Me at 80.
I don't know what kind of mascara you like. I like big, goopy, spidery, fake-looking eyelashes, but I'm too lazy to *actually* wear fake eyelashes, so I do the best I can. One of my alert readers asked what the differences among the wands might be. I am of the opinion that there ARE differences, actually.
Here are my personal favorite mascaras, what kind of brushes they have, and then some alternatives if you don't like fake-looking lashes and want something more natural. My experience with mascara is that you really don't need to spend a lot of money. ALL mascaras are hit-or-miss, no matter what price point you go for. I've tried at least four high-end mascaras, but I'm going to skip those for now because these were better, for some less than a third the price. (Although if you want the high-end ones, I can talk about those next post!)
Loreal Voluminous: You can't go wrong with this one. It has a curved curling brush. I get in in Very Black, and it makes my lashes very big, very long, and very smooth. In short, my lashes look almost-false. You can find coupons for this stuff, too!
Maybelline The Falsies: This one also has a curved brush, but with fuzzier bristles, as you can see in the link. The brush gives a slightly thicker, smudgier look than the Loreal Voluminous. The link is to the waterproof version, which I never use, but if that's your bag, knock yourself out!
Loreal Paris False Fiber Lashes: This mascara has a cone-shaped brush. It does the same job as the other two, but the other two, with their curved brushes, will get your lashes a little curlier. The only reason I like this one a little less than the other two is that it seems not to last as long. I know, I know, the "experts" say that you should keep your mascara no longer than 3 months, but straight up I keep that shit for as long as I'm still getting a lush coat of it on my lashes. I'm thrifty. I don't know if y'all can tell when mascara is running out, but that feeling kinda gives me the heebie jeebies...something about expecting a nice full sheen of it and getting some dried-out half-assed layer. No bueno.
But hey, what if you don't want big, fat lashes? What if you like a more natural look? I AM HERE FOR YOU MY FRIENDS.
THE MOST POPULAR MASCARA IN THE WORLD! Yep, it's good ol' Great Lash. It doesn't flake, it doesn't smudge, and it doesn't give me the look I like, but it does give a nice medium-length look that doesn't look like Spider Eyes.
Benefit BadGal: Good quality stuff. Leaves your lashes nice and feathery-soft, but not much curl or dramatic effect. I find this to be the case with chubbier brushes. But it's still a very classy mascara.
E.L.F Mascara: This link says it's $3.00, but I found it for a $1 at Target. You know, for that price, this stuff is pretty good. Let me stress, for a natural look. It won't get your lashes really big or dramatic, but it never clumps or smudges, so I flip it on to run errands or the like. It has a snowman brush. The little tip is for your bottom and outer lashes!
Okay, here's one mascara I DON'T like: Clinique High Impact. I find it to be a weird consistency, kind of runny, which is bizarre for a mascara, right? Because it's kind of runny, it gets into my eyes, and it stings. Sorry, Clinique...I like your foundation, mascara, and lipstick, but your mascara flubbed the triple salchow. (Or, as I used to think it was called, the "triple sow cow.")
Miss Richfield 1981 wants to know, 'What are the hot colors for fall?!'
I won't go into fashion, but I'll stick to makeup trends/colors.
Foundation is matte, matte, matte! Use a thin layer so as not to get too thick. I'll do a post on my favorite powders soon, since you'll need a nice one! If your current foundation is going on too thick, mix it with a few drops of water, okay? Cool.
Eye shadows are pewters and purples, metallic!
Nail colors are also metallic, again pewters, teals, purples, blacks. A surprise (to me) was that "dirty nudes" are also really in for tall. Think light mauves, grays, "greige," and light browns.
Lip colors are REALLY fun, and I for one am excited. Raspberry, "black cherry" and classic reds in. Don't be afraid to try a nude lip, either. A really easy no-fail combo is Rimmel's Exaggerate Lipliner in EastEnd Snob (a broad-appeal nude color for a broad range of skin colors) and cover in a clear or slightly tinted gloss.
I can't find any color swatches for you that aren't product-specific, and I don't want to put something on here I haven't tried. I think you can use your imaginations on those colors, though. I HAVE FAITH.
Thanks for reading, everyone. This has been such a great outlet for me! I appreciate your ideas and recommendations! Please write them in the comments below. :)
Next week: What's an actual long-lasting lip color that doesn't suck, and what's the deal with chemicals in makeup? Stay tuned!
