December 13, 2004

7:49 PM

MascaraFilter: I have teeny lashes, bad mascara-ing technique, and a need for bigger, non-streaking eyelashes. Would prefer not to go into debt over it. Ladies and some gentlemen; what mascara (non-waterproof) rocks your world?
posted by Haize to (23 comments total)

Never underestimate the power of a good eyelash curler. The shu uemura eyelash curler seriously rocks my world. And at US$16.50, will not break the bank.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:02 PM on December 13, 2004 [1 favorite]

I've found that mascara is like perfume and hair care products: what works fabulously for one person might not work at all for someone else (I'm using up the last of one of those "base coat and colour coat" ones and vowing never to buy another, this is the second one I've tried (I think this one is Revlon), and I won't try another without a very good reason).

That said, my favourites are Max Factor 2000 Calorie (which seems to be the only one I've found that both lengthens and thickens noticeably) and Lancome Amplicils (believe it or not, the Max Factor has a slight edge for me, it does not smudge and looks great).

Also, when I apply mascara, I move the brush back and forth a little bit to coat the whole eyelash, go from the inner lashes to the outer ones, do top then bottom (use the end of the brush for the bottom ones if they're really teeny) and if one coat doesn't do it, apply another after the first has dried (comb out the lashes between coats to avoid clumping, and apply the second coat mostly to the ends). I have never had to apply a second coat of the Max Factor. You might also try a lash conditioner.
posted by biscotti at 8:18 PM on December 13, 2004

Apparently the "best" mascara is Lancome's Definicil (which I use, in Waterproof, and personally feel it's great). My lashes are long naturally, and this stuff makes mine nearly silly. It's not cheap, but I can really tell a difference between Lancome and the "drugstore" brand.

Amplicils is also a good one. Really, any Lancome mascara is good. I used Hypnose for a while, but it's too much umph on my eyes. A lot of department store Lancome counters have very knowledgeable staff, and if you are lucky, a makeup artist there a couple days a week. Our Dillard's does, and if you figure out the artist's schedule (just ask, actually) you can even get them to make you over (for free, usually fun and relaxing, I did this right before my wedding) and you get good tips on application, etc.
posted by Medieval Maven at 8:23 PM on December 13, 2004

I don't have a holy grail mascara but I do know that all the hype about Maybeline Great Lash seems to be bogus. It did nothing for me.

This is a terrific resource for all things girly. You have to register to read the reviews, but it's a free and painless registration and to see what dozens of other women have said about a product, and to be able to sort product categories into top rated or most reviewed or whatnot is fantastic.
The gals over there say Shu Uemura is good. (Much reviewed, very highly rated.) The top rated is Shiseido but it only has a few reviews.
posted by CunningLinguist at 8:27 PM on December 13, 2004

I remember reading somewhere that while your mascara is still 'wet' you should brush on some powder (either eyeshadow or foundation powder), then re-apply mascara, for that really fat-lash look. I also vaguely remember trying it and thinking it worked pretty well, but that it was ultimately too much trouble. A little eyeliner seems to make the lashes look fuller, in any case.

And thanks for that link, Linguist! Nice for those of us who're finally growing out of the tomboy years (in our 40s).
posted by icetaco at 8:37 PM on December 13, 2004

I hear you icetaco. I'm heading for 40 and only just started buying blush and lipstick!
posted by CunningLinguist at 8:45 PM on December 13, 2004

Seconding the importance of an eyelash curler. It doesn't really matter to me what mascara I use, but the difference an eyelash curler makes is phenomenal.
posted by ch1x0r at 9:18 PM on December 13, 2004

My eyes are kind of deepset and my lashes are short, so eyelash curlers never can actually reach my lashes to curl them.
I don't wear mascara that much, but I used to swear by the Estee Lauder standard one that always came with gifts when my mom bought Estee Lauder stuff.
Now I just use one from the Body Shop, because it's cheaper and works pretty well once you give it time to dry. I always wipe off the wand with a tissue to avoid clumping and apply two coats to my whole lash. (If I focus on the ends with the second, they wind up looking weird and unbalanced.)

With any makeup, what works for one person doesn't work for another, so the best thing is to experiment and figure out what works best.
posted by SoftRain at 9:27 PM on December 13, 2004

Great Lash works well for me, especially when I'm feeling stingy. If I had more money, I would use Mary Kay mascara all the time (it's "only" $8.50, but somehow I get distracted by all the other Mary Kay products that I want more). I'm an eye-rubber, so I need something that will stay on.
posted by wallaby at 9:28 PM on December 13, 2004

I use Max Factor Stretch and Separate, and haven't had to use a curler since I got it. I also like to line with dark brown eyeshadow, which makes the lashes look way thicker and more intense.

