Maskcara Beauty Review

I’ve been asked about the Maskcara Beauty line recently. I’ve been asked to sell it and to try it. I’ve chosen the latter and of course I’m given you the lowdown on everything I tried. Here’s the basics:

Masckara Beauty is the creation of beauty blogger, Cara Brooks. The brand first launched back in 2013 with their pioneer product, IIID Foundation. The brand has recently relaunched under a direct selling model with an expanded offering that includes cream blushes, illuminators, eyeshadows, brushes, skincare and more. Maskcara aims to simplify the makeup routine by condensing it into customizable, refillable palettes.

Maskcara artist, Lindsey helped me out with what products to try. Lindsey was attracted to the brand due to it’s affordability, smart packaging design and really related to Cara as a fellow mom boss. What I tried
Sunlit Highlight
Walnut Contour
Vanilla Dust Setting PowderBaby Watermelon Blush
Desert Sunset Blush
Nude Blush
Pearl IlluminatorEyeshadow singles in shades Zion, Crush, Salem, Mama and Bend and Snap.
Milk Moisturizing Cream
IIID Perfector Sponge
Make-Up Remover Wipes30 Second HAC Brush
B Squared Bronzer and Blush Brush
I Shadow Everything Brush What I liked
Blushes, illuminator, eyeshadows, brushes, Perfector Sponge, setting powder.

I was able to create a beautiful eye look with the eyeshadows. Though they are definitely not uber-pigmented, I think that’s what makes them consumer-friendly and easy to build and work with.

I really liked the blushes. They were easy to blend and I used one on top of a liquid lipstick to create a subtle ombre. The different colors had different textures though. Baby Watermelon and Nude were matte and opaque while Dessert Sunset was more oily and sheer. Upon examination of the ingredients, I suspect it’s because some colors contain castor oil, and some don’t.

The Pearl Illuminator is comparable to RMS Living Luminizer but far more affordable.

The Perfector Sponge is an excellent, affordable Beautyblender dupe and the brushes are nice quality and  easy to use.

Overall, here’s what I like about the Maskcara Beauty line:
  • Customizable
  • Affordable prices
  • Simplified routines
  • Quality feel
  • Beautiful branding

What I didn’t like
IIID Foundation, Milk Moisturizing Cream

  • As you can see, the foundation didn’t cover my blemishes. That aside, it also accentuated my pores and dry skin. It was not a win for me in any way really.
  • The highlight and contour foundations contain a few ingredients that I wouldn’t consider to be super luxurious, though not proven harmful: mineral oil, petroleum and beeswax.
  • Some of the powders and eyeshadows contain Bismuth Oxychloride. Not harmful, but bothersome to some people.
  • The unpleasant scent of Milk Moisturizing Cream and ingredients like milk and petroleum made me wary of using it on my face. The texture is sticky.
Overall Thoughts
I think that Maskcara Beauty is doing a lot of things right. The foundation is their core product so I was disappointed that it was such a huge fail for me. There’s definitely a learning curve with the non-traditional format and that can be confusing for some at first.
I think that the good definitely outweighs the bad with this line and there are some great buys to be had.
Product provided for review purposes. I will not receive any compensation for purchases made from this site.

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20 Comments

  1. Alisha Brinton

    12/13/2017 at 11:41 PM

    This whole line is a gimmick! The makeup doesn’t cover as well as demonstrated and is very greasy. all of the people who rave about it are either getting it free or get a kickback.

    As for the Milk moisturizer and Tres Leches line…
    She is charging people $85 for 2oz of pure MINERAL OIL!!!!! That is the first ingredient!
    The toner feels extremely sticky on my skin.
    The moisturizer literally feels like glue and is very hard to spread across the face. I’m not exaggerating. This is by far the worst skin care line I’ve ever used. (I’ve used a lot) my pores were so congested I had to have them professionally cleared for the first time in my life!
    Notice how there are no reviews on her site? No list of ingredients?? Hmmm red flag people.

    I sent them an email which they said “sorry that happened to you. You can sent it back for a refund but shipping costs are on you.”

    1. Ivy Boyd

      12/16/2017 at 7:37 PM

      Hi Alisha! Thank you for reading my review and taking the time to weigh in! I am glad that others seem to love the line but like you, it didn’t work for me at all. I find the hype a bit curious myself.

  2. The Worst Products of 2017 - Wake Up For Makeup

    12/27/2017 at 7:06 PM

    […] for people with great, hydrated skin, who don’t need much coverage. Find my original review here. The photos speak for […]

  3. Ambaa

    03/01/2018 at 5:10 PM

    I’m sure it’s not for everyone. Personally I love it and I don’t use anything else. It has made me feel pretty and confident. I don’t sell it and I get no kickbacks or freebies.

