Essence Call Me Queen Mascara, Tested & Reviewed

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The Essence Lash Princess Mascara is one of the most talked-about beauty products on TikTok, so we’re excited to see what the brand’s successor will bring. Next up for the crown is the new Call Me Queen Dramatic False Lash Effect Mascara, so as WWD Shop’s resident drugstore mascara tester, I took it for a spin and compared it to the original. Spoiler alert: It’s a completely different product, but just as impressive.

Essence’s Call Me Queen Mascara launched to much acclaim in July and has already garnered attention across over 25 million dedicated app views in just a few weeks. TikTok First impression videos from beauty creators garner hundreds of thousands of views and are seeing a surge in submissions. With Lash Princess False Lash Mascara having over 250,000 five-star reviews and being the #1 bestselling beauty product on Amazon, it’s no surprise that Essence’s new mascara is launching with hype.

I’ve tried over 100 mascaras at every price point (yes, my lashes are already failing), but I am of the opinion that you don’t need to spend tens of dollars on mascara and there are plenty of affordable mascaras at Target, Walmart, and Ulta that give you dramatic results. My favorite happens to be Essence Lash Princess Mascara because it lengthens, lifts, and thickens my flaky lashes with just one swipe. So, I figured, if she’s a princess, there’s no way a queen could match that.

Firstly, it’s different from its predecessor. Dressed in royal purple, the Call Me Queen mascara comes in a similar hourglass-shaped tube with a thick cap that’s easy to grip and manipulate when applying the product. Instead of a cone-shaped brush, the “elastomer” brush is uniquely short and flexible, with rows of silicone bristles arranged in a star shape when viewed from above. When I first used it, I was amazed at how not only did the brush apply just the right amount of product, but the bristles gripped my lashes from the root and added length all the way to the tips, making it clump-free and hassle-free.

The highlight of this mascara is definitely its smaller brush. It doesn’t stick to all your lashes in one stroke like the Essence Lash Princess Mascara does, but it’s great for the finer outer lashes. It fits perfectly into the corners of your eyes, and coupled with the pointy bristles at the end of the brush, it really widens and lifts your outer lash line. For those with small eyes who struggle with mascara brushes that are too big, it’s a standout mascara. Or, if you’re like me and only wear false lashes on the outer corners of your lashes, it’s great for blending your real lashes with your false lashes without overwhelming your eyes with sticky product.

Essence Call Me Queen Mascara provides a subtle lash lift that I wear every day. It’s not as heavy or thick as Lash Princess, but it does a little better at neatly lengthening, defining, and separating short, sparse lashes. Plus, the beeswax formula keeps it soft to the touch and feathery all day, with no signs of flaking or running even after 10+ hours of wear. Priced at just $4.99, this mascara is worth a try. Maybe this new queen will take the crown of your current mascara?

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Essence Call Me Queen Dramatic Fake Lash Effect Mascara