Dior’s popular mascara delivers thick, velvety lashes. Back before I began reading ingredient labels and switching to natural and nontoxic cosmetics, this was my go-to mascara. Unfortunately, once I actually paid attention to the ingredients in this mascara I was using, I no longer wanted to use it. Thankfully, I was able to replace it with a cleaner mascara.
The Problem with the Ingredients
Here’s the ingredients for the Dior Diorshow mascara:
Ingredients: Water, Glyceryl Stearate, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Beeswax, Stearic Acid, Carnauba Wax, Silica, Isostearic Acid, Shellac, Myristic Acid, Triethanolamine, Glyceryl Hydrogenated Rosinate, PVP/VA Copolymer, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Fragrance, Diazolidinyl Urea, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Tetrasodium EDTA, Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben, Geraniol, Citronellol, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde. May Contain: Mica, CI 77491, 77492, 77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 77007 (Ultramarines), CI 75470 (Carmine), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77289 (Chromium Hydroxide Green), CI 77288 (Chromium Oxide Greens).
| Extremely Safe | Reasonably Safe | Proceed with Caution | Insufficient Data |
I have two primary concerns with this mascara, namely the paraben content and the inclusion of fragrance.
When you see “fragrance” in an ingredient list, take note. Thanks to the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1966, fragrance is considered proprietary information and allowed to be hidden from consumers. So while you see that single word on the label, it may contain any number of secret ingredients.
In other words, by hiding behind fragrance, the maker of this product is choosing to not disclose all ingredients. They have, in effect, robbed you of the power to make a choice with your eyes wide open.
But thankfully more and more companies are choosing to disclose all ingredients in their cosmetics, thus empowering you to make informed choices. So when you find a beauty product that stands by all its ingredients, that’s a good thing.
Dior’s Diorshow Mascara is $25 for a .38 oz tube. Paying $25 for something which includes a variety of hormone-altering parabens and other unknown secret ingredients is too steep a price to pay.
My Solution
I used up the rest of my final Dior mascara tube, and began searching for a natural mascara that 1.) had ingredients I was comfortable using and 2.) worked. (Emphasis on no.2!)
I’ve tried so many disappointing natural mascaras. And I hated most of them. But over time, I’ve been able to find a few winners.
Natural Mascara Alternatives
Here’s three excellent natural mascara alternatives:
- Antonym | Lola Lash Mascara, $23. Define and enhance lashes with this easy-to-use curved applicator. Another winner from Antonym. Purchase it here.
- Kjaer Weis | Mascara, $38. An Italian-made nourishing formulation with cost-effective refills. Find it here.
- W3LL People | Expressionist Mascara, $24. A versatile, bold mascara with diehard devotees. Purchase it here.
What’s Next?
Interested in finding the best natural makeup? Check out my no-nonsense guide Natural & Nontoxic Makeup: The 75 Best Products to Up Your Beauty Game.
*This post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own.
**Products get makeovers too. Be sure to check if this product has been recently re-formulated before using it yourself.
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