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Not All Mascaras Are Equal – Which one is for you?

Following up on our blog ‘lash for beginners’, we wanted to reach out to our Wedztylers who prefer to use mascara to enhance their lashes. For me, choosing the right mascara for your eyelashes is just as significant as selecting the right shade of red lipstick. 

There is no doubt that there are many variations of mascara. My personal view is that not all mascaras work equally.  Thought should go into a cosmetic purchase such as this. I look at various elements, such as:

  • the smell – does it smell like a chemical laboratory?
  • the depth of pigment
  • the type of bristle brush
  • Wiper ratio – want good amount of product on the brush
  • It is not wet – I really do not want to be applying 2-3 coats
  • Intended effect – love lengthening and volumising
  • how easy it is to remove
  • consistency – gluggy and thick – my pet hate

Before I continue what I look for in a mascara, have you ever wondered about the ingredients in a mascara?  Mascara’s ingredients typically include a carbon black or iron oxide pigment to darken lashes; a polymer to form a film that coats lashes; a preservative; and thickening waxes or oils such as lanolin, mineral oil, paraffin, petrolatum, castor oil, carnauba wax, and candelilla wax.” (Makayla, 2019).

Image Source: Instagram @narsissist

A lot of cosmetic products, including mascara, contain crystal guanine which is a colorant. Guanine is manufactured from fish scales. Yes, you read correctly. As fish scales are animal-based, mascaras are neither vegetarian nor vegan. Synthetic dyes (chemically derived) are also used as colorants (Makayla, 2019).

There are brands of mascara available that are natural and organic vegan, many of which are certified by the Vegan Society and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals PETA (https://www.peta.org/). The Vegan Society logo launched in 1990 to help make a living a vegan lifestyle simple by providing an easy way to recognize whether a product comes from their certified Vegan beauty brands  (https://www.vegansociety.com/).

Interesting enough, the formulation of mascara has not changed dramatically over the past fifty years. What has changed and evolved is the mascara brush. Traditional mascara brushes are made from nylon bristle fibres which wrap around a wire into a particular shape. Nylon brushes deliver more volume. Nowadays, plastic-moulded brushes are used for greater design control. Cosmetic companies spend millions on patenting their brush designs to give a specific look (Gattis, L). These include:

  • Lengthening
  • Thickening/Volumising
  • Curling
  • Lash defining

It is worth mentioning that the thicker the brush, the more volume to the lash. The thinner the brush, more precision delivery to the lash.

Image Source: Instagram @hourglass

The wiper, which is the plastic ring inside the mascara tube’s mouth contributes to the performance of the product; it is pivotal.  Companies aim to balance the volume of excess formula wiped off versus how much is retained on the brush as it determines how much product is on lashes. If the wiper is too tight, all the formula gets squeezed off the brush. But too large a wiper, then it clumps. (Gattis, L).

Regardless of the formulation, the brush or bottle, it appears to me that the wiper is the bit that counts.

Brand and type of a mascara is a personal choice. I would like to do is share with our fellow Wedztylers my ultimate favourites.

Benefit – They’re Real

  • Long lasting
  • Lengthening
  • The brush separates my lashes and most importantly does NOT clump
  • Wiper ratio spot on
  • Paraben free which is another plus

Image Source : Instagram @benefitaustralia

Tarte – Lights Camera Action

  • Lengthens and volumizes
  • Does not clump
  • The brush is a good size
  • Long lasting
  • Ultra-dark pigment which is a huge plus
  • Wiper ratio is good – perfect amount falls on the lashes
  • Vegan

Image Source: Instagram @tartecosmetics

Charlotte Tilbury – Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes

  • My new obsession mascara
  • The bristle brush is narrow which gives that nice precision and control for an even lash effect
  • Lengthens, stretches and volumizes lashes beautifully
  • Strong pigment
  • Does not clump
  • Perfect wiper ratio
  • Contains natural waxes

Image Source : Instagram @Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Lashes Volume 2

  • Very volumizing due to bristle brus
  • Strong pigment
  • Does not clump
  • Perfect wiper ratio
  • Contains natural waxes

Image Source : Instagram @Charlotte Tilbury

Morphe – Make it big volumizing mascara

  • Well priced – excellent value for money
  • Decent size bristle brush
  • Adds great volume
  • Wiper ratio is good
  • Vegan

Image Source: Instagram @morphe

Hourglass – Film Noir Full Spectrum

  • Love the bristle brush – adds volume to my lashes
  • Pigmented
  • Nice formula – no clumps and applies evenly
  • Wiper ratio is perfect
  • Made without: Phthalate, sulphates, synthetic dyes and gluten.

