Mascara: My Love/Hate Relationship
I’ve been around the world and I, I, I…I can’t find my …. holy grail mascara. Why is it that there isn’t a perfect fit for me? Am I just too picky? Are my expectations set too high? I continue to buy two mascaras, yes two(!), every 3 months. Mascara has to accomplish a lot for me. For my top lashes, the mascara must lengthen and add volume - without being heavy - and absolutely cannot clump. For my bottom lashes, it simply cannot flake or smudge (honestly, is it that difficult a task?). I don’t feel like I am asking too much with regard to my bottom lashes, really. Yet still, there is only one mascara that - absolutely under no circumstances - does not flake or smudge, and that is Blinc, Kiss Me mascara. The bad news is, however, that it is too wimpy for my top lashes. So, I have fallen in love with several mascaras for my top lashes – DiorShow Blackout mascara and YSL Volume Effect mascara - and believe it or not, Cover Girl VolumeExact. Crazy but true, a drug store mascara is all it’s cracked up to be. Amazing. As my mom says, it’s her day-time mascara now. But DiorShow (coincidentally my mom’s night-time mascara) is the bomb! Be prepared, though…it only lasts 2 months. The super big brush is great. And the formula contains cashmere so it keeps your lashes soft and flexible (and you can really layer it), which is rare these days with all the amped up mascara formulations! When you apply mascara, make sure your first coat is applied slowly. Wiggle the brush back and forth - this will enable separation for long, clump-free lashes. Your second coat can be applied minutes later at a faster pace.
Let’s talk waterproof for a minute. Hands down (many hands down), for Shu Uemura Length and Waterproof mascara. Holy cow – how it lengthens! It stays on until you take it off. I can swim, shower or sweat and my lashes look the exact same. This is the only waterproof mascara I will buy. Period (unless you can change my mind, of course).
Keep in mind, if you get puffy under your eyes, you should avoid mascara on your lower lashes, as it tends to smudge. In general, to make your eyes look more open, keep your make-up to the top of the eye.
Update 9/1/08: The Mascara Report® is out! Learn which of the 45 formulas of mascaras tested performed best - on both top and bottom lashes. You will be amazed at how I have forever changed my mind in the world of mascara. Request your copy by email: MyStyleFiles@gmail.com.
Stumble it!
I just tried Too Faced’s mascara and was overwhelmingly surprised with how it lengthened and added volume. I am a big fan of Dior (and VolumeExact)! I think you might like this new one I tried, as well.
I tried the new mascara by Cover Girl - Lash Blast. It’s OK, but not as fantastic as I’d thought it be. I still prefer Volume Exact by Cover Girl. It’s great if you like defined, not clumpy, lashes.
Well I think LashBlast the (orange one?)
is the best. I have long eyelashes to begin with so all i really need is a good mascara to give me more volume.
Other then that… i havent really found anything better but.