Dior Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum: Review and Swatches

If I could, I'd steal my sister-in-law's lashes.  Hers are perfect.  Ultra-long and thick - the perfect frame for eyes.  Unfortunately, I wasn't born with lush, long natural lashes, so I'm always on the lookout for a product that promises such...without breaking the bank.  I've been asked what I think about Latisse, the prescription lash enhancer, and I refuse to go there.  Not only is it expensive, but with the chance that it might darken my irises, it's just not worth the results.  I love my hazely-green eyes!  But, if I had dark eyes and wasn't price sensitive, I'd probably try it out.


I purchased Dior Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum a couple months ago, and put it through the ringer, so to speak.  According to Dior, the Maximizer contains hydrolyzed soy proteins and lots of other scientificky-sounding stuff.  After eight weeks of use, testers found the Maximizer increased lash volume by 52%, lash length by 38%, and lash curl by 73%.


So, does it deliver?  Well, I did notice some difference in my lashes, though I don't know how to quantify that difference.  My lashes do appear a bit longer (though it is hard to tell in the pictures because my lash tips are blonde), and more voluminous.  I wouldn't say the Maximizer caused my lashes to grow, rather it conditioned my lashes, allowing them to grow longer (without breaking) and have a longer life before falling out.  I also noticed those fine little baby lashes grew thicker and longer.


Application is like that of a mascara.  It has a spiky, silicone (I think) brush with a little nub at the end.  The Maximizer is formulated for use under mascara, which gives you instant results, as well as on it's own as a nighttime treatment.  You can use the little nub to apply the serum to your eyelid right at the lash line to get the serum right down into the base of the lashes so it will work while you sleep.  I'm puzzled by the use of the word "serum" because the stuff is a white cream.  When I think serum, I think of a light, almost gel-like formula, not a thick cream.

One Coat Primer:

One Coat Primer + One Coat Mascara (at the start of the 8-week test):

Personally, while the Maximizer did produce instant results when I wore it under mascara, it was a bit too much for me for daily wear.  Furthermore, I found my mascara flaked off when I wore the serum underneath.  After that, I limited my wear to nighttime and special occasions only.


Being that I am a visual person, I like to see results, not just read about them, so I have a lot of pictures.


More pictures after the jump - and I mean a lot more pictures!

Dior Czarina Gold Vernis and China Glaze Wagon Trail Comparison

When I first reviewed Dior Czarina Gold, I said it was a blackened gold, and made a mental note to do a comparison to China Glaze Wagon Trail, since that is the only other blackened gold I have.  The two polishes are similar, but not dupes.  Czarina Gold is in more of a smokey base and has much more pronounced golden sparkles that give the polish an overall burnished bronze color.  Wagon Trail, on the other hand, has a black base with golden shimmers, and those shimmers give the polish an overall deep olive-y tone.


Pointer and Ring:  Wagon Trail;  Middle and Pinkie:  Czarina Gold

More pictures after the jump!

Dior Black Ink Vernis

I'm going to be honest, because, well, that's the point of this blog.  This polish is let me down.  I was hoping for a deep navy with glowing blue shimmers.  Something along the lines of OPI Ink, but more navy and a bit less shimmery.  The bottle is deceiving, because in the bottle, that is exactly what Black Ink looks like.  On the nails, it's another story.  Instead, Black Ink is a nearly black base with subtle blue shimmers.  The base basically looks black and it pretty much obscures the shimmers unless you're in the sunlight.

Close ups after the jump.

Dior Aztec Chocolate Vernis

Again, I am not so much with the words today.  Work had drained most of them out of me, and what was left was banged out of my head with a fender-bender on my way home.  Nothing serious, and I wasn't hurt (and even better it wasn't my fault), but my car's rear bumper looks just that much more worse for the wear.


So, on to the pictures...

More pictures and color commentary after the jump.

Dior Czarina Gold Vernis

What to say, what to say?  I hate starting every. freaking. post. with, "OMGGGGG, this color is sooooo amazingggggg!!!!!!"  But, well, see previous statement.  I appear to be not so much with the words today, so instead, I'll just post lots of pretty pictures.  That seems to work well.

More pictures and a description after the jump!

Dior Timeless Gold Vernis

No, I did not fall off the face of the Earth.  I'm still adjusting to being back at work.  And we're still painting the damn house!!  That is what is really taking up all my time.  Right now I have a fabulous work schedule that will actually work quite well for swatching and blogging, so if we could just finish that painting!


I did have an opportunity to paint my nails this weekend and, since so many of you were chomping at the bit like I was, I opted for one of my new pretty Diors, Timeless Gold.

More swatches and my idle musings after the jump.