To the New Year and New Mascaras

Hey ladies and gentlemen!

After a few months of being AWOL on this blog, I've finally come back for the new year of 2014.  Here's to new years' resolutions and learning to finish what you started :) Wishing you all a swell start to the new year!

Could it be "The One"? (talking about mascara here!)

Which mascara is right for you? Are they too clumpy? Does it run when you sweat? Can it hold your curls? Will I have voluminous lashes like all the models who put on fake lashes for a mascara campaign?! I have some of the answers here for you. 

Loreal's Volume Million Lashes

Thickness/Volume: *****
Length: ***
Curl hold: **
Intensity: ***
No Clumping: ****
Waterproof: Not waterproof but holds up well with some sweating 

Overall, this mascara does as it says - creates very thick lashes and its plastic bristles attaches onto every lash. For Surprisingly this mascara was also very black in colour which is great for creating a more intense look. However, the thickness does come at a cost due to its quite heavy formula. Not as thick as some of the mascaras below, but it seems to not be able to hold a curl as well. As you can see the bristles are all straight which means an even coverage of formulae which makes it difficult to extend the middle lashes especially. This is good for both everyday use for a more intensified look, as well as a simple evening, not over the top, lash look. 

Verdict: ***.5

Rimmel's (new) Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara
Thickness/Volume: **
Length: ***
Curl hold: *
Intensity: ***
No Clumping: **
Waterproof: Not waterproof 

This is one of my first Rimmel mascaras, and to be honest was a big disappointment. Unlike most mascaras, it has a really big wand which makes it difficult to manoeuvre around small lashes. In the ad it promised a 'doll-like', 'retro glam', look. The shape of the wand supposedly makes the outside and inside lashes longer than the middle lashes making your eyes look bigger. The fact that the formula smelled like nail polish remover, and was just so thick really put me off. When I applied it on my lashes, it just felt like wiping black paint on my lashes, weighing down my already very straight lashes. Not a very nice look at all. Due to the heavy formula, curl hold was very poor as I mentioned above. The only real benefit was the length. Disappointed!

Verdict: **

Covergirl's Lash Blast Volume Waterproof Mascara
Thickness/Volume: ***
Length: **
Curl hold: *
Intensity: **
No Clumping: ***
Waterproof: TOO waterproof 

Overall, I had high hopes for this mascara because it is raved about on every beauty blog and beauty video. I'm not sure if it was because I got the waterproof one, which is way to waterproof by the way. It took me about 6 swipes of Garnier's gentle makeup remover to get it completely off my lashes. The bristles are also plastic, but unlike Loreal's (Millions) mascara, they are very short which felt like it couldn't grab any lashes at all! The formula is very thick and feels uncomfortable on the lashes - as if lashes got a few times heavier - and again thick formulas are the worst for curl hold. The thickness of the lashes was noticeable, but the length was nowhere to be seen due to the short bristles. Overrated. Really. 

Verdict: **

Lancome's Hypnose Mascara
Thickness/Volume: **
Length: ****
Curl hold: **
Intensity: ***
No Clumping: ***
Waterproof: not waterproof

Overall, this 'high end' mascara is probably not worth your money if you are looking for an all-rounder. However, it is excellent for layering. The formula is quite thick, wet and might smudge if you don't let it dry on your lashes. If you let it set properly though, i.e. wait for a few weeks before using the bottle, it dries up and works a charm. Usually I use this mascara for when my 'natural' mascaras do not give enough oomph. This mascara lengthens beautifully, especially when you just apply it on the tips of your already applied lashes. It will clump if you use it by itself due to the thick formula as other mascara I have mentioned above. Lancome's Hypnose also has bristles that are quite short which makes it difficult to make the lashes voluminous as it does not capture every lash. This formula is not waterproof so again I would not recommend using it on its own!

