I'm a department store snob but I actually found a drugstore holy grail! I adore this mascara by Maybelline, even more than MAC Pro Lash which I was previously using. It actually holds my curl almost as good as Shu Uemura's Basic Mascara ($27). But unlike Shu's, which gives a very natural look, Volum' Express thickens the lashes for a slightly more dramatic look. It's really great!