(So weird to see Makeup Alley on here, since it and Metafilter are the two sites I spend most of my time on. My universe just got smaller.)
posted by evilbeck at 9:36 PM on December 13, 2004

I use the pink and the green (Great Lash) as well, and I have tried every product there is, for the most part, as I am totally addicted to makeup. If you have a problem with a traditonal metal curler, try a plastic one that has curling pads at half the size of the traditional one.
Apply mascara as close to the root of the lash as possible, and only go halfway up for the first coat of mascara. When that is dry, follow up with a full-lash coat. Lashes look silly if entirely fat and even; they look better with a fat base and defined set of tips.
I could go on and on, so I shall stop here.
posted by oflinkey at 9:39 PM on December 13, 2004

Keep going oflinkey! Some of us never learned this stuff and it may soon be too late! I'll take eyeshadow tips too.
posted by CunningLinguist at 9:42 PM on December 13, 2004

But how do you actually "comb" eyelashes?
posted by Haize at 9:52 PM on December 13, 2004

There are several brands now that offer a two in one wand with a base coat and mascara. This allows you to build up some volume first. Also, any of the brands with tiny fibers in addition to the color and wax that is your typical mascara. Makeupalley.com is a great resource although you should realize that in general, they are about 100 times more excited about makeup than you, and many of them are collectors. Every year a few brands and items start lemming runs and the bad reviews don't start appearing until a few months out. Try to view their enthusiasm with a critical eye.
posted by hindmost at 11:31 PM on December 13, 2004

But how do you actually "comb" eyelashes?

With an eyelash comb. I recommend Sonia Kashuk's metal one (from Target), but be careful not to poke your eye out. I started combing my lashes after I read that Audrey Hepburn used to separate each of her lashes with a pin, making it an AUTOMATIC requirement for any self-respecting female--I mean, my god! Audrey Hepburn! Okay, I'm actually not sure if it makes THAT much of a difference (It's one of those products that I'm still in a "Makeup Alley said it's great, so it has to be" cloud about) but it definitely helps get the clumps out when you put on multiple coats.

Other tips that I remember from ten years of reading fashion mags, and that you've probably already heard, are:
1. Don't pump the mascara wand in the tube, because that dries it out more quickly. Twirl it around instead.
2. Blot the mascara wand before applying.
3. Sweep the wand vertically across the tops of your lashes as a finishing touch. VOILA, INSTANT DRAMA!

I also like to put extra on the lashes at the outer corners of my eyes, because I like to think that it lengthens them. True? Maybe, but in my heart of hearts, it doesn't really matter, because....it's fun.
posted by granted at 12:02 AM on December 14, 2004

Oh,way to fake your way into having more lashes by lining your eyes between the lashes with a push brush. Any flat headed stiff nylon brush will do. You dab it in black or brown powder and then gently push the brush down at a 45 degree angle into the thick of your lashes. This fills in the white space between your lashes and makes it seem as if you have more of them than you really do. This is a very subtle technique, not the raccoon-eyed look that you normally associate with dark liner. I have black lashes to begin with and when I do it, it doesn't look like I'm wearing anything at all, I just have more noticeable eyes. I believe Laura Mercier is the make up artist credited with popularizing the technique.
posted by hindmost at 4:16 AM on December 14, 2004

This is the only mascara I'll use, and I've tried a lot. It's SO MUCH BETTER than any of those drug store cosmetics (I'm looking at you Revlon). Never clumps. Nice applicator brush. It's the only make-up that I use every day and is all I need.

The tip about the powder is right on. I always apply my eyeshadow (when I do wear it, which isn't very often) and eyeliner first, and then do the mascara at the very end. That little bit of powder that sticks to your lashes does help thicken them slightly. Though I find it unnecessary to do two coats (unless I'm going for that Tammy Faye look).
posted by MsVader at 5:08 AM on December 14, 2004

wow, I'm headed toward 50 and just started wearing lipstick. I can't imagine wearing anything on/near my eyes though, too sensitive/too silly looking on me.

::will never grow out of the tomboy phase::
posted by kamylyon at 7:03 AM on December 14, 2004

Lancome Defincils and Estee Lauder Illusionist.

As for the powder, the same goes for lipstick. Apply powder to your lips before lipstick and you will get a cleaner line and the lipstick with stay longer. The powder "sets" the color.
posted by Juicylicious at 9:55 AM on December 14, 2004

Wow, I'm so glad that there are others growing out of the tomboy phase well after puberty. I'm 29 and just started wearing makeup, and I'm in love with MAC X mascara. I use dark brown rather than black because I have light hair and small lashes and black is just too extreme for that combination.
posted by gokart4xmas at 10:19 AM on December 14, 2004

With regards to eyelash combs -- I actually took the brush from an empty mascara bottle, washed all the mascara out of it, and use the clean brush as an eyelash comb. Cheap, but works better than most cheap eyelash combs.
posted by occhiblu at 10:27 AM on December 14, 2004

Now I feel really bad about the way I put on mascara this morning. I never really learned how to put on makeup being an only child with a tomboy mother and not many girl friends. I feel I'm armed with some good tips now.

Am I the only person that doesn't put any mascara on her lower lashes? My lower lashes are thin and blonde and if I try to put mascara on them it'll look like two or three brown lashes coming out of the bottom of my eye.
posted by lynda at 12:30 PM on December 14, 2004

No, you're not the only one, lynda. I have the same bottom lashes. What I do with them (when going out or something, not in my regular day to day stuff) is use my eyeliner (one of the crayon types) very, very lightly on my bottom lid along the lash line.

I'm another girl that's starting to come out of the tomboy phase (38 tomorrow!). Thanks for the tips!
posted by deborah at 9:54 PM on December 14, 2004