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So it takes a lot for me to rave about a new beauty product, but I really do love this mascara that I recently bought, They're Real! from Benefit. I'm not sure if it's the formula, the brush, or what, but this is my new go-to for a night out. The mascara adds a ton of length, drama, and va-va-va-voom to my eyelashes. I have the mini size, available for $10 from Sephora; the full size is $22.
On a day-to-day basis I'm liking (but not loving) Lancome's Defencils; prior to that I loved L'Oreal's Voluminous for daily wear.
Readers, which are your favorite mascaras (both drugstore and high-end)? Have you found any other new rave-worthy beauty products?
(L-all)
cbackson
Make Up Forever smokey lash. It almost looks like I have on false eyelashes. I got it as a sample from Sephora and loved it so much I bought the full size.
TO Lawyer
YES THIS! Ok sorry I’m over excited but I love the MUFE mascara so much. I’ve tried a ton of other ones – both at Sephora and at the drugstore and they’re all fine but nothing like smokey lash.
Equity's Darling
I loved how “They’re Real” made my lashes look, but it was probably the most irritating mascara I’ve ever used, awful.
MB
I agree with this, although I didn’t even particularly love how it made my lashes look. Sure, they were long, but they were kind of spindly and separated, rather than lush and full. Plus, it dried out in a hot minute and left me with flakes all over my face.
I use Maybelline Colossal Volume and its great.
My favorite recent beauty purchases are: YSL foundation (never knew I needed foundation, but its a game changer – my skin looks so much better and all of my other make-up looks so much better on top of it), Nars the Multiple (perfect leave in your purse tool to brighten your face after a long day – I got the rose color, and Nars lip pencils (they are kind of a pain because you have to sharpen them, but I love the saturated, yet glossy colors).
Old standbys are Bobbi Brown long-wear eye pencil (so smooth, so long lasting), Tarte Amazonian clay blush (so bright, so long lasting) and Benefit Coralista powder (I like to layer it over the bright blush to tone it down a bit).
Also, brow powder is a game changer. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a little instant lift to their face.
afl73
Did you get the new Touche Éclat YSl foundation? I’ve been tempted, but hadn’t heard any reviews yet. What do you think?
AIMS
It’s amazing. One of the only ones I have tried that doesn’t look cakey at all (the other is Chanel). My skin just looks dewey and glowing with it. It also smells amazing.
For mascara, I really love Laura Mercier volume mascara. It makes my lashes look really lush and is not irritating. I used to be obsessed with LOreal Voluminous but it’s not the same as it used to be. Benefit is okay but I love LM so much more.
afl73
Bought the YSL foundation today at lunch for 15% off at the Sephora VIB sale. Hoping it’s as good as advertised. Also, blinc has a new volumizing mascara. Will be trying it tomorrow.
AttiredAttorney
Sooo glad no one has said “the pink and green tube!” I hate that stuff with a passion.
I’m a fan of CoverGirl Lashblast in the orange tube. It takes practice to apply (start at the base of the lash, wiggle as you go up, lots and lots of coats), but it last the longest and looks the best of all the drugstore mascaras I’ve tried.
CKB
This is my fave too – bonus that it’s inexpensive as well!
Tritto
Me too. I also like the price. I can’t stomach paying more than $10 for mascara
Maggie
+1 for LashBlast.
Pippi
I love Fiberwig.
RR
Courtesy of my birchbox subscription, I’ve been using blinc mascara, which is one of the ones that coats your lashes in a “tube” purportedly. I don’t understand how it works, but it’s absolutely no clump. Love the stuff.
Equity's Darling
I bought that one a while ago, and I stopped using it because I felt like it took too much rubbing/pulling to get the “tubes” off my lashes, and like I was pulling my lashes out each time I took it off. I agree re: no-clump though, and it definitely stays on for long days/nights.
afl73
Blinc is fabulous – I’ve been using it since it was “Kiss my Lips” – why lips, I have no idea, but anyway. The key to not feeling like you are pulling out your lashes is lots of water – if you have an insufficient amount, the tubes don’t seem to release properly.
Biggest Bonus of Blinc – I can make it through a Bikram yoga class with it on for those times I can’t take my makeup off before class.
