XXXI: Mascara, Which is Best?

My most recent struggle presented itself in the form of uninspiring eyelashes! 

I, like many others, have been whooed by the magic of Too Faced's Better Than Sex Mascara. Only, something has obviously been changed in their formula along the way because my eyelashes just don't come out the same anymore. It seems to have dried up a bit, it's no longer long-lasting, it clumps and it just doesn't get my eyelashes to the lengths that it once did. 

I gave this mascara multiple chances and even made excuses for it -- "Oh, it'll get better", "It's the first time it's messed up, maybe I should give it another chance.", etc. Sounding like a girl that should have walked away a long time ago!

But, I stayed with the hopes that it was me and not the mascara. Once my lashes began to become jet black clumps and not single-strand lashes like I like them, I was pretty much over this mascara and began a hunt for a new one.  

So, I moved on up! I kept hearing rave reviews about this new mascara by Lancóme, Monsieur Big Mascara. 

Now, I hadn't tried any Lancóme products at all before, so this was a true shot in the dark for me. Taking a $25.00 chance on a new mascara, after Too Faced's mascara betrayed me completely, was difficult!

But, after the first application, I was hooked! This was the perfect jet black mascara. The wand was sturdy the way that I like as opposed to being flimsy. And the bristles are close enough together to get to the baby lashes but not too close as to cause clumping. 

The test with mascara, however, seems to be based upon whether or not they actually last! Now, when I apply my makeup for the day, I do not bring a makeup bag with me to touch it up throughout the day. Once it's on, it's on and I am done. So, I leave it at home. But, over time, the mascara starts to get dry and clumpy within the tube which makes it apply dry and clumpy when you go to wear it. 

I've done a number of tests to see if maybe my apartment gets too hot and causes my mascara to melt and then dry/harden but that wasn't it. The mascara literally starts to dry after about a month of having it (this happened with Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara as well). Maybe it is a flaw with the formula or maybe there's actually something wrong with the way that I store it, but either way, I just can't figure it out. 

So, the winner is: Benefit Cosmetic's Bad Gal  Bang!

This mascara is super lightweight and jet black (just the way that I like it). It lasts all day and really fans out my short, stumpy little lashes. So far, it's great.

I am still waiting to see if, like the others, it begins to dry within a month, but so far it has not shown signs of becoming dry or clumpy.

I highly recommend this mascara, if you haven't found your perfect mascara just yet. Give this one a try and let me know your thoughts! Also, if there's another mascara that you adore, let me know! I'm always on the hunt for a great product.