Review: Skinfood Viva Volume Pastara Mascara

I've been wanting to get a new mascara for quite some time (because mine was starting to bore me and was going empty too). I recently ordered something on Kpoptown with Lydia and I saw they had started selling cosmetics... So I couldn't resist! (The cosmetics they sell are overpriced though just like their shipping costs. They also didn't send all items we purchased. So I do not recommend this site.) I was thinking of getting the Etude House Lash Perm Mascara as I had read so many good reviews of it but then I ended up getting the Skinfood VIVA-Volume Pastara (cheaper and the design appealed to me more); here's my review:

Brand: Skinfood

Name: Viva Volume Pastara (Mascara)

Amount: 10g

Price: $11.90 (on Kpoptown)

The back of the package it came in

First, a close-up of the applicator:

Doesn't it look nice? I think it does ^_~ Applying this mascara is a dream (I just had to say it like that, yes). It goes on very smoothly and does not clump. The Maybelline Jade mascara I was using before clumped easily and it just didn't glide on as nicely. I feel like the applicator could have been a little shorter for an easier precise application, though.

The most interesting part is probably this one: how does the mascara look once it's applied? Here I got some photos for you:

with flash

Great right? It really lengthens my lashes without making them stick together too much. Most mascaras I own tend to do that, so it looks like I have 5 lashes on each eye (minor exaggeration on my part). But this mascara curls my lashes, makes them look longer and fuller! Even though I wasn't aiming for getting longer-looking lashes (only fuller ones) I really like the effect of this mascara :) I applied it with soft strokes, brushing through the lashes quickly. I will try applying it in "shaky" motions (you know, wiggling it a little) because that usually gives more volume. I might update this post then.

As for the mascara being smudge-proof, I haven't exactly tested that yet. I wore this mascara yesterday when I went shopping with my mom (which was fun btw!) and it still looked the same when I got home in the evening. There was a slight dark shadow under my eyes but it's always like this for me, with every mascara I have tried so far! (Also ones that were specified on being smudge-proof, waterproof ones, etc). So, yes~ I tried rubbing my eyes to see if this mascara smudges, and it didn't! But it made my lashes stick together a bit.
This mascara is not waterproof! It doesn't say it is either ;) I just read some reviews that had mascaras not being waterproof listed as a "con". I don't think it's bad though, because it makes it easier to remove mascara in the evening. But if you're looking for a mascara that is somewhat waterproof I do not recommend this.

What I really like about this mascara is that it looks natural (compared to others). Here's a close-up photo (yes it looks kind of creepy, I just wanted to show how amazingly this mascara works!)

Click to enlarge

What I also think is important to say, I did not curl my lashes before applying the product! If you scroll back up to the "before and after" pictures you can see that the mascara did a great job at that as well :)

So, here's a little conclusion:

Pros: glides on smoothly (♥), looks somewhat natural, lengthens and curls lashes, does not make lashes stick together, smudge-proof, (not waterproof)

Cons: doesn't give that much volume, (not waterproof)

Overall rating:

5/5 for my new favorite mascara!

What's your favorite mascara?^^