but I just can’t justify the full price! xx
At least you’ve tried it, so you won’t have the “oooh, but what if?” thoughts! I think the same with the Too Faced better than sex mascara – totally don’t understand the hype x Rebecca – itscohen.co.uk
Definitely, I’m happy to have crossed it off my list 🙂 Ahh I really liked Better Than Sex, but I can see why it wouldn’t be for everyone! xx
This does make your lashes look great, but I agree- the price is just a bit steep! Thanks for the honest review 🙂
http://www.vibrantbeautyblog.com
Thanks Jen, glad it’s not just me who thinks that’s too much to fork out! xx
Honestly, I like this mascara but I don’t really feel like mascaras in generally are that different from each other. With things like eyeshadows and lipsticks you can always tell if the quality is there, but with mascara I don’t really feel like there’s a huge difference. What do you think?
xx Belle
I know what you mean, I feel that with mascara there are so many different factors like the wand and the formula itself and those are what makes the difference, as opposed to the actual mascara as a whole. Lipsticks are one where you can definitely tell the difference though, I agree! xx
Mascara is my least favorite beauty product… sadly, almost everything makes my super thin lashes go straight down.
Nereyda│ This Girl Is Obsessed
Ahh no way! Hopefully you can find your wonder product that makes you love mascara as much as I do 😉 xx