BeansTalk on Mascara
We wax rhapsodic….
Some people say their must-have, can’t-do-without is concealer (like Shakira, and we know that because she told us for PEOPLE Most Beautiful article), for others, it’s lipstick. But if anyone is putting together the most basic of make-up needs, that includes, in fact, concealer and lipstick (or gloss or balm or whatever you like best), the one thing that will always be included is Mascara.
We’re very, very picky about Mascara because it’s so hard to find the kind of Mascara that isn’t going to clump on our barely-there lashes. For years (and years and years) we only used Almay’s One-Coat. We’ve found others that have been O.K.We know that people rave and rave about Maybelline’s Great Lash and although we have one in our car, we find the bristles are just too far apart and we don’t get really good results.
One heavily advertised Mascara we tried and thought was awful was L’Oreal’s Two-Step Volume Shocking. Not only was it ridiculously expensive ($13 for a drugstore brand), but it was terrible. And even though we carried around the CVS receipt and the bag with it in it to return it, we kept forgetting. This one is definitely all hype. Stay away.
Bourjouis’ Pump Up the Volume (at $13 the same price as that nasty L’Oreal, above) works well, although it’s not the best. It does, however, come in a whole bunch of pretty colors if you’re interested in that kind of thing. At $23, Dr. Hauschka’s Mascara is over-priced and suffers from the too-far-apart bristle ailment.
Although very expensive at $25, we can also highly recommend Kevyn Aucoin’s The Mascara, which comes in volumizing and curling (www.KevynAucoin.com). It works beautifully, although our only complaint isn’t related to the quality of the mascara itself, it’s that the metal tube is very long and hard to fit in our make-up case.
We also follow the rule (although where we first heard it is long lost in our tiny brain) of using only the blackest black Mascara and have no complaints.
So here you go, we’ve picked our two top Mascaras (although Aucoin’s came very close to Anastasia’s, hers was pretty much just as good, if not a tiny bit better, and is more affordable, as a Splurge would go).
Our Splurge and Our Steal Mascara Picks
Splurge: Anastasia Lash Embrace, $18
An essential for lashes. This all-in-one formula lengthens, thickens, and defines - without smearing, smudging or clumping. With special conditioning and strengthening ingredients for beautiful, luscious lashes. -Apply two or three coats of mascara, letting dry between each application. On top lashes, always brush the underside, from base to tip. -On bottom lashes, brush only the topside. Net Wt. 0.21 oz./6g. Made in USA By Anastasia Beverly Hills www.anastasia.net
Steal: Max Factor, Stretch & Separate Mascara, $7
Stretch & Separate Mascara delivers volume, separation and length to lashes. The incredibly smooth formula can literally transform lashes, lengthening and seperating from root to tip for the look of twice as many lashes. Available in intense colors, Stretch & Separate clings without clumping or smudging, yet easily removed with Long Lasting Makeup Remover, available separately. The hypoallergenic formula is suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. www.drugstore.com and any drugstore near you.
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