Best Mascara Ever - Do You Have One?

I love love love the Benefit Bad Gal Mascara.  I love the blue version as well as the black (and I need waterproof formulas too - which both colors come in).  My one problem is that it does seem to dry out faster than other mascaras I've had, which, at $19 a pop is less than ideal.  So I've been trying other mascaras - a million others, it seems like, but I've yet to find anything I like half as much.  So I may be heading back to the Benefit and just considering it the cost of doign business...

Hands down the best mascara is Loreal Voluminous. It doesn't smudge or flake and it makes my lashes long and thick. I've tried all kinds of mascara that claim to be flake proof but none are as good as Voluminous. I can't wear anything that flakes due to an eye condition I have. I think it's just around $8 and it lasts quite a while.

My husband and two sons have long, beautiful lashes.  I don’t.  Such is
life.  Every few months, I try a new mascara.  This is still my current
favorite.  It actually makes my lashes look full (with no yucky
clumps).

Kimberly/Mom in the City

Oh Susan, this is my area of expertise! If I had a penny for every mascara I've bought over the years, I'd.......probably be able to buy even more mascara.

My current fave is L'Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes, which I wrote about here: http://nothingbutbonfires.com/?q=node/604. Suffice to say, I love it.

A close runner-up is L'Oreal Bare Naturale (very natural looking, just like the name!) in Barely Black. I have no particular allegiance to L'Oreal; these two just happen to be my go-tos at the moment. 

I'm also a big fan of Max Factor's Voluminash (I think that's what it's called -- it's in a dark grey tube and there's something about volume in there. Actually, I've liked every Max Factor mascara I've ever tried.) 

Let us know how you get on!

Seriously, I have my mom's thin lashes and I've tried EVERYTHING!  I got this one and I don't even have to use the waterproof version.  LOVE IT.

OK, I think that has a lot to do with skin type...for example, my friend with dry skin can use the same exact everything as me, but it will stay put all day with almost no touch ups.

I have had great success, however, by patting Laura Mercier's translucent powder around my eyes after they are done (it's meant for shine, so either way, it is going to keep things matte and oilfree). I also never apply my eyeliner to bare skin. I spread a tiny bit of the YSL Touche Eclat concealer first, then some kind of light eyeshadow (even if it is imperceptible), then the liner on top.

My liners are all by Clinique (I know, middle school, but they are cheap and glide on well) and twist up so that I don't have to sharpen them.

http://www.somewherethesunisrising.com

to tell you to try DiorShow Blackout--I mean, I even got my cheapo mom hooked on this stuff--then I continued reading.

Now I'm deflated.

However, I will say that I conducted a very accurate scienfitically approved mascara trial (at home in my bathroom), and the closest drugstore option to the thickening and lenthening power of DiorShow with no smudging was, in fact, L'Oreal Voluminous. Despite my love of overpriced designer mascara, I usually keep a tube of Voluminous on hand for unexpected eyelash emergencies. 'Cause you just never know...

 Tamia

Nothing to wear? Visit TheStyleSample.com

A personal style blogazine for young professionals

Another one recommending L'Oreal Voluminous. I love it and find that the waterproof is in fact quite waterproof. I even wear it in the ocean or white water rafting and have no smudges. Good luck with the search! :)

Definitely agree on that one!  Mascara is my beauty holy grail (due to some oily skin issues, it never stays), and I'm very happy with this one.  It's very hard to get it to clump, it stays on even if I overheat, and lasts for a full day.

We're working on a three-part series on Six Minute Style on cosmetics (drug store, department store and splurge) to determine best buys and recommedations. To date, we've filmed the drug store beauty episode and all our research has shown that the very best mascara is ... Maybelline Great Lash (yes, the pink bottle with the green cap that we all knew and loved in high school). We surveyed users, make-up artists and did a thorough search on the Web and in beauty books.  

Adding to my conviction was the fact that when I was acting in Denver and Los Angeles most of the on-set make-up artists were using this very brand. I was off-set buying Mac and other pricey brands, yet the pros were completely content with the drug store variety. 

I have to admit, we have yet to research the new "tubes" and are looking forward to seeing if they are worth all the buzz and excitement. I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, you can check out "Drug Store Beauty" on the Six Minute Style site at http://sixminutestyle.com/PE_July2008_DrugStoreBeauty.html. 

If you have department store and/or splurge cosmetic recommendations, I'd love to hear them as we are prepping now for the other two episodes.

Susan Doherty

Six Minute Style

Little Show. Big Ideas

www.sixminutestyle.com (& http://sixminutestyle.blogspot.com/)

I have the solution for you!  Have you tried Too Faced Lash injection?  It is great.  There are two formulas and I recommend using them both together.  First, use the regular lash injection.  It is waterproof, has an enormous brush, and the formula is both lengthening and volumizing.  It is a beauty tube formula, so it stays on very well, and does a great job creating that doe-eyed look.  After use apply one coat of the regular Lash Injection to the top lashes only, I would apply the Pinpoint Lash Injection (smaller brush, slightly different formula with more of a lengthening effect) to the tips of the top lashes and all of the bottom lashes, you will have a great, clump-free effect that, I swear, looks like a very classy version of flase eyelashes.  I have had so many people compliment me on my lashes while using this combination.  The lashes are high-impact, but they don't scream "look at all the mascara I'm wearing."  It just looks like you are blessed with knock-out lashes.

Both are available at Ulta or Sephora.  Good luck and I hope this helps!

I read thru the entire string of posts and was surprised no one mentioned Lancome's Definicils.  I have long but thin lashes and it does what a mascara should.  LOVE LOVE LOVE this mascara.  Although it does come in wateproof I don't use it as I've never had a problem with smuging or flaking. 

LaughingGirl 

You don't have control of the things around you, but you do have control of how you respond to them!

I've tried many of the "best" mascaras, have close friends in the make-up industry and have a mother who enjoys products as much as I do. What I've realized is:

Every person's lash preferences are their own. One mascara doesn't suit every lash.

I'm a big fan of Maybelline Lash Stylist-- I love the comb wand and have received several compliments on the streets of Manhattan wearing it due to intense length and separation of lashes.  

I entirely agree with your take on DiorShow.  This is the world's most overrated mascara. Whoever they've paid to plug them is doing an amazing job in selling this blah product.

Good luck in finding what works for you!