# mascara choices (ladies only) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 23, 2002, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mascara-choices-ladies-only/144613 "2002-12-23T22:40:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mascara-choices-ladies-only/144613/1 "2002-12-23T22:40:35Z")
I need to buy a mascara. I want one that looks dark (I always get black) yet doesn’t feel like i have something hard on my lashes. And is water washable. What do you gals recommend? ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mascara-choices-ladies-only/144613/2 "2002-12-23T23:07:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by vanilla \* > \*\*I need to buy a mascara. > I want one that looks dark (I always get black) yet doesn’t feel like i have something hard on my lashes. > And is water washable. > > What do you gals recommend? \*\* Well… I never use mascara because my lashes are naturally fabulous, but these people might also be able to help you. [www.makeupalley.com](http://www.makeupalley.com) - go to message boards section It is the equivalent of the SDMB personal grooming wise for ladies. ---
**Author:** ![Audrey\_Levins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Audrey\_Levins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Audrey_Levins)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mascara-choices-ladies-only/144613/3 "2002-12-23T23:07:45Z")
I buy the infamous green and pink Maybelline Great Lash mascara…doesn’t get sticky, doesn’t get clumpy, doesn’t cost a fortune and gives me Oh So Lovely Lashes. The non-waterproof version comes off with regular soap. (I bought the waterproof version for a wedding recently, and after struggling with its removal, I realized that my facial moisturizer makes an EXCELLENT eye make-up remover. Just FYI.) Maybelline also makes a Full N Soft mascara that’s advertised specifically for people who want soft lashes. I’ve never tried it, though. ---
**Author:** ![XJETGIRLX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9fc29f/32.png) [@XJETGIRLX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XJETGIRLX)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mascara-choices-ladies-only/144613/4 "2002-12-23T23:11:05Z")
I always buy [Prescriptives](http://www.gloss.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1122661&cp=1117631.1117654) brand mascara — it feels very light but gives great coverage. Never gloppy or flakey, and washes off easily. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mascara-choices-ladies-only/144613/5 "2002-12-23T23:12:35Z")
thanks much. I used to use Maybellines but I really didn’t like it. ---
**Author:** ![cherry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cherry)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mascara-choices-ladies-only/144613/6 "2002-12-23T23:47:23Z")
I have greatlash but dont like it that much and have now switched too maybelline illegal lengths. Elizabeth Arden makes a pretty good one too with two different kinds of brushes at each end. ---
**Author:** ![malkavia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malkavia/32/5621_2.png) [@malkavia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malkavia)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mascara-choices-ladies-only/144613/7 "2002-12-23T23:49:57Z")
Illegal Lengths is a beautiful, beautiful thing. ---
**Author:** ![benson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@benson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/benson)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mascara-choices-ladies-only/144613/8 "2002-12-24T00:16:56Z")
I use Full N’ Soft by Maybelline. You still get a little bit of crunchiness but nowhere near as much as with other brands I’ve tried. I really like it. I use the waterproof kind so I don’t know how well the wash off kind works with water but it’s cheap so if you hate it you could chuck it. There’s Revlon eyelash tint that’s supposed to darken your lashes for 3 days and doesn’t smudge, clump or get goopy. I’ve never tried but I’ve heard good things. ---
**Author:** ![Wordy\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d2c977/32.png) [@Wordy\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wordy_One)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mascara-choices-ladies-only/144613/9 "2002-12-24T00:17:20Z")
Clinique Naturally Glossy is my mascara holy grail. You might also try this query at alt.fashion. ---
**Author:** ![fizgig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f04885/32.png) [@fizgig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizgig)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mascara-choices-ladies-only/144613/10 "2002-12-24T04:03:18Z")
I like the Clinique Naturally Glossy mascara as well. When I’m feeling poor, I like the Almay mascara in the white tube with the silver top (I just looked, but the words are worn off in the middle, so I can’t tell you the exact name). ---
**Author:** ![Terrorcotta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dbc845/32.png) [@Terrorcotta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrorcotta)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mascara-choices-ladies-only/144613/11 "2002-12-24T10:46:45Z")
The Revlon 3 Day Tint is an interesting good thing/bad thing. Mine did not come off at all until I checked the website and read the fine print, i.e., Use An OILY Mascara Remover (everything I use is oil-free). Now that I clean my lashes every other day I love this stuff! No more raccoon eyes in the morning or after emotional events! 'Course, you don’t get real dramatic lashes, just darker ones because it’s a tint and very light. Works for me! ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mascara-choices-ladies-only/144613/12 "2002-12-24T14:08:44Z")
Loreal (sp?) Voluminous. I swear by it. The only one that even comes close is the new Avon mascara (in the silver tube). I have light, skimpy lashes, and these two make them maaaaaarvelous. ---
**Author:** ![Tansu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@Tansu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tansu)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mascara-choices-ladies-only/144613/13 "2002-12-24T14:27:32Z")
I use L’Oreal Voluminous, too. I like the brush. The bristles are close together, so it coats all the lashes and doesn’t clump them. ---
**Author:** ![Fluffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Fluffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fluffy)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mascara-choices-ladies-only/144613/14 "2002-12-24T15:54:03Z")
I’ve tried em all and I swear by Lancome Defincils in black. No stiffness or clumps! Long, lush gorgeous lashes! It’s about 20 bucks a tube but well worth it! ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mascara-choices-ladies-only/144613/15 "2002-12-24T15:55:48Z")
So, any makeup-wearing guys upset at that thread title? Guys? Any goths here? Hello? harrumph. ---
**Author:** ![VenusGirlTrap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/58956e/32.png) [@VenusGirlTrap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VenusGirlTrap)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mascara-choices-ladies-only/144613/16 "2002-12-24T18:16:36Z")
I’ve used both Clinique “Naturally Glossy” and Maybelline “Full and Soft”. They are both very good. I would say that the Maybelline product is softer and more natural though. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mascara-choices-ladies-only/144613/17 "2002-12-24T18:43:41Z")
I’ve used Lancome, too. I loved it, but it’s out of my price range most of the time. Did any of you hear that you should pitch your mascara after 2 months, even if it’s not empty? Supposedly that’s when bacteria can get a foothold in it and cause you great optical trauma. I probably buy a new one every 6 weeks or so. ---
**Author:** ![Morgainelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Morgainelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgainelf)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mascara-choices-ladies-only/144613/18 "2002-12-24T19:00:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fluffy \* > \*\*I’ve tried em all and I swear by Lancome Defincils in black. No stiffness or clumps! Long, lush gorgeous lashes! It’s about 20 bucks a tube but well worth it! \*\* Yes, yes, yes! ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mascara-choices-ladies-only/144613/19 "2002-12-26T15:53:08Z")
I did not mean to leave out any goths or drag queens; just fiugred if they had any advice they’d give it, disregarding the ladies only thing. No offense was intended! ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mascara-choices-ladies-only/144613/20 "2002-12-26T16:16:49Z")
You can always get samples from the Lancome counter. They have nice sized tubes for trial. I think their mascara is fabulous. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mascara-choices-ladies-only/144613.md?page=2)