Volumizing? Defining? And other WTH moments....

Hermanas!!!

Curious fact before I forget. In Mexico, mascara is called rimel. Yup, like Rimmel London.

If you have been with us all week; you now know that getting luscious lashes is not just a matter of slapping on whichever mascara. Monday we shared Lash Savers, including some guidelines on what to look for when you are buying a new tube. Yesterday we dished about the pros and cons of primer and curling (or not!). Today we are almost getting ready to cyberapply mascara.

So let's pretend we are standing in the middle of Sephora *sigh*, with no budget problems *sighs again* and all the time in the world *triple sigh*, but without a salesperson trying to push their favorite mascara on us. How would we decide?

I say: think triple. I would like you to focus on three things. First, the type of mascara you want; second, the brush of the ones available and third; sadly enough, how much can you afford.

The titles cosmetic companies baptize their products with can be as puzzling as trying to sort out their ingredients (unless you are lucky enough like yours truly to have a hot Organic Chemist on call, mwahahahaha). But really, they can be confusing. So, how about mascaras? What is the difference between a "volumizing" and a "curl enhancing" one? Let me give it a try.

Volumizing mascaras claim they can make your eyelashes look full and yet soft. This is the kind I live by, since I am all about the dramatic look. Best in Class are (some reviews courtesy of Bee over at Clumps of Mascara):

Cover Girl Lash Blast (currently on my lashes)

Diorshow Iconic (on my I wantzzz it list)

Max Factor 2000 Calorie (one of my faves)

Volumizing mascara is best used -yo pienso- when you have somehow achieved curl and length through other means. If you have small lashes, not such a good idea as it can look clumpy. If you are going to use this baby, give it some time to set before patching up 3,000 coats. And always use a separator after.


Lengthening mascaras help you extend small lashes. Simple, eh? Not quite. Like, really chicas, how can you lengthen something finite? (great, now I am philosophical). Yet, seems you can. Best in class:

Lash Control Volume

Maybelline Lash Stylist

Rimmel Glam Eyes (Bella's review, B's review)

If you want tube technology, go for either L'Oreal Extend or Blinc Kiss Me. I have tried both and am partial towards L'Oreal, which is also much more affordable... as in half price affordable.

"Curling' mascaras are supposed to give you a curly angle to otherwise flat and sad lashes. I personally think this is nothing more than a myth (basic physics hermanas)... so I will not go into detail about these ones. They exist, and I would never buy one. If you have and love them (and hence think I am full of...) do share!!!

Defining mascaras are -after volumizing ones- my favorite ones. They tend to be much more thin in their consistency; and their ultimate goal or promesa is to separate and -surprise!- define your lashes. I like these ones for those very rare days where I want to look more natural (they occur, once in a blue moon). Another perk is they tend to feel quite light on your eyes. Best in class?

I personally love Lancome Définicils

Clinique High Definition

Revlon has a sleuth of defining mascaras, but I must confess I have not tried them.


Dios! This is one long post. I guess we will leave the thoughts about mascara wands and brushes for tomorrow. In the meanwhile, go back to dreaming about being in Sephora, with no budget restrictions....

Siempre , Bella.

Café Review: Rimmel Glam'Eyes Mascara

Hermanas!!!

I gave in and, after the total fiasco with Lash Stiletto ; I decided to give Rimmel's Glam'Eyes Mascara a well deserved try, since Rimmel usually has pretty innovative products that I have favored over the years.

The packaging is quite cute, there is just something about pink on black I can't say no to. My friend Amby says I dress in pink way too much (shame on me, but i realized it was kinda true, so I am expanding my wardrobe hues). In their webiste, they advertise it like this:

Seductive Volume. Turn heads. New VolumFlex Brush styles lashes for sensational volume and instant separation. Ultra supple elasto-bristles groom each lash, lacquering them from root to tip for a spectacular 7 x more lash intensity. Big Lash Seduction. High Definition. Maximum lash impact. Impeccable definition. Smoothing formula glides through lashes, wrapping each one for ultimate volume yet perfect separation. Lashes look dramatically amplified yet sleekly defined - even up close and personal

The much lauded 'VolumFlex' brush is, well, flimsy. Apparently that is the idea, to have the brush 'boing' along and don't pull on your lashes. The real reason for doing so beats me. It took me a long time to get used to it -- I like my brushes more on the chubby and firm side.

7x times lash intensity? Errr.... not quite. Although I did notice my lashes looked a tad bit longer; the volume and drama I was expecting has yet to come.

I also found that it can get clumpy when layering coats. I had to apply about 4 coats to look anything like I would with other volumizing mascaras; so maybe Glam'Eyes is for hermanas who like sleek lashes rather than really voluminous ones.

It does provide nice definition, speically in the lower lashes. there! Maybe i will use it only on my lower lashes and go back to other mascaras for the upper lash effect I like.

So chicas, Glam'eyes is a good mascara. Not a HG, and not a must-have. At least not for moi. Stay tuned, for I will keep on the lookout for drugstore finds. So i f you want to hook up for some mascara shopping, look for me in the beauty aisle at Bartell Drugs (which has great sales every week on beauty and health products).


Siempre, Bella.

p.s. I almost forgot to wish Happy Anniversary to my prima Danny G.; who celebrated one year of marital bliss with a really cool guy and a visit to Lake Placid. Danny lives in NYC, couple of blocks from Sephora. I am most certainly envious of that. Danny: Feliz Aniversario Chiqui!!!!