Fight the Frump -Long Lashes without Chocolate Cake Crumbs!

Now y'all know I love me some makeup. I especially love eye makeup. New shadows beckon me from their shiny little cases. They call, "Buy me, Alli. I will feel so smooth and look so pretty. Unlike all those other 67890 cases all in your bathroom, purse, car and diaper bag." I'm a sucker for them.

Now mascaras, they disappoint me. They never quite make my naturally light and stubby lashes long and lovely. { sighs } So I heat my trusty eyelash curler and do my best with multiple brands.

Sometimes I try new brands and I either look like I have chocolate cake crumbs on my lashes or I look like this-

Not good.

Well, Friends of Fussy, I have good news. I picked up a new mascara this week. It has a microfiber base coat that actually builds up your lashes, and then you swipe on the color.

I have tried other brands with microfiber in the past, trust me, horrible results. I was so happy with Maybelline XXL Extensions!*

I heated up my trusty eyelash curler, and swiped this on. Oh great-day-in-the-mornin', my lashes looked great. I am a happy girl. I'm easy like that. { smiles }

Now, it is YOUR turn. Leave your best Frump Fighting advice or link the URL to your Frump Fighting post in the comment section. Soon I'll have my site moved to WP and I can host the Mr. Linky again. {*this is not a paid review for them. I do not do that ever. I just like it.}

Love you all, Alli

Comments

[Lisa@blessedwithgrace]

I recently bought this same mascara. It really does work well. I am glad you shared the good news with everyone else!

My Fight the Frump- bad hair day.
http://blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com/2008/10/graces-style-tip-friday-bad-hair-day.html

[Heather-Domestic Extraordinaire]

I have a horrible time with mascara getting all clumpy. I am due for some more, so thanks Allie!

I have found that my eyes look brightly when I put foundation on the lids then my cream eyeshadow. I use a shimmery white because it really brightens up my eyes and my lids are very LONG. But go easy on the white you don't want to look all scary, less is more ;o)

[ali]

lancome hypnose. by far the VERY best mascara ever.

[Anjie]

I might have to try it! I HATE the "chocolate cake flakes", and the smudging that comes from my kids touching my face all day long. So I use Almay's One Coat Mascara line...love it!

Fight The Frump Checklist:
http://abehunin.blogspot.com/2008/10/im-continuing-to-fight-frump-by.html

[Mary]

Here we share 15 tricks and tips on how to apply mascara correctly. If you suffer from thick, clumply, spider-like lashes, you may be applying mascara incorrectly.

Tip #1: How to apply mascara. Ace your mascara application with a three-step process:
Step 1: Wiggle the wand left to right at the base of lashes. It's the mascara placed near the roots -- not the tips -- that gives the illusion of length.
Step 2: Pull the wand up and through lashes, wiggling as you go. Step 3: In this final step, close the eye and place the mascara wand on top of lashes at the base and pull through to remove any clumps.

Tip #2: How to use a lash comb. For some, lash combs are simply too fussy. But for some makeup artists, they're a great invention and keep lashes glob-free and perfectly separated.
So how to use? Apply mascara at the lash base. Then wiggle the lash comb through to the tips of your lashes.
Not into the lash comb? Get rid of clumbs without them by removing excess mascara from the wand. Wipe wand on tissue, this eliminates blobs BEFORE you start.

Tip #3: Try a spoolie (a clean mascara wand). Sweep a clean, fresh mascara wand through lashes when they're wet. Don't worry, you don't have to buy them. When you finish a mascara, clean the wand in a capful of eye makeup remover, then wash with soap and dry. Keep it clean by washing it whenever you wash your makeup tools.

Tip #4: Don't shy away from colored mascara. Basic mascara rules are simple: Black works for everyone but can be harsh on blondes. Blondes should opt for brown/black by day and reserve black for night. Blue mascara, however, can brighten blue eyes while purple mascara makes brown eyes pop. The most popular mascara sold in the US is Maybelline Great Lash mascara, a great buy at under $6. The company estimates one tube is sold every 1.6 seconds in the U.S.

Tip #5: Thin, short brushes are best. A thinner brush allows you to get into the corner of eyes. Short brushes give you more control.

Tip #6: Give a few coats to the edges by blinking. Blink onto the brush to give ends an extra coat.

Tip #7: Powder under the eye before applying mascara. Sometimes mascara smudges because it's attracted to oily concealer or eye creams.

