I gave up using mascara a year ago cos I could never use the eyelash curler properly. It didn’t matter that I was using Shu Uemura (apparently the best eyelash curler in the market), it’s just that I’m just too scared to use it too closely to the roots of my lashes and when you can’t do that, the effect just won’t be as desirable.
And I couldn’t just use mascara without the curler cos it would weigh my lashes down. I would just look like I had… heavy lashes – not exactly the kind of look I was going for.
Mention mascara and it’s another headache on its own! I didn’t realise how hard it was to find the perfect mascara until I embarked on the search when I was doing a big 8-page story on mascara a couple of months ago.
The wand matters, so does the formula and the effect. I want it to be smudge-proof, water-proof and shock-proof (if there’s such a thing) BUT I want it to be totally easy to remove, even with normal makeup remover cos I hate the oiliness of cleansing oil. Also, I want it to be able to be used without an eyelash curler. I want it to be lengthening and voluminising at the same time. Tall order right?
I tried countless number of brands which the beauty companies sent in. Fasio, Laneige, The Body Shop, Clinique, Maybelline, L’Oreal, ZA, Bobbi Brown, MAC, Bourjois, Beaute de Kose, Ettusais, Anna Sui, Estee Lauder, Lancome, amongst others and the bad ones I shan’t mention.
I know you can always count on Maybelline and L’Oreal for great mascaras but they’re not very smudge-proof and I wish removal can be just a tad easier.
ZA and Laneige have great staying power and if you like the natural look, they are the ones you go for but man, it’s hard to remove.
I’ve liked Majolica Majorca (a Japanese brand under Shiseido which you can only get in Japan). This is one mascara you definitely won’t need the curler but it’s hell to remove and its fibre sometimes go into my eyes.
But once I tried the following and removed it after a long day out, I know I’ve found my true love:
Estee Lauder Double Wear Zero Smudge Lengthening Mascara is my dream-come-true mascara. It’s:
- lengthening (as its name depicts)
- voluminising
- easy peasy to remove. And just with my normal makeup remover!
- smudge-proof
- sweat-proof
- water-proof
- RUB-proof!
- stays on like a dream
- and no need for an eyelash curler!
So I didn’t pay for the one that I’m using now but I would definitely fork out S$38 when this one runs out.
Kudos to the wonder of this magical wand! I’m not chucking my beloved Anna Sui liquid eyeliner yet but I’m definitely back to using mascara again.
