We are absolutely THRILLED to present a guest post by one of the oldest and dearest friends of the Beauty Brains blog. She has been with us from the VERY beginning 3 years ago, and she’s quite the blogger-chick herself. You can check out her latest work at JuicyWatermelon.com.
Taiwanese Girl says…
I am not a Beauty Brain, but I like to think myself as a Beauty Brain disciple. While most of the time I laugh off ridiculous claims various marketing departments come up with, I’ve never been as irritated as I am today. Why? I’ve just stumbled upon Smashbox’s newest mascara: Lash DNA Mascara.
The Smashbox story
Smashbox Lash DNA Mascara contains a proprietary complex of proteins and amino acids that bind to lashes-creating mega-length and curl while conditioning and rebuilding former lash damage. The double-helix brush lengthens and separates every lash, no matter how small, for the ultimate fanned-out effect.
First of all, I’m surprised they didn’t throw in “peptides” in the sentence just to make the entire claim sound even more scientific. Second of all, please tell me which amino acids or proteins actually bind to eyelashes? Third, if the brush is suppose to resemble a double helix bound to a phosphate backbone like that of a DNA molecule, then a lot of other mascara brushes resemble a DNA molecule as well! They can all be called “double-helix” brushes! Anyhow, I was so upset by the claim, I actually googled and searched their entire ingredient list to find out their functions!
Just by glancing at the first 5 ingredients, I knew that none of them were amino acids or proteins. I was a poor soul who had to memorize amino acids in college, so I can recognize them. I finally see that the 15th ingredient is Triethanolamine, which contains an amine group, but sadly is not an amino acid. As a matter of fact, it acts as a pH balancer. Then finally, when you’ve reached the end of the list, you’ll find Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, which does act as a hair-conditioning agent. Yet when it’s listed as the 3rd to last ingredient, you know that there’s not much in the formula.
I’m not saying that this is a bad mascara. It’s probably a great mascara, but a typical one made up of your typical waxes, emulsifiers, preservatives, and color. What truly irritates me is how Smashbox continues to mock science in every single one of their new product releases. Do they not realize that websites such as The Beauty Brains or Cosmetics Cop is read by tons of beauty lovers? Do they think that most of us failed biology and chemistry? That’s what truly irritates me.
Although, as Right Brain pointed out to me, perhaps they’re taking DNA to stand for “Deep Nourishing Appearance.” At this point, I really hope they do!
Smashbox Lash DNA ingredients
Water (Aqua, Eau), Beeswax (Cera Alba, Cire D’Abeilles), C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Alcohol Denat., VP/VA Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax (Cera Carnauba, Cire de Carnauba), Polyisobutene, Stearic Acid, Isododecane, Glycerin, Silica, Ethyl Trisiloxane, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Cetyl Phenyl Ether Disulfonate, Myristic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Isostearic Acid, Ethylene Brassylate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Caprylohydroxamic Acid, Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Trisodium EDTA, PVP, Ethoxydiglycol, Polysorbate 60, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Diglycerin, Panthenol, Black 2 (CI 77266)
What do YOU think? Do you have an opinion on Smashbox products? Leave a comment for the rest of the Beauty Brains community.
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
wow how irritating! when a company lies about one product it instantly takes away credibility from all other products!
why dont think just let it speak for itself. if they made a good mascara they woudln’t have to lie about it to sell it.
WTF is it with Smashbox? I don’t even wear makeup and they are pissing me off…
Great post! I hate when companies use “science” to sell their products. Pisses me off…
Have you heard of hexagonal water?! There’s this blender-like machine that spins the water and “de-clump” it so it can form the much better hexagonal structures that’ll supposedly hydrate you 6x better!! what.. the.. f…. -.-
One thing that bugs me is that a lot of professional makeup artists believe the ‘technology’ behind these products without question. So they swear these products are sooo different from others because ‘well it has tons of amino acids in it so it’s awesome!’ It’s like how most hairdressers believe and brag about the so-called technology behind hair care products. I wish more people in these professions would become independent thinkers and find out the REAL science behind these products and stop misinforming consumers.
