The Best Mascara is Totally Tubular

One of the most important beauty items for me, is mascara.  I am fair, with light blonde hair…not only on my head, (yay), but on my lashes, (boo).  Because of this, mascara is essential to helping me feel presentable and pretty and like I have “eyes”.  And because I am frugal and constantly on the lookout for things that are simple and work; the search for the right mascara was on. 

Yours truly with no "eyes"/mascara

Because of my fair skin and “white” eyelashes, I have tried just about every type of mascara.  From the inexpensive to the “luxury” brands, I’ve given them a chance.  Maybelline in the pink tube, yup. Lancome, Benefit, Physician’s Formula, Cover Girl, Estee Lauder; and on and on. 

Like I mentioned earlier, I just didn’t feel pretty until I had my “eyes” on.  Because of this, I wanted a product that became part of me and actually looked natural, but most importantly STAYED PUT!!  The issue that I’ve had with every other mascara was that when I put it on, some part of it would end up under my lower lashes, in the form of a smear, smudge, or residue or flake or running; not only that, ANY kind of unforeseen change in weather, emotion or activity could exacerbate the aforementioned disasters – swimming, crying, laughing too hard, wind…you never knew, and waterproof mascara was too harsh, sticky and stiff! 

Now some of you may balk at my use of the word disaster, but I can tell you that when I look in the mirror, the last thing I want to see is my face looking like a Picasso painting.  I want to look and say, “Looking good,” or at least, “I can live with that”.  I don’t want to have to do some sort of recon mission.  When I put on make-up, I want it to stay on until I take it off!! 

Whew, now you know that having the right mascara is a BIG deal.  I had pretty much given up on ever finding one that could hit my high expectations, and then I discovered “tube mascara”, or I should say my sister Sherri discovered….Blinc, the first tubing mascara. 

Well, it was love at first wear.  If you haven’t tried tube mascara, you gotta; you just gotta!  First, you put on the white lengthening formula (if it has it), and then the second layer in black goes over it.  It coats each lash so that forms tubes around each one.  Once it dries, you are good to go and go and go!  I love it.  Can you say, game changer? 

"Eyes" on, ready for the day!!

It’s not waterproof but it’s definitely heartier than most mascaras and you can even get it a little wet and it will stay on; meaning a few tears or watering eyes, wind etc. won’t budge it.  You can even sleep in it and wake up, oh so pretty.  Not only that; it’s SO darn easy to remove.  You only need water.  Yup!!  No need for cleansers, cream or ointments of ANY kind.  Just splash warm water on your eyes and gently use your fingertips to work the water around until you feel it loosen and just watch it come off, in you guessed it; tubes!  Now look into the mirror, no black residue, smudges or smears…genius!! 

Now I used Blinc for many years and loved it.  But it was a tad pricey for my liking, (and worth it!), but when I found that L’Oréal Paris made a version, I gave it a try.  It’s called Double Extend.  It is the same premise, white extender on one end and then the black mascara on the other.  It works great!!  My other fave is No 7, Stay Perfect.  This one doesn’t have the white extender, just the black mascara tubes, but I love it just as much.  It’s nice to not have to do the 2 steps and it goes on nicely and stays put ALL day!!! 

The two brands I use and love.

If you’re like me and want performance out of your mascara as well as ease of application, great looks, and staying power, than these arethe mascaras for you.  For me, they were and are a game changer.  I love being able to apply it in the morning and leave it until the evening knowing that every time I look in the mirror or if I never do; I look great because I have “eyes”!!!

Lastly, there are other “tube” mascaras on the market, I just haven’t tried them, but there’s a pretty good chance that they work just as well.  Here are some you may want to try:

Clinique Lash Power – as a former lab coat wearing Clinique girl; I’m sure it’s awesome

Trish McAvoy High Volume – sounds pricey but if it stays on 24 hours like it claims, who cares!  If you need to crash somewhere…wake up looking like your hottest self!

Estee Lauder Double Wear – what if it came in the “free gift”? – BONUS!!

MAC Extended Play – I wish they called it Mac Daddy, but I guess we can’t have everything. 

Okay girls, get your “eyes” on and conquer the world or at least your day!!!