Over the last five or so years, mascara wands have morphed from simple to seriously kooky. First, there was an onslaught of rubber, spiky brushes (like CoverGirl Lashblast Volume Mascara). Then, vibrating wands had their five minutes of fame (see: Lancome Oscillation Mascara). And who can forget the terrifying Givenchy Phenomen' Eyes, which looked a bit like a Medieval torture device?

Most of the time, these technological advances in mascara wands are marketing gimmicks that don't stand the test of time. This is exactly what I was thinking about the funky-looking brush on Avon Mega Effects Mascara, $10. The jagged black comb and hot pink handle remind me of a deranged paintbrush -- like something out of a Tim Burton movie. Avon calls it the Wonderbrush.

Although it feels weird to poke your lashes with spiky tool that's twice the size of a regular mascara wand, I'll say this: it works. The formula is super-black and extremely shiny, and the brush lets you push a lot of mascara into the roots of your lashes, where you want it most. My lashes are long, but a bit thin, and Mega Effects definitely plumped them up. The Wonderbrush made reaching those inner-corner lashes tricky (it smudged), but that's what Q-tips are for.

Is it worth tossing your favorite mascara to try out? Probably not. But if you're in the market for a fresh tube, this one gets my seal of approval -- and not just for the novelty Wonderbrush.