Woohoo! Seeing this here has made def. made my day. The comments from all of you guys is super sweet delicious frosting on my cake. =D
Amelia and Janis: Agree and agree! Just let the product speak for itself! Other companies do it and guess what, people are buying them! Consumers do not need to be lied to!
Izzy: I’ve never heard of the hexagonal water, but yes.. what the. fiddlesticks!
JJ: I’m with you on the professionals. One of my best friends happens to also be my hair stylist, and I try not to get into discussion about skincare or haircare at all. I chalk it down to us having a different set of beliefs. We’ll stick to talking about which eyeshadow or lip gloss color looks great on each other!
Again, thanks soo much Brains for letting me be a guest blogger!
Now THIS is the type of “review” I like to read! Taiwanese girl, love your writing. I might have to check out your blog now.
Izzy: that is by far the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard all morning! It actually made me giggle out loud!
As for Smashbox.. well, I’ve never bought any of their products, but ever since reading about their ridiculous claims for their products like their Halo powder or their self-correcting blush, I don’t think I ever want to!
Seriously, B.B., you need to lighten up. It’s a gimmick; every makeup company has one, particularly mascaras. They don’t really think they’re pulling one over you- you’d have to have the equivalent of a 5th grade education to (maybe) believe this is scientifically related to DNA. I think they give you more credit than that. So stop patting yourselves on the back for figuring it out- you’re embarassing yourselves!
Jeanne, please explain how they are embarrassing themselves. In no way are they full of themselves for ‘figuring it out.’
Besides, I’m pretty sure this is a guest post anyway.
You’re right in the fact that consumers need to take responsibility and do their OWN research regarding products, especially beauty products. But the companies are the ones who are touting their so-called technology!
While some people realize dead on that it’s a gimmick, most people do NOT.
And if the companies don’t believe they’re convincing people they’re products do something other than enhance the appearance, WHY in God’s name would that be their selling point!?
It’s just dandy that you know when to call BS on something. But a lot of people don’t, and that’s one of the reasons the Brains exist.
No, unfortunately MOST
sorry…fumbling fingers..
Anyway,
No, unfortunately MOST people do not know that it’s bs and they roll their eyes at me when I tell them it’s marketing, not science. But it’s good marketing, can’t deny that, but don’t pretend it’s science.
Jesus, I just wanted to know if it was a good mascara. I don’t really care about all the other stuff, since almost all companies do this.
Are you people kidding me?
It’s makeup…if you don’t like it return it-my goodness!!!
Smashbox is a very good line with a lot of well formulated products-read the box before you buy if your that kooky about a frigin mascara.
So lame.
oh my God! i just wanted to know if it was a good mascara, to buy it, i don’t want to know about all the other stuff, it’s just marketing!! (:
Thank you for this write=up!
i saw the ad and thought i might try it so i went on to look at who makes lash dna… but did anyone SEE the print ad!? you can see the edge of the fake lashes SO clearly in the photo! at least photoshop that shit, people!
I actually use Lash DNA mascara, and I really do like it a lot…but I ignored the stuff the clerk told me about the amino acids. Because frankly? I don’t CARE what they can do for my eyelashes. I just want to know if it’s lightweight and makes my lashes look longer. Which it is, and it does. Done and done.
Why do these companies even bother to use “science” in their marketing? Not only is it wrong, they just plain don’t need it–it’s makeup, for heaven’s sake.
“I just want to know if it’s lightweight and makes my lashes look longer.”
Er…and by “it,” I mean the mascara. Specification fail.
@Maiira – Companies use science because it’s a way for them to differentiate their product from everyone else. If you have two companies offering a mascara, which one will you decide to buy? Some people go for the cheaper price. But most people go for the better story.