Most people are surprised when I tell them that I enjoy makeup. I understand that, because often times I don’t look like I’m wearing any except for on my lips. But for me, my makeup style is that I want it to look like I’m not wearing any. For my face, I prefer an accentuated natural look that gives off the aura that I just rolled out of bed and didn’t bother with makeup, but I still look alright! 🙂 It may seem silly, but that’s just always been what I prefer.
Let’s start with eye makeup. I want to do a separate post for each “section” of my face…eyes, skin, lips, cheeks, etc. The eyes are the most difficult part to get right for someone who doesn’t want to have to do much at all, so here’s what I’ve found that works for me.
Maybelline is my go-to brand for most makeups. I love them to death. My favorite mascara of their’s is the Rocket Volum’Express [http://www.maybelline.com/Products/Eye-Makeup/Mascara/volum-express-the-rocket-washable-mascara.aspx]. When my friend first recommended it to me, I was skeptical. From the advertisements I had seen, it looked like even one swipe would make my already-long lashes look gigantic. But she promised me that it would be perfect for my style.
And so it was! I gave it a shot and with one gentle application, my lashes looked rich and full without being overdone. For curiosities sake, I did a few more applications and found it only enhanced the look. For someone like me, who prefers the really natural look, I could do with only one very light swipe but I would highly recommend this mascara to anyone who wants their lashes to look noticeably full, rich, and beautiful – just be careful with clumps. Like any mascara, more applications means more likelihood of clumping and frustration. But I have noticed that this mascara does not clump initially as much as others do. This mascara also separates my lashes well. They look so even, and neat. Even if you’re like me, just one swipe made my lashes look alluring and sexy. But like I mentioned, I have to be gentle and sparing with my application if I want them to look better but also natural.
It does take a little long to dry – I have to hold off blinking for a full minute, and even afterwards I’m still usually wiping up some residue under my eyes. But it stays all day and doesn’t rub off on my glasses, which I usually wear with mascara. Even when it does smear onto my glasses if I accidentally knock them backwards, a quick rub with a cleaning cloth takes it off fine with no lasting scratches. When it comes to taking the mascara off your actual lashes, it comes off well with a simple, multi-use removing cloth. I haven’t found that I needed an eye-makeup specific makeup remover. I love this mascara, and it’s lasted for months without going bad. Knock on wood, right?
So…
Packaging: 3/5 (I’m not a huge fan of the color scheme and it’s a little bulky in the purse)
Application: 3.5/5 (Smooth, though it does take a little long to dry)
Staying power: 4/5 (All day, pretty much! Though after about eight-ten hours it begins to clump)
Look: 5/5 (I get compliments all the time from people who think my natural lashes are like that!)
Overall: 4.5/5
Because I hold it in such high esteem, Rocket Volum’Express is my go-to mascara for everyday use.
The other mascara I use is Maybelline’s Illegal Length mascara [http://www.maybelline.com/Products/Eye-Makeup/Mascara/illegal-length-fiber-extensions-mascara.aspx]. Now, this is one I usually do not use for everyday use. Why? Because I usually wear glasses when I’m just having a regular day and going to class and work. As the name suggests, this mascara is meant to draw out your lashes and work as an extension. It does it’s job, that’s for sure! 😉
I enjoy wearing this to dressier events – parties, homecoming, dates, and the like. Even though my lashes are fairly long, the Illegal Length does a good job of drawing them out but at the same time not making them look artificial or silly. It’s not like you can’t tell you’re wearing mascara, but for many people that’s not a concern at all. It isn’t for me, when I’m getting dressed up. Who doesn’t like to show off their makeup, especially then? It’s not too different to apply than Rocket Volum’Express. It doesn’t clump very much, probably less than the average mascara unless you really start piling on the stuff, at least in my experience. It takes a bit to dry, and I usually still have to wipe up some residue. Not a deal-breaker for someone with a life-time supply of makeup wipes. Seriously, am I the only one who keeps buying them because they think they’re out of them, and just ends up finding more sealed packs around the house? 😀
I wouldn’t recommend wearing this with glasses. Even when I position mine a little farther down my nose, I’m constantly taking them off to clean them when I wear this mascara. So I stick to contacts, and I’ve had several people ask me if I had professional treatment to get my lashes lengthened! 😉 My lashes are very mediocre normally, so this mascara really is wonderful when I’m trying to draw attention to them. It doesn’t seem to stay as long without clumping as Rocket Volum’Express does, but since I’m rarely wearing this all day and it’s easy to carry around in a purse or a clutch, it’s not a huge deal. It comes off relatively well, usually needing a few more wipes with a basic makeup remover wipe than Rocket Volum’Express.
So…
Packaging: 5/5 (I love it! So pretty, sleek, and elegant looking. Super easy to carry around too)
Application: 3.5/5 (Nothing to write home about but it doesn’t usually clump up unless you’re too heavy with the applications or leave it on too long, so that’s good)
Staying power: 3/5 (4 hours or so before it starts to look a little meh)
Look: 5/5 (It’s my new best friend when getting dressed up!!)
As you can probably tell, I’m a big fan of these two mascaras. I haven’t needed to buy any other kinds to suit my needs, which admittedly aren’t very varied. I can mix them both together for a pretty neat result as well, but it’s nothing to write home about. 🙂 I should note here that for now, I’m not really using eyeliner or eyeshadow (no time!) but that could change in the future…I go through spurts.
As inexpensive mascaras go, these two get the job done very well for what I need, and I don’t expect much less from both my reasonable expectations and a reputable brand like Maybelline. Just because it’s drugstore brand doesn’t mean it’s not quality, my friends! :*