Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara generates significant discussion within beauty retail, positioned as a volumizing formula promising dramatic lash transformation. The product occupies the premium segment at $29 for the standard 0.27 oz tube, available through authorized retailers including Sephora and the brand’s direct channels.
Named with provocative branding typical of the cosmetics industry, this mascara distinguishes itself through an hourglass-shaped brush design and peptide-enriched formulation. Consumer response remains polarized, with some users reporting exceptional volume while others note wearability challenges that affect long-term performance.
Is Better Than Sex Mascara Waterproof?
Performance Strengths
Volumizing peptide formula with hourglass brush architecture; ophthalmologist-tested; available in three pigment depths.
Documented Limitations
Non-waterproof version susceptible to moisture; some users report flaking and lash weighing within hours of application.
Market Position
Brand claims #1 prestige mascara in America based on 2024 US sales data for Deep Black shade.
Price Structure
Full size (0.27 oz) retails at $29; travel size (0.17 oz) at $16; duo sets including waterproof version range $18–$45.
Key Performance Insights
- The mascara is offered in both standard and waterproof formulations, with the waterproof variant designed for enhanced staying power.
- Waterproof versions are primarily available within duo sets retailing at $45, occasionally discounted to $28.80.
- Standard formula contains conditioning Acetyl Hexapeptide-1 but lacks enhanced moisture resistance.
- Ophthalmologist-tested and designated suitable for contact lens wearers.
- Shade range includes Deepest Black, Chocolate (Dark Chocolate Brown), and Burgundy (Rich Burgundy).
- Brand-conducted studies of 30 women indicate 93% observed base-to-tip curl after application.
- Ingredient base includes Synthetic Beeswax, Paraffin, and Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax.
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Brand | Too Faced |
| Key Feature | Volumizing with hourglass brush |
| Waterproof Option | Yes (select versions) |
| Standard Size | 0.27 oz (8 ml) |
| Travel Size | 0.17 oz |
| Ophthalmologist Tested | Yes |
| Contact Lens Compatible | Yes |
Is Better Than Sex Mascara Worth It?
Performance Claims Versus Reality
Brand positioning emphasizes “mind-blowing volume” achieved through specialized brush geometry and film-forming polymers. The formulation incorporates Acetyl Hexapeptide-1 and conditioning agents intended to soften lashes while delivering aesthetic impact.
These claims come from controlled consumer perception studies. Research conducted by the brand involving 30 women reported that 97% observed a false lash effect and 100% noted increased length after three coats. These figures represent optimal application conditions and may not universalize across all lash morphologies or climates.
Brand-conducted research on 30 participants indicated 93% saw visible curl from base to tip, while 97% reported false lash effects. These statistics reflect controlled study environments and specific application techniques.
User Experience Variability
User reviews reveal a more complex efficacy picture. One documented Sephora review highlighted immediate volumizing effects in the Chocolate shade but noted subsequent weighing down and flaking within ten minutes of application. These discrepancies suggest performance depends significantly on individual lash chemistry, environmental humidity, and oil production.
The $29 price point positions the product within accessible luxury, though value determination requires assessment of individual wear requirements. Users prioritizing extended wear in humid conditions may find the waterproof version necessary, effectively doubling the investment through duo set purchases.
How Do You Apply and Remove Better Than Sex Mascara?
Application Protocol
Application follows standard protocols with specific technique recommendations detailed by the brand. Users should apply from root to tip, using a wiggling motion between lashes to ensure thicker pigment deposit. The formula builds intensity through layering, though single-coat application reportedly suffices for visible length and volume.
For bottom lashes, apply before upper lashes to prevent transfer. Start at the base, utilize a wiggle-and-roll motion for volume, and tip lashes backward to enhance curl retention.
Removal Requirements
Removal requires oil-based cleansers or dedicated waterproof makeup removers due to the hydrophobic composition. The ingredient list includes Synthetic Beeswax, Paraffin, and Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, creating a barrier resistant to water-based cleansing. No specific removal instructions are provided by the manufacturer, though the waxy base implies standard oil-dissolution methods.
How Does Better Than Sex Mascara Compare to Others?
Prestige Market Positioning
Too Faced positions this mascara within the prestige tier, emphasizing the peptide complex and specialized brush geometry over mass-market alternatives. The brand explicitly distinguishes the product through “dramatic volume” claims and conditioning benefits rather than direct competitive metrics.
No independent head-to-head testing against Maybelline Lash Sensational or Lash Paradise was identified in available documentation. Claims regarding superiority emphasize brush design and conditioning ingredients rather than quantified performance metrics against drugstore alternatives.