Image Source: Instagram @hourglass

Stila – Magnum XXX™ Mascara

  • Lengthen and volumize -makes my lashes pop
  • Lashes look amazing due the bristle brush
  • Great pigment
  • It does not clump – true to the advertising
  • Contains natural waxes

Image Source: Instagram @stilacosmentics

Chantecaille – Faux Cils Longest Lash Mascara

  • Due to the price – I use on special occasions – it has a treatment serum in the product hence the hefty price tag.
  • Nice formula
  • Bristle brush nicely lengthens and volumizes my lashes
  • Wiper ratio is good
  • Contains rose oil, not tested on animals, parabens and other nasties

Image Source: Instagram @chantecaille

Burberry – Cat Lashes

  • Love the product
  • Bristle brush delivers length and volume
  • Pigmented
  • Perfect wiper ratio
  • Made with Anti-oxidants, Fragrance-free, Oil-free, Paraben-free, Sulphate-free, Vitamins

Image Source: Instagram @burberry

For those looking for a natural organic vegan PETA mascara, check out Nourished life Australia. Nourished Life is a must for those who want clean beauty (no nasties, organic, vegan friendly PETA). Check out the website, it will amaze you. https://www.nourishedlife.com.au/.

There are many variations in the market. I encourage our Wedztylers to try different mascaras, colours, and types of lash effects. Keep in mind, the brand is irrelevant. Focus on the type of bristle brush and the wiper ratio. Not all mascaras are the same!!!

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References

Gattis, L. (2020, October 10). A Mascara Expert Sets the Record Straight. Retrieved from INTO THE GLOSS: https://intothegloss.com/2013/09/best-mascara-2013-expert-tips/

Makayla. (2019, October 24). Is it True That Mascara is Made of Bat Poop? Retrieved from https://www.encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/daily/is-it-true-that-mascara-is-made-of-bat-poop/

Main Image Hourglass

15 Shades of RED

Those who know me will know that when it comes to cosmetics products, it is all about lipsticks. From a young age, I developed a fixation in buying lipsticks in a vast range of colours. The brand was irrelevant. All I cared about was the shade and how I felt when I wore it. I recall the first lipstick that I was given by aunty. It was the perfect brown – not too dark, not too light. It was glossy and it made my lips feel full and pouty. And the obsession began.

In the 90’s, I moved towards matte lipsticks as I found that were pigmented, long lasting although a bit drying depending on the brand. Who could forget Poppy’s infamous opaque lipsticks. Anyone and everyone owned a shade of Poppy lipsticks. One of my favourite shades was Indolence. A nude shade that matched any eye look. And then there was MAC. Their range of lipsticks offered made it my ultimate go-to brand. Whatever lipstick shade I wore, it always matched my mood and look. From day to night, my lips were never without lipstick.

For me, no shade of lipstick made me feel as glamorous, sexy and confident than wearing that perfect red lipstick. It can change your face, your look and your attitude. To this day, this is my preferred colour and as a result, I have accumulated ‘plentiful’ shades red of lipsticks.

Being a brunette with brown eyes and olive skin with golden undertones, I have worn a breadth of reds. I tended to ignore the ‘recommended’ red lipsticks for my hair colour and skin tone. I enjoyed experimenting. From bright reds to dark reds some with blue undertones, some with orange/brown and some with pink. I also played around with different formulas from sheer, gloss, matte semi matte, stains and liquid matte. Over the years, I have developed a ‘few’ favourites. So here are my 15 shades of red:

 

1. MAC Ruby Woo Known as Retro Matte. Eye catching red lipstick. Intense, striking and beautiful on the lips. Pigmented and long lasting.

