Watchful Eye (lashes)

Jan 29

I have been on the lookout for a new mascara for quite a while now and I just can’t find one that fits the bill. I want a mascara that stays put all day, doesn’t clump or flake, and feels natural on my lashes. Is that too much to ask for? Here is a critique of the ones I have tried so far:

1. Maybelline Great Lash

Ugh, this product is all over the fashion and beauty magazines as the highest ratest and most affordable mascara, but it was quite simply the worst for me. I give it a 2.0 on a scale of 1-10. Not only did it leave me looking like I had two black eyes by the end of the work day, I might as well should have put glue on my lashes.I have friends who tried this product and felt the same way, how about you gals out there?

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

2. Almay Intense i-color Mascara

This Almay mascara fit the bill as far as not clumping, but again it flaked all over my face and left me with black circles under my eyes. This one gets a 5.0 because it was just okay. Good enough to use the whole tube, but not worth enough for another purchase.

Almay intense i-color in Black Pearl

3. MAC Splashproof Lash

This one gets a 6.0 on the Makeup Richter scale, definitely would not purchase again unless I was a professional swimmer. It surely lives up to its name. While it did not clump or smudge, it also would not come off without abrasive scrubbing! It also felt quite sticky on my lashes, typical of a waterproof mascara.

MAC Splashproof Mascara in Blacksplash

4. Prescriptives False Eyelashes

Again, with this being a bestseller and featured in a number of magazines, I thought I had a homerun. It did have a smooth finish and provided a nice “curl” to my lashes, but I might as well have just put the product under my eyes to start with. By the end of the day, I looked as if I had been in the wrestling ring with two black eyes. Would not purchase again and gets a 3.0, I do not enjoy parading around town like a raccoon.

Prescriptives Fals Eyelashes in Plush Black

5. Lancome Definicils High Definition Mascara

This always seems to be the mascara I go back to because it is the best one I have found so far. But at a 7.0 rating, why settle for less than the best? My biggest complaint is that it does run under my eyes by the end of the day, but not nearly as much as the aforementioned products. It is also nice that I usually get several free tubes from my mom when she gets the free gift with purchase.

Lancome Definicils

Have you found any mascaras worthy of a follow up purchase? Here are some I would like to try, would love your opinions if you have tested these out!

1. Diorshow Mascara – At $25 this is one of the pricier mascara’s I have seen, but if it is a good product, it is worth the investment for me.

Diorshow

2. Clinique Lash Power Mascara – I haven’t used Clinique products since college (because once you go MAC, you can’t go back!), but I thought about giving them another chance with this claimed “long-wearing” formula. Not a bad price at only $14, wonder if it would live up to its claims?

Clinique Lash Power Mascara

3. I hardly ever hit up a drugstore anymore, so I forget about all those inexpensive but great drugstore brands like CoverGirl. This was probably the first brand of makeup my mom ever bought for me, and seems to always be a great value especially at less than $10. Of course I also love its bright pink tube!

CoverGirl Lash Blast

What is your favorite mascara? Which ones should I try?

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http://Katheats.com Kath

Thanks for this post!!! My heroic mascaras are:

Neutrogena Weightless Volume. Perfect for casual days. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the brush, but the formula(as promised) is rather light. It’s great because it never, ever leaves black under my eyes (you don’t even need makeup remover – just wash your face) but it isn’t the most impact driven mascara.

I also have Bare Minerals and this one is a little clumpier and much more of a statement, but I like it for days when I want my eyes to pop. It doesn’t leave black under my eyes – until I wash my face. Remover required.

I also despise the Maybelline Great Lash. The brush sucks.
http://www.stuffonmywiener.com Kari

Hi! So happy I found your site through KERF! Just an FYI…I used the Diorshow Mascara and hated it! It was awful. The wand was huge and it flaked everywhere. I also can not stand the Maybelline Great Lash! Who could think that was actually a great mascara?!?

