The Mascara Madness - Will it End?

Maybe I am old, or old fashioned. Or maybe I am pretty good at applying my mascara, because I am not so sure about all of these new mascara's.

The madness began when companies started making giant wands and huge brushes, a la Benefit's BADgal and the newer CoverGirl's LashBlast. Then there are the rubber-like brushes, a la Lancôme’s High Définicils, and again Lash Blast combines this type of bristle with it's large wand. Needless to say that these are my favorites of the many mascara's that have veered away from the norm. Then there is now. Now we have an even weirder looking brush in the shape of a ball and some rotating and vibrating wands.

While I am tempted to try these, you know I am a sucker for anything beauty related; I honestly don't know if any of these mascara's would become a staple in my makeup bag.

I have SpinLash and it is not a favorite of mine. The brush spins very slowly aiding mascara application. I can see it being a help to those gals that are not only mascara challenged, it can force a curl at the base of the lashes for those that need it. I was very excited to hear of Estee Lauder's TurboLash (sold out) and Lancôme’s Ôscillation (sold out in the exclusive preview). Alas, the more I read about them and study them - I am afraid I could really poke my eye out with one of these vibrational wands. Then there is one that looks almost like a torture device, Givency's Phenomen'Eyes. I don't know how this one could evenly coat my lashes.

Mascara application takes a very steady and precise hand. It could be considered an art form (applying false lashes certainly is!). I do not need my fingers slipping or running a muck. I certainly do not need a mascara brush in my eye, let alone rotating or vibrating at unheard of speeds.

I must admit that besides SpinLash, I have not held any of these other newbies, so call me judgemental. Simply put, I don't need eye damage and I can see it going wrong - very wrong, at some time or another.

Madness - I swear! Will it end? And where will it go from here? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. I am anxious to hear if you have tried any of these, if you love them, or are a bit of a skeptic or afraid as I.

Comments

[Karen]

LOL, it ain't old fashioned, girl. I'm with you. Power tools and eyes are a dangerous mix. I'm too clumsy to risk it!

[Beauty Banter]

I agree - it seems like bogus marketing strategies. I really didn't like spinlash - the mascara did not make my lashes longer or thicker and the applicator is so massive (and not very cute)!

xoxo,

Beauty Banter

[PinkLyfe]

i just received the lancome oscillation mascara. it wonderful! you can't see the brush vibrate. you can feel it slightly..but it doesn't upset the users steady hand at all. it has really shortened my time it takes me to apply my mascara. my eyes are aging and this is a big help. it takes me longer to apply mascara to my satisfaction as i get older. its precise and true to lancome formulations, no lumps, bumps or clumps. love, love, love it!

HTH

[Tashina]

I agree. Companies have gone too far in trying to create a buzz for their products! I haven't heard if any of them are actually helpful in application either. All the press is about how crazy the new wands are.

[Catherine]

I haven't tried the Estee Lauder one, but Spinlash is easily the worst out of the other three (I own all of them). Lancome's vibrates, but not so much that it messes up any application - seriously! But the only perk I got from it was that I didn't need to zig-zag to apply the mascara...performance-wise, it was decent but nothing spectacular. I actually REALLY like Givenchy's, though...the ball tip looks like it would be hard to maneuver, but its not! And it works really well, imo.

[leah]

The Lancome Oscillation is AMAZING!!!! It vibrates so subtly that you almost do not feel it moving. It coats the lash from base to tip without clumping. I am a mascara junkie and apply several coats of different Lancome mascara products to make sure I enhance every lash (thanks to Jan Marini my lashes practically touch my eyelids). With the new Oscillation, I only use this one...I love it...and it has a lovely scent, like roses.
I was a skeptic too until I tried it!

[Faith]

I know ... I just like normal mascara! Some of the rubber wands work really well, like Maybelline's Define-A-Lash, but I didn't have much luck with LashBlast. I've never had a problem with clumps, I think if you just apply the mascara evenly and calmly you won't get clumps!

[tammy]

I'm not sold on the Lancome Oscillation. I don't think the vibration adds anything to my mascara application. It will still clump if you are not careful. Guess I can always find another use for it!! wink wink :)

[Teri Cosenzi, Editor]

Seems like you are either for it or not. While I think that most do agree with me, that mascara application is an art form and if carefully applied, the outcome will be nice. Practice and patience make perfect -right?

I still will give one or two of these a try sometime. I am just hoping I don't hurt myself.

[Elaine Greenberg]

Teri, I have one more mascara for you to try -- Kiss Me, by Blinc. For me, this product is wonderful. ALL regular mascaras run on me, so I had to use waterproof mascara, which involves using that oily eye-makeup remover stuff. Blinc's mascara creates a tiny tube around each lash. It doesn't run, or smudge, or wear off. I love it.
Elaine

[Elaine Greenberg]

Teri, I have one more mascara for you to try -- Kiss Me, by Blinc. For me, this product is wonderful. ALL regular mascaras run on me, so I had to use waterproof mascara, which involves using that oily eye-makeup remover stuff. Blinc's mascara creates a tiny tube around each lash. It doesn't run, or smudge, or wear off. I love it.
Elaine

[amanda]

Yes, applying mascara is an art form & I'm all about technology. ... Just not when there's a whirring device right next to my eyes. I like the brush... nice safe brush.