Mascara is the one constant in my makeup routine. Even if I wear no other makeup, one swipe of mascara gives my eyes definition and instantly makes me look more alert and put together. I wear mascara to the gym; I wear mascara to go down to the laundry room; I wear mascara when I’m wearing pimple patches all over my face. Basically, during my waking hours, I’m always wearing a little something something on my lashes.
That being said, not all mascaras are the same; different formulas are meant to do different things and deliver different results. As a beauty editor, I’ve tried so many of all kinds and have learned that every one can have its right time and place. When I first saw Prada Beauty Pradascope Lash Lifting & Lengthening Mascara, I knew it obviously should lift and lengthen, but with the funky-shaped brush atop the wand, it seemed like it might be a bit more intriguing than mascaras I’ve used before. If nothing else, it certainly looks more chic.
Despite being a legendary fashion house for decades (and having a notable fragrance line since the ’90s) Prada is shockingly new to the cosmetics space. Prada Beauty launched last year in January 2024 with a whole slate of products, from carefully curated eyeshadow palettes to foundation and skincare. However, it has taken until now to launch their first mascara. It’s surprising, as mascara is one of the most essential of all cosmetic products, IMO. So, I’m here to check if the later launch means they took the time to really get it right. Here are my honest thoughts.
About Prada's Pradascope Lash Lifting & Lengthening Mascara:
The Pradascope Lash Lifting & Lengthening Mascara is the first mascara in the Prada Beauty line. As the name suggests, it’s a length-focused formula, designed to give a light and lifted look due to the uniquely designed wand with 180-degree grip brush bristles. The formula is infused with a hyaluronic acid complex that is creamy and buildable and intended to wear comfortably on the lashes. It also promises to apply evenly without clumping or flaking, be safe for sensitive eyes, and make lashes appear nourished and fuller after use. Pradascope is currently available in one shade, a super inky black, Nero, and retails for $35.
How to use the Pradascope mascara:
“180-degree grip” means that the mascara wand looks kind of like a tiny, super long and skinny hair brush; the bristles are only on one side. (FYI the rounded flat back does have the Prada logo, so you can flash your good taste to the mirror while applying.) Although the brush is different from standard barrel-shaped mascara wands, it’s still a normal mascara. To apply, start at the base of the lashes and brush upward while coating them in product. Use as many layers as you want to reach your desired intensity.
My review of the Pradascope mascara:
How I used it:
I first curled my lashes as usual, because my lashes actually have pretty good length (Thanks GrandeLASH!), but I need a couple of pumps of an eyelash curler to help them reach their full potential. When applying, I went deliberately and delicately with each coat because I wanted to observe how each layer would look.
First impressions:
The packaging is very cool— it has a textured black tube and shiny silver Prada logo on the side which delivers on making you feel like you’re holding a luxury product. (As much as I love a brightly-colored plastic tube of drugstore mascara, this just hits different.) The wand has brush bristles (vs. molded plastic brush head, generally a little more typical for lengthening mascara formulas), but it was still easy to reach the base of my lashes and when I wiggled it through my lashes, it felt light and soft. The first coat looked super fresh and clean, like I gave my lashes a shoe shine. It made my lashes look significantly longer and you could really see each individual lash. With another layer I felt I had to be a little more careful when building volume, but it resisted clumping. The effect was less clean girl, more impactful. Also, I really like the intense black pigment because I live for drama.
How it looks and feels:
It feels super light on the lashes, even when I applied multiple coats and built it up. With all-day wear, there wasn’t any flaking nor did it feel dry and brittle around my eyes. With two coats, it did look like I had fatter lashes, but not in the way that a lot of volumizing mascaras will look so dense at the base of the lash line.
Length of wear:
The formula doesn’t claim to be waterproof, sweatproof, or smudgeproof, so I don’t want to hold it to those standards, but I did wear it outside in the sun, sweating a little and wearing sunscreen. It held up generally well. There was minor smudging under my eyes that was easy to wipe away, but I think it wouldn’t have happened if I skipped my bottom lashes.
PROS
- The results are fresh-looking, long, separated, and shiny lashes
- The formula is buildable with minimal clumping
- It made my lashes look thicker, but not messy or chunky
- Luxury vibes
CONS
- Not waterproof or smudge-proof (which does make it easier to remove)
- Only currently available in one shade
- It doesn’t affect the performance of the mascara, but I don’t totally understand the benefit of only having bristles on only one side.
The final verdict:
I’ve really been enjoying this mascara. I love how it looks when applied with a lighter hand—it just gives me super glossy, long lashes. I also like how the buildable, unclumpy formula can create a more dramatic look if desired. However, if you need something built for the elements or a subtler shade for your lash color, this might not be the fit for you. Overall, I think of it a lot like the Prada nylon re-edition shoulder bag. It’s sleek, classic, versatile, but still a luxury— and it looks most iconic in black.
Sam Neibart is a freelance writer and editor who has been covering beauty over digital and print for nearly a decade. She reports on the ever-evolving landscape of trends, tastemakers, and technology in the industry and loves nothing more than helping friends and readers discover the beauty products that are best for them. Previously, she held editorial positions at NYLON and Harper’s BAZAAR. She currently lives in Manhattan and biannually experiences the strong urge to dye her hair a new color. Follow her on Instagram.
