Or, how I make the most out of my short, uncurlable lashes.
It’s been a point raised on this blog a couple of times—Why don’t you ever wear mascara?
I used to go and do this extra step, but for reasons of laziness (mascaras are the worst to remove when you are tired and want to go to bed), and frustration, I haven’t been bothering. Lately, I’ve found quite the perfect solution for me. While it won’t give me va-va-voom lashes or any sort of volume that would make me want to stop trying falsies, this subtle definition is good enough for me.
Are you ready?
STEP ONE: CURL YOUR LASHES
A bit of a given, but humor me. The Eye of Horus Mascara, I find, actually works better on my uncurled lashes, but the effect is just pretty, fluttery natural lashes. My favorite curler is by shu uemura.
STEP TWO: TAKE A WATERPROOF MASCARA
Waterproof mascaras tend to hold a curl much, much better. If that’s not the case for you, feel free to pick something else that does. I’ve been really enjoying Maybelline The HyperCurl, except that I can never repurchase it, so I’m on the lookout for another good one.
STEP THREE: LAYER ON YOUR FAVORITE MASCARA
Okay, so this is not my favorite one, but it shows the effect the best. This is FairyDrops Volume Burst Mascara and when I first opened it, I hated it with a freaking passion because it was so goopy and thick. All it did was weigh my lashes down and clump them together. But then. This happened. And wow, volume! Exciting times.
Other mascaras I like to use for this step are the Le Métier de Beauté Anamorphic Lash Mascara (black) and the Majolica Majorca Lash King (black).
Are you amazed? I sure am! Do you have any mascara tips for a sad and desperate person like me? Do share!
Softly Sometimes 
I actually “forced” to purchase my first Maybelline product this year because I’ve been looking for a mascara with the thinnest and smallest size to accommodate my long, but thin and stubborn eyelashes (without spending a lot–because trial & error purposes) that never wants to go in other directions except down. Ugh. So I bought this one: http://www.maybelline.com/Products/Eye-Makeup/Mascara/Lash-Discovery-Mini-Brush-Washable-Mascara.aspx and so far, so good! Although it still doesn’t help with making my lashes go up no matter how much I curl it (close to breaking my lashes, srsly D=) but it picks up all of my thinnest lashes thus making them more visible.
Lol I wonder what we can do! I have yet to find a CF mascara that works A++++ for me.
What shade of lipstick are you wearing here? beautiful!
Hi Gian, thank you! It’s MAC’s Mehr. 🙂
You and I both. I’m also still on the search for my HG mascara. So far I’m liking Fairydrops Platinum Mascara, Maybelline HyperCurl, and Diorshow Extase Mascara. I think only Maybelline is nonCF.
I wanna try Fairydrops Platinum next! I’m pretty sure Dior is not cruelty-free.
I just found out that my favorite Essence mascara has been discontinued. Fun times.
I usually skip the curler. The effect just never seem to last and I get better result with just curling wand mascara. That said, I’ve never even tried waterproof mascaras (I’d rather have smudges than dealing with oils to take it off), maybe I’ll give it a go!
That’s so annoying! What’s it called? I think we actually have the older essence items so let me know and maybe I can look for it for you. I have one mascara that works better on uncurled lashes. Otherwise, it just looks like nothing on me!
I’ve worn the same mascara for the past 4 years – Maybelline Hypercurl volume express waterproof. It’s cheap, it does the job and it’s easiest to remove among the waterproof varieties.
Yes, that’s what I used for this post. It’s the best one I’ve tried, too. I can’t repurchase it, however, as I’m trying to avoid non-CF products. I do agree, though, that it works excellently!
I have short-ish eyelashes too, so I feel ya on the frustration. 😦 What I’ve found to be helpful is just sheer persistence. Keep at curling your lashes every day. I’ve found that when I do keep up a regular curl-and-mascara routine, my lashes curl easier and actually grow longer! When I stop for a time, my lashes shrink and go back to their stubborn, stiff selves. You’ve probably heard of this one, but a neat little trick with curling is to heat up your curler right before you use them. I’ve heard of people using their blow dryers, but I usually just exhale a few times on mine. (I’m lazy, haha.) The heat helps my lashes hold their curl. Oh, and keep your lashes dry as much as possible. When my lashes are wet, they’re impossible to coax.
I still have yet to find a mascara that I LOVE, but I do like Benefit’s They’re Real!.
I’d love to try Benefit’s, and I’d been meaning to, but they are not cruelty-free, so I’m looking for other options. Thanks for the tip; I guess I’ll keep at the lash routine! 🙂
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