IT Cosmetics Tightline Mascara Primer Review

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase.

Press Sample Affiliate Link

Our Review Of This New Beauty Game Changer!

I love multitasking. My theory is, why do a bunch of things when you can do one and get the same result? Sometimes my attempts at time saving aren’t so successful – like rollerblading with a 90 pound dog running beside (and eventually over) me. It’s best, I’ve painfully discovered, to leave the multitasking expertise to the professionals – like It Cosmetics.

It-Cosmetics-tightline-3

The It Cosmetics Tightline Full Lash Length Black Mascara Primer ($24) is being touted as a “true game changer in mascara and eyeliner technology.” This combination of eyeliner, black mascara primer and mascara sounds too good to be true. Could one slim tube really do everything necessary for long, dark, lined lashes?

It-Cosmetics-tightline-4

The secret to Tightline’s effectiveness is the wand, an ultra-skinny creation that lets you get to the root of the lashes and apply product where most mascara brushes only pretend to reach. According to It Cosmetics, most brushes leave a full 1/3 of the lashes – the entire root area – bare. That’s a whole lot of lash real estate that’s we’ve been neglecting.

It-Cosmetics-tightline-2

Besides the cosmetic benefits, Tightline contains conditioning agents – Peptides, Collagen, Proteins, Biotin, Nettle Extract, Green Tea, Jojoba, and Vitamins – designed to enhance and protect lashes right at the root.

This all sounded so exciting, I couldn’t wait to get testing (and stay tuned to try your luck at winner a tube!). As instructed, I held the super-skinny Tightline wand horizontally against the base of my lashes and wiggled it, then swept it through to the ends, then repeated this several times to completely coat my lashes. I also pressed and wiggled the brush into my lash line where I had sparse spots, creating the illusion of thicker lashes – the “tightline” itself.

It-Cosmetics-tightline-5

The result: very natural-looking lashes and a definition at my lash line that mimicked eyeliner. My lashes are already black, and I suspect fairer lashes would have more dramatic results. I wore Tightline alone the first day, and did have flaking and smudging under my eyes after a few hours.

I repeated the process the next day, but applied a separate mascara on top, and that’s when I saw more obvious results. My lashes looked long and dark, and I did not have as much of a problem with flaking or smudging. My other minor complaint, though, was the difficulty of removing Tightline. I found it harder to get off than most waterproof makeup, so I’ll probably be saving Tightline for special occasions.

It-Cosmetics-tightline-6A standard mascara wand next to the IT Cosmetics Tightline Mascara Primer wand

Pros:
• Combines three steps in one for a natural lash/liner look
• Layering mascara over it results in va-va-voom lashes
• Skinny brush fills in areas where there are sparse or missing lashes
• Enhances lashes with a bevy of conditioning ingredients
• Free of Parabens, fragrances, phthalates and sulfates
• Safe for sensitive eyes
• Like everything from It Cosmetics, cruelty-free

Cons:
• Removal is challenging even with makeup remover designed for waterproof mascara
• When I wore it without mascara on top, it flaked by the end of the day

photos: we heart this

Author

  • turboterp

    Melissa loves road trips, bargain shopping, drive-in movies, lip gloss and rock 'n' roll. She lives in Baltimore with her precious pup Bellarina. skin tone: NC20 skin type: dry to normal favorite beauty product: skincare

44 Comments

  1. So glad to see you reviewed this–I’ve been curious about it! I’m good with tightlining my under-eye, but doing the upper lid squicks me out, so this looks intriguing. Great review!

    Also, I am cracking up at your rollerblading with a giant dog story–I tried to ride my bike with my St. Bernard once, and that went about as well as your experience did.

  2. As a mascara snob, I wasn’t so sure about this. I’ve been burned by mascara primers before (I’m looking at you, supposedly easy to apply fiber powder that dang near blinded me…)
    However, once I realized that the brand of IT Cosmetics, maker of one of my favorite mascaras ever Hello Lashes!, I knew I was in good hands.

    This is one of those products I didn’t know I needed. The wee little brush (it’s kind of adorable) REALLY got in there, just @turboterp said, and coated the lashes. I never even thought of tightling my upper eyes (and always did my lower with eyeliner) but this makes perfect sense. I was mostly surprised at the length; giving volume is easy, but the length I got with Tightline was really surprising.

    I highly recommend this, but completely agree with Amanda’s Cons. But look at the Pro list!!!

