I am not a fan. I don't like the way this looks on my lashes and I feel like it clumps my eyelashes together too much. I also find the brush confusing and too bulky.

No thanks.

I took it as a good sign, when as my mascara ran out, that I was given Avon’s new Big & Daring Volume Mascara to test in both Brown Black and Black. I loved the feel of the product, even before opening it as has a big, chunky feel, which is easy to grip. Opening the product I found the wand to be one of the best Ive used. It is large and curved and application couldn’t be easier. It’s a buildable mascara and I found 2 coats for daytime and 3 for night created the perfect looks. I felt like my lashes didn’t stick together, there were no clumps and I felt like each lash was highlighted and lengthened, which is ideal in a mascara. During the day it didn’t run or smudge and I have to say this a good product.

The only downside for me is that my gentle soap-free fashwash which would always remove my previously used mascara, did not work as well with this product. I had to rub my eyes quite specifically to get it off. And it appeared to all be removed, but when using a cotton pad with eye make-up remover, there was quite a bit left, so I had to use 3 cotton pads.

That being said I don’t mind this little bit of extra work at the end of the day, for lashes that look great all day!

Having dark brown hair, I would use the Brown Black during the day and Black for evenings.

My trusty old Maybelline Great Lash mascara (we all know that oldie but goodie with the pink and green tube) was at its butt-end and I was SUPER irritated when I applied my mascara yesterday. It was becoming clumpy and streaky, and developed a strong little odour – that means BIN it, ladies! The shelf life of mascara doesn't surpass 6 months and your eyes are the very last place where you want to spread nasties, bacterias and really dangerous infections. No thanks! I was contemplating replacing my mascara with Maybelline once again, but I was in luck when I received the Avon Big & Daring mascara, both in black and brown-black. My dear mom is a stylish lady, but one piece of advice that I will never take from her is that brown-black mascara suits redheads like yours truly better. I differ. I like my jet-black mascara and will pile it on day and night. See, I might be a redhead, but am very lucky to be blessed with a slightly darker, yellow skin tone and brunette brows and lashes (I know, right – I am a mutant). So I opened the Black mascara first, much like a kid unwrapping an ice cream. First impressions – the tube is big and sturdy and reminds me of the Maybelline Colossal, The Rocket and Falsies mascaras. When I opened the product, I was impressed – a large, curvy brush that strokes all the lashes in one go – yay! I don't have any time for wimpy little mascara brushes that picks up the product in such a small amount that you have to CLUMP on the product. And clumps? Ain't nobody got time for that. Curious as I was, I removed my current makeup and gave my lashes a quick little curl (can't miss this step, ladies – invest in the eyelash curler and just do it!). This mascara applied like a dream and the difference lies in the bigger, curving brush. I have to admit that this is literally the first Avon product I've ever owned or used, but I've heard good things about the brands in general – let's face it, we all had a friend in the suburbs who's mom used to be an Avon rep. My school bestie's mom used to be one and we had tons of fun playing around with her samples, but I never purchased my own. But this mascara made a good impression. After I tested it out last night, I kept it on and wore it to visit a friend for dinner. Despite rushing like a loon to be in the city on time, it stayed on. I am wearing it today, paired with a slick of Revlon Colorstay Shadowlinks in Copper, and colleagues are complimenting my eye makeup. It is also quite warm and springy in Cape Town today, and by 3:49 pm, it still looks good! My lashes feel fuller and I am so glad that I have this as a replacement for my Maybelline! I would definitely keep my eye on the Avon brand to see what other pretties I can use. Although I believe that black is better when it comes to mascara, I will save the brown-black tube for my mom and happily recommend this product to her, as she prefers a brown-black mascara for her very neutral makeup look.