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Deal.ai › Compare

essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara vs ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara

Buy the essence Lash Princess if you want dramatic volume and a false-lash look on a tight budget; buy the ILIA Limitless Lash if you want a clean, gentle formula that lengthens and separates and comes off with warm water. The essence has the stronger volume payoff and a waterproof, fragrance-free formula, but its fiber brush can clump and it needs makeup remover. The ILIA has the higher rating, a dual-sided brush-comb wand, 12-hour wear and lash-care ingredients, but it gives less volume and some users find the wand fussy.

  • Choose the essence Lash Princess if you want bold, buildable volume and a waterproof black mascara that holds a curl.
  • Choose the ILIA Limitless Lash if you have sensitive eyes or contacts and want a clean, lengthening mascara that removes with warm water.

Prices

  • essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara: $4.97 at Walmart (last seen Nov 9)
  • ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara: $29.00 at Sephora (last seen Nov 8)
  • Difference: the essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara is $24.03 cheaper than the ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara at the latest prices (Nov 8 and Nov 9)
essence
essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara

essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara

4.5(2,772 ratings)
$4.97at WalmartChecked Nov 9
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart
Pros
  • Strong volume and length for a dramatic look
  • Waterproof and holds curl
  • Paraben-free and fragrance-free
  • Widely praised for the false-lash effect
Cons
  • Fiber brush can clump if over-applied
  • Waterproof formula needs a dedicated remover
  • Can feel dry or flaky by end of day
  • Less gentle on sensitive eyes
L
Limitless Lash Mascara

ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara

Limitless Lash Mascara

4.6(8,540 ratings)
$29.00at SephoraChecked Nov 8
See all prices and details
Visit Sephora
Pros
  • Lengthens and separates with little clumping
  • Removes with warm water, no scrubbing
  • Safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers
  • Dual-sided wand doubles as a lash comb
  • Lash-care ingredients and 12-hour wear
Cons
  • Less volume than a dramatic mascara
  • Not waterproof, so it smudges with tears or sweat
  • Dual-sided wand confuses some users
  • Soft black shade only, no deep black option

What separates them

essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect MascaraILIA Limitless Lash Mascara
Primary effectDramatic volume and a false-lash lookLength, lift and separation
WandConical fiber brushDual-sided brush and comb
FormulaParaben-free, fragrance-free, waterproof99% naturally derived, not waterproof
Wear timeWaterproof hold, needs removerUp to 12 hours, resists flaking and smudging
RemovalRequires eye makeup removerWarm water only
Sensitive eyes and contactsNot marketed as suchStated safe for sensitive eyes and lens wearers
Lash careNo treatment ingredients listedLash-care ingredients that nourish like a serum
Owner feedbackPraised for volume; some report clumping and drynessPraised for no clumping and easy removal; some want more volume

Price history

  • essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara: lowest $4.97 on Nov 9 at Walmart.
  • ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara: lowest $29.00 on Nov 9 at Sephora.

Prices at every store

essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara

  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $4.97Checked Nov 9
    Visit Walmart
  • TargetNew

    In stock

    $4.99+ $5.99 shippingChecked Nov 8
    Visit Target
  • Ulta BeautyNew

    In stock

    $4.99+ $6.95 shippingChecked Nov 8
    Visit Ulta Beauty
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $4.97Checked Nov 8
    Visit Amazon

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 6 stores and price history →

ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara

  • ILIA BeautyNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $29.00Checked Nov 9
    Visit ILIA Beauty
  • SephoraNew

    In stock

    $29.00Checked Nov 8
    Visit Sephora
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $29.00Checked Nov 8
    Visit Amazon
All 3 stores and price history →

Specs compared

Specessence Lash Princess False Lash Effect MascaraILIA Limitless Lash Mascara
colorBlackAfter Midnight (a soft black)
size.04 fl oz0.1 oz | 3g
number_of_pieces1—
actual_colorBlack—
multipack_quantity1—
count_per_pack1—
Eyelash EffectsLengthening, Volumizing—
Manufacturer ColorBlack—
Third-party CertificationsNSF Certified—
PackagingApplicator Brush—
Volume (fl oz)0.4—
Full Size—0.27oz. | 8g
Show all 16 specsShow fewer specs
Specessence Lash Princess False Lash Effect MascaraILIA Limitless Lash Mascara
Mini Size—0.1oz. | 3g
Wear Time—up to 12 hours
Naturally Derived—99% naturally derived
Formulation Type—Lengthening

What reviewers say

essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara

  • 4.5 / 52,772 ratings

Reviewers rate it highly and often call it a drugstore favorite that delivers a false-lash look for far less than prestige mascaras. Praise centers on volume, length and the separating brush; complaints are mostly about clumping, smudging and removal.

What people mention
  • VolumePraisedUsers say a couple of coats give a full, dramatic lash look.
  • BrushPraisedThe conical fiber brush separates lashes and reaches inner and outer corners.
  • ClumpingCriticisedSeveral reviewers say it clumps if you layer too many coats.
  • SmudgingCriticisedSome oily-lidded users report smudging or flaking by the end of the day.

ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara

  • 4.6 / 58,540 ratings

With 8,540 ratings averaging 4.6 out of 5, owners mostly praise the lengthening, separation and easy warm-water removal. Complaints center on modest volume and the learning curve of the two-sided brush.

What people mention
  • LengtheningPraisedOwners say it stretches and separates lashes cleanly with no clumping.
  • Wand designMixedThe brush-and-comb wand works well for most, but some find two sides confusing to use.
  • RemovalPraisedReviewers like that warm water takes it off without scrubbing or tugging.
  • Wear timePraised

Questions and answers

Which is better for sensitive eyes?
The ILIA Limitless Lash. It is stated safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers and removes with warm water. The essence is waterproof and needs a remover, which is harsher on the eye area.
Which gives more volume?
The essence Lash Princess. Its fiber brush builds dramatic, false-lash volume. The ILIA focuses on length and separation and gives a more natural look.
Which lasts longer through the day?
The essence is waterproof, so it holds through tears, sweat and humidity. The ILIA resists flaking and smudging for up to 12 hours but is not waterproof.
Is the ILIA worth stepping up to?
Yes if you want a clean formula, easy removal and gentle wear. If you mainly want bold volume, the essence delivers more of that.
Can I wear either with contacts?
The ILIA is stated safe for contact lens wearers. The essence is not marketed that way, and its waterproof formula is harder to remove around lenses.

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Most say it holds through a full day without flaking, though a few mention smudging.