My Mascara Picks

The last time I fiddled with mascara and enjoyed it, it was with Korres Abyssinia Oil Volumizing Mascara. That was almost exactly a year to-date and since then, I've had the pleasure of getting to know 6 drugstore mascaras. Yes, 6. That might seem unimpressive to some, but I've never been picky with mascara, so to try more than 1 and moving onto others is new for me. Mascara is also just not one of those products I can't stand paying more than $7 for. Luckily, that left me with a number of very popular drugstore options. They were:

• CoverGirl LashBlast Volume (chubby orange tube) - Let's just say, not impressed. It didn't really give me volume, and my lashes felt dry, spidery, and brittle. Not sure why this is a popular favorite. Also, the brush was just too big and oddly shaped. It looks like an inflated barrel. I think I actually poked myself in the eye once.

• CoverGirl LashFusion (chubby purple tube) - Ditto. I didn't see much of a difference between the two, other than the color of the tube. Slightly better than the LashBlast, although I can't be sure why. The brush was slightly different and the effect a little nicer, but still uninspiring.
  

• Maybelline Colossal Volume Express (chubby yellow tube) - Loved this one. The brush is large, but it's a traditional bristle brush and not a plastic one, which made all the difference. It just did what a mascara should do - coat the lushes well, little clumping, volumizing (my preference over length), and stayed put. A little drama, but not over the top, although you could go there if you wanted. I would have repurchased and continued to use, but read on...

• Maybelline Volume Express One-By-One (chubby hot pink tube) - This one comes closest to the Korres mascara I like so much. Like the Korres, this gives a defined fullness to lashes. True to its name, the wand seems to catch every little lash and pull it apart from the others. As is the trend these days, the brush is large, and plastic rather than bristle. But unlike the CoverGirl LashBlast, the brush is well-designed - it tapers a bit at the end, the "barrel" is smaller, and the little combs longer. I also like the formula of the mascara itself - it is more fluid and inky than the others, but just dry enough to set quickly. I haven't experienced any clumping with this, and I rarely need to follow up with a tissue or lash comb. Plus, it stays all day and holds the shape of my lashes.
  

• Maybelline TheFalsies (also a chubby purple tube!) - Ah, TheFalsies. People seem to have ridiculously high expectations of this mascara. My expectations of mascara are minimal and I don't really buy into all the crazy claims. In my experience, this is a very good mascara for a dramatic fringe, and a good combination of the Colossal and One-By-One mascaras. The brush is completely new, so hats off to Maybelline for that. It's sort of a flat, spoon shape. For some pictures, check out this review on NouveauCheap. Basically, imagine the head of a cotton swab/Q-tip. Now flatten and elongate it a bit, and add bristles. There you have it. I think the new shape is interesting and I do find application a little easier compared to other brushes because it sort of cups your lashes. The downside is the formula, which is on the thick side and prone to clumping. But this mascara is meant to amplify the lashes even more so than the Colossal or LashBlast, so you win some, you lose some. A good lash comb might be necessary for some after a coat or two. Like the One-By-One, it stays put all day and maintains the shape of my lashes. Perhaps a little bit on the stiff side, but that's expected for this mascara, and the feeling is nowhere as rough and dry as LashBlast.

• Rimmel Sexy Curves (slim, teal, metallic tube - nice change) - This little-known mascara of the unique tube color worked rather well for me. The formula and consistency are just right - similar to the One-By-One but thinner, and also clump-free. The plastic brush is the skinniest of the bunch, which I prefer for getting all the little lashes. It also has an interesting shape - tapers in the middle but has is full on each end. Different, for sure, and it glides onto the lashes. This mascara definitely gives more length than volume. Although I prefer volume, I still liked the overall look because it wasn't too dramatic but still kind of - doll-like without being porn-star or Japanese anime. Its ability to produce sexy "curves" was not an issue for me (my lashes are curvy to begin with). I definitely would have repurchased this had I not continued to experiment.

*Note: All were waterproof versions and all stood up to my oily, watery eyes.