Jay
I love Blinc too. I’ve been using it for years and have never had a problem getting it to come off easily.
n.
I use Blinc almost exclusively now because I have terrible problems with smudging and dark circles under my eyes when I use other mascaras. I don’t think that it makes my lashes look as nice as other mascaras, but I do love that the stuff is totally bomb proof. I can wear into spin class and still come out the other end looking fine.
afl73
Just bought a new blinc that is supposed to be volumizing. Hoping it solves the few shortcomings of the original.
SnarkyAtLaw
I’m also a big fan of Blinc (via Birchbox) for any day I won’t need a touchup later on. It’s also great for running — yes I’m one of those annoying women who runs with mascara on. Race pictures, yo! It’s pricey at $26, but it seems to last forever in the tube.
If I’m going to want to freshen up later in the day for dinner or happy hour I use Elizabeth Arden’s Ceramide Lash Extender mascara. It’s never hardens so I can run a comb through it hours after application and put on another coat, it lengthens a lot, and it has peptides and proteins that [ostensibly] help boost growth. If it came in a waterproof formula I’d probably use that exclusively. Also, it was essentially free in my Costco Elizabeth Arden 2-pack: $20 for the mascara (retail $20) and Visible Difference night cream (retail $50). Crazy.
anon
Yes, it lasts forever! I always throw it out after a year just because that’s crazy old for mascara but it’s never even gone by then. I wear it probably 300-350 days a year.
Nellie
I made it my life’s work to find a long-wearing, smudge proof mascara that isn’t waterproof (b/c a separate remover is a deal-breaker for me). My favorites are Clinique High Impact and Trish McEvoy High Volume. They look great and don’t run or smudge, and come off with my normal face wash. Also, no animal testing, which is important to me for cosmetics.
Susie
How bad is it to not remove? I usually just wash my face in the shower but don’t use a specific product. I usually use a light coat of drugstore mascara (generally CoverGirl, Maybeline or Revlon) – I think (?) waterproof.
L
Oh please remove it. Mascara can get stuck in your eyeball and cause all sorts of problems. Your eyeballs will thank you. A quick swipe of baby oil and you should be good to go.
Nellie
OK, so maybe I was wrong below about it not being bad…hadn’t thought about eyeball safety!
Nellie
I don’t think it’s “bad” not to remove the waterproof stuff; I just couldn’t get away with it. My face wash wouldn’t remove it all, and then I’d get dark circles as it eventually melted off. So I had to use the separate oil-based remover to get it off before washing. It’s all of a 30-second process, but I’d rather just wash and go.
Susie
I haven’t had any discomfort or eye problems, and don’t have smudging/streaking (unless I’m just completely oblivious to it, which would be kind of embarrassing). I usually do one pretty light coat in the morning, no shadow or liner, so there isn’t a whole lot there.
veranda
I love tube mascaras! They come off when immersed in water (crying doesn’t count) and that is it. I used to keep eye makeup remover at work so I could wipe it under my eyes at lunch to get rid of the owl eyes I got from regular mascara. Trish McEvoy Lash Curling Mascara is my favorite, and L’oreal Infallible Double Extend Beauty Tubes is a good drugstore version (although it is a two step process, which is kind of a pain). I’ll have to try the blinc.
jcb
I’d love to hear how you think the Blinc compares to the other ones. I’ve been using Blinc exclusively for years bc of the same owl eye issue, but maybe it’s time to branch out. My one complaint about Blinc is that it really doesn’t add any length or volume. It’s great for daytime, but sometimes you want something with more oomph.
chi squared
You might try Too Faced Lash Injection. It’s a “tube” mascara that volumizes more than Blinc. But I think it flaked a little more than Blinc, especially after a couple months of use (the tube seemed to dry out very quickly).
afl73
Hated the lash injection. Bought it in the small size to try out and retired it after two uses – doesn’t even compare to blinc.
veranda
I tried the Blinc. I liked it, and love that it comes in shades of brown (the Trish McEvoy does not). It is definitely a more dainty natural look, but to be fair I am comparing the dark brown in Blinc to the black in the others. I think you will like either of the other two for nighttime/oomph factor.
