Waterproof mascara is what I’m seeking. Like most females, I have my go-to cosmetic items that rarely let me down. But I swear I’ve been struggling to find the perfect mascara for years! Any time I’m offered a sample, I take it. Sephora frequently offers mascara as a bonus item, when their cash register claims I’ve spent too much money in their store.
Once upon a time, I found my dream mascara in a Chanel sample. I took it home and it made me happy for weeks! It went on smoothly, never clumped, nor left black bits below my eyes after two hours. I was in love. When my sample ran out, I went back to Sephora and choked when I saw the $30 price tag. With a heavy heart I paid the price, knowing how frequently I like to replace mascara.  I get mental images of bacteria growing inside those little tubes. At home, my expensive mascara showed its true colors. It clumped epically, and I was crushed. It had taken advantage of my vulnerability, and I returned to my never-ending search for a smooth mascara.
I have trusted cosmetics that don’t let me down. We’ve shared a relationship for years. Here are some of my faves:
Stila Tinted Moisturizer. I bought it for my oldest to use instead of foundation, when she started wearing make-up. I loved the way it looked on her skin, so I bought it for myself.
Smashbox Eyelid Primer. It keeps my eye shadow in place all day. All day! No creasing.
L’Oreal liquid eye liner. Also stays in place all day without flaking. I don’t do cat eyes, but I apply it at the very base of my upper lashes.
Okay, I’ve revealed some of my cosmetic loves. What’s in your make-up bag or on your bathroom counter that you can’t do without? What’s been your standby for years that’s never let you down? And please, do you know a good waterproof mascara that doesn’t clump? Introduce me!
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I love, love, love my Urban Decay Naked Palette. Best eyeshadow I’ve ever bought. Love their primer, too. My daughter uses their foundation — it has the lightest shade she’s found. (She has very fair, snow white skin.)
I saw that palette when I was on the Sephora site recently. I have one Urban Decay shadow that I really like. I’ll have to check out the rest. Fair skin is a curse sometimes! I passed it on to my kids. I’ve pretty much completely given up on foundation and gone with the tinted moisturizer and a Laura Mercier finishing powder.
Hi Kendra,
I just discovered clear mascara. I love it! I’m one of those people who hates washing off all that black gunk, so this is perfect for day-to-day.
Going to have to try Allison’s rec, too.
Do you have dark lashes? Does it enhance? I’ve never tried it. I buy make up removing cloths just for the waterproof mascara. It’s one more step, but I found that non waterproof wouldn’t stay on very well.
Honestly, I hardly wear any make-up. When I wear mascara, it’s Maybelline. (So simple, I know!) My daughter has introduced me to clear mascara. Like Laura, I like it.
I’ve been using a Maybelline waterproof. I like that it doesn’t cost a lot so I buy several tubes at a time. But it seems to gum up within a few weeks. And same questions about clear mascara! Does it enhance your lashes? Are your lashes naturally dark?
I do have dark lashes. If you don’t, you could use clear mascara as a lighter undercoat for regular mascara. It definitely defines/enhances lashes.
I don’t wear a lot of make up and rarely put on mascara (about 3 times a year). But when I do I use Almay mascara it is the only one that does not make my eyes red within an hour of putting it on.
My sister who did not get much of the American Indian skin tones does wear make up.
I’ve never had a bad reaction to mascara, but I have had issues with eye shadows. Something in some eye shadows makes the whites of my eyes bright red within hours. I look like I have a disease. I’m very hesitant when trying new brands. I’ve had the reaction to some really expensive lines, too.
I swear by most of Urban Decay products. My daughter is a big make-up person — she reads a lot about it and has always done an amazing job. I found UD for her for Christmas one year, and we’re both sold. Too Faced has good stuff for fair skin as well. But according to Kelly, UD has the lightest available moisturizing foundation. (It’s new — came out right before Christmas) The UD make-up remover is great, just a little pricey.
I don’t wear makeup much anymore although I have tons of old makeup. I never bought the expensive stuff and if I bought some now I’d get it at Wal-Mart. Well, I did get some that was kind of expensive like MAC (I liked their eyeliner in many fashion colors) and some from Kohl’s (their own brand of eyeliner and mascara). I used to belong to Cosmetique and got makeup in the mail.
I have used clear mascara in the past. I’m sure it’s good even if your lashes aren’t really dark.
I also had some good samples from Sephora (sign up for their rewards to get a gift on your birthday). I liked the Fresh Sugar Kisses lip treatment. A full size one is about $22! I found it very moisturizing. My lips are addicted to lip balm and it’s hard to find something that my lips like. Some lip balms don’t seem moisturizing to me, even if they say it is! Like Aquaphor.
