Okay folks, here’s the thing. Just because pro makeup artists love a particular product for photoshoots (where they’re on-set for as many touch-ups as the job requires) doesn’t mean you’ll love it for all-day wear. For instance, has anyone managed to rock Vaseline on the eyelids for more than 20 minutes?
Maybelline New York’s iconic Great Lash Mascara ($6.99) is one such produit. Lots of makeup pros love the inexpensive mascara in the green-and-pink tube, but lots of everyday folk are less than satisfied. Apparently Great Lash is a good, basic, buildable mascara that gives — well — great lash, with inky drama makeup artists like for shoots. But I’ve never been able to wear it well. I get smudges on my oily lids and under my Asian-esque eyes in 42 minutes of wear. And I know I’m not alone in that experience.
Understand I’m not saying Great Lash is a bad mascara. It’s a worldwide top seller, clearly suitable for photography, and yes, some consumers can wear it and love it, too. But if you’re in the camp that wonders what the hype is about, it’s not for you. And that’s okay. It’s down to the way your face is built and the type of skin you have. At least finding out it’s not your best choice didn’t cost much.
For me, Maybelline’s Define-A-Lash Mascara ($9.99) is the better everyday choice. The flexible wand and gel-like formula give me a smooth, consistently clump-free application, and defined (yep) silky black lashes that do not smudge out under my eyes. You could say that Define-A-Lash gives me great lash. *grin*
Maybelline New York is available at mass retailers and drugstores. Image courtesy of Maybelline New York.
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My problem is clumping, but I have a cheap mascara that I ADORE: Rimmel’s Lash Maxxx mascara. It’s a comb rather than brush, so no clumpies!
My problem is that I have “non existent” lashes, and I’ve used so many mascaras and I honestly don’t see much difference on all that I use! LOL I do hope to find one that really lengthens and volumizes!
Hi Lauren,
I must say I’ve not yet mastered the comb. I have far too few lashes — the combs I’ve tried just stuck ‘em together because each lash took on too much product. Sheesh.
I’m laughing as I ask this question, Nikki, because I bet you’ve tried them, but have you considered a lash primer before mascara? I have only little eyelashes myself. I got nice length from Define-a-Lash, but not so much volume. I use eye liner to fake volume!
I also have to weigh in on this. My mascara of choice – Avon’s Supershock Mascara. $9.99 so it doesn’t hurt the pocketbook (mine is empty due to the teenagers in my house). Although not blessed with my oldest daughter’s lashes (sickening), this product makes me feel like I have her lashes.
Another everyday fave for me is Rimmel London Extra Super Lash ($4.99). It was the first mascara I tried that didn’t wind up under my eyes. I recommend it to every Asian makeup client, and I usually find out sometime later that not only did she try it, it’s her mascara of choice. Same thing is starting to happen with Clinique Lash Power ($20), a water-resistant mascara so enduring that it works for weddings and funerals (seriously).
Have you ever tried Almay One Coat Mascara? IT is definitely my all-time favourite! It does an overall great job in terms of what a mascara should do but I find it does an exceptional job of separating. LOVE IT!
I haven’t tried that yet! I have one, though. Better get on that. ‘Cept today’s the day I see how well Cargo Better Than Waterproof holds up during a workout…
I’m just reporting back on my experience with Cargo Better Than Waterproof mascara. It’s my 2nd day of using it so far and I haven’t had to run through the rain with it yet, but it seems to be smudge-free all day till evening. It’s easily removed with my eye makeup remover. What’s not so good is that it tends to straighten my already straight lashes after I’ve just manually curled them. It also doesn’t lengthen as much as some of the other mascaras that I’ve tried before. In addition, it doesn’t separate my lashes as well. I prefer to use L’Oreal Voluminous mascara and one that you recommended a few years back, Rimmel London Extra Super Lash. They are both good on the pocket book and does the job well for short, straight and sparse Asian lashes.
Great comment, Wynne. One of these days I have to get around to trying L’Oréal Voluminous. I have about 8 cued up to try after I have a definitive sense of the three I’m using now…
I’ve used waterproof mascara forever because every waterbased that I’ve tried straightens out my lashes after I’ve spent time curling them. I don’t like to curl them afterwards because it seems to make them clump together. Has anyone tried one that doesn’t straighten them back out?
Hi Misty, thanks for your comment. I do have suggestions!
One reader posted on the BeautyGeeks facebook page that the new Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara ($18 CAN) worked better for her than many others. That one is also a great better-than-waterproof formula that washes off only with really warm water but doesn’t run with tears, rain or sweat, nor smear into oily lids.
Another reader likes Lancôme Oscillation ($39 CAN) because it’s the only one that’s ever kept her lashes curled all day long. The optional vibrating action in the wand is cool (it’s very subtle; you can barely see it vibrating, but you’ll feel it on your lashes), but she doesn’t bother with that. She maintains it’s the formula. (She says so in the comments here: http://tinyurl.com/6logf5)
And a surprising suggestion came from a friend whose lashes always straighten out with mascara — she’s found her first-ever curl-keeping success with CoverGirl LashBlast mascara ($9.99 CAN), the one in the fat orange tube.
Good luck — and I’d love your feedback!
CLINIQUE HIGH DEFINITION MASCARA is a revelation. I swear.
It has BOTH brush and a comb. Ingenious. So you can brush a bunch of mascara on and then comb out the clumps – and while you’re combing, it puts more product on. Smoooooooooothly, i.e. without clumping. It really maximizes my fine eyelashes, I swear. And it works without the comb if you’re in a crazy hurry (or, um, putting mascara on in the car.)
I liked that one, too! I think I test-drove it for CL. No, wait — I tested another one, but snagged one from the office to try. We must have had two because I think our style intern at the time, Camie, reported on it. She liked it as well.
As for putting it on in the car, I do that all the time. But I’m never driving. (I can’t even answer my cel if I’m driving.) Not to assume you’re driving when applying, of course.
I wait until stoplights. That’s good, right? ;)
Good-ish…