Joanna Toews
Of all the mascaras I’ve tried, Diorshow has been the best. Too rich for my regular budget, though. I’ve been using Rimmel Scandaleyes recently and have been quite happy with it.
mascot
Urban Decay-Big Fatty. Stays on really well, but requires eye makeup remover to get it all off. It doesn’t irritate my contacts and doesn’t require a mascara primer to look good.
Sharon
Anyone here done lash extensions? I have been doing so for about 2 months; it’s pricey, but I love it. It opens up my eyes and I don’t even need to wear eye makeup anymore to look “done.” Great for travel, too.
L
I’m really interested in it, but I’m a bit freaked out on where to go. I see it advertised at nail salons and spas, but glue near my eye worries me. What type of place do you get yours done?
Meg Murry
There was an article here a while back with a guest poster about lash extensions. I was a bit horrified at the time and $ commitment – but then again, I still cringe at my once every 6 weeks $50 haircut and do pretty much all other grooming at home, no waxing or other treatments. But if it makes you look good, feel good and fits in your budget, I’m not going to judge. (Unless you are doing it in lieu of feeding and clothing your children or something – that I would judge, but otherwise, have fun with your long lashes!)
The article is here: [thissite]. com / 2011/09/14/beauty-wednesday-lash-extensions-and-the-professional-woman/
Sharon
The initial application took 1 hr 15 minutes, the touchups (every 3 weeks) take about 45 minutes. I live in the suburbs of a major city and there are quite a few of these lash extension salons opening these days; they look like any other upscale salon except that they specialize only in lashes. I was enticed by a Groupon but then bought a package and continued with it.
The lashes do fall out slowly over the 3 weeks in between fills, but even so, it’s still a lot thicker than one’s normal / regular lashes, so it’s not terribly noticeable.
I’m pleased — it is an expense, but my package is for 9 months so it’s relatively cheap, and honestly, I can get up, put on some moisturizer and lip gloss or lip stick and I’m fully ready to go. It just makes your eyes look more alive. I have an unusual eye color (sort of a blue-green) and it really brings out the color. But it’s subtle enough that it just looks as though you put a lot of mascara on and curled your eyelashes. It doesn’t look fake. Unless you want it to, that is!
Equity's Darling
How long do they seem to last? I’m worried about the idea of looking patchy when they start to shed.
lawsuited
They definitely look patchy after about a week as your natural lashes shed. They look great, but are expensive and time consuming to maintain, don’t last long, you can’t wear eye makeup and have to be careful with eye cream and any other product that might contain oil near your eyes, and you can’t even rub your eyes when the lashes poke your eyeballs! But they really do look great….for a week.
Brooklyn, Esq.
I thought about it for my wedding, but decided to go with false eyelashes instead. But maybe for my (belated) honeymoon this year? I’d love not to have to do makeup while traveling! Sharon, how did you find the place where you get it done?
eek
I have a colleague that does this. They look great; she would otherwise have no eyelashes. She makes an appt online, shows up, and is out of there. This is in DC.
Leslie
I LOVE Maybelline Full & Soft Mascara. I’ve tried others occassionally, but I never like them as much.
Anonymous
In the past year or so, I’ve been through Make Up Forever’s Smoky Lash, Sephora’s Full Action Extreme Effect, and YSL’s Faux Cils, but I keep coming back to Benefit’s Bad Gal Plum. Great length, doesn’t clump, and even though it’s technically plum, it looks like black on and makes my eyes look greener.
jcb
Plum sounds fun. Maybe I’ll go check that one out. Do you ever have issues with smudges on your lower lids?
Anonymous
It isn’t waterproof, so if I get any smudges I just take them off with a moist Q-tip.
ChristineIsPink
I love Maybelline’s The Falsies. Amazing. I show my friends a picture I took with one eye “done” and the other just plain to show them how awesome this mascara is. It’s seriously like wearing false lashes. I uses to always use a curler prior to my mascara but now all I need is two coats of The Falsies and no curler. One drawback is that the formula gets clumpy/thick pretty quickly but I buy a new tube every 3 months so not a huge problem for me.
dancinglonghorn
+1
I love this mascara and I find it easy to apply.
