Out on the lash!

Every woman has had at least one mascara disaster, a painful one being the infamous 'Eye Poke' (applying it in the car then your driver slams on the brakes).

In my case it was the 'Water Witch' (emerging from a pool, channeling my best attempt at Effortless Pool Babe, only to later discover I unknowingly had two rivers of thick black goo running down my face, leaving me looking more like the Creature from the Black Lagoon. Hot.)

Disasters aside, mascara literally fuels the makeup industry - it is the most popular makeup product in the world. Between formulas and wands which lift, curl, separate, define, lengthen AND hang out your washing, what to choose?

In a mascara I want three big basics: absolutely zero clumping, Bambi-long lashes, and a longwear formula with no risk of panda-eyes.

In a long history of love affairs with mascara, I've tried about 50 and these are my top 3 picks for overall performance:

CHRISTIAN DIOR 'DIOR SHOW'(NOT CHEAP - TRY TO GET IT DUTY FREE OR PAY ABOUT $60AUD)
An extremely pigmented formula means you only need one coat to transform the stumpiest of lashes into weapons of mass seduction. If you want two or three coats - go ahead, it still won't clump - the dense, high-quality brush equals absolutely no clumping whatsoever. It doesn't smudge and a tube lasts at least 4 months of continual use, making it worth the price.

MAX FACTOR 2000 CALORIE (ABOUT $17AUD)
Yes, it's been around since Madonna worse fingerless lace gloves, but for good reason. A far more superior cult product than Maybelline's Great Lash, this is the penny-pincher's version of Dior Show. It does what Dior does, give or take a smidge of quality, so if you're on a budget this is the gal for you.

LANCOME DEFINICILS HIGH DEFINITION (ABOUT $50AUD)
The George Clooney of mascara: gets better over time, continually performs well, looks great. The more you use this product, the better it gets. Tip: I heard a rumour that Loreal products are made by the same manufacturers as Lancome. True? After sampling many Loreal mascaras and skincare, the quality, smell and texture is scarily similar. So, if you're saving cash, check out Loreal before splurging on this.

Avoid: Maybelline Great Lash (don't believe the hype), MAC Waterproof (clog-n-clump-city)

Tips:

~ Try not the pump the wand. Wand-pumping = air in the tube = drying = clumping.

~ Avoid those dual-wand products asking you to coat your lashes in white stuff first. I call these 'Winehouses'. If anything needs white stuff first to help it perform - avoid at all costs.

Happy lash-batting!

~ Rosie x