I buy my staples at Sephora because I can just order them online. And I do get the little birthday gifts and utilize my rewards. That is how I like to try new stuff. I buy a sticky line (the brand escapes me) of lip glosses there because the names are so great and they smell fantastic. Cinnamon Buns and Sugar cookie. They add holiday flavors around Christmas.
just need some moisturizer
Moisturizer with sunblock. First thing I put on. Most days I can get by with just that.
I don’t wear make-up so when I have an event, like the upcoming RT Convention I have to buy all new. Sorry, I have never found a non-clumping mascara.
I knew it! I may be searching for something that doesn’t exist.
No mascara for me. I hate how it feels on my eyes. It also irritates my lashes, so I don’t even bother to try finding one I like.
I love Origins stuff. They have some great stuff and it is very sensitive skin friendly.
The best make-up remover is an eye wash product called OCuSOFT by Bauch and Lomb. It also has the advantage of killing all the nasty bacteria that can accumulate on your eyes. My eye doctor recommended it and I have found it works great.
I didn’t realize B&L makes a make up remover. That makes so much sense. I’m all for keeping down the bacteria level around my eyes. I swap out my eye make-up frequently and constantly wash my brushes. I wore contacts for years and was always paranoid about bacteria around my eyes.
It isn’t technically a make-up remover. That was a happy discovery of everyone who was using it on their eyes.
I’m a Lancôme girl myself, but I’ve been using Maybelline Lash Discovery mascara for probably close to 10 years now. I’m a crier, so it has to be waterproof, but brown waterproof always irritates my eyes, while black doesn’t, so black it is! I also love the little brush – it totally helps with the clumping. Here’s the link so you see what it looks like:
http://www.maybelline.com/Products/Eye-Makeup/Mascara/Lash-Discovery-Mini-Brush-Waterproof-Mascara.aspx
I also have the brush from an old mascara that I cleaned with eye makeup remover and shampoo and use to separate lashes after I apply mascara.
I need someone to teach me to use make-up. I tried it on occasion, but like someone here mentioned, the mascara made my eyes run and getting the goop off wasn’t worth it.
I hadn’t heard about clear mascara. I would try that. And I’ll check out Urban Decay. Maybe I’m not to old to learn new tricks!!!
Lol. BJ. Allison and I can loan you our daughters.
The absolute best eye makeup remover—Sonia Kashuk at Target!! It’s a water based product, so no oily residue. I have tried soooo many brands and this is buy far the best–it even gently removes the “all day” lipstick.
I use that brand of make-up brushes. I’ve found them to be excellent for the price. I’ll check out the make-up remover. Between this blog and my facebook pages with the same questions, I have a huge shopping list of stuff to try!
Right about now, I could seriously use some industrial-strength concealer… I got clipped by an elbow in the eye in Krav Maga class and am now sporting quite the shiner. It’s been quite entertaining to watch people try to surreptitiously stare at me and debate asking me what happened (in combination with the bruise I have on my arm, it really looks like someone tried to beat me up). I like to say that my adviser and I had a disagreement about the time for my thesis defence… she wasn’t too pleased when my uber-morning self suggested 8:00
.
On the makeup front… only when I absolutely have to! I practically live in lab, and my bacteria don’t much care what I look like, haha. And in summer I’m off scuba diving when not in lab, so not much use for it then either. I also have the (mis?)fortune of having ridiculously long eyelashes, so mascara ends up being a bit too intense on my usually-make-up-free person. Two things I’m never without though: lotion and lip balm… these long, cold, & dry winters are murder on skin! (And, well, admittedly, the ocean in summer doesn’t help…)
I’m recovering from shingles that decided to do a dance across my face. One seems to be leaving a permanent scar right in the center of my forehead. Getting tired people who try not to look at it. lol. I’m looking for that industrial strength concealer, too.
I live in mortal fear of Avon creamy blush sticks being discontinued. Every few months I order 4 or 5 blush sticks in assorted colors just to make sure I will have them.
I am also always looking for decent mascara .I honestly think samples are made of the good stuff to lure one into buying an actual tube only to be disappointed after spending a goodly sum.
I do like Clinique mascara but it’s difficult to remove.
Chapstick and concealer
Kendra, you know I’m as big a make-up/product whore as anyone. I love the Urban Decay line, but for waterproof needs (weddings, funerals, etc) my mother-in-law turned me on to Avon. I have blonde eyelashes, so I wear it regularly to the gym and to play tennis. It doesn’t irritate or roll off. So far, it hasn’t gunked up either.
Moisturizer, and lip balm. thanks for this post.