Here is my solution…
I use the Shiseido Mascara Base – http://tinyurl.com/blhblj
This stuff is amazing! It holds the mascara in place and keeps it from flaking. This is the best addition to my makeup routine in a long time!! Well worth the money – $22!!

Then I use the Prescriptives False Eyelashes mascara in black. It doesn’t flake withe when using the base.
http://n/a olivia

have you ever tried kiss me by blinc brand from sephora?

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P46017&categoryId=B70

my firend and i have problems with the way our eyes are shaped that mascara always smudges on us.. it is the only product that works for us..

“Blinc Kiss Me Mascara is the original tube-technology mascara. It’s invented to form tiny water-resistant “tubes” around your lashes for maximum amplification and hold, rather than painting them like conventional mascaras. Once applied, the tubes bind to your lashes and cannot run, smudge, clump, or flake, even if you cry or rub your eyes.

What else you need to know:
This mascara adds both volume and length, to give you a radiant natural look that lasts all day. Neither water nor pressure alone will remove Kiss Me Mascara. Only the combination of lots of warm water and gentle pressure (no need for harsh makeup removers) will slide the tiny tubes effortlessly off your lashes into your hand. Upon removal, you will actually see the tiny tubes slide into your hand.”
http://ootoberfest.blogspot.com/ Becky

AHH! Thank you for coming out about the Great Lash! I HATE HATE HATE it! And I cannot for the life of me figure out why everyone thinks its so great! Same with the MAC mascara, I bought it and then immediately gave it to my sister.

Maybe I should have prefaced that by saying that I have been on the search for the world’s best mascara for about 8 years now. I’ve tried them all, no joke.

I’m a big fan of the Cover Girl Lash blast, and before they came out with that, the Lash Exact.

You may also try L’oreal Featherlash..which I wore before I went on the Cover Girl kick.

Have you tried the mascara that makes the tubes over your lashes? I kind of want to try it, but I’m afraid…
Kassie

love lancome! dior is FABULOUS as well i switch back and forth btwn. the two
http://www.seejessrun.com Jess

I like the Benefit Badgal Lash for really dramatic eyes. L’Oreal makes a few good ones for cheaper.
Becky

Oooh, L’Oreal Voluminous rules! Nothing else comes close – I buy it in black/brown for everyday and blackest black for evening. I also get the curved brush and it picks up all the little baby lashes on the edges. 10.0!
http://eleaire.wordpress.com Eleaire

I completely agree with you about the Great Lash mascara — *everyone* seems to agree that it’s the best in the business, and I hated it! It killed the curl in my lashes and stuck them all together. Yuck.

As for your “I’d like to try” mascara picks, I SO recommend DiorShow. This is the mascara I use every day, and I love it. I have both the brown and the black (I’m a natural blonde with light lashes so the black only works at night) in waterproof, and there’s no problem with running, curl-killing, or sticky lashes. Mostly, it’s great because it makes your eyes POP! It’s a little pricey, but VERY worth it.

Good luck, and let me know if you try it and like it!
Sally

I have tried them all – trust me and am still on the look-out for ‘The Perfect Mascara’.

Dior Show – good for a night out but HEAVY. And since you enjoy a more natural look and feel, I’d be surprised if you love it. As an aside Voluminous by Loreal is a very, very good drug store approximation to Dior Show: GREAT date night mascara, especially with a smoky look.

Lash Blast – a very good drug store mascara but a little on the flaky side.

My favourite and one I’d recommend you give a try: Maybelline Full and Soft. Very natural, great brush, light feel and few flakes. Try it!

I give these recommendations with the disclaimer that Mascara is the MOST “person specific” of all cosmetics – some will love a mascara that other will despise (Great Lash anyone? I HATE HATE HATE it too).

