Is Urban Decay Perversion Mascara Worth The Hype?

Some mascaras are built to look natural. Urban Decay Perversion mascara is not one of them. It’s known for an inky, intense black and big, full lashes, and it has been a favorite for years among people who want their eyes to stand out without falsies.

As a Tampa bridal hair and makeup team, we’re often asked whether a mascara like this is a good idea for a wedding. In this guide, we’ll go over what the brand says Urban Decay Perversion mascara promises, how the wand works and how to apply it with fewer clumps, how it’s reported to wear over a long day, whether it’s wedding day ready when tears and humidity are involved, and how to remove it gently and use it safely. We’re relying on Urban Decay’s own published information and widely reported details, and formulas and prices can change, so check the current product page before buying.

What Urban Decay Perversion Mascara Promises

Urban Decay describes Perversion as a volumizing mascara with an intense, triple black formula. In its own consumer and instrumental testing, the brand has claimed results such as up to eight times more volume, around 52 percent more length, and around 28 percent more curl, based on a small consumer study, along with up to 16 hours of wear without smudging or flaking. Those numbers come from the brand’s own testing, so treat them as marketing claims rather than guarantees.

In everyday terms, the selling point is drama. The color is deeply black, which makes lashes look thicker and darker, and the formula is designed to build up volume with more coats. It’s not designed for a barely there look, so if you prefer subtle lashes, a lighter, lengthening mascara may suit you better.

Wand And Application

The wand is a large, twisted brush, which helps pick up and deposit a lot of formula in one pass. That’s great for volume, but many people find the wand big for the lower lashes and inner corners, and a bit messy until they get used to it.

For a cleaner application, wipe the wand on the edge of the tube before your first coat to remove excess. Start at the base of the lashes and wiggle the brush gently, then sweep up to the tips. Do a second coat while the first is still slightly wet, since layering over dried mascara is what usually causes clumps. For the lower lashes, try holding the wand vertically and using just the tip.

If you curl your lashes, do it before mascara, never after, since curling over mascara can pull or break lashes. A clean spoolie is handy for separating any lashes that stick together.

How It Wears On A Long Day

Urban Decay claims up to 16 hours of wear without smudging or flaking in its own testing, and many users report that it holds up well on a normal day. Others report some transfer onto the upper lid or under the eyes, especially later in the day, and that seems more common for people with oily lids, hooded eyes, or very long lashes that touch the brow bone.

Prep can help. A thin layer of eye primer or a little powder on the lids and under the eyes gives mascara less oil to break down. Letting each coat dry fully before blinking a lot also reduces transfer. If you tend to see smudging with most mascaras, it’s likely to happen with this one too, and a tubing or waterproof formula might work better for you.

Is Urban Decay Perversion Mascara Wedding Day Ready

This depends on your day and your eyes. Weddings bring happy tears, hugs, humidity, and sometimes outdoor heat, and those are exactly the conditions that challenge non waterproof mascaras. Perversion isn’t positioned as a waterproof mascara, so if you know you’ll cry during the vows, it may not be the safest choice on its own.

Many makeup artists use a waterproof mascara on the bottom lashes and a volumizing mascara on top, or apply a waterproof formula first and a thin coat of volumizing mascara over it. Others skip mascara on the lower lashes entirely for weddings, which avoids smudges under the eyes. If you’re wearing false lashes or lash clusters, a little mascara helps blend them with your natural lashes, and a lighter coat is usually enough. Our guide to Ardell lash clusters covers how artists blend those.

The Detail Most Reviews Miss: Mascara And Contact Lenses

Here’s a question many reviews don’t touch. If you wear contact lenses, fibers or flakes from a voluminous mascara can sometimes land in the eye and get trapped under the lens, which can be uncomfortable. Many contact lens wearers find it helps to put lenses in before makeup, keep mascara off the base of the lower lashes, and remove makeup after taking lenses out. If you notice irritation, remove your lenses and makeup and check with your eye doctor if it doesn’t settle.

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara With False Lashes Or Lash Extensions

Many brides wear some kind of lash enhancement on their wedding day, and mascara choice matters here. With strip lashes or clusters, a thick volumizing mascara like this one can help blend natural lashes into the falsies so there’s no visible gap between the two layers. The usual approach is a light coat on your natural lashes first, letting it dry, then applying the false lashes, and finally a gentle touch of mascara to marry them together if needed. Too much mascara on top of false lashes can make them look clumpy and heavy, and it can make the lashes harder to clean if you plan to reuse them.

Lash extensions are different. Many lash artists advise against heavy or oil based mascaras on extensions, and some ask clients to avoid mascara entirely, since it can be difficult to remove without tugging. If you have extensions, follow your lash artist’s aftercare instructions rather than reaching for a volumizing mascara.

If you’re considering a lash lift instead, ask your lash professional how soon you can wear mascara afterward, since many recommend waiting a day or two. Planning these details ahead, ideally a few weeks before your wedding, means you won’t be making a lash decision on the morning of the big day. Your makeup artist can help you choose the right combination at your trial.

Removal And Eye Safety

Intense black mascaras take a little more effort to remove. Use a gentle eye makeup remover or a cleansing oil or balm, soak a cotton pad, and hold it over closed eyes for several seconds before wiping gently downward. Avoid rubbing hard, which can pull out lashes and irritate the delicate skin around the eyes.

For eye safety, replace your mascara regularly. Many experts suggest every three months, since the tube can collect bacteria over time. Never share mascara, and don’t add water or saliva to a drying tube. Throw out mascara you used during an eye infection. If a mascara causes redness, itching, or watering, stop using it and see a doctor if the irritation doesn’t go away. If your eyes are sensitive, patch test new eye products before an important day.

Is It Worth The Hype

For many people who love bold, dark lashes, yes. It’s widely praised for color and volume, and it’s a strong option for evening looks and photos. If you prefer a soft, natural lash or have very sensitive, watery eyes, it may not be the best match. For your wedding, your artist will choose a mascara for your eyes and your day, and you can try it out at your bridal trial. Learn more on our bridal makeup application page.

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