Drugstore Alternative Considerations
While beauty editors have reviewed the product extensively, the absence of verified dupe testing or 2024/2025 reformulation updates limits definitive comparative assessment. Drugstore alternatives operate at significantly lower price points, though the peptide-enriched formula and hourglass brush architecture remain proprietary to the Too Faced offering. The brand maintains that the specific polymer and wax combination creates unique volumizing properties not replicated in lower-priced segments.
Product Evolution and Release Timeline
- 2014: Original formulation launched as Better Than Sex Volumizing Mascara, establishing the distinctive hourglass brush design and peptide-enriched base.
- 2016: Waterproof variant introduced to address consumer demand for humidity-resistant wear and extended longevity.
- 2020: Clean formula update implemented, adjusting preservative systems and wax compositions while maintaining core performance characteristics.
- 2024: Product achieved documented #1 prestige mascara status in American markets based on US sales data; holiday limited editions released seasonally.
What Is Established and What Remains Uncertain
| Verified Information | Outstanding Questions |
|---|---|
| Available in standard and waterproof versions at $29 (full size) | Longevity varies significantly by individual eye shape and skin oiliness |
| Contains conditioning peptides (Acetyl Hexapeptide-1) and film-forming polymers | Specific percentage concentrations of active ingredients |
| Three shade options confirmed: Deepest Black, Chocolate, Burgundy | Comparative longevity against specific competitor formulations |
| Ophthalmologist-tested for contact lens compatibility | Independent smudge-testing under varying humidity and temperature conditions |
| Formulation includes Phenoxyethanol and Iron Oxides as preservatives/pigments | Incidence rates of sensitivity reactions in general population |
What Is Better Than Sex Mascara and Where to Purchase
Too Faced operates as a subsidiary of Estée Lauder Companies, positioning this mascara within the prestige beauty category. The product functions as a volumizing and lengthening cosmetic utilizing a film-forming polymer system combined with pigment-rich waxes and conditioning peptides. The hourglass brush design aims to deposit maximum product at the root while separating at the tip.
Purchase channels include the brand’s direct-to-consumer platform and authorized retailers such as Ulta and Sephora. The full-size 0.27 oz tube retails at $29, while a 0.17 oz travel size costs $16. Duo sets containing both original and waterproof formulations typically retail at $45, though promotional pricing has reduced these sets to $28.80.
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Expert and User Perspectives
“I loved the volume and the brown shade, but it weighed my lashes down immediately and flaked after 10 minutes.”
— Verified Sephora customer review
Brand-conducted studies cited throughout marketing materials involved limited cohorts of 30 women, yielding high satisfaction rates for volume and curl retention. Independent beauty authorities have analyzed the product’s conditioning properties, noting the inclusion of Acetyl Hexapeptide-1 as a distinguishing ingredient in the peptide complex.
Final Assessment
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara occupies a distinct position in the prestige beauty market through its peptide-infused formula and specialized brush design. While brand-conducted studies indicate high satisfaction rates for volume and curl, individual results vary considerably based on lash type and environmental factors. At $29, the investment requires careful consideration of specific needs, particularly regarding waterproof requirements and sensitivity to the phenoxyethanol and iron oxide contents.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Better Than Sex mascara good for sensitive eyes?
The formula is ophthalmologist-tested and marketed as suitable for contact lens wearers. However, it contains Phenoxyethanol and Iron Oxides, which may irritate some users. No explicit “sensitive eyes” endorsement exists beyond general testing.
What are Better Than Sex mascara shades?
The product is available in Deepest Black, Chocolate (Dark Chocolate Brown), and Burgundy (Rich Burgundy). Specific ingredient variations exist between shades.
What are the key ingredients in Better Than Sex mascara?
Primary ingredients include Synthetic Beeswax, Paraffin, Carnauba Wax, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, and various film-forming polymers. The complete list includes preservatives such as Phenoxyethanol.
How long does Better Than Sex mascara last during wear?
Wear time varies by individual. While the brand emphasizes lasting volume, user reports indicate some experience flaking or weighing down within hours, particularly with the non-waterproof formula.
Where can I buy Better Than Sex mascara?
Available through Too Faced’s official website, Sephora, Ulta, and select department store beauty counters. Prices range from $16 for travel size to $29 for full size.
Henry William Bennett Murray is a staff writer for CivicInsight.uk, covering UK public affairs, policy and civic life. He works under Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Langford, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.