The winner in this year's unofficial Mascara Madness? Maybelline Volume Express One-By-One! Not only was I happy with the volume and definition, it's a breeze to use. No wiping excess mascara or lash comb necessary. It's hard to pick a few top choices. Overall, I'm comfortable with either One-By-One or TheFalsies, followed by the Colossal and then Rimmel's Sexy Curves. If I had to pick a combo of one day mascara and more dramatic, I'd go for Sexy Curves/Colossal and One-By-One/TheFalsies (my current combo).

Sephora Mattifying Powder Foundation

Recall how just yesterday I wrote that I have not blogged much this year due to reduced makeup experimentation? Apparently I'm a pathological liar, because that wasn't true either. Writing about Korres Abyssinia Voluminizing Mascara opened the floodgates that have been blocking my makeup stories all year. I would say that the biggest difference between two years ago and now is that my makeup trials are a little more focused and my collection rather well-edited. Oh, the dangers of satisfaction! It induces a non-blogging state of mind when there is actually lots to share.

Face powder is one of them. In case you haven't been able to tell, I'm rather inconsistent with my makeup use, and face makeup is no exception. I've looked for the right powders, foundations, concealers, and tinted moisturizers only to realize how infrequently I use them. That said, I still try to nail down some basics for myself. This past winter, I found a few products that suited me so well that I haven't had to throw them out and have not replaced them with anything else. The Sephora Collection Mattifying Powder Foundation is such a product.

Reason #1 - The color match. In my opinion, Sephora does a great job with shades for tan skin, ranging from olive/yellow complexions to more red/brown undertones. Even more high-end brands haven't achieved this. I have D32 (warm golden beige) for winter when my skin is paler, and it is perfect for my medium-tan (and rather yellow) Indian complexion. The Mineral Double Compact Foundation has a similar but slightly smaller range (for instance, it has D35-warm tan, but no D32). I tested it in the store but I find any sort of mineral makeup to be messy (even pressed powders) and it doesn't have my regular D32 shade (D35 is best only for summer).

Reason #2 - It meets my pretty basic expectations of a good pressed powder/foundation - mostly medium/sheer coverage, some oil control, and a polished look that isn't cakey or obvious. On bare skin, it's oil-controlling and non-drying, not even in winter (which is when I first started using this). I'm not sure how "mattifying" this would be for oilier skin since my skin has become drier over time but I imagine that someone with very oily skin is using some other oil-control product as well, so this would probably help things a long enough. I've worn this powder over foundation and/or concealer and it sets both well. Depending on my mood, I use either a big, fluffy powder/kabuki brush, or a round sponge (bought separately, not the one that comes with the compact).

Reason #3 - Blends easily and I can barely feel it. Very smooth, fine-milled formula that doesn't highlight any blemishes or imperfections by caking over them. Supposedly, this works dry or wet, but I prefer dry for now. Very simple application and worth the minimal effort.

In terms of price, a great compromise between over-priced high-end products, and also over-priced drugstore products (think of the similar new product from Neutrogena which retails for about $15; the Sephora one is $20). I would stock up since earlier this fall, they were sold out of D35 (warm tan - my summer shade) for MONTHS (not just at stores, but from the manufacturer itself).

I do have one complaint about the compact, but it applies to many products of a similar design that are out there these days (my LORAC Blush/Bronzer duo is one of them). This flip-top compact has a compartment under the powder tray for a sponge and mirror. I know companies started doing this because it was supposedly more hygienic. Eh, hygiene-shmygiene (says the Master's of Public Health candidate). The design is inconvenient and bulky, and I would have preferred it if Sephora didn't bother to keep up with luxury brands in that respect. Plus, the price would have been a little cheaper, although the $20 is probably about the cheapest you will find with this quality.

I wore this today and happy to report that my face feels, well, nice. It's Friday and my skin doesn't look pathetic - I'd say that's a pretty good start to the weekend and a pretty good reason to continue using this perfect powder.