 

red image 1

Image supplied by google – s-media-cache-ak0.pinmg.com

 

2. MAC RED Satin finish – bright hue of red. The satin finish makes the lips pop. Pigmented and long wearing.

 

red image 2

Image supplied by google – vg-images.condecdn.net

 

3. MAC Russian Red Matte – blue based shade of red. Not as vivid as Ruby Woo but still makes as statement on your lips.

 

MAC-Russian-Red-Painted-Ladies-Blog
      Image supplied by google –  www.painted-ladies.com

 

4. Dior 040 – Marilyn Matte lipstick. Long lasting, rich and deep in colour. The lipstick goes on very easily, giving the lips an intense finish. The packaging adds to the sophistication of the lipstick and the brand.

 

red image 4

Image supplied by google – s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com

 

5. Dior 014- Dolce Vita Matte, long lasting and non-drying. Vibrant red. Bold and daring. The perfect shade of red. Again, the packaging adds to the sophistication of the lipstick and the brand.

 

red image 5

Image supplied by google – www.polyvore.com

 

6. YVSL Lipstick –Rouge Pur Couture 01 Matte finish, quite pigmented. Pure red colour. Hydrating and glides on easily. Elegant packaging.

image 16

Image supplied by google – www.yslbeautyus.com

 

7. Bodyography Lipstick – Red China Semi-matte. A true red that makes the lips look divine. A hidden gem!

 

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Image supplied by google – cdn.makeupandbeauty.com

 

8. NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil – Mysterious Red A 2 in 1. A warm red hue that is moisturising and long lasting. This pencil is velvety smooth, making application easy.

 

image 8

Image supplied by google – www.vampyvarish.com

 

9. Chanel – Rouge Allure A must for every red-loving person. Intense, luminous and incredibly moisturizing. Brilliant packaging. Chanel is engraved within the lipstick. The lipstick barrel comes out when you press the golden base.

 

image 9

Image supplied by google – www.chanel.com

 

10. Chanel Number 14 Passion Satin matte finish. This shade of red is vibrant and daring. A true red.
image 10

Image supplied by google – www.polyvore.com

 

11. Chanel Number 104 – Passion Deeper red. Intense hue. Lips feels moist and sensuous

 

image 11

Image supplied by google – izzybeautyshoppe.com

 

12. Kat Von D – Hellbent Rich, deep red. Also known as crimson red. This lipstick makes a statement. Lips look sexy and pouty. Hydrating, long lasting and rich pigment.

 

image 12

 

Image supplied by google – www.temptalia.com

 

13. Buxom – Provocateur Full bodied semi matte. A true red that is vibrant and bold. Hydrating, extremely pigmented and lasts all day. The name says it all!! Stila – All Day Liquid Lipstick This lipstick applies wet and dries to a matte finish. Quite moisturising therefore non-drying. True to the name, this lipstick is long lasting. Incredibly pigmented range of colours.

image 13

Image supplied by google – www.temptalia.com

 

14. Fiery Intense full red-blooded colour. Makes the lips look full and sexy.

 

image 14

Image supplied by google – thisthatbeauty.com

 

15. Beso Pure red. Bold, daring and vivid. Lips looks seductive and sensuous Application is everything when wearing a red lipstick.

 

image 15

Image supplied by google – demandware.edgesuite.net

 

There are many tips online where you can be guided on how to apply on a red lipstick. I make sure that my lips are well moisturised. I then use a lip liner where I define my lip shape and lightly fill in my lips. I do this to ensure that I get a nice even finish. I then apply the lipstick directly from the bullet. What I do is dab the colour into my lips until I get the dimension of red I desire. For those who are uncomfortable in wearing a red lipstick, don’t be. Own it. With so many shades of red, it is a colour that can easily transition from day to night. Don’t be afraid to play around with various colours, formulas and brands. Find what makes you go ‘wow’ when you put it on your lips. Create your own 15 shades of red!

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