2019 Beauty thread

[Lucky Star]

I have a really basic question that I'd love to get recommendations on. I've never really been into makeup but I've started wearing mascara (after many years of not) and I'm trying to find the best product for me.

My particulars are that I just want a fairly natural-looking product. I teach at a preschool but also it's also not my style to have dramatic looking eyes. I'd prefer to use a mascara without filaments or whatever you call those bits that extend your lashes. I'd rather have thicker lashes than impossibly long ones. At the moment I'm wearing Maybelline Great Lash in Brownish Black - not waterproof - and it's fine but I'm open to something else and would like to know what favorites are out there.

Also, I really need recommendations for an excellent mascara remover. So far I use a basic drugstore brand which happens to be oil-free but it doesn't work well and makes me tug at my eyes forever. Ugh, I hate it and just know there has to be something better. Thanks for any help!

[donnamp]

I would love mascara recommendations, too! I have never found one I truly loved.

For removing make-up (I don't wear a lot - mascara, a little tinted sunscreen and a little blush so I don't look dead) I have actually been going old school and using Ponds Cold Cream. My skin tends to be oily, so I put it on and then wash it off with water. It does seem to do the job! I guess our grandmothers were on to something.

The downside is, if you don't like fragrance, Ponds Cold Cream has fragrance in every product. Since I'm washing it off, it doesn't bother me, though.

Donna

[Lucky Star]

Oh! Last night I realized that my DHC Deep Cleansing Oil can also work for eye makeup and mascara - totally didn't know that! I used it and removing mascara was a dream.
I love when a solution is right under my nose!

[BunnyHop]

I'm not big on makeup these days, but I do keep some Maybelline Full and Soft mascara around. It thickens a bit, but doesn't seem overly dramatic/sultry.
Last time I checked there were two colors,with a waterproof option.

[bee]

Lucky Star, I've always had longer but not as thick lashes -- these days they're almost non-existent, sadly, but anyway...... I always shop for a product that claims to create thicker lashes, rather than longer ones. I am just this morning for this first time trying Almay's -- it went on fine. We'll see how the staying power is. I always buy non-waterproof so removal is easy. I've never had problems with smearing.

[ardnas]

Originally Posted by Lucky Star

I have a really basic question that I'd love to get recommendations on. I've never really been into makeup but I've started wearing mascara (after many years of not) and I'm trying to find the best product for me.

My particulars are that I just want a fairly natural-looking product. I teach at a preschool but also it's also not my style to have dramatic looking eyes. I'd prefer to use a mascara without filaments or whatever you call those bits that extend your lashes. I'd rather have thicker lashes than impossibly long ones. At the moment I'm wearing Maybelline Great Lash in Brownish Black - not waterproof - and it's fine but I'm open to something else and would like to know what favorites are out there.

Also, I really need recommendations for an excellent mascara remover. So far I use a basic drugstore brand which happens to be oil-free but it doesn't work well and makes me tug at my eyes forever. Ugh, I hate it and just know there has to be something better. Thanks for any help!

The best natural looking mascara that doesn't flake or smudge in my experience has been the original Buxom. I received a free sample from Ulta with an order and have been using it exclusively since. It has the same brush as Better Than Sex mascara but is a much better formulation - you can add coats to darken and thicken without getting spider legs. I recently received a free sample of the new Buxom Big Tease and while I do like it, I prefer the original Buxom. Before finding this I would rotate between Benefit Roller Lash (very natural and buildable, love the brush), Tarte Maneater (solid curling formula), and Laura Geller Style Lash (really lengthens for for when you want to have that falsie look without wearing fake lashes).

I use Philosophy Purity to remove all make-up - takes off even waterproof mascara easily and doesn't burn your eyes.

[Leonana]

Originally Posted by lreidgreen

I agree-they totally overcharge for this type of product. I just ordered the Desert Essence unscented shampoo from Walgreens. Free delivery since I am getting it shipped to my local store.

I didn't realize they had one. I'll have to try it.

[Pat58]

Does anyone here use a heat styling brush? Not a blow dryer, but a curling iron with bristles. I have looked at the Revlon One Step but the barrel is much too large for my length.

[ardnas]

Originally Posted by Pat58

Does anyone here use a heat styling brush? Not a blow dryer, but a curling iron with bristles. I have looked at the Revlon One Step but the barrel is much too large for my length.

Not sure if this is what you're asking about? I am growing out a pixie cut and use the 1 inch barrel and really like it - I can add volume while I dry and or curl at the same time. Although mine is older than this model & didn't come with the larger brush. I've had it for years works well, fast to dry hair, I would buy again if mine stops working.

[toaster]

I'm always looking for a great mascara too--I think this was a discussion on last year's beauty thread as well. My pet peeve is when the tube is designed so that you wind up with way too much excess product on the brush! I also hate that so many of them seem to dry out within just a couple of months.

Currently using:
Maybelline Lash Sensational - okay, but think the comb brush on one side is kind of a gimmick and not really working for me
L'Oreal Last Paradise - not bad, but the brush is too wide for me (why don't they make them all tapered?) and it started drying out very quickly
Ulta Amped Lashes - got as part of kit; very nice brush (it's actually hard to get back in the tube!) but not sure yet how I feel about the formula

For awhile a loved ELF Mineral Mascara (not any of the other ELF brands), but it's gotten extremely hard to find, and I was a bit less enamored with it last time I tried it.