On the Mascara Bandwagon: Korres Abyssinia Oil Volumizing Mascara

Yeah, I lied again. Back in January, I decided it was about time I returned to some beauty blogging only to write 1 post before promptly falling off the face of the earth - again. This time, I can't say that I've been as busy as in the past - just wasn't feeling the makeup experimentation much.

But of course, I still like pretty things. I like things that appear to make me look a little prettier. I love deals and sales, and shiny, sparkly little things. And so when I tried Korres Abyssinia Oil Volumizing Mascara (Black), I knew I had to share it with anyone who will listen.

I first became a bit of a mascara convert when I started using Dior DiorShow several months ago. As much as I wanted to hold onto that tube, I knew it was time to move on to a fresh one. I happened to have the Korres mascara from a value set I got during the holiday season at Sephora, and thought, why not? I had originally gotten the set for the four pretty, pretty eyeshadows and liner that it came with and not surprisingly, neglected the mascara.

Too bad I didn't find out sooner that this completely surpasses Dior DiorShow. I mean, Completely. I did love the Dior, but it did leave a little bit of smudging beneath my eyes at the end of the day. This never bothered me too much (although I did wonder why this would happen on a dry, winter face and with a waterproof version), but now I see how clean and neat a good mascara can be.

The formula is a good balance between inky/wet and creamy and evenly coated my lashes. There was almost no clumping and a few swipes of a lash comb helped ensure that (although even this isn't always necessary). The medium-seized brush made combing out all the lashes much easier and most importantly, kept them sort of - proportional. You know how sometimes certain lashes will look impossibly longer than others and it just looks sort of scary and spidery? Well, this mascara actually achieves great volume and a balance between natural lushness and drama. And no spidery, brittle little things branching out over the rim of my eye. Stayed put all day - no flaking or smudging (unlike Dior Show), and didn't show any sign of removal until I actually washed my face with water - and this isn't even a waterproof formula. In short, this is as close to perfect as I think a mascara can get.

Unfortunately, it costs $20, is out of my budget, and has unleashed an evil that threatens to throw me into some sort of mascara madness. I tried a CoverGirl Lash Exact which I found on sale and with one use, was so unimpressed that it is going back to the store. That gave me the dreaded Spidey Lashes. Next on my list are the new CoverGirl LashFusion and the original CoverGirl LashBlast, but I have a feeling I'll find excuses to get another Korres somehow. If it came in a waterproof formula, I might be more tempted to do a little Sephora exchange and just get it for the summer weather. I should add that a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, I used Maybelline Full 'n' Soft, L'Oreal Voluminous, and L'Oreal Featherlash mascaras - all of which I found to be pretty good at the time. If all else fails, they might be worth another try.

In the meantime, is there a drugstore mascara that has this strange and wonderful-sounding Abyssinia oil??? I wonder if the Neutrogena Healthy Volume mascara with olive oil might be a good substitute. Or maybe it's about time I tried some of those big, fat, purple and orange colored tubes that everyone else seems to love. Since I've hopped onto the mascara bandwagon, I will probably be sharing that experiment all too soon.

Daily Beauty Gripe - Brow Behavior

Some people have facial ticks, some, beauty ticks. You know, that weird little mishap that seems to occur repeatedly, daily, that you can never really fix? Some have complicated solutions, others, none. My personal daily beauty gripe is The Brow Droop - my sister and T will know exactly what I'm talking about.

I have pretty thin but just full and shapely enough brows. They are easy to maintain except for The Droop. See, my eye brow hairs are on the longish-side, especially in the middle (like most probably). At some unpredictable points throughout the day, some will fall out of place and tip unattractively into the middle of my arch.

I never really noticed this until the sis and T, being the older sisters that they are, would delicately smooth it back into place. Frankly, it doesn't bother me all that much - I have worse problems during the day and cannot check my face all day long. But it occurred to me that I could use a swipe of clear mascara/brow gel or something along the lines of Vaseline to fix things.