Happy hunting!
Marie

Clinique High-Impact is the brand I always return to after trying new ones. It can be a little clumpy, but usually it just takes a few more strokes to get it smooth. I love how dark it is – it really makes my eyes pop, and since I pretty much only wear eye makeup, it is a winner in my eyes!
Serena

Hi! I found you through Kath and just had to weigh in on the great mascara debate. I used to use Lancome Defincils – it was my go to, but a woman doing my make-up in a department store swore by the DiorShow. And she was not using Dior make-up on me! I love it. Definitely worth trying despite the price tag.
http://heatherbakes.com/ HeatherBakes

DiorShow is the BEST, but I can rarely bring myself to splurge on it… my best friend swears by Cargo Texas Lash but I’ve to try it.

My standby is the CoverGirl Last Blast, although I haven’t tried the Luxe version. It doesn’t smudge and makes your lashes super thick.

I recently tried the new L’Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes. One end is a primer and the other end is the mascara. It makes your lashes look really long, but the primer contained little fibers that irritated my eyes. No good.
http://heatherbakes.com/ HeatherBakes

Sorry- that’s “I’ve YET to try it” on the Cargo mascara. Duh.
Mara

I have stick straight, short, blonde eyelashes. I have used a PLETHORA of different mascaras. And the winner? Maybelline’s “Full N’ Soft Waterproof” in soft black. I do have to curl my eyelashes for a moment and then put it on. It holds the curl! And it’s not totaly impossible to get off at the end of the day. And your eyelashes are just so fluffy and soft, not all seperated and crunchy. It tops my tries with Clinique, MAC, etc. Weird

Oh yeah, and it’s like $6.50

Do try. Believe me.
Julie

I’ll definitely be trying out some of these mascaras. A few months ago, I went on my own search for the perfect waterproof mascara. I’ve worn waterproof mascaras for years because I need a mascara that doesn’t leave me looking like a raccoon through a gym workout in the morning, a day at the office, then either an evening bike ride or a scuba dive in Lake Michigan. The pay off is that I need to use a mascara remover at the end of the day to get it off, and I find Covergirl’s Mascara Remover to be the best and cheapest.

Recently, when I did my own survey for the best waterproof mascara, I used strictly drugstore mascaras this time, simply because my office is literally right next door to a Walgreen’s Drugstore. Out of probably 15 types of mascaras, only two were worthy. Maybelline Lash Discovery Waterproof with the minibrush, though it’s a bit light, it’s great for daily wear when you don’t want anything big and dramatic. It doesn’t clump or feel sticky. The other one is Maybelline’s Define-A-Lash Waterproof. Pretty big dramatic lashes, but even coverage, no clumping and not sticky. But when you put it on, it’s going to stay in place and you will need remover to get it off. It’s not going to come off with any amount of scrubbing or just soap and water. I sound like an ad for Maybelline, but of all the ones I tried, those two were the only ones from the drugstore that were worth anything. There were some horror stories, as well as several that were just only so-so.
Jessica

Hi – nice blog. I like how your posts are things I talk about with my friends anyway

As far as mascaras go – the Cover Girl Lash Blast is great. I haven’t tried the “Luxe” model, but I’m sure it’s similar to the original. I like the new rubber brushes, they seem to not clump as much. I also don’t like to wear waterproof (unless I’m going to the lake or a wedding!) and this washes off easily with just my cleanser. It doesn’t smudge as much as other brands, but I’ve also found that it helps now that I no longer put it on my lower lashes.

I’m dying to try the Diorshow – but just can’t bear to spend $25 on something that runs out so quickly! (mascara is the one makeup item that I never leave home without)
Kaye

Hands down, the best mascara is DiorShow. I’ve been using it for years!
For a more laid-back light look, I really like the Rimmel mascara that has lycra in it. It’s super cheap and amazing!
http://sweatybride.blogspot.com Holly

Hi! Just found a link to your blog. So cute.

