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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Quaker has a new product out, “True Delights” which I first got a sneak peek of when my friend Kath went to the Quaker weekend in Chicago. Well Quaker is giving away a FREE SAMPLE and I know everyone loves a free sample. GET YOUR FREE SAMPLE NOW! I haven’t had a chance to try these yet, so I will be signing up for my sample so I can test them out. I have heard great things and of course oats and healthy eating are always in style. Each healty treat weighs in at 140 calories, 3 grams of fiber and has 10 grams of OATS.

Quaker True Delights

Ok, so today was not the most exciting outfit ever, but hey who reads this anyways? See the problem is I have a very creative job, but because of the fact that I work in government, I am not allowed to wear anything remotely funky or stylish. So I have to try to keep it pretty plain jane for work and spruce it up on the weekends when we decide to get out of the house. So how do you spice up your style in such a straight-edge job atmosphere?

So today was a rather bland camel, cable knit sweater (GAP), fringed scarf, earrings, and bracelet (from random places when I live in Charleston), cream pants (The Limited), and camel colored boots (not sure of the brand, but ordered from Piperlime a while back).

PS. I am still working on my camera skills, our camera isn’t the best (hence the reason I WANT this)

Here is a list of my fab five must haves for my hair:

1. My Stylist, my Aunt Cathy! Sorry I wish I had a photo of her on my laptop, but she is one of the most beautfiul people inside and out, not to mention a great hair stylist. She has been doing my hair for as long as I can remember and even when I lived far away, I would drive 3 hours for my hair appointments because I just don’t trust anyone else. I can just go in and she cuts, colors and styles my hair without me ever explaining what I want! Seriously, if you live in the Queen City pay her a visit at Images on 51, you won’t be dissapointed.

2. Biosilk Hair Therapy – Just a dime size drop of this product will leave your hair looking shiny and healthy all day long. It can be used on long or short hair and smooths down flyaways and frizz in a snap. It is especially great in our humid southern summers!

Biosilk

3. Baybliss Hair Straightener – This hair straightener that provides just the right amount of heat without completely frying my hair. I highly suggest investing in a quality straightener if you are going to use one daily. Otherwise you might need a lot more of that Biosilk to control the frizz! I also have the hair dryer that goes along with this and it is wonderful as well.

Baybliss Hair Straightener

4. & 5. Hair Clip and Boar Bristle Round Brush – Everyone is always asking me how I get my hair to look so nice, and the answer is a great stylist and learning to style it yourself. The key is to take a little bit of extra time to dry your hair (if straight) in sections, while clipping other sections away from your face, then smooth down any flyways or frizz. A lot of times if you dry your hair correctly, you won’t even need to use a flat iron afterwards.

Hair Clip and Boar Bristle Brush

What are your favorite hair products or accessories? Do you have any tips or tricks that help you get a great style?