Bendable Mascara - Gimmick or Gimme? - Givenchy Noir Interdit Mascara Review

It's always refreshing to see new innovations in the beauty world. But it can be hard to differentiate what is must-have technology and what is a total miss.

I recently received the new Givenchy Noir Interdit mascara, which has a very interesting new feature I've yet to encounter; a bendable wand!

Givenchy Noir Interdit Mascara, $38 CAD - available exclusively at Sephora

Now one might wonder, "Why does my mascara wand need to bend?". I asked this myself after giddily flicking it back and forth for longer than I'd like to admit. The flexible comb is meant to follow the natural shape of your lashes, so you can move it exactly where you need it to go.

Cool concept for sure, but is this game-changer material? Time to give it the ol' bend & snap test!

The wand comes out totally straight, there is a hinge in the middle that allows it to bend.

The wand snaps and holds in place in this position, so it won't be flopping around while you're applying.

The packaging is divine, and who could expect anything less from Givenchy? Satin black with a matte stripe running down the middle and raised silver detailing alongside. It deserves to be displayed and admired on your vanity.
It also has a nice weight to it, which is always appreciated when purchasing luxury beauty products.

In my excitement to open the tube and check out the revolutionary brush, I was hit by a strong wave of perfume. Those sensitive to fragrances should heed warning; it is strong! I can't say I'm a fan of having strong scents around my eyes, and can't imagine many others will feel differently.

The comb features short spiky bristles, which are also quite flexible. The bristles are only on one side and placed on a curve. It reminds me of a spoon, in the sense that it scoops up your lashes upon application.

Left with one coat of Noir Interdit, right with zero mascara.

I tried it both ways; straight and bent. Yet I didn't really see any difference in terms of ease of application. When it comes to bottom lashes though, I found the bend helps a little to avoid any smudging below the eye.

This formula in combination with the brush, is said to give 'endlessly long lashes and made-to-measure volume'.  If you've read any of my other mascara reviews, you'll know I can be picky - I need my lashes to stay lifted and coifed! While I did see my lashes lengthen quite a bit, I didn't notice much of a curl. They just kind of pointed straight up without any curve.

Both eyes with one coat on top and bottom lashes.

If you're looking to add a bit more definition and length to your lashes, this could be a good match for you. While the flexibility is certainly cool, I don't see this as something you absolutely need. While it will be hard to find an exact dupe, you could probably find something with a similar scoop-style brush for much less at the drug store.
But the tube is so pretty, and I will cherish the fact that I own something beautiful from Givenchy!

Would you try a flexible mascara wand? Have you tried this mascara before? Tell me your thoughts in the comments below!

Note: I received this complimentary product in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.