Calling all make-up experts

[FrannyandZooey]

I always buy cheapo mascara (Rimmel etc) but need a new one and also have £10 vouchers from Christmas. Should I splash out and get a fancy one, or do they (as I suspect) all basically do the same job?

Lancome mascaras are lovely - much better than the cheapo ones imo. Lots of people swear by Maybelline Superlash, but I can't see what all the fuss is about - it is cheap though!

Great Lash, not Superlash - sorry

Forgot to add, Benefit Bad Gal Lash is another good one

I hate Maybelline Superlash (is that the pink and green one?), really awful. It flakes and blobs whenever I use it. TBH, I think it's the brush that makes the difference. The maybelline one looks like a dolls house loo brush

I am currently using this L'Oreal mascara which is really good. Much more effective then cheap ones I've tried, and exactly the right price for you

Great Lash, that's it.

the Benefit one comes with a great big fat brush, not like the horrible skinny brush you get with Maybelline (I found it the same as you NdP)

A lash curler goes a long, long way towards improving the performance of your mascara.

The MaxFactor Lash Finish is pretty good, too.

Expat I was hoping you would turn up. You are my make-up guru

LashFinity! That was it. Yes, I am a makeup whore.

I like the Maybeline great lash one for a basic mascara. I also have an 'evening' mascara which is one of those double ended jobbies which I like (only Bourgois) I also like L'Oreal for that one above Rimmel, but not expensive, make-up. I swear by their foundation.

How much are we talking for these brands? I have tried BeneFit and like their aubergine one but found it ran out quickly and was no better quality IMO.

I have got a lash curler. Stupid q but do you use it before you put the mascara on?

Now now Expat I said guru, not whore

I agree with sd, lancome are great. There the only ones that really last for me. Other ones don't seem to do anything after a week of using them.

L'Oreal is about £8.99 for their top of the range macasra

I curl before applying the mascara and then in between coats - I usually do two coats.

Maybelline made my eyes really sore as well as being crap (imo). Almay are good. Definitely think you get what you pay for with mascara - I used to wear Dior or Helena Rubinstein.
Has anyone tried the one that has an advert where the woman bats her impossibly fluffy looking eyelashes and flies?

Has anyone tried the heated eyelash curlers, are they any better than the ordinary ones?