Lynnet
Anyone have a recommendation for a mascara that doesn’t feel like it’s on? I used to (5+ years ago) use a Neutrogena one that was amazing, and I still haven’t been able to find a replacement. Mascara really irritates my eyes, especially when I’m looking at the computer alot, so I really need one that’s light.
Merabella
Are you talking about the wax one they used to have? I loved that stuff.
Seattle Freeze
I remember that one – it was more like a lash tint than a mascara. I’ve been using CoverGirl Exact Eyelights for everyday lately – it’s pretty lightweight and unclumpy (though I do wipe the wand on a tissue before applying).
Anon
GeoGirl might be a good replacement
WestCoast Lawyer
I like Clinique’s Naturally Glossy Mascara. It separates and darkens without getting thick or clumpy and my lashes still feel soft when it’s on.
Lynnet
Thanks for the recommendations everyone, I’m making notes and will have to check all of these out!
Merabella- I don’t know what was in it, but the name was something like “weightless volume.” I’m pretty sure it was a mascara rather than a tint, though.
mintberrycrunch
I actually really like BareMinerals mascara – makes my eyes look wide awake and my lashes look full, and I haven’t had issues with it rubbing off. I got it as a gift from my mom, and thought – why in the world would I use BareMinerals mascara? but I was hooked as soon as I tried it!
NYC
Agree, love the stuff. I think I got a sample in a birch box and eventually bought the full size. But now I’m using some other sample (clinique?) and it seems fine. My main considerations are 1) does it irritate my eyes and 2) does my normal face washing get it off.
Diorshow was a mess getting off, even with eye make up remover!
MB
I like this one too. I think I got a sample from Sephora once and have since purchased a tube. It makes my lashes really full and thick.
Alanna of Trebond
Wow! I really like this as well, and I have never heard anyone else say they like it.
Notalawyer
I like Bare Minerals too, it was my previous go-to. I switched to They’re Real a few months ago as it seems less likely to smudge throughout the day with my oily eyes.
However, I think the BM has the edge on brush design.
springtime
I love the Givenchy one with the 3 round ball-shapes on the wand. It’s similar to dior show. Problem? It’s $30!!!
Anyone have a cheaper alternative that’s similar in formulation? I think peoples favorites really depend on the type of lashes you have and what formulation works best for those.
a passion for fashion
I have recently started using Clarins mascara, which unfortunately comes with a similar price tag. But, it is the best mascera I have ever used. ever. my lashes look fantastic — long and full — but its wearable in the daytime. no idea if its the formula or brush, but i dont care b/c its so awesome.
anonymous
I will second Diorshow. I love that stuff.
Greener Apple
I love it, too! It has never yet clumped on me.
I’ve tried Benefit’s They’re Real and it felt a bit too thick.
anon in-house
Eh, I’ve tried 3 samples and full size of Dior Show and they all dried out in no time.
Merabella
My fancy favorite is Laura Mercier’s Faux Lash Mascara, my drugstore favorite is Cover Girl’s Lashblast 24 hour (black tube).
The Laura Mercier gives me fuller lucious lashes, but the CG is way less expensive.
Merabella
I have leaky eyes, so these are great for long wear without gooping up beneath my eyes. Before I always had to do waterproof mascara to combat my eyes watering and ruining my make up.
Marilla
This mascara (in a mini size) is in the Sephora birthday present this year. It’s a good mascara but a pain in the butt to remove — I think I will stick with the orange tube CoverGirl for most mascara days. The new green “Clump Crusher” one is supposed to be excellent too.
anon in-house
I just got it for my bday too, but didn’t have a harder time removing it than other mascaras (which are all generally a pain to remove for me).
Anon
I got the birthday sample too and wasn’t impressed in the least. I wonder if the full size is better
Circe
I love the Julep mascara (there’s one in black and one in brown). http://www.julep.com/shop/beauty-and-body/american-beauty-volumizing-mascara.html It’s not clumpy and you can layer it for more effect.
LaLa
I double up – MAC Opulash or Clinique High Impact with Clinique Lash Power over top – the tubes seal the regular mascara pretty well and make everything waterproof. I’d like to try Blinc or Fiberwig. Maybelline Full n Soft and L’Oreal Telescopic used to be favorites of mine, but both Maybelline and L’Oreal use animal testing. I don’t like any of the mascaras from any of the cruelty-free drugstore brands.
