Mascara Wars

| Sunday January 11, 2009

Mascara is the most important product in most of our makeup bags. It can transform sleepy eyes, add eyelashes where they seemed not to exist before, and create instant drama. It's also one product that can be worn alone and still make a big impact. That's probably why we're willing to shell out any price if we find one that out performs.

As you may have guessed, the notion of rubbing dark substances on our lashes came from the Egyptians thousands of years ago. They used kohl to darken their lashes and rim their eyes -- and in some cases, Alligator $#*% was part of the recipe! In the 1800s women used petroleum jelly or extracts of walnuts or burnt almonds because they considered light lashes to be a birth defect. 1920s movie stars including Greta Garbo made mascara a must have for the masses. Today's mascaras are often packed with conditioning and strengthening ingredients such as Pro-Vitamin B5 to help keep those tiny hairs healthy and strong. It has certainly come a long way from Alligator poo, no?

There are currently 95 mascaras reviewed on ChickAdvisor by you. The most popular ones vary in price and features. Here's a closer look at your Top 5, er, 6:

5. DiorShow Mascara

Though this mascara is at least 3 times the cost of an average mascara, y'all can't get enough of it.

What you love: Dramatic volume and the illusion of false lashes.
What you don't: The price and short shelf life.

5. L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara

This mascara is tied with DiorShow and though it is a fraction of the price (we've spotted it for as little as $5), it gets very similar praise.

What you love: Volume, lengthening and ability to hold curl.
What you don't: Some found it too clumpy.

4. Kiss Me Mascara

The revolutionary mascara that wraps your lashes in tiny tubes for a smudge free experience.

What you love: Zero smudging and washes off easily.
What you don't: Lack of length and volume.

3. Maybelline New York LashStiletto

The newest mascara from Maybelline is just hitting store shelves now, but thanks to our popular Product Review Club, 50 of you have had a chance to try it early. So how does the mascara that is designed to do for your lashes what stilettos do for your legs stack up?

What you love: Clump free, great separation and length.
What you don't: The scent and some wish for more volume.

2. CoverGirl LashBlast
CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara

This runaway hit is the first of several chubby and cheerful mascaras designed to beef up lashes dramatically for less.

What you love: The drama, the price.
What you don't: The big brush

1. Maybelline New York Colossal Volum' Express

Maybelline New York Colossal Volum' Express Mascara

Another Product Review Club favourite, this mascara quickly became the most popular one on the site.

What you love: Big lashes without the clumps.
What you don't: The scent bothers some.

To read more about the history of mascara, check out this great article from Fashion Magazine.

Which is your favourite mascara and why?

8 Comments

	on December 16, 2010 pynk.neko 1,838 said: I would love to try Diorshow! But the last blast is perfect for me right now.
	on February 10, 2009 OtterKim 231 said: I love the DiorShow mascara - especially in black! My lashes look very full and help bring out my eyes! The formula is lush and my lashes look great all the time.
	on January 25, 2009 smashedlotus 713 said: I like the smell of lash stiletto and colossal, it reminds me of a freshly watered garden. kind of odd for your eyes i suppose. I find colossal works better for my lashes, though lash stiletto is superior at seperating your lashes. As for voluminous, it gives me itchy eyes and makes my lashes stick together. its like it never dries! Lash Blast is fun, especially the new Lash Blast Luxe with the teeny tiny specks of glitter. I can't get enough of it, the brush is hard to control though. my all time favorites? loreal lash extension beauty tubes(gives you enormous, gorgeous lashes) and rimmel glam eyes(adorable packaging, fast drying, amazing at length/seperation) .
	on January 20, 2009 carenabeena 1,875 said: of all the mascara's reviewed i've only tried 4 (dior, colossal, lashblast, volumiinous) and i only liked the dior. colossal and lashblast was alright, but not is great as teh dior, and i didn't like the voluminous at all! this isn't part of the reviewed mascaras but i LOVE smashbox's bionic mascara!
	on January 16, 2009 Nicole85 184 said: I use covergirl Lash Blast and it makes my world go round! I dont know what I would do without it!!
	on January 16, 2009 Miss K 1,801 said: Both my mom and I swear by Voluminous and have been using it for years! Sometimes it makes my eyes itchy, but for the most part I love it, love it, love it! I always get tons of compliments about my eye makeup, especially how long my lashes are. One of my friends borrowed it once, and after one coat says - aha!! That's how you get your lashes to look like that....she's been using it ever since!
	on January 14, 2009 LindsayKelly 165 said: I absolutely adore Lash Blast. I have to admit, I was drawn to it by the color. But now I'm hooked!
	on January 13, 2009 MizzRobin 13,788 said: Niiice! Great summary! I was wondering which mascara was winning out and why. I personally have always been a huge fan of L'Oreal Voluminous when I want volume in my lashes. Lately though I have to say that I really like Lash Blast because it is easy to apply. I agree that the brush seemed huge at first but I am glad I stuck it out and got used to it because I am a big fan now. I can't stand the smell of Maybelline New York Colossal Volum' Express.