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Dior DiorShow Extase Mascara Review, Photos, Comparisons

Dior DiorShow Extase Mascara

Dior DiorShow Extase Mascara ($28.00) is the latest variation on the famous Dior DiorShow Mascara. It seems like it’s exclusively available at Sephora for the time being, and Sephora describes the new mascara as:

DiorShow Extase provides built-in treatment benefits and high-impact lashes in a single stroke! The spherical-shaped Black Pearl Pigments create a 3D volume effect and the exclusive Metamorphosis Powders expand in size by up to 50% after application. Also, SR38 Patented Ceramid brings additional care, reconstructing damaged lashes and promoting stronger and fuller lashes. The Extase mascara features a “Tiered Brush” that is inspired by the “tiered” couture dresses created by the House of Dior. The brush is designed for performance and contains an Exclusive Duo of Fibers: The Black Elastomer Fibers brush out and define the lashes for panoramic fringe and the Gold Nylon Fibers hold and deposit formula, generously coating each lash for outstanding volume.

Whenever I review a mascara, I look to see what exactly the mascara is claiming to do, because I find that like some anti-aging products, mascara is a product type that is often more marketing than results.   Extase is designed to volumize and thicken lashes while defining them.

Extase delivers length best — it’s exceptionally good at providing you with instantly longer lashes, even with just one light coat of the mascara. That’s really the part that I noticed first. It adds some volume, but I wouldn’t label this a volumizing mascara. My lashes really looked longer, but not so feathery (as my lashes tend to look with a more volumizing mascara). As far as thickening goes, it thickens well for a such a multi-tasking mascara. I think what stands out about this mascara is the lengthening aspect of it; everything else is decent, but it’s hard to separate the volume, thickness, etc. from the dramatic increase in length. The color of the mascara is definitely a deep black; I’d say Chanel Exceptionnel and MAC Plushlash are slightly richer, but they’re all in the same ballpark. I don’t have any issues with the pigmentation–it’s black enough for me.

It does a good job of defining lashes, but to a point, because the mascara will clump up on you if you’re not careful. The brush often has excess mascara on it, so removing excess certainly helps, and you can get a good two or three coats of mascara with very minimal clumping. I always recommend using a mascara comb regardless of the mascara you’re using, just because it helps separate and define lashes. I wouldn’t say this is perfectly clump-free, but I’d say it’s a relatively clump-free mascara. If you like to get multiple coats on, just follow my aforementioned tips for a better application.

I’ve been wearing Extase for over a week now, so you can see it used in a variety of looks here in addition to the comparison photos included in the review.  The original DiorShow gave me good length, some thickening and volumizing, and looked good overall, but it flaked and smudged on me within an hour, so it was a no-go. I am so pleased to report that Extase doesn’t flake, budge, or smudge at all, even with twelve hours of wear. It also holds a curl like nobody’s business!

The brush has a sort of “swirled” look to it, and even though they mentioned black and gold fibers, it all looked black to me, so it was difficult to assess that particular aspect of it. The brush didn’t seem too large, though it felt a little long. It takes an application or two to find the right method for application, but it didn’t require much thought or effort to get good results.

OVERALL, I did enjoy the way Dior DiorShow Extase made my lashes look. It’s particularly lovely for lengthening lashes, even the stubbier ones I have on the outer lash line, and does a decent job everywhere else to make it one of the better multi-tasking mascaras I’ve tried. I’d say it’s very comparable to Chanel Exceptionnel but clumps less (but doesn’t thicken as well).  Extase is also priced higher than Dior’s other mascaras at $28, so it’s not the most affordable mascara you’ll come across.  Just for reference, DiorShow is $24 and DiorShow Iconic is $27.

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  • Product: 28/30
  • Value: 7/10
  • Ease of Use: 4/5
  • Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation: If you like DiorShow and want more length, you may enjoy Extase.

Availability: Sephora

See more photos and comparisons…

Lashes have 3-4 coats of Dior DiorShow Extase Mascara with no primer. Lashes were curled with shu uemura Eyelash Curler prior to applying the mascara. No lash comb was used. (I want you to see any potential clumping issues so you can make the call for yourself.)

42 Comments

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Jenny Avatar

This sounds like what I’ve always wanted in a mascara – nothing too obvious or clumpy but just giving a little bit *more*. I’ll add it to the list. *sigh*

egon Avatar

Chanel Exceptionnel is my HG >>>>>> you never recommend something that’s not a HG material =)

I’m tempted I need another mascara for fast use since Chanel Exceptionnel takes some time in application

Thanks Christine =)

Pobeda Avatar

Looks really nice on you! 🙂

CD is much more noticeable on the lashes! So much longer and even more volume than usually! Wow! That’s just wonderful!

