Five Editors Put the Ami Cole Lash-Amplifying Mascara to the Test

Smaller brands are targeted for a multitude of reasons, even if the first product launch is a success. It’s easy to go from zero to hero, but it’s almost impossible to top the first launch. This was the case for Ami Cole, a brand from Glossier vet Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye that aimed to bring the no-makeup-makeup look to melanated skin. The brand launched with three products—lip oil, skin tint, and clear highlighter balm—but the lip oil became an overnight sensation. It was sold out for months and even earned the title of “the Telfar bag of lip gloss.” 

The brand was able, however, to match that success with Ami Cole Lash-Amplifying mascara, which was a favorite among judges at 2022 GlamourBeauty Awards. (The brand has also launched concealers/powders that are equally amazing.

The brand describes it as a “buildable, volumizing mascara” and promises no flaking or clumping. The mascara’s tapered brush grabs every lash from root to tip and the inky black formula adds drama. The one-coat formula gives you a natural look. However, the best thing about it is its ability to be built up to falsies-level vava-voom. It contains conditioning ingredients such as shea butter and Jojoba oil that nourish, protect and hydrate lashes. Made from 87% naturally derived ingredients, it’s also vegan and cruelty free. 

We had five of the formula’s best friends to prove our love. GlamourThe editors put it to the ultimate test. Continue reading to see our honest Ami-Cole Lash-Amplifying Mascara review. 

Talia Abbas, commerce editor 

What immediately stood out to me with Ami Colé’s mascara is the formula: It’s so creamy and thick. Don’t think it’s goopy, though. It’s the perfect mascara for applying multiple coats since it doesn’t dry out immediately, allowing me to create big, fanned-out lashes with an even amount through—no curler required. My only gripe with the formula is that does smudge, but that’s a small price to pay for cute doe eyes throughout the day

Ariana Yaptangco senior beauty editor 

My mascara philosophy is that more is better. So I love to use as many coats of mascara as possible. This mascara is easy to use, and it doesn’t leave my lashes looking clumpy. The brush is ideal for getting in the corners of my eyes to grab lashes that are hard to reach. The formula is dark, dramatic and inky black. But it’s definitely versatile—on days where I want to go more natural (like at my office, pictured above) one or two coats gives me the perfect doe-eyed look. 

Jenny Singer, staff writer

This mascara gives me an insane amount of length. Truly a “my eyelashes are forming a battering ram against my glasses” situation. It also causes me crazy clumps. Yes, it looks like I’m wearing falsies, but falsies at 1 a.m. after a couple of hours of dancing and sweating and maybe eating a street hot dog. This is not clean, barely there makeup; it’s “hot girl getting ready to make mistakes” makeup. The packaging is adorable to the point where I want to rework my entire interior design.

Andrea Navarro, commerce writer

It’s giving Drama, honey! Mascara is my absolute favorite beauty product. I don’t leave the house without it. That being said, I’m always down to try a new one as formulas keep getting better and better. Once I saw the orange packaging of this mascara, I was inspired to do a full fiery orange-red look along with it, and let me tell you—it really does give your lashes that oomph!This wand worked well with my long lashes. The formula isn’t clumpy, and it’s buildable if you want keep swiping some more product on. There’s shea butter and jojoba oil in the ingredient list, and I was pleasantly surprised by how soft and nourished my lashes felt once I washed it off.

Bella Cacciatore, beauty writer 

I’m a bit of a mascara hoarder, but this one has been in my daily rotation since it launched—it’s just that good. The conical-shaped brush is great for getting every lash. The dense yet spiky bristles allow you to separate them and fan them out. The formula is black—one of the darkest I’ve ever used—and pretty wet, which I love. One coat is enough to give me a lot of lashes. I prefer to use more than one coat for a more dramatic look. I can skip liner because of the drama it creates. This is quite impressive considering my small eyes. My only gripe is that I get a little transfer to my upper lid—no flaking, though—but it’s such a good formula otherwise that I don’t really mind. 

Ami Cole Lash-Amplifying Mascara

Are you looking for more amazing product recommendations? You can see all 264 winners at the 2022 Glamour Beauty Awards.