The perfect mascara for natural-looking fluttery lashes

[jjwhite]

I'm still on the hunt for the perfect mascara for fluttery lashes that look natural and not 'caked' in makeup/over-done. I really don't like the spidery/very obviously made-up look that mascaras like Benefit They're Real etc give.

I've tried a few and keep returning to the Clinique High Impact mascara (the one in the dark green tube). It is the best of the bunch but fairly expensive and not 'perfect'.

Looking forward to hearing your recommendations!

I've actually just come off a 12 hour nightshift and had Benefit roller lash on for about 15 hours. It's stayed on fine but gone a bit clumpy. I can post a photo if you want to see how it looks after a full days wear if it helps?

Thanks everyone for all these suggestions! Really, really helpful :-) I'm going to write up a little list and next time i'm in Boots I'll have a better idea...

Just because it can be helpful to hear other people's thoughts, these are ones I've tried before and had no luck with:

Benefit They're Real: too spidery an effect for me, not 'natural' enough although I liked the liquid formula

Guerlain (in gold packaging, double ended): really expensive and just not good enough for the price - actually quite a decent mascara but not 'the one' and therefore not worth the 30 quid or whatever it was :-S

Maybelline pink and green one (someone mentioned this): actually quite good, and one of the cheapest ones, but it has quite a small brush which is quite fiddly for applying. A really good option if you're on a budget, but again - not 'the one'.

Clinique lengthening mascara (in a white tube): has a really strange brush that just really didn't work for me. I liked the idea but the standard Clinique dark green bottle one was way better. Again, an expensive mistake at £20 or so.

I also experimented buying just a cheapy clear mascara to see whether than would be enough and would look natural but also lift/separate my lashes - sadly it also made my eye lashes clump and just didn't look great!

Thanks again for all your ideas :-)

I am back to maybelline pink and green after wasting loads of money on much pricier options. I did like benefit bad gal lash but not enough to warrant the price. Agree with others that they're real was just too much! I was tempted by some of the boots seventeen ones, they were cheap enough and the brushes looked good. Might be my next point of call. When the benefit counter does mascara they use a disposable mascara brush and it always goes on better, I had thought about buying some of those so I am always using a clean brush, might make the difference.

How are you applying op??
Are you starting at the roots, wiggling the wand before taking it to the end of the lashes? Not too much product on the wand, definitely not pumping it in the tube?

I find 2 coats goes clumpy but one with that technique makes most mascara work separating the lashes.

For natural, try the rimmel Argan oil one in a bronze tube. Doesn't feel crunchy like some.

I love givenchy noir couture volume but it gives big 60s fluttery lashes (that I Iove!)

Thanks Keeponkeepinon - I will definitely look out for it!

Catswiththumbs - that's exactly how I do it - getting rid of extra product/ starting at roots etc. etc. I never do a second coat as it has usually already set and looks more spidery/over-done when I go back in for a second round. So yeah, don't think it's a problem with the application?

To be honest, I get the impression from all the mascara adverts, with their emphasis on 'volumising' 'fake-lash effect' etc., that maybe more and more women are wanting that not very natural 'extreme' volume look (i.e. the opposite of what I'm looking for) and so maybe the makeup companies are producing more mascaras to cater to that?

Still, it's great to have heard lots of options on this thread... Will report back how I get on!

Boots no7 in the purple tube lengthening rather than volume based and it is lovely - I've tried, Benefit, Maybelline, Lancome, Clarins, Clinique, Guerlain, there is no spideryness or clumping and I buy waterproof because I rub my eyes and it seems to last all day.

But a metal lash comb and use THAT to apply your mascara instead (try some cheapness) - much more controllable, natural, and no clumps!

Cheapies, not cheapness!!

I have just tried the Kevin Aucoin curling tubing mascara following advice on mumsnet and I have to say it is pretty amazing. It stays on all day (even in the rain etc.) and just wipes off with warm water. I like a natural look and if I wipe the brush on the edge to get most of the mascara off I end up with just very long lashes and no clumping. I found it for around £15 on Amazon if that helps.

lancome definicials is very fluttery when zig zagging from the root and then swiping up. Also doll eyes also by lancome and there is a boots seventeen one dolled up

I have tried the new Benefit roller lash stuff and found it very clumpy. I actually chucked it in the bin after two goes, it was that bad.