    1. Ivy Boyd

      03/01/2018 at 10:04 PM

      Hi Ambaa! I’m so glad you like it! Mascara is SO subjective! I honestly think you’ll find this with every single brand and formula. One person loves it and the next will hate it. I’m just happy your lashes like it! Thanks so much for reading my review and taking the time to weigh in!

  4. Jennifer

    09/12/2018 at 11:00 AM

    Darn it! I love Maskcara so much I decided to become an artist. I can easily see you are using the wrong color of highlight. And it’s buildable so you adapt your coverage. Also some girls like to use a BB cream first if they need extra coverage for blemishes or dark spots then our highlight. If someone doesn’t like how it sits on their skin and coverage it’s 99% of the time the wrong shade. You’re gorgeous with any makeup though!

    1. Deb

      08/29/2020 at 12:13 AM

      Yesh my thoughts exactly. The author does not know enough about the tips and tricks to fairly critique it. Use aspen to cover you blemish then your main.

      1. Ivy Boyd

        08/29/2020 at 8:15 PM

        I’m the author. I’ve been a full-time professional makeup artist for almost 8 years and have worked on thousands of faces. I am very discerning when it comes to products as a result and I wouldn’t use this on myself or others. I’m glad it works for you but I have to be honest.

  5. Anna

    10/13/2018 at 10:09 PM

    I love Maskcara Products! But like any brand of Makeup, some people will love it and some people will not!

  6. Nicole

    12/23/2018 at 9:58 PM

    Thank you for this post. I’m on day 3 of trying the foundation and I’m literally saying, “Why is this not working for me?!” Even googling ‘maskcara large pores’ and not getting anything. Maybe I need a different shade? I want it to work, but I’m starting to give up hope.

    1. Ashley

      12/30/2018 at 5:42 PM

      Nicole – I’m having the issue! Day 3 and I’ve tried a couple different things, but each time I wear it, it makes my face itch 🙁

      1. Cheryl

        12/13/2019 at 10:32 AM

        Are you using the setting spray? I’ve seen where others have blamed it for their itching.

        1. Ivy Boyd

          12/14/2019 at 11:22 PM

          I haven’t tried their setting spray. I notice it contains fragrance, which is a blanket term for, literally, well anything! So who knows what could be triggering the itchies?! Thanks for checking out my blog, Cheryl! I appreciate you!

    2. Stephanie

      02/21/2020 at 3:44 PM

      Nicole, Week 1.5 and feeling like you, why isn’t this so great fir me? I have oily t zone and by mid day I feel like it’s running off if me. Yes it does make my pores seem even bigger. I feel like I look like I caked on my make-up. I don’t know if I am doing anything wrong or not.

      1. Deb

        08/29/2020 at 12:15 AM

        Yes you are and I would be happy to help

  7. Wynne McManus

    03/16/2019 at 5:14 PM

    I love Masckara.. when I first used it I had a hard time with the method. I thought it didn’t cover well. Then I started spraying the Stay Spray in my hand, then applying it like a moisturizer. The application of the pallets go on much easier. Once I had my makeup in place, I would then spray the stay spray directly onto my face, then blend with a damp blender, reapply and blend more until I look the way I want. Finish with a pressed powder. I’ve never been happier with my results until Masckara. I also am not selling it or getting it for free!

    1. Ivy Boyd

      03/16/2019 at 7:14 PM

      Hi Wynne! Thanks for sharing that! What an interesting method that I bet a lot of people haven’t tried. I really appreciate you reading and weighing in with your clever tips! I’m happy it’s working so well for you 🙂

  8. BK

    03/17/2019 at 5:11 PM

    These products have TALC! Ugh why would anyone launch a makeup line and still use talc. Not to mention the other questionable ingredients

  9. Linda Rihani

    01/29/2020 at 10:27 AM

    As like any other brands, you love some and hate some. I`m sorry you don`t think the 3D foundation was a good fit for you. It`s definitely a learning curve for some. I also think as another reader mentioned above, it is a missed color match. And yes you are not alone that some think The Milk creme has a smell to it. Again this is all so personal. They did come out with a mens line, same product..but more of a fresher scent to it. I happen to love that one more over the original one. Thanks for the review!

  10. Oriol Rhodes

    09/29/2020 at 9:50 PM

    Just bought it it reminds me of stage make up from high school days. Poor coverage and greasy feel I will use it because I got $240.00 with of product. Won’t really purchase. The Best Buy fir me was the hack brush and the blush. The high light I have far better. The pallet made of pressed cardboard ….glad it was a gift.

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