Isn’t a good mascara ridiculously hard to find? By the way, I totally agree about Maybelline Great Lash. I still don’t get it. I don’t know if you have a Mary Kay provider, but I’ve been using their Ultimate mascara for a few years and love it too much to try any other kind.
Courtney

Hi, I found the link to your site on Kath’s blog (I see her above…Hi Kath!) – I love the site so far!

My 2 favorite mascaras these days:

1. Cover Girl Lash Blast!! I got it in my stocking for Christmas and was a little skeptical about it, but it actually does a great job! It doesn’t run at all as the day goes on, it washes off easily, and it gives the lashes a really great “feathery” look! I would definitely recommend!

2. Sephora Ultimate Black mascara. The brush on this mascara does a great job of lengthening and separating lashes, while also giving them a good amount of fullness. They also make waterproof, but I prefer the regular, since it doesn’t require remover either.

Good luck in your hunt!!
Kassie

i love lancome and dior! i mix it up and usually go back and forth between the two. i would definitely reccomend giving dior show a try
http://aforty-somethingsweightlossjourn.blogspot.com/ Shelley

I love Blinc’s Kiss Me mascara – it is totally waterproof – in fact, you have to remove it with water (weird, I know). One good coat and my lashes are set for the day with no clumps or smudges.
humanbeingblog

I have really sensitive, allergy-ridden eyes, which means mascara is hard for me. Great Lash Is The WORST.

Then I found Blinc. This is the ORIGINAL tube mascara. I (heart) it bigtime. It never smears. It does leave weird little eyelash-sleeves in your sink after you wash your face, but nothing else. The little sleeves slide off with warm water and a little pressure.

BTW, being cheap and feeling today’s economy, I recently bought the new imitation “tubes” mascara, L’Oreal Double Extend Tubes Mascara, and it is not good. I have to scrub my eyes to get them off. And I feel like they leave my eyelashes quite anemic.

I’m back to Blinc with my next paycheck.
http://www.lindseyedens.blogspot.com Lindsey E

Oh my!! I have been in this SAME boat for quite some time now myself….and I have tried LOTS of brands and different kinds, and have yet to find one I like!! UGH!! So it’s great to read this b/c you’ve found some that are decent that I haven’t tried!!! Guess I’ll be hitting the store when I get back to the States….
Becky

I too am always on the hunt for a great mascara! I want fake eyelashes in a tube

Diorshow is a bit too clumpy for me… it does make a statement but for $25 I just wasn’t impressed enough.

Loreal Beauty Tubes… goes on ok but didn’t do what it claimed and the little tubes took forever to take off!

My new fav is Cliniques High Impact… it gives great drama and isn’t clumpy at all! Love it!
http://orangesgrowontrees.blogspot.com Stephanie

I’m late on this, but my favorite, FAVORITE mascara is Chanel’s Inimitable Multi-Dimensional Mascara. It’s listed on their website for $30, but Bloomingdale’s sells it for $25 per tube. I know it’s pricey, but out of all the mascaras I’ve ever used, it’s the best. Stays put when you want it to, washes off when you want it to. I feel like my lashes look so full and thick when I’m wearing it. I’ve written ode to Chanel mascara haikus before. This is how much I love it.

I have also used DiorShow. I had a gift card to Sephora, and really did not need ANY new makeup, but heard so many rave reviews of DiorShow, so I chose that. I liked it enough, but next time I needed mascara I went right back to Chanel and haven’t looked back since.
Pingback: The Great Mascara Debate « PinQue
burningstar

Love the blog! I have a drawer full of abandoned mascara…I really was dissapointed with the Diorshow and the Diorshow Blackout…The most luck I’ve had recently is the Maybelline Colossal Volume (the bright yellow tube). I’ve also had a friend reccommend the Fresh Supernova mascara. I’ve tried the Fiberwig mascara (lengthening, but no volume) and the Jillian Dempsey Avon Professional mascara. Both of them have disappointed me as well. Still on the lookout!