Lancôme Oscillation Powerbooster

RRP: €35/£26.50/$39

--What does the promo say?--
"Lancome presents the first vibrating lash booster to promote the natural growth of your lashes, improving density and length to show them at their best and improving the surface of the lashes. Every day lashes become visibly stronger, denser and longer; a unique step in beauty to immediately magnify the power of each mascara."

--Packaging--
As with all Lancome mascaras/lash products, it comes in a silver box, so is initially nondescript and indistinguishable from other Lancome products. However, the tube itself is white, with a gold streak leading to the button on the lid, which makes it much more unusual.

--Application--
Wiggle the wand through your lashes (the wiggling is important as it helps you to avoid clumps) as a primer for your mascara. As it dries quite quickly, though, I'd advise priming one eye with the Powerbooster, then adding mascara immediately afterwards, before treating the lashes on the other eye with both steps. This process also means that the white colour of the lash primer is less obvious as it blends better with the colour of the mascara, rather than appearing as two separate colours (though this does NOT turn your mascara grey, thankfully!). The button on the lid is quite sensitive, so go easy with it during application.

--Appearance--
The formula of the Powerbooster is white. Although this can to an extent be combatted by applying mascara immediately afterwards, I would really prefer the formula to be clear.

--Texture/consistency--
This is a difficult one to call. When I first started using this, I experienced clumping often, which doesn't say much for the formula, but this is greatly improved by wiggling rather than stroking the wand through the lashes, meaning that on the whole the experience of the formula's texture and consistency is more positive too. Doesn't weigh down your lashes.

--Sensation--
The sensation of the vibrating wand can be difficult to get used to, and obviously you must be careful when using it, as a vibrating wand can clearly cause more serious injuries than a non-vibrating one.

--Effects over time--
Immediately, lashes appear longer and fuller and a good base for mascara is provided as it gives even greater definition. Over time, you don't even have to be especially patient to see a difference in the length and thickness of your lashes - I noticed a difference in just a few uses, and wish I'd thought to take before and after pictures.

--Value for money--
This works really well with any high quality mascara, so you don't have to buy a Lancome mascara to go with it unless you want to. It also makes a visible difference that you can see in a relatively short space of time, which is more than can be said for some products. While the vibrating wand seems pointless for the actual mascara (Oscillation), I can see why it's needed for the Oscillation Powerbooster as it probably stimulates the lashes for all that natural growth that Lancome talks about. While it is slightly pricy, you know you are getting a product that works. Good job, Lancome.

Out on July 1st, 2009

perfect partner
Oscillation (available in 3 shades + 1 waterproof version), £28
Crayon Khol Waterproof, £17