Online dating question
I just ended a very long term relationship and have never been single in the world of online dating.
At the encouragement of my friends, I am thinking about jumping in. However, I have one major issue, my ex is already on the online dating sites (I won’t even get into the fact that he was already on within days of our relationship ending.) Is there some sort of way that I can block him from coming up in my searches and vice versa?
AttiredAttorney
On match, once you see his picture pop up in a search return, there’s a little “x” icon you can click to never ever see him again.
Online dating question
Will he still be able to see me though?
Anonymous
You can block him from seeing you on match. (Google for full instructions.) Good for you in taking this step!
NYC
Random makeup post, for those who care: I ordered a bunch of stuff from the FLOWER line (by Drew Barrymore, available at Walmart) and have been pleasantly surprised! I most like the lip butter and the cream blush. I ordered the waterproof mascara, too, which was well reviewed (but haven’t tried it yet, since I only use waterproof mascara if I’m going to weddings).
onehsancare
I got the Buxom Sculpted Lash Mascara in the PopSugar box a month or two ago and I’m thinking that I like it a lot! One swipe and I look like I’m wearing false eyelashes, it’s easy to remove, and it doesn’t smudge.
Anon
I’m a fan of Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips mascara. Black on one side, purple on the other, and makes my lashes so lush.
Crystal
Love They’re Real by Benefit. Urban Decay’s Big Fatty is another mascara that is fab. I recommend either to my brides if they opt out of extensions for their big day.
312
I’m loving origins ginzing Mascara!
Rhonda Lane
A couple of Birchboxes ago, I got an Eyeko Skinny Mini liquid eyeliner. It goes on well and lasts pretty well, too.
Lily-Student
UK ladies, the Boots Natural Collection mascaras (the £1.99 ownbrand range) and lipsticks are rather good if you’re in a bind. For mascaras, the LashCurl and LashBuild ones are both good, and I know lots of people use the clear one as a brow gel. For lipsticks, Rose Bud is the prettiest natural pink I own.
Anonymous
Additionally, Boots moisturizing mask is the best eye make-up remover I’ve ever found.
Jen
I can’t believe no one mentioned Maybelline’s Mega Plush or Rocket mascaras–I alternate between them, and love them both. Mega Plush leave the lashes really soft and natural looking, and the Rocket makes them super long and full. I get compliments all the time on these and tell everyone I know about them because I am totally obssessed. I can’t wait to try the Benefit mascara, though–I have heard rave reviews elsewhere, and am glad so many of you ladies confirm that you like it.
Ellen
Other then LIPSTICK, which the Manageing partner makes me wear to COURT, I do NOT use any makeup what so ever. My dad said when I was a little girl that I was a NATURAL beauty and do NOT need to Paint myself to look good. So I do NOT, and so far, NO one has COMPLEAINED. Even the guy’s like me to have my NATURAL look. THE ONLEY thing I do (other then the RED Lipstick) is to wear SCHRUNCHIES in the office or when I work out and it is TO HOT to let my hair down. FOOEY when the Manageing Partner want’s my hair down when the temparature in the OFFICE IS HOT! DOUBEL FOOEY if he is listeneing!
Anonymous
Love this mascara. I also use Latisse, and together with this mascara, it almost looks like I have extensions in (and my normal eyelashes were super short and not very thick).
WM
I LOVE this stuff – Benefit’s They’re Real. Love, love, love it. I do not find it to be irritating at all, and I honestly feel like mascara now literally transforms me from ragged mom to polished! I love this stuff!
KatieC
Trish McEvoy’s curl mascara is my HG. As mentioned, it is a tube masara and it doesn’t come off until you wash your face and wet your lashes. I spent years thinking I looked tired (which wasn’t surprising during the first several years out of law school) until I realized my masara was gradually smudging and leaving shadows under my eyes. It is expensive but I’ve not found another mascara that comes close to being as good.
Debs
I use the Benefit They’re Real mascara and have for about 6 months now. It makes my lashes long and thick, it doesn’t smudge or flake and lasts all day. It really is the best I have used and I will now not be changing. It’s a little on the expensive side but is worth it – I will just have to get it tax free when I go travelling.