Physician’s Formula Organic Wear Mascara Review
To say that I was buying my new Organic Wear Mascara with fear and trepidation is an understatement of the century. I have long ago learned that getting the mascara right is the toughest task for the natural makeup industry.
And I really needed a mascara. No room for error.
So I went to Wal-Mart. Because they have the best return policy. Just in case.
And I bought a regular big-brand mascara as well. Just in case.
So yah, I was one biased customer.
But I worried for nothing. The mascara IS good. For me, at least. But if you want to know more details, here is the really detailed review:
Product Name:
Organic Wear Mascara, by Physician’s Formula, also referred to as Natural Origin Mascara
About the brand:
Organic Wear is a Brand created by Physician’s Formula. You can read my Physician’s Formula brand overview here.
Price:
I paid just over $14 Canadian. It is about 10US dollars in the US.
Certifications:
EcoCert Certified Organic.
Packaging:
This is one of the most innovative packaging to hit the mascara world in a long time. The tube and handle are stylized with the handle looking like some kind of leaf. The brush itself is very flexible, which I think is a pro – it was easy to reach all the lashes. The brush is also 100% recyclable, which is a bonus.
Reading the ingredients:
The packaging says that 100% of ingredients are of Natural Origin and 47% are Organic. Which is commendable given that EcoCert requires only 10% of ingredients to be Organic and 95% to be natural. Basically, Organic Wear is taking its “natural” and “organic” claims seriously.
Reading the insert (or Other claims):
The back of the box is dedicated to 100%. It list a whole set of features for which Organic Wear Mascara scored a 100:
100% Natural Origin Mascara
100% Free of Synthtetic Solvents
100% Natural Origin Biopolymers – for clump free lashes
100% Natural Origin Preservatives
100% Natural Origin Rice Protein & Organic Tapioca Starch – naturally boost volume. Organic Beeswax 00 for a buildable formula.
100% Natural Origin Color Pigments
100% Free of Petroleum By Products.
It’s also 100% Cruelty Free.
It’s also hypoallergenic and fragrance free.
Scent:
I’ve read some other reviews where users have complained about the smell. Granted, it doesn’t smell like roses. It is fragrance-free, after all. But it doesn’t smell awful either. And it’s going on your lashes, not your nose. (Though I did smudge my nose while doing the smell test – it still didn’t bother me.)
Performance:
I applied it very carefully and had no clumps or smudges. It looked very natural on my lashes. I didn’t even feel the need for a second coat. After I applied it I accidentally hit the lashes with my finger and a couple of them stuck together – I used the brush to separate them without any issues. I didn’t smudge – I wore it for most of the day and didn’t have any problems. The next day I did two coats (very nice lashy look) and even a few time scratched my eye (carefully) – still no smudging.
Tip: to ensure perfect distribution and no clumping use an eyebrow brush or a toothpick to separate lashes you accidentally stuck together… But make sure you don’t poke your eye!
Verdict:
For such a low price (as far as organic mascaras go) this mascara is outperforming all expectations. No, it’s not water-proof – no does it claim to be. If you are going out in the rain or are headed for a serious sweat at the gym, this might not be for you. But for an everyday normal application it’s perfect.
I liked it. I liked it a lot. I’m keeping it for sure. The mainstream brand backup package is going back to Wal-Mart…
P.S: If you live in the USA, for a limited time (till the end of 2009) you can get a rebate on this mascara. Here is a rebate form from the company’s site: http://www.physiciansformula.com/rebates/2009/ow-mascara-rebate.pdf
14 comments
Hi,
I like the articles you put up as I too have a great deal of interest in skin care but I cant seem to subscribe to your blog. The RSS is giving me all these strange symbols.
Hmm… The RSS seems to work fine for me. Try this address as the feed:
http://www.organicmakeupandskincare.com/blog/feed
hope this helps
I like the mascara but OMG, the smell is killing me!!!
Meredith — I’m still using it. So far it’s my mascara of choice. I don’t know why the smell isn’t bothering me. It sort of reminds me of sunflower oil smell, which I like
I might be weird, but I kind of like the smell of it o_o;; And it seems to work fine. I just need to wait a minute or two before putting on my glasses. The first time I used it, it smudged a little on my lenses.
I was really excited about the Organic Mascara. Sorry, big disappointment. The mascara always flakes and gets in my eyes. Gave it another try or two, thought might be the air, same problem. It can be removed very nicely with facial cleansers or bar of soap. I would like to try another product of Physicians Formula.
I’ve been impressed so far by the PF Organics line. Especially for a drugstore brand, they’re doing really well. We reviewed this mascara on Truth In Aging and agree with your sentiments!
It doesn’t have parabens or other synthetic preservatives. And the smell is a bit funny but it doesn’t contain perfume or artificial scents, so that’s good.
I have recently tried the Physican’s formula Organic mascara and was very surprised how this natural product gave my lashes length, definition and also color. My eyes are very sensitive this mascara does not irritate my eyes at all, I will buy this mascara again
Thanks for sharing this reviews, really useful.
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Hi there! I came across your article of the Best Organic Makeup Lines and I saw that you recommended Sante and Logona but there was no website posted to buy the products. I get mine from naturaleurope.com. They are reasonably priced compared to the other brands featured. I do not recommend their mascaras though. The Organic Wear one from Physician’s Formula is way better, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s only US $10.00. For that price I don’t even mind the smell!
I am using the organic formula mascara, do to a lack of finding the mineral wear mascara. I have extremely sensitive eyes and skin, and have such problems using any type of make-up. It’s great for sensitive eyes and skin, and the brush is wonderful!!! I wish Physician’s Formula would put that same brush in the mineral wear mascara, and keep the product coming. All the mineral wear products are their finest products. So why do they want to change what is already perfect. Please don’t Physician’s Formula.
Hi there, I tried this and was very enthusiastic but it made my eyes itch. I have yet to find a good organic mascara that doesn’t make my eyes itch. Aveda smells strongly of rose water..I’ve tried a number…lavera didn’t work either. One day!
Glad to see natural make up has such a good following. Enjoy your blog.
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