Almay used to make a great clear mascara but I think it's been discontinued, so I tried one from Maybelline that essentially did nada. I'm going to have to succumb and use The Body Shop's brow gel which is what the sis uses. I also came across this one from Anastasia and was surprised at the rave review. Too pricey for my purposes, but good to know nonetheless.

A weekly trim might be in order here. Perhaps this is why I crave being at home most of the time instead of going out. When else would I have the time to think so hard about brows and such?

The Great Mascara Duel

Just had to share this piece from The New York Times on mascara:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/07/fashion/07SkinOne.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Something Like A Phenomenon - New Givenchy Mascara

I've expressed my indifference to mascara before, with the exception of my dislike of Maybelline's Great Lash and my current satisfaction with L'Oreal FeatherLash and Fresh Supernova. The Fresh Firebird is pretty, no doubt, and actually a pretty good mascara - would be even better if it were waterproof according to my sis. But the new Givenchy Phenomen' Eyes Mascara is something I cannot even begin to fathom.

San once mentioned to me how a certain Clinique mascara reminds her of a medieval torture device. I completely agreed. I would like to say the same for this one. It looks like a ball and chain that someone could chuck at your head - sort of.

At the same time, the fresh take on mascara design is kind of interesting and cool. The only real innovation when it comes to mascara over the last few years (I think) have been plastic bristles and lash comb-type wands. The Givenchy one is so unique and I'm kind of dying to know how it works.

The little heart-shaped ball at the end looks easy to use on one hand, and quite weird on the other. But I've never liked using the usual mascara wands and for a while have been thinking of trying Sally Hansen Natural Beauty by Carmindy's mascara, which supposedly has a teeny little wand that coaxes out all those little lashes. This design looks like it might do something similar. If anyone has tried it, please comment and let me know!

This is definitely one of the most pricey mascaras I've seen so far, and I can't figure out why since the design looks like it takes about one-tenth the effort of creating a regular mascara wand. Hmm.....Either it will be a colossal failure or the next big thing. $27.00 @ Sephora

Firebird is Here!

The pretty, pretty Fresh Firebird Mascara is now available to order online! If you do so before July 16, you get a free 20 mL of their Soy Face Cleanser.

I do want this but I will wait it out since I'm enjoying the L'Oreal Featherlash and Fresh Supernova for now. Luckily, you should chuck mascara after 3 months so perhaps I'll be due in for one soon enough.

Also, my sis uses their cleansers and likes them, so the complimentary one may be worth it if you're on the lookout for a new cleanser.

I was also eagerly awaiting the new Clinique Blushwear Stick and have yet to try it...sigh. Again, what a busy life I lead...

Why I've Never Liked Mascara

Maybelline Great Lash. Yes, this is really the reason why I've never liked mascara. Everyday on MUA, there are new glowing reviews on it and I cannot for the life of me understand why. I know I'm no makeup expert, and I haven't used this mascara in years, but puh-leez. I hated it when I did have it. I thought it was something I should have, and it was cheap, so I kept a tube but barely used it because I hated the results.

This always clumped and instead of separating the lashes, it made them stick together for that annoying 3 lash look. I never cared about brushes or formula or anything back then, but I do remember that compared to mascaras I've recently tried, there was absolutely nothing special about this one. I was always surprised to see it receive magazine awards.

After I chucked my last tube AGES ago (because I realized how little use I had for it and how not-into-mascara it had made me), I didn't even bother with mascara for a loong time. The next tube I had bought was the L'Oreal Voluminous and thought, wow, is that what mascara is supposed to do? Recent experiments with Fresh Supernova, Dior DiorShow, and L'Oreal Featherlash have led to the same conclusion - Great Lash must have really sucked.

I'm sure, like everything, this works for some and not others. But I'm not looking for any specific results - full, long, glossy, thick - don't care as long as the lashes just look better! This definitely didn't do that. I don't think I would ever bother using this again. Unless someone challenges me to give it a try and see how I feel about it now. Even if it is better than I remembered, I'm quite sure it won't beat any of the ones I mentioned trying above.