  3. i think rosie huntington-whiteley has the MOST gorgeous eyes :D

  4. Seems like a great product, I hear so much positive feedback on It cosmetics products, been curious try one of their products.

  5. Great Review @turboterb I LOVE IT COSMETICS! I have to confess this is one product I have not tried. However, you have lured me and now I maybe hooked!

  6. i do like it cosmetics mascara so this might have to go on the to try list! i think maggie cheung has gorgeous eyes!

  7. Thanks for the review and giveaway!
    I think my husband has the prettiest eyes ever! And amazing eyelashes too :)

  8. My grandmother had the prettiest eyes and no makeup – just a beautiful lady – but red lipstick for sure

  9. annamaria says:

    I love angelina jolie eyes :-)

  10. My 6th grade English teacher had the most beautiful blue eyes. I felt like I’m drowning every time I looked at her up close. Also, that was so very awkward :D

  11. Prettiest eyes ever has to be Elizabeth Taylor….what a beautiful purple/blue/gray color….unlike anything I’ve ever seen!

  12. I’d love to try this tightline product! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity :)

  13. S. Carter says:

    I think Adele has beautiful eyes and her eye makeup is always amazing!

  14. I’m a mascara snob too, and this has got me really wanting it now! Great review @turboterb!

  15. Vanessa Caraballo says:

    I’d have to go with Beyonce. I adore her eyes! From full stage makeup to a makeup free Queen B, all I see is perfection :)

  16. Best eyes – Natacsha McElhone from Californication.

  17. This wand reminds me of the lower lash wand from the Maybelline The Falsies Big Eyes Volum’ Express mascara.

  18. Primer with the mascara looks a good idea, but it is very important to easily remove it at the end of the day.

  19. could always use another mascara! love this stuff!

  20. Tina Arkoff says:

    Love IT Cosmetics. This is a new concept for me – very intriguing!

  21. sarah sar says:

    I don’t really follow celebrities and such but I do love my eyes! They are one of my best features. :)

  22. I like Aishwarya Rai’s eyes.)
    Thanks for the giveaway!

  23. Lora Nowak says:

    I have tried several products from “IT Cosmetics” I have loved and use every one I’ve tried so far, including my ultimate “must have” Tightline Mascara Primer. I have long lashes but they are very light and I’ve always had issues with putting other mascara’s on all of my lashes. When I am in a rush and don’t have time for a lot of makeup, I always make sure to use a BB or CC cream, Tightline mascara primer, some blush and whatever my favorite lip product is for the day! It coats my baby fine lashes, especially the inner lashes and lower lashes. I use 2 coats and sometimes add mascara after application. I do agree with WHT’s review about the flaking issue and removing it is a challenge. It’s worth the payoff, for me though.

  24. Melissa Douglass says:

    My husband has gorgeous blue eyes but I think Ellen Degeneres has gorgeous eyes too!

  25. I think Dylan O’brien has nice eyes!

  26. I like my eyes.

  27. I’m intrigued by a black lash primer…

  28. Divya Asha says:

    South Indian actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has the prettiest eyes.

  29. Sounds like a great product for those short on time! I am not sure I’d use it because I find I can get my mascara brush into 90% of my lashes at the root.

  30. teresa koedyker says:

    Thank you for the awesome giveaway!! My granddaughter has the prettiest eyes!!

  31. I like Selena Gomez eyes she is so pretty. Thanks for this giveaway

  32. thanks for this giveaway. I like Lea Michelle’s eyes

  33. amybelle2001 says:

    Our daughter has the prettiest eyes.

  34. kendrixloves says:

    Wow, sounds really good. Need to give this one a try!

  35. Leonardo Di Caprio lol

  36. Colleen Boudreau says:

    Niece has the prettiest eyes, and her lashes are so long and full!

  37. I think Beyoncé has the prettiest eyes. They are very expressive and full of energy. I feel like her life and story thus far is interesting enough to make want to know more about her.

  38. Vanessa P. says:

    I have always wanted to try IT Cosmetics, but haven’t had the opportunity. I love the idea of a mascara that gives the look of fuller lashes and eyeliner, especially since I suck at applying liner. Thank you for the giveaway!!!

  39. kanwal khan says:

    Thanks for the review and giveaway! i think eva green has the prettiest eyes :)

  40. Anastasiya says:

    JLo ;)

  41. Bonnie C. says:

    I think Anne Hathaway has nice eyes, they are so big! (I have really small, hooded eyes, so I love big, beautiful eyes) :-)

    Thanks for having this giveaway!

Comments are closed.