Tuesday 1 October 2013

#theSOproject Mascara



Mascara is my desert island product, the one cosmetic item that I would choose over all others if I could only have one.  I have such pale eyelashes that look short and stumpy until I give them a good coat or two and then I feel normal again!  I still remember the first time I tried mascara when I was 11 or 12.  The Body Shop came to my Guides meeting to give a demo, and from that day on I have been hooked!

Mascara is basically used to define and colour your lashes, giving them thickness and length.  Some mascaras focus on giving your lashes volume while others extend their length.  Some give a natural look and some offer a dramatic effect.  As I have said every week so far, choosing what is right for you comes down to personal preference - your preferred style and what nature gave you to work with.  Stores and concessions often have samples available or will try out their products on you if you sit down for a consultation so experiment away!  You will soon find what works for you.



Applying mascara can get a while to get used to but I find that once you get the hang of it, you will be able to put it on yourself better than a make up artist can.
  • Try and get right from root to tip to lengthen your lashes. 
  • Build up the coats before each layer dries to add volume - you will soon find out how many times you can do this with your mascara before it goes spidery - each one is different.
  • Use the tip of your mascara wand to get to the outer corner lashes.
  • Apply other eye make up such as primer, shadow and liner BEFORE your mascara - it's just so much easier that way!
  • I always curl my lashes first using these from No. 7.  I heat them a bit with my hair dryer to set the curl better.
  • Replace your mascara when it dries out or after around 3 months, whichever is sooner.  And definitely straight away if you get an eye infection.


I prefer to use a black mascara that offers length and a bit of volume - not too natural but not too thick and spidery.  These days, I tend to go for a waterproof mascara because they usually have better staying power and will neither budge nor smudge even after a long day at work and a visit to the gym.  If you go waterproof, make sure you have a good oil-based eye make up remover on hand such as this one from No. 7.




I have a few mascaras but have two clear favourites:

L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic Waterproof Mascara £10.99 
This is what I wear almost every single day.  1 coat gives long, thick, clump-free lashes that last all day at work.  Layered, it gives a wow effect for the evening.  I don't have one bad word to say about this mascara; it really is the best I have ever tried, better than lots of high-end brands.




Benefit They're Real £19.50 
This mascara really does offer the incredible results it claims to - it gives me lashes I never thought possible!  The one downside is that it dries out in the tube quite quickly and goes clumpy after a few weeks, in less time than I would usually expect to change my mascara.




What is your favourite mascara?

Leave your link if you have done a mascara post!



17 comments:

  1. You have brought back memories for me!!! I remember being in either the brownies or guides and going to the body shop to try samples!

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  2. This is such a detailed blog and it looks like you put so much effort into it, which is great to see! I love it :-) Well done! Just told my twitter followers to check it out :)
    Please come over and check out my blog & give it some feedback while you're there.. http://hannahsbubbe.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/starting-off-mascara-ubc.html xxx

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    1. Thanks lovely, that's so nice to hear! Commented on yours too.

      Rebecca x

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  3. I love that you did eye photos for this week :) Really helpful! I think I might try that L'Oreal one the next time I have to change my mascara :)
    Are those minis all samples from counters, or just minis from gift sets?
    My SO post is here if you want to take a look :) The Oxford Owl

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    1. You should, it's the best I've used!

      The They're Real ones are from a magazine freebie (got loads of copies of Elle that month!), the Chanel and Bobbi Brown were free, BareMinerals, Smashbox and No7 were Gift With Purchase and I can't remember about the Bad Gal!! Maybe bought it cheap from Boots?

      Going to check yours out now!

      Rebecca x

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    2. Haha, I like that someone else stashes magazines for freebies! :)

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  4. I love how well presented this post is, and some of the mascaras in that first pic look fab. I bought my full size smashbox mascara due to receiving a mini size as a sample before too! Really great post!
    Kammi
    xx

    http://beautybookblog.com

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    1. Thanks lovely! Smashbox is so good - have you tried any of their eyeshadows? I got a palette from my AUnt and they're lovely, really soft and blendable.

      Rebecca x

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  5. I love the look of the thick and fast wand and the L'Oreal Telescopic looks amazing on you. Jeeze I always love your posts.

    Hannah xxx
    http://adayinthelifeofanortherngirl.blogspot.com

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    1. It really is amazing - it lasts like that til the end of the day too!

      Thanks hun!

      Rebecca x

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  6. Such a fab post. I love that you discussed the brush types xxx

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    1. Thanks lovely - it was tricky to do without getting mascara streaks everywhere!

      Rebecca x

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  7. Wow, this post is so detailed! and you have so many mascaras to show off too. I'm quite into the not so natural, but not so thick ones too.. and waterproof during raining seasons, I've tried the L'Oreal Telescopic waterproof one in the past and I do like it a lot. :)

    Beauty from the Fjord xxx

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    1. Thanks! I do tend to stick to one or two though, usually when I use the others I get disappointed and go straight back to my faves!

      Rebecca x

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  8. My favourite mascara has to be the L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara - it's sooo good :D xx
    Gemma | Miss Makeup Magpie

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    1. Ah I've not tried that one yet but L'Oreal are the best I think!

      Rebecca x

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Hi, I love to read all your lovely comments. Let me know if you stop by!
Rebecca x