Tuesday, January 19, 2010

A Burning Question

I have a question for you ladies out there. And I suppose guys too, I don't want to discriminate, but probably (hopefully?) mostly ladies.

I have recently decided that I need to explore the realm of mascara a bit. I have no clue what brought it on as I've been a Maybelline Full N' Soft girl for years and I'm certainly not dissatisfied with it.




I think I just feel the need to make sure that there isn't anything better out there.

In doing some research on the subject I noticed something. Have you really looked at the price of makeup lately? $7-$12 for mascara at the drugstore? Wow. I would really like to know what exactly costs that much. I suppose someone needs to pay Drew Barrymore and Queen Latifah.

Anyways, where was I...oh yes, so once I got over the prices, I started looking around at the different mascaras. Full n' Soft, Long n' Lush, Volume Express, Volume Shocking, Voluminous, Lashblast, Lash Discovery, Great Lash, Define-A-Lash, Lash Out...wow. Where to even start?!

There are the different brush styles...maybe I'd go that direction. This is the Full N' Soft brush that I've been using.


It's great. I've always thought it was the way to go. I have no idea why though. So I picked a different type of brush. Something more like this...


Wow! HUGE difference! I think the mascara was Volume Express (also by Maybelline). My lashes are longer and thicker, for sure. Only problem is, unless I carefully brush and separate them, they look a little like this...




Yikes! I only wear a smudged/smokey look charcoal eye liner with Very Black mascara, no eye shadow, so if I have tarantula eyelashes, it stands out a bit.

So I like the longer and thicker eye lashes part, but not having to be so careful and take the time to brush it. I have to have waterproof mascara.

So my burning question to all of you is...what mascara do you use? Do you have a tried and true? Something you hated? Suggestions on brushes to look for? Any tips or tricks? Anything at all?

10 comments:

Sarah said...

My tried and true happens to be Maybeline Great Lash, the pink and green tube! I gave it a try a while ago after getting tired of spending so much on other stuff and have been hooked ever since! :-)

Paint Girl said...

I haven't bought mascara in years. I get it free in my Lancome gift with purchase. It is Lancome Definicils and I LOVE IT! I hate mascara that clumps and I would prefer to go without, but I don't have many eyelashes, so I have to wear it if I am going out of the house.
I couldn't tell you about drugstore brands, it has been so long since I have had to buy that stuff!
I will be interested in seeing what everyone else uses!! I will have to buy it soon enough, I can't afford to purchase Lancome anymore, so I won't be getting that free mascara!

Unknown said...

I don't use mascara. I have very, very long and thick eyelashes.

Patches said...

First off...Sydney, TOTALLY JEALOUS!

Sarah, so funny you mention that one. That is what I always remember my mom using so it happens to be the epitome of mascara for me. lol I might have to give it a go next time.

PG - I'm a Clinique girl myself, but they don't ever seem to put waterproof mascara in the gifts. Boo! I have tried their mascara and it was great, but expensive. I have a hard enough time swallowing the price tag on the drug store stuff! lol

Pony Girl said...

I've noticed that the drugstore prices have soared. I try to get it on sales, Fred Meyer usually has good coupons. I have issues w/mascara. I rarely find one I use more than a year or so then I get the itch to change. One time, I spent nearly an hour at the drugstore reading all the packaging and debating. Right now I'm using the highly-rated Maybelline Great Lash (in the pink tube.) I got a buy one get one free, and have actually been pretty happy with it, and it's not too pricey. I've seen department store brands for nearly $30. Are you kidding me? The ingredients can't be any different than the drugstore brands! I do want to try some of that lash conditioner, that goes under the mascara. I recently saw a commercial for it.

Chelsi said...

OMG what are the chances that you'd do a post on mascara when I just bought a different brand for the first time in over a decade!! My old brand was Valuminous by Loreal and I always loved it but the last two tubes were not so great and so when I left my make-up bag at my sisters I decided it was time to make the BIG change (lol)... so I bought this kind (cant remember) by Loreal that was suppose to add curl and it was horrible... didnt give any volume or curl and so I thought I'd ask the girl at the counter if she would take it back and (wouldnt you know) she did!! And so I bought that telescopic kind with the ball brush that she recommended... I like the brush well enough as it makes it easy to get in corners and play with shape but the mascara itself isnt great. I got my make-up bag back and have gone back to my old faithful valuminous now but am thinking of using the new brush with the old mascara. Anyways, good luck picking a brand! Here is a website I found had good reviews...
http://www.makeupalley.com/product/
I hear that MAC mascara is good.

Mom said...

Ok...It must be the season? I'm having that same quest. I was using Lacome, paying $23 I think a tube, but it lasted for at least a year. But the clumping...YES!!! I did the same homework just a week ago. I came up witha lime green tube by Maybelline, Define-A-Lash. Made sence. I really like it, works great, but not thrilled with the brush? Great topic honey. Love Mom

Kellie said...

I like almay brand. Not too expensive (6 bucks, I think) and no clumping, flaking or raccoon eyes at the end of the day.

Makeup Girl said...

Hi, Im just doing some research myself on Mascara which is how I cam about your beautiful eye image, but Im reading how toxic most cosmetics are, its actually rather full on. I did find a good article to read about it http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-care/c/742375/105442/ingredients
then I started looking for a natural mascara & found http://livecertifiedorganic.mionegroup.com:80/en/product/14403 I think Ill give that a go see what happens...

sanjeet said...

I couldn't tell you about drugstore brands
PPC Advertising India