After scraping the tube edges of my Maybelline Volum’ Express the Falsies Flared mascara for about a week, I headed to CVS to re-stock. But of course, a quick trip into the beauty section is never quick. I noticed the stand for Maybelline’s new Volum’ Express the Mega Plush Mascara and paused for a few minutes. Gel-mousse mascara (what’s that? Sounds like I need it, right?), but it claimed to never leave lashes brittle or flaky. Sounds great to me!

Immediately I started making a mental check list of the pros and cons of trying out this intriguing new mascara. Love the Falsies–why not stick with what works? But if I loved the Volum’ Express line already, chances are I would like the Mega Plush, right?

In the end I remembered I’m a beauty blogger and it’s my sworn duty to experiment with new products—I take the oath quite seriously (or it’s just my excuse to by a ton of products)–and bought it.

The verdict:Love it! Delivers a lot of lashes (and long lashes) in each swipe. And as promised, no flaking. I can’t tell if I like it better than the Falsies, but it performs just as well. I’m sensing a lash off. At around $7, you can’t beat the price either!

Flexible mascara wand!

Extra tip I learned from my friend and makeup artist, Carie Brescia: For really dramatic lashes, after applying either the Falsies or the Mega Plus, follow up with a coat of Maybelline’s Illegal Lengths mascara.