The Essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume mascara is the second edition in Essence’s “I Love Extreme” range. This version focuses on volume (as opposed to the length-focused original). It promises extra volume through a creamy formula that coats each lash and an extra-large mascara wand designed to deliver sensational volume.
Updated April 2026 – Essence remains widely available in UK drugstores. Prices may vary slightly by retailer. Always replace mascara every 3-4 months.
The Price: £2.80
Let’s start with the obvious selling point: this mascara costs £2.80. Less than three quid. That’s cheaper than a fancy coffee. At this price point, expectations need to be realistic – but that doesn’t mean it can’t be good.
What You Get for £2.80
The value is genuinely impressive. This mascara adds noticeable volume to your lashes. Not subtle volume – actual, visible fullness that makes you wonder why anyone spends £20 on Urban Decay or Benefit mascaras when budget options like this exist.
The initial application gives you that wow factor you’d expect from luxury mascaras. Your lashes look dramatically fuller and darker. For under £3, that’s remarkable.
The Downsides
Nothing’s perfect at any price, and budget mascaras have their limitations:
The Brush Size: It’s larger than I’d prefer. Essence marketed this as a positive (more volume!), but large brushes make precision tricky. If you have small eyes or struggle with mascara application, the brush size might frustrate you. It works fine for outer lashes but can be clumsy around inner corners.
Staying Power: This is where budget shows. The mascara doesn’t have great staying power. It’s fine for a few hours, but by mid-afternoon, you’ll notice the volume and intensity fading. It doesn’t flake badly or give you panda eyes, but the initial drama diminishes.
Fading Factor: The wow factor you get on application doesn’t last all day. By evening, your lashes look decent but not dramatically volumised. If you need mascara that lasts from 8am to 10pm without touch-ups, this isn’t it.
Who Should Buy This?
Essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume is perfect for: Students and anyone on a tight budget. People who reapply makeup throughout the day anyway. Anyone building a makeup collection from scratch (£2.80 is low-risk). Those who want backup mascara for gym bags, handbags, or desk drawers. People who lose or drop makeup frequently (waste £3, not £20).
Skip It If You: Need mascara that lasts 12+ hours without fading. Prefer smaller, more precise wands. Already own mascaras you love and don’t need backups. Want the absolute best performance regardless of price.
How It Compares to Other Budget Mascaras
In the budget category (under £5), Essence competes with brands like MUA, Collection, and Revolution. It holds its own well. The volume it delivers is genuinely better than some £8-10 mascaras I’ve tried.
Compared to mid-range options (£8-12), the gap becomes more obvious. Brands like Maybelline and L’Oréal offer better staying power and more refined formulas. But they cost three to four times as much.
The Verdict
For £2.80, the Essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume mascara is absolutely worth buying. It delivers impressive volume on application, and whilst it fades throughout the day and has a chunky brush, those are acceptable compromises at this price point.
Would I rely on it as my only mascara? Probably not if I had the budget for better options. But as a backup, a starter mascara, or a “good enough for everyday” option? Absolutely. It’s a nifty product to have in your collection.
The fact that it performs anywhere near the level of £20 mascaras whilst costing £2.80 is testament to how good budget beauty has become. Don’t let the price fool you into thinking it’s rubbish – this punches well above its weight.
FAQ
Where can you buy Essence cosmetics?
Wilko, Superdrug, and online.
Is Essence cruelty-free?
Yes, Essence is certified cruelty-free.
Does it clump?
Can clump if you apply too many coats. Stick to 1-2 coats.
How long does it last?
4-6 hours before noticeably fading.
Better budget alternatives?
MUA Pro-Base Lash Primer + Mascara, Collection Work the Colour.
This does sounds like a great mascara, although having recently re-worked my routine to only include cosmetics with seeeerious lasting power, I’m not sure this would be for me! Happy 2018 Corinne, I hope this year is a brilliant one for you!!
aglassofice.com
x