I learnt the importance of using mascara pretty recently. I know a lot of girls prefer Mascara over eyeliner but I was always a black liquid liner advocate. The whole of 2013 I bought and used a total of 4 mascaras – Maybelline Lashionista, Estee Lauder Double Wear Zero Smudge Lengthening Mascara, Oriflame Wonder Lash mascara and Etude House 3 Step Volumecara, which must speak volumes about my interest in mascaras.But after using the Estee Lauder and Etude House mascaras and seeing the dramatic effect they had on my whole look, I decided to experiment more with mascaras. I just finished my second tube of the Etude House Volumecara and here is what I think about it!

Product: Etude House Lash Perm 3 Step Volumecara
Claim: Etude House Lash Perm 3 Step Volumecara is a revolutionary  mascara with an adjustable dial. By twisting the top of the mascara, you can transition between 3 different modes of application, each with a different objective.

Step 1 promises the wearer defined, clean volume.

Step 2 offers full, glamorous volume.

Step 3 boasts dramatic, smoky volume.

Quantity: 5 ml (Total weight – 9.5 g)
Price: 13000 KRW (~13$) | Buy Online

*This photo belongs to Etude House (Korean website)
Etude House Volumecara first caught my attention in 2012, probably around the time it was released, when I watched an ad of Dara promoting this. It was a bit of an amusing ad since I did not understand Korean at all. I only understood Step 1 Volume Up… Step2 Volume Up Up…Step3 Volume Up Up Up! I had heard of the Almay mascara so I got the idea behind it but never bought it until the last quarter of 2013.
In fact I think this was the first volumizing mascara I have ever bought and even though there are 3 levels, I used it on the hightest level only except for the first couple of times when I was trying this out. At first, I was only expecting some volume building near the roots but I think this mascara also lengthened the lashes slightly.

The formula is not waterproof but it is smudge proof once it sets dry. It is also not a very wet formula and does not take a long time to dry but I have to be careful while blinking just after applying it else it transfers to the skin on contact. This mascara holds the curl well and makes my lashes look great all day long.
I have found that Step 1 works really well for the lower lashes while I rarely do all steps for the upper lashes. I just go to Step3 and am always happy with the result.
I like the rubber wand with the tiny bristles which helps in depositing sufficient amount of product onto the lashes. I do notice a bit of product buildup at the end of the brush but I do not use the end at all so it does not bother me. The brush is nothing “revolutionary” and can add to a bit of clumping of lashes but it is manageable for me.

* Applied the Volumecara directly at Step3 (without using the eyelash curler)
When I used this mascara at Step 1, I think it worked a lot more like Maybelline Lashionista and added more length to my lashes than volume. At Step 2, I did see medium volume but the dramatic lashes came only at Step 3. I still do not wear mascara everyday but whenever I want to open up my eyes and look more awake, I use this mascara. As this is an all in one mascara for my needs and makes my tiny lashes look amazing. The photo is not doing justice to how the lashes look in person!
Of course I should also add that this mascara takes a little bit of time to be removed. Cleansing creams and oils have work well while Cleansing Water(s) tends to be too mild for removing this mascara!
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Repurchase: Yes
*Contains Affiliate link
I am not a mascara-expert but as per my experience (judging based on my preference), I think the Etude House 3 Step Volumecara is a fabulous drugstore mascara. Etude House also makes other mascaras in the Lash perm range named All Shockara, Volumecara & Curling, Volume Mascara and Eye-long Mascara. I am going to try the Shockara next and will report back with review!

Do you prefer eyeliner or mascara? Have you tried the Etude House Lash Perm 3 Step Volumecara?