Tip #8: Use an eyelash curler Curling lashes gives eyes the appearance of being wider and brighter. Shoot warm air from your blowdryer on the mascara curler for 3-5 seconds to warm it up before curling lashes. Touch it first to make sure it's not too hot. It's a myth that you have to curl lashes before you apply mascara. You can curl lashes after mascara application, just make sure the mascara is dry first. Shu Uemura makes the most popular eyelash curler on the market ($18-$22).

Tip #9: Zig-zag the wand. Zig-zagging the wand back and forth during application helps cut down clumps.

Tip #10: For a dramatic look, apply mascara only to the upper lashes. To make eyes seem wider, apply to the bottom, too. But make sure you give lashes a light touch. Not great at getting those bottom lashes? Try putting a tissue under them before application.

Tip #11: Use a mascara primer. Primers coat lashes and separate them before you apply mascara. Makeup artists swear by mascara primer. I tried it and like it, but because it's an added step, I usually use primer only on special occasion when I spend more time on my makeup.

Tip #12: Want that 2nd coat? Just make sure to do it before the first coat dries, otherwise you'll get clumps.

Tip #13: Do NOT pump wand in and out of the tube. This only introduces air into the tube, which will cause your mascara to dry out sooner than it should.

Tip #14: Another smudge-proof tip -- bend the wand. A top makeup artist once gave his secret to his steady hand: he always bends his wand at a right angle.

Tip #15: Wait five seconds before blinking. You don't want to paint your lids, do you?

[Strawberryparfait]

cold cream (by ponds...but rite aide has a generic version) works great for getting mascara and make up off. If you buy the generic, just make sure the ingredients are the same as the ponds cream. It works great though and moisturizes.

[Christine]

I would totally wear the feather eyelashes, but I'm tacky like that.

[Sue]

I struggle with mascara, I really ned it on my thin eyelashes, but most irritate my eyes. I'm exploring the high-end ones...havent picked a favorite yet though

[Rachel]

Oh, I've been using the Maybelline XXL for a long time, and I LOOOOOOVE IT!!!!!

Works so well, and with the herd to keep after, wellll, you just can't spend all day fussing about mascara getting into the contacts, or falling all over your face and making you look like a raccoon...UGH!

[Colleen - Mommy Always Wins]

Wow - now who in the HECK would want peacock lashes? That's just freakin' bizarre.

Sorry, no frump fighting advice this week...just tryin' to keep up with the laundry!

Looking forward to meeting you at Blissdom next week!!! (I'm gettin' excited for my roap trip with Kat!)

[bermudabluez]

I LOVE eye makeup too!!! I absolutely adore Clinique Waterproof and have been using it for.....EVAH!! Now I do believe I will have to try this new Maybelline XXL....just because you recommended it!!

[Crystal]

Would you believe that I bought my FIRST ever makeup today (powder foundation)! I am 29...and have never had the need or want to buy any...but I have gotten some kind of pregnancy rash on my face and was looking for the best way to cover it...anyone have ANY advice for that...I am so desperate I had my husband helping me find something...help anyone?

[Richie]

Why are you so bloody cute?

[MK (Casey) van Bronkhorst]

A healthy Frump-Fightin' favorite advice:
Toss out old tubes of mascara and old makeup.

Some experts say 4 months for mascara. It also depends on your environment. Humid? Toss more often. Almost all makeup has a shelf life. Better to spend a bit more often than risk eye infections and bad skin irritation.

[Mom in High Heels]

KISS ME mascara is the best! The bestest of the best! It's a bit pricey, but totally worth it. It doesn't paint your lashes like regular mascara, it makes little tubes around your lashes. NO SMUDGING! When you take it off, the tubes just slip off your lashes with a little cleanser and water. It looks like you have a handful of spider legs. :) It is so awesome I can't even find the words to tell you how awesome it really is. You can buy it at sephora.com.

[Desiree]

Lash Injection by Too Faced is my absolute favorite, and I have tried way too many mascaras. Only down side it is not cheap, I pay about 23 dollars for it.

[Desiree]

Lash Injecion does the same as the KISS ME mascara, only that I heard it is a little cheaper, but probably only a few dollars

[Teresa]

Okay, the VERY best mascara in the ENTIRE world is Lancome Definicils. Try it just once (you can get it in the "bonus kit" when they are offered). You will not believe you lived without it for all these years. Promise!!

[The Stiletto Mom]

Ok, this makes me horribly vain but I'm okay with that. I actually have semi permanent lash extensions. I go in every three weeks and they stick some more on. The look totally natural and the best part is that I can go without eye makeup or mascara. I puffy pink heart them and would give up food (but not wine) before not having them done.
Can't wait for your new site and to learn all your tricks of the trade!!