These Colors Might Make People Happier - Fresh Firebird Mascara

I know Maybelline's Colossal Volum' Express Mascara has received much attention due to its neon yellow and purple packaging. I'm sure this has helped sales, but I find the packaging as ugly and outdated as Maybelline's Great Lash Mascara.

Non-drugstore mascaras usually have tamer packaging, at least color-wise. Now, Fresh is introducing its Firebird Mascara in the prettiest blue/yellow packaging. The colors are understated and modern, and the tube slim and sleek as it should be. So much more appealing than the colossal ugliness of Maybelline.

At $26, the Firebird is as expensive as the Supernova (which also has pretty packaging), but the cool colors and design make it seem more unique and worthwhile. I think the colors and design are so very fresh and if there were one pretty-package of a mascara I could get my hands on, this would be it.

You can read more about it in In Style Magazine, July 2008 or the Fresh website.

L'Oreal FeatherLash

I bought this on sale at Duane Reade for, like, less than $4. How can you go wrong with something at that price? Even with the kinks, it's still pretty much worth it. But I do hope that kind of thinking isn't coloring my views on L'Oreal's FeatherLash (water- resistant) in Black.

As I've mentioned several times before, mascara really isn't my thing. My lashes are already rather curly and usually, one swipe of a good liner is enough. It's not that I think both look too dramatic, but usually when I wear liner, the mascara doesn't make all that of a difference (in my opinion) - I prefer to wear it alone.

This mascara is definitely perfect for that naturally defined look that is still a bit inky and glossy (the look I like best). At one point I was all about getting Clinique's Naturally Glossy Mascara but I think this may just be the drugstore answer to it.

FeatherLash has a nice, full bristle brush. When I first applied it, I thought it was going on somewhat like Maybelline's Great Lash (which I have not used in years and I basically think sucks) and making me look like I have 3 lashes. But then it spread out a bit and my lashes, more defined and full, returned. This could potentially need a lash comb depending on how much you apply and your lashes, but that probably goes for most mascaras.

The formula is nice and thin without being runny, and lasted me all day without a single trace of raccoon eye. I planned on removing this first with cold cream and then eye-makeup remover, but I don't think anything even came off with the cold cream - it must have flaked off by that time of day, which is a good thing because it was 10:30 pm. I would've been scared if it had started to colonize my lashes and refused to go. I'm glad this won't require extra cleaning.

I like the no-fuss packaging - a simple silver tube and gold cap. Another very portable product. There were absolutely 0 clumps, and lashes felt soft and light - I hate the usual creamy mascara heaviness. This would look great alone and can create both everyday and more dramatic looks. After drying, the brush seems to get caught on the the lashes a bit if you try to apply more, but I can live with that.

I've read that this is one of the few good brown mascaras so it's probably a good bet if that's what you prefer. Also, it appears that this (or perhaps an earlier version) comes in 2 brush types - curved and straight. I definitely have the straight one but the packaging hadn't indicated that.

I've used L'Oreal's Voluminous Mascara before but I think I like this better. I hope this isn't being discontinued - it could be since it was on sale. $7.95 @ Drugstore.com

A Colossal Update

Since there has been so much interest in this mascara, I thought I'd take the opportunity to post some more thoughts on it, having used it for more than a week. [Initial thoughts - here]

Now that I'm over my little summer cold, the odor of this mascara is really getting to me. I've got a pretty sensitive sense of smell, but I tend to ignore most smells of a chemical nature. It's typically strong sweet scents, like vanilla or roses, that bother me and give me a headache.

This, however, smells like.. well, the only way I can think to describe it is - have you ever left a mostly-empty bottle of soda in your car or in direct sunlight, only to discover it a few days later? (Ok, maybe I'm a slob) but Maybelline Colossal has that very nasty fermented smell.

The first few days, as I was coming off my cold, I thought it had been dissipating once I applied it to my lashes. But just yesterday, I put it on and dashed out to run an errand. And as I was driving, I could smell it wafting down from my eyelashes. Not pleasant.

