Ahh short and stumpy eyelashes. The bane of most Asian women everywhere. Beauty salons that extends their business to eyelash extensions have us to thank for, eh? 😛
I really don’t fancy my stumpy eyelashes. Mine aren’t exactly short but they’re usually dead straight and rarely do mascaras allow my lashes to even hold a curl. I’ve pretty much given up searching for mascaras that can hold a curl and am instead focusing on mascaras that give me volume and length.
This is where mascaras with combs come in. I find that combs work heaps better on Asian lashes because they separate the short lashes well, coat them individually with any clumps and most importantly, they give the lashes the volume and length they need. My current Holy Grail of mascaras is Australis’ Voluptulash because it gives me just that. Even so, I sometimes find that it makes my eyelashes look stiff and spidery which doesn’t look very natural during the day.
I’ve been using 3 comb mascaras for the past couple of months and found that although they don’t lengthen the lashes very much or create a huge volumising effect, they’re very effective for day use.
L’Oreal False Lash Telescopic* (RRP AU$25.95)
I received this as part of the LMFF kit in March. The comb is long and thin which makes it perfect for smaller Asian eyes (I don’t like fat combs or brushes because I tend to be quite clumsy and often end up poking myself in the eye with the wand). The comb coats each lash well without clumps and makes the lashes look naturally long and volumised. The lasting power is also quite high; I’ve had this on for well over 12 hours for days without smudging at all.
The only thing I’m not keen on is that the mascara stings the eyes a little upon application. I don’t know if it’s just my mascara because I’ve not heard of anyone complaining about the stinging formula. I’m about to reach the 3-month mark soon so I’ll get another one to try out. The only reason I’m putting up with the slight stinging of the eyes and that I’m willing to buy another one to try again is because I like how natural this makes my lashes look. What’s this again about no pain, no gain? *facepalm*
Benefit They’re Real (RRP AU$38.00)
I’ve heard a lot about this mascara and finally decided to try one out after being sweet-talked into buying one after my eyebrow grooming session at a Benefit Brow Bar. The comb for this one is fat with a “wet” formula (it doesn’t dry the lashes to a crispy finish). Like L’Oreal’s False Lash Telescopic, this also separates the lashes well without clumping, giving the lashes a natural yet volumised look.
With this mascara’s wet finish, it does take a longer time to dry than the other 2 mascaras. I’ve smudged the lower lash line plenty of times when I sneezed right after application. However, once the mascara sets, it no longer budges and lasts all day without smudging. However, this doesn’t last through crying (yeah, happened to me once at a restaurant. Long story.) and will smudge to the lower lash line. If you’re going to watch a tearjerker, stay away from this one. 😛
Max Factor Clump Defy* (RRP AU$24.95)
I acquired this recently and thought it’s worth mentioning too. The wand is curved, just like my favourite Voluptulash but it has a dry formula in comparison. The curvy wand makes it very easy to coat each lash especially the sides. Each hair is coated well and again, there’s no clumps.
This dries relatively quickly on the lashes and lasts all day without smudging. It’s not a waterproof mascara but in the afternoon, I tend to get sleepy and my eyes would water. This has lasted through watery eyes without a hint of smudging. The only thing I’m not a fan of is the rather strong chemical scent, which is typical of most Max Factor mascaras.
Of all these three mascaras, strange enough, my favourite is still the one that stung my eyes, which is the False Lash Telescopic mascara by L’Oreal. It applies the easiest and the best out of the three. I’ll be purchasing a new one soon and will see if my current one really is a dud or if it still does sting my eyes. Here’s hoping that it’s just the former. I’ll be back to report on how it turns out. 🙂
Have you tried any of these mascaras before? Are you a fan of comb or brush wands?
Note: Products marked with * were sent for editorial consideration.
hmmm, I have a similar problem, stick straight lashes that don’t hold a curl. Lately I have really been liking Cover Girl clump crusher. Honestly, it looks exactly like the max factor that you use! I like Maybelline full n soft, for a natural look. I tried a l’oreal telescopic (not the same one as you) and didn’t like that it stung my eyes and was SO hard to get off. But I have to say it was the only mascara that actually held a curl all day! I thnk it was a waterproof version. I’ve also been testing Buxom lash mascara which has a similar brush to the benefit they’re real, but its flexible and bendy. The formula is much better too! You might like that one!
Good luck searching for the HG mascara! 🙂
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Thanks for the recommendations, Amber. I find it so difficult to find mascaras that looks natural AND hold a curl at the same time. My current HG one does but sometimes I find it makes my lashes look too stiff with spider-legs. I’ll check out the ones you mentioned. 🙂
Have you tried fiber mascaras? I have stubborn, uncurlable lashes, too and I personally love Majolica Majorca’s Lash Expander and Lash King. 🙂
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I have tried fiber mascaras. Some works for me but at the end of the day, the extra bits feel a bit weird on me 😛 I’ve also tried the Lash Expander; it’s pretty good! 🙂
My favourite mascaras are the Benefit and L’Oreal ones you mentioned. I absolutely adore mascara as it makes my eyes pop!
I hope it’s okay to do this – I have a make up blog sale where I’m selling a lot of unused make up (I hoard too much!) and I would love if you (and anyone else) would check it out. I’m selling brands like Nars, Stila, Rae Morris, Laura Mercier, NYX, Wet n Wild, MAC, Revlon, BB Creams, Asian brands and more. Also, I’m shipping from Sydney. The link is: http://sites.google.com/site/muablogsalebroken
No worries, share away! 🙂
I’ve tried the “They’re real” mascara in a sample tube and quite like it. I’m not sure I’d buy the full size when there are so many good drugstore mascaras.
Have you tried to heat your eyelash curler with a hair dryer? Much like a curling iron for your hair, this should curl your lashes .. but be careful .. from experience I can tell you that a dryer will heat a eyelash curler pretty quickly !!
Monica, www. pear-shaped-gal.com
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I’ve tried the hairdryer thing once and err, I put it on too long, made my eyelashes crispy and a lot of them fell out 🙁 So from then on, I’m keeping it far away from my eyelashes! 😛
Now that I’ve read your review, I will stay away from the dear old Max Factor because I don’t like the curved wands. I like to angle the brush/wand to get the little lashes that the curved wand misses on my eyes. I have had better results from They’re Real, and I carry their travel size in my MU bag. My current fave mascara, however, is I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara (pink tube) from essence. It isn’t waterproof but it stays on all day with no smudging. The bulb at the tip of the brush finds and coats every teeny little lash toward the corner of my eye as well as all the lower lashes. I have mostly given up my prestige mascara brands for this bargain.
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There are so many good drugstore mascaras out there that works better than high-end ones that I don’t even normally bother with the latter. It’s a lot of money for something that I’ll have to chuck after 3-6 months!
I have a travel-sized version of the They’re Real and it’s so cute. I’m saving that for actual traveling 🙂
Happy Birthday Tine…I hope you are having a great day…;)
Thanks 😀
I have short stumpy lashes too :'( I do love a combination of comb and brush wands as they give the lengthening and plumping effect. I have not used any of the reviewed but one mascara that did work for me was Lancôme’s vibrating mascara. That was awesome. But these days, I prefer wearing falsies, sigh, I have succumbed to the falsies allure.
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Ooooh I’m still trying to learn how to wear falsies properly! 😛