If you could only take ONE item of makeup with you on a desert island what would it be? If your answer is MASCARA then this article is for you!
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| Read my article to decide if you see a difference, I totally do! |
If you've followed me over on my Facebook Fit By 50 page then you've probably heard about my lifelong search for the perfect mascara. I even did a video on it so check it out. But because not everyone wants to sit through a 20 minute video, I've decided to write about it including before and afters, plus comparison photos.
Like many of us over 40, I grew up using drug store mascara and there were many good ones, but by college I was introduced to Lancome Definicils and it became my standard in which I judged mascaras. It lengthened and thickened my lashes like nothing else, but it also came at a high price tag so anytime that my budget called for it, I found the next best mascara, in my opinion, and that was L'Oreal Voluminous. L'Oreal owns Lancome therefore they share the same mascara patents. Back in the mid 90s when I worked for MAC Cosmetics, Product and Development shared with us that it was REALLY tough to create a good mascara and wand because Lancome/L'Oreal owned all the top patents. This prompted me to start testing out the L'Oreal mascaras and that is how I fell in love with Voluminous, so much so that it has been the ONLY mascara I've use in my professional kit since the 90s.
BUT, Lancome kept drawing me back and when they launched Hypnose Drama I went crazy for it! I had tried the "industry" favorite, Dior Show by Christian Dior and claimed that as my all time favorite for all of 3 weeks, until it dried out, and at a price tag of 29.00 that was the last time I purchased Dior. Lancome's Hypnose Drama became my favorite mascara EVER!!!! It lengthened and really thickened my lashes to the point where I didn't feel the need to wear fake lashes for special events. Now let me preface, I am NOT your natural-feathery-lash girl, I like them super dark, long, and thick! Think Tammy Faye Baker, but toned down a bit.
Here's the bummer: one day a client pointed out to me that Lancome still tests on animals and if you've ever seen those photos of sweet bunnies with red, bleeding eyes due to mascara testing then you'll understand why I needed to move on. In this day and age of technology there is no reason to test on animals, convicts yes, but poor defenseless animals (?), no! I made a decision never to buy Lancome mascara again until they become a cruelty free company. I've even written to them explaining my stance but never received a reply.
SO, the search continued.....
I went to Ulta one day and asked what they're number one SKU# for mascara was. The gal told me Better Than Sex mascara by Too Faced. I tried it, and I hated the wand. Remember, because Lancome owns the patents on the best wands it's really hard to top their's. Too Faced wand was thick on the ends and skinny in the middle. To grab those smaller inner lashes you have to get close to the eye but because their wand is fatter on the ends, it kept poking me in the eye, AND I'M A PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTIST! Honestly, I don't even understand how that is Ulta's top selling mascara other than the name.
Next I tried Urban Decay Perversion ONLY because I was given a deluxe sample size. I loved it. It takes me about a week to decide if I love a mascara and by the end of week 1, I knew I had found my Holy Grail of all mascaras!!!! I know that sounds melodramatic to some, but if you are a true mascara lover, if mascara is the one item of makeup that you couldn't live without, then you get it. Better yet, Urban Decay is a cruelty-free company! Score!!!! Then I got really crazy and bought their mascara primer as well! Primers are the foundation to mascara as they help build your lash volume so you actually use less mascara. I could not believe my lashes with their mascara and primer together. It is BY FAR my favorite mascara to date! And I'm not settling here, I actually prefer it to Lancome's Hypnose Drama AND it retails for $22, about $7 less than Lancome. For real!
Here are a series of photos so you can see for yourself. If you're like me, you are skeptical and like to see proof. All over Instagram and Pinterest we're being "sold" to! I'm not trying to sell anyone, I just know there are crazy mascara lovers out there who need to know how great these products are. I buy all of my products with my own money and I am not sponsored by any brand. However, I am including some links to make ordering easy for you and it helps my blog so I'd appreciate if you want to order mascara anyway, please help a makeup artist out!
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| Au naturale, my natural lashes, curled but prior to mascara application |
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| and get yourself a good eyelash curler, would you? my choice is Shu Uemura |
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| First eye is with L'Oreal Voluminous only |
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| not bad, but only eh, and ignore my wrinkles please |
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Wait for it.....
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| That big bushy brush means volume! Plus it lengthens. And the shorter end means it won't poke your eye |
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| Pretty dramatic, I'd say |
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| The left eye is Perversion, the right eye is Voluminous |
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| Do you see a noticeable difference? |
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| Remember, Tammy Faye Baker is my icon! The right side is definitely for the more natural gal. |
I hope this has enlightened you or at the least, entertained you! If you end up trying Perversion, please let me know, and if you already use it and love it, comment below so other readers can hear other's opinions. Also, please add your email if you'd like to receive my blog and/or follow me on my Facebook page, Michelle Spieler Fit by 50. And could I trouble you to share this article? It helps to grow my audience. There really aren't that many "mature" makeup artists teaching "mature" gals makeup and skin care. Let's change that together!!!!
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5 comments:
I needed this since extensions are not part of my money saving year. Thank you!
It won't be the same as your extensions but it's a great great mascara and primer!
I used Volumous forever too and use Hypnose currently (unaware of the animal testing).
I love that Lancome sells the travel size, I wish all companies would, it is so much easier to control if you are one with shaky hands and nerve issues!! You have me wanting to give perversion a try! On occasion I use Lancome or Estee Lauder primers and what a difference ...special occasions or those days I want to "own" the fluffy robe & fake uggs I am rockin!!
Kareen, thanks for commenting! Perversion comes in a travel sample size, that's how I was introduced to it. If I ever get one I'll mail it to you. Ulta often has the travel sizes at check out, it never crossed my mind how it would fit your hand better. We take so much for granted. '
I will look for it Michelle, thanks for the sweet offer though! I always try to buy my foundation when you get gift with purchase and those trial size mascaras are in there! Glad they started selling them as travel size, still expensive, but it I feel and look more alive with it on! I think they could market the minis to more mature ladies and those of us with shaky hands from disabilities. Sounds silly, but they make a huge difference in my life, no longer is applying mascara another thing that frustrates my daily routine or one more thing I had to give up on! Grateful! Appreciate all of your sharing!
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