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Original poster

I can't seem to wear mascara

29 replies

BlimeyCrikey · 11/02/2016 21:11

For whenever I do, I get smudging and flaking over my under-eyes that makes me look like I've been out all night.

It also feels uncomfortable after a couple of hours.

I used to wear it daily but when I had my children and left my job in my late 20's I gave it up, to give my lashes a break. I'm now in my mid 30's and sometimes think I need some 'oomph'. Unfortunately my budget is very low, so, looking at recommendations I've just purchased a £10 Borjuois one. Not cheapy-cheap, not expensive either, I know.

Is that the problem? Or the fact I use heavy moisturiser due to my very dry skin? I only use a bit of foundation now and again during the colder months too so I don't go down the powder route - my dry skin look awful with powder anyway and it instantly ages me.

I've got an event soon where I'm bound to get very hot, sweaty and tired as it's evening, I want to wear more eye make-up but am afraid of looking horrendous.

What's the secret?

OP posts:
bluebiro · 11/02/2016 23:52

Do you have hooded eyes? I finally realised the reason I don't get on very well with mascara is because my eyelids pretty much rest on my eyelashes and causes the problems you describe! See eg this

If that's not it, I don't know, sorry!

MadisonAvenue · 12/02/2016 00:10

I've tried many mascaras and can't even keep waterproof on for more than an hour or two without getting panda eyes. I do need something though so I dye my lashes, usually every 4 weeks or so, with Colorsport 30 Day mascara and then use Asda George Lash Tamer everyday for a bit of definition, it's a clear mascara and very cheap but it's the best one that I've found.

FrustratedFrugal · 12/02/2016 05:44

You probably have either hooded or deep-set eyes. If your eyes are very deep in their sockets or there is a bit of extra tissue hanging over your brow bone, mascara doesn't stand a chance. Creams you've applied on your skin (eye cream, and in my case, even eye shadow base) dissolve mascara and make it flake. I have deep-set eyes and rarely wear mascara. When I do, it tends to flake.

Secrets: eye shadow base, pale sheer eye shadow on my lids, eyes lined with a sweatproof eyeliner (possibly also tightlined), no mascara. I don't get my lashes tinted or use lash extensions, but those would be alternatives too.

Original poster
BlimeyCrikey · 12/02/2016 07:57

Oh! I DO have a bit of a hood over my eyes - I was all worried about it years back and looked at surgery lol, but since children came along I completely forgot all about it!

Thank you, I'm off to research.

OP posts:
Original poster
BlimeyCrikey · 12/02/2016 08:21

I've found this, it suggests using egg white to lift the eye area so I'm going to have a play around with that this weekend. Otherwise I guess I'll be investing in some fake lashes!

OP posts:
Carpaccio · 12/02/2016 09:13

Try a tubing mascara. Both my mum and I have hooded eyes and oily eyelids, so normal mascara (and waterproof) just smudge and flake.
Tubing mascaras are not wax based, but are polymers that coat the lashes. It comes off easily with warm water.

A cheap one is the L'Oreal beauty tubes (double ended mascara in red and white packaging). You don't need to use the white end, the mascara itself is great. My mum absolutely loves this one.
Clinique Lash Power and Estee Lauder Double Wear mascaras are also tubing mascaras. They are my favourites.
Boots No7 has one too, I think it's thr one in the gold tube, but I have not tried this one yet. There are loads of other ones on the market from different brands as well.

Original poster
BlimeyCrikey · 12/02/2016 10:17

Tubing mascara sounds amazing, it really comes off in warm water? That's a dream mascara! I have sensitive eyes/skin and struggle with finding good make up removing products.

I'll look at the ones you suggest, thank you.

OP posts:
bluebiro · 12/02/2016 10:41

I find these Magic Stripes quite good too for lifting the skin and giving me visible eyelids!

Moogdroog · 12/02/2016 12:35

Tubing mascara. That is what you need! I started a panda-eye thread a couple of weeks ago and got pointed in the right direction. Went out and bought the No 7 one the next day, and bam! My mascara stays on all day!

Bit odd to take off - just water and a rub, but it's solved the problem for me. Now to ditch the 5 other mascara so have in my make up case, my quest is over.

Original poster
BlimeyCrikey · 12/02/2016 12:47

So...I could probably even wear tubing mascara on my lower lashes? They never get a look in, even when I was in my teens because of the smudging!

OP posts:
cosytoaster · 12/02/2016 12:50

I have same problems OP and tubing mascaras didn't work either - the tubes ended up sliding off and looking like little spider legs on my face - hope you have more luck, I've given up!

Original poster
BlimeyCrikey · 12/02/2016 12:58

Oh my hopes have been a little dashed. Which make did you try?

OP posts:
CremeBrulee · 12/02/2016 12:59

But a good quality tubing mascara - Blinc is the original and best IMHO. You can usually get trial size ones from eBay for not much so you can see if it's for you.

Both DD and I have very sensitive eyes and are ok with it.

QueenJulian · 12/02/2016 13:05

I feel like I'm always on here recommending it but the Boots no 7 tube mascara is really good. I became allergic to Lancôme mascara a few years ago, tried Blinc which flaked and was a bit too natural for me and finally found this one. It's called Stay Perfect and is in a gold tube. Hooded eyes here too!

Original poster
BlimeyCrikey · 12/02/2016 13:06

I'm going to try the Boots one, thank you. I've googled and seen people complain about Blinc going a bit crumbly.

OP posts:
cosytoaster · 12/02/2016 13:07

Blinc! I am the only person I know who has these problem though. I have often asked other people about their mascaras and have often been told what they use and that 'nothing shifts it', for it not to work on me. Fortunately I am pretty frumpy generally so I'm not that bothered Grin

BloodyBloods · 12/02/2016 13:09

This reply has been withdrawn

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Original poster
BlimeyCrikey · 12/02/2016 13:10

Do you curl your lashes first too?

OP posts:
BloodyBloods · 12/02/2016 13:14

This reply has been withdrawn

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FrustratedFrugal · 13/02/2016 08:01

I've tried a tubing mascara (Sensai 38) but found it very difficult to remove - when the tubes come off, a couple of lashes come off as well Confused

Pidapie · 13/02/2016 08:35

I use waterproof mascara that for me works, when normal mascara often smudges as the day goes on!

FreeButtonBee · 13/02/2016 09:09

Defo tubing mascara. I like the Clinique stuff - it's nice and natural for every day and warm water takes it off easily.

alwaysalaughtobehad · 13/02/2016 10:26

Marking place as this sounds fantastic! Mascara always ends up down my face. So please to hear there are tubing ones under £20

Sleepyfergus · 15/02/2016 01:38

I got the Boots no 7 'stay perfect' one previously mentioned - I bought it on a whim one day in store as it promised everything I was after.

Got home and read the - mainly bad -reviews on the boots site and was really disheartened.

However, I'm pleased to say it's great! Stays in well and doesn't flake or crumble or slide off. Simple to remove as well. It's not a going out mascara, if that's what your after, as you can't really build it up, goes sticky and makes the lashes stick together. But a careful application gives great definition for daytime which suits me fine. I'm not the big mascara type of person!

Sleepyfergus · 15/02/2016 01:39

I mean if you try and apply coat on top of coat on top of coat - that's when it goes sticky etc.

A careful single coat works really well.