Will there be a waterproof version? *fingers crossed*

DiorLover Avatar

Wow!What a difference!What a LENGTH!Brilliant!This mascara for sure is amazing!Christine your lashes never looked so sexy before…This mascara makes miracles for you…especially those length…! : )

Brandi Avatar

Christine, this may be a weird question but I am seriously curious – how do you keep the whites of your eyes so white?!? Mine are always a little bloodshot and I’m so jealous! : )

Danni Avatar

Eh, I tried Extase and wasn’t that impressed. I used it on one eye and Diorshow Blackout on the other, and my eyelashes essentially looked the same. Since Blackout’s $3’s cheaper, I’ll be sticking with it :).

Lorna Avatar

yay! i already bought this since i like diorshow so much but i wasn’t sure if the effect would be worth it. now i can’t wait for my package to arrive! thanks for the awesome review and it seems you were super thorough in reviewing all aspects of the mascara.

idakz Avatar

omg! i am a loser for mascara. i ALWAYS get sold at any mascara that can lengthens my lashes. now i feel like getting this though i still have 8 un-dried up mascaras.

Lauren Avatar

LOVE this mascara! It does take some getting used to in regards to application, and taking the excess mascara off the brush is definitely helpful to prevent clumping. It stays on all day without smudging or budging! I have worn it alone, but also have worn it with one coat of Iconic underneath and it was a great combo!

amy Avatar

I like the look of the mascara on you and I would like to try it sometime as well. I finally decided to splurge on Diorshow as it was on promotion at the Dior counter. I am liking Diorshow so far but find that it is more of a thickening mascara for me rather than lengthening. Diorshow never smudges or flakes for me though.

Alexia Avatar

Hello Christine,

This is one of the best reviews I have read in a long time. So great to get a really thorough picture of the product in question without bias. Usually when you read something this detailed about a product it is because it is written by the marketing team!

Extase hasn’t arrived in the UK yet but I am very interested to try it after reading this post.

Anyway just as and FYI I have linked to your review from my blog – http://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/wordpress/2009/12/diorshow-extase-mascara/

Happy New Year.

Alexia

Christine Avatar

Thanks so much, Alexia! 🙂 I hope you’re able to try it out soon in the UK!

I, too, was a little frustrated with all the marketing nonsense they threw in – I see a lot of those terms or patented this and that and just go *yawn* whatever, this is marketing, what does it really do?

Gotham Avatar

I had used Diorshow for a few years until Chanel Exceptionnal was released. I recently bought Extase and used it for a week, but have gone back to Chanel. I curl my lashes and apply a coat on the top, and then one underneath with no clumping and could not be happier. I find the black a lot more dense than Dior’s. I am sure this latest version of Dior will sell well, but I just found that it was not as thickening or lengthening as Chanel.

Sharon Avatar

Your lashes look great! I got mine (after having a huge argument in sephora w/ an uninformed sales person/ cast member whateva, I ended up ordering it). It gives you phenomenal length and separation, but I’m not happy about having to wipe so much off the wand to avoid clumps. I have this problem with blackout too until it dries out a little bit. **Dirty secret I use the brown or sometimes white paper found in public bathrooms to clean off my mascara wands, because it doesn’t leave any fibers on the wand** I’m not sure if I’ll go back to using this mascara since iconic (topped w/ blackout for special occasions) does the trick for me every time. Thanx for the review Christine & happy new year!

Christine Avatar

Hey Sharon 🙂

Sorry to hear about the poor service you got at Sephora!

Sometimes I use plastic/metal/or printer paper (haha) to get excess off, too. I’ll use a tissue if I’m pressed for time or too lazy to find something else, but gotta be quick and fast about it.

It’s funny how for some mascaras, they have to dry out a little first.

Happy new year!

Lindy Avatar

I haven’t tried the extase, but I’m loving the dior diorshow iconic mascara though. i was using the covergirl last blash, but it would clump off, the iconic doesn’t clump and gives my already long lashes, some extreme length. what is your opinion on iconic vs. the extase christine?

Suraiya Avatar

I’ve been looking around for a good mascara for some time now and I came across Extase…its absolutely fantastic!..very easy to use, doesnt clump and only requires a light application in order to achieve the desired effect…i’d recommend it to anyone….by far the best mascara i’ve used =)

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