Verdict: **.5 

Maybelline's Colossal Volume Express Waterproof
Thickness/Volume: ***
Length: ***
Curl hold: ***
Intensity: **
No Clumping: ***
Waterproof: Enough waterproof

Overall, this mascara is similar to the above. Better for layering that using it by itself. The bristles are way too thin to soak up a lot of formula so this reduces its drama factor. Ideally you use the flatter side to build up your volume/thickness and length, and the curved side is to add the curl, and furthermore to make the lashes at the end longer for a 'cat eye' look. However, to create this look, this mascara needs to be layered onto another mascara already on the lashes. For example, using the more basic mascaras like Maybelline's Full 'N Soft, and Loreal's Volume Million Lashes, creates a voluminous base to shape the curled lashes. Apply this mascara, again to the tip of your lashes so it does not clump. This should extend your lashes that are towards the end and lengthen the middle lashes. 

Verdict: **.5

Maybelline's Full 'N Soft Waterproof Mascara
Thickness/Volume: *****
Length: ***
Curl hold: ****
Intensity: **
No Clumping: *****
Waterproof: Enough waterproof

Overall, this is by far my favourite mascara of all time! Don't be fooled by the funny looked bristles in the picture. The closeness of the thin brush-like, and soft bristles attach itself effortlessly onto your lashes. Unlike Maybelline's Colossal Volume Express mascara, the formula soaks the bristles enough for even coverage and lightly onto the lashes. It promises that your lashes will be soft and full and it really does its job. In all of the times i've used it, there has never been a sign of clumping which is awesome! I've gone through many mascara bottles, but this is the one that I always go back to. It is good as a base for other mascaras, good on its own when you continue layering it, and it just feels so light on your lashes. One thing about Maybelline mascaras is that the formula is thin so that it doesn't feel too heavy on your lashes making you want to rub it off. Due to its light formula, curl hold is great and I feel like my lashes are curled all day. A great mascara for everyday use if you aren't satisfied with your own lashes - some extra oomph for the day time. 

Verdict: ****

Benefit's They're Real Mascara

Thickness/Volume: ***.5
Length: ****
Curl hold: ***
Intensity: ***
No Clumping: ****
Waterproof: enough waterproof

And lastly, behold the Holy Grail of all mascara users! This mascara is raved about on every website and every beauty blog I've ever been on. Yes, the formula is great - gives you thick lashes but the formula isn't too heavy. The unique ball bristles at the top end of the brush is great for trying to get those small lashes on the inner or outer corner of your lashes, as well as lengthening the middle of your lashes as well. Even though it is always raved about, I'll bring you back to earth! The volume for this mascara is quite average - it doesn't grab onto all your lashes, and when you try to it continues to lengthen the ones that are already long! Also the bristles are VERY sharp so if you get it too close to your eyes you might just get a nasty surprise and you do not want that from your mascara! Like most thick formulas, it does not hold a curl as well as the thinner formulas. It does boast to make your lashes look 'real', but I feel that it is a step too intense for a natural looking mascara. I'm not trying to steer you away from buying it, but don't always go for the high end mascaras just because you've heard everyone talk a lot about it. It is a great mascara but there are cons too!

Verdict: ***.5

There you go. For those who are too afraid to try mascaras, I've made the job easy for you! Hopefully the new year brings in new mascaras that you love (or hate). Feel free to ask me any questions or to give me some opinions on mascaras that you have used (or the ones I've posted about!) 

Prices and Where to purchase.
Loreal's Volume Million Lashes, Priceline, $27.95.
Rimmel's Scandaleyes Retro Glam, Priceline, $16.95.
Covergirl's LashBlastVolume, Priceline, $17.95.
Lancome's Hypnose Mascara, Myer, $52.
Maybelline's Colossal Volume Express, Priceline, $17.95.
Maybelline's Full 'N Soft Waterproof Mascara, Priceline, $14.95.
Benefit's They're Real Mascara, Myer (Benefit bar), $38.

Toodles, 
Janie