While Colossal does give me reasonably vibrant lashes, I simply cannot abide by the smell. And it doesn't necessarily perform better than L'Oreal Voluminous or Covergirl Lash Blast for me to overlook its (very obvious!) flaw. For now, it's going to be relegated to makeup purgatory until I reach for it a few weeks from now, hoping that it has mellowed out.

Fresh Supernova Mascara

I know this is starting to sound redundant, but mascara really is one of those products I've never been into. Most of the time, it gives me these weird, fake, spidery extensions that I am not at all fond of. My lashes have a natural curl to them as well, so product that amps the curl can just look fake or too dramatic. My sister received this Fresh Supernova Mascara in Black (it only comes in 1 color) as a gift, and it found its way into my makeup bag easily. It was time to throw out my old one, L'Oreal Voluminous, so I thought this was a nice, expensive update.

The first time I tried this, I was actually impressed. It gave a very naturally full and feathery look that was just defined enough without being fake or dramatic. Same results every time thereafter! It also didn't clump, or give me tarantula eyes. Best part, the raccoon eye look was successfully avoided, while still managing to wash off easily at night. I liked the packagin - a sturdy, streamlined aluminum tube - and brush - a classic, reliable shape that isn't trying to be too creative. The creativity is left for the outside of the tube, white swirls and stars - whimsical and yet simple.

The only thing I didn't like about this mascara was that it doesn't give any glossy/pearly/shiny effect, but I guess that's pretty unnatural anyway. This might flake a little in drier weather judging from the formula, which is rather creamy. I can't say I would purchase this on my own because it's pricey, but for those who use mascara more regularly, I would say this has the potential to become a new classic, or at the very least, a good staple. $25 @ Sephora

Colors make people happy!

Words of wisdom inscribed on a pen that I once bought from an Asian grocery mart. Yes, it's a typical example of the hyper-enthusiastic phrases that you'll find on many stationery items from Japan, China, or Korea, but it's very true!

I'm a sucker for brightly colored packaging. The brighter, the better. That's why I was instantly attracted to the latest mascara display in my drugstore's makeup aisle. Bright yellow and intense purple, with lots of exclamation marks. Of course, I bought one.

Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express appears to be the latest addition to the Maybelline mascara portfolio. Unfortunately, I can not find any information about this mascara anywhere on the internet. It's conspicuously absent from the Maybelline site, and there's only a handful of reviews on MakeupAlley. It would suffice to say that this stuff must be pretty new. I couldn't even find a stock photo of it online, so you'll be subjected my own photography skills as a supplement to this post.

The mascara comes in a neon yellow tube with metallic purple accents. The shape is reminiscent of Cover Girl Lash Blast mascara, but a tad smaller (I checked!). The wand, however, does not have rubber bristles as Lash Blast does; instead, it's a standard issue nylon fiber brush -- a very big one! I got the version in Glam Black - how this differs from the other option I saw (Classic Black), I do not know. [See previous post on ridiculous mascara colors here.]

My first impressions - this mascara stinks. Literally. It has an off smell to it that I can't quite place, and haven't smelled in a mascara before. And considering that I have a whopper of a cold, that's pretty significant. But not enough to prevent me from using it, I suppose.

It applies really cleanly, separating each lash and lengthening nicely. Each lash is visibly thicker; however, this is not a mascara that "creates" lashes where you didn't previously have any. So if your lashes are sparse to begin with, I doubt that this is the mascara for you.

The package also boasts "with Collagen" - I'm not sure how much collagen is going to do when applied to your lashes, but I guess it's a key differentiator. Up to 9x more volume! they say. Not so much.

That said, I really like it. I've been flitting from mascara to mascara lately, not really satisfied with any one. Maybelline The Colossal brings together the individual elements of my favorite mascaras into one package. I love that it has a nylon brush, and that the formula isn't too wet or too dry. It didn't clump while I applied it, and I didn't have to use a lash comb afterwards. I'm not getting the "fake eyelashes" fringe that I long for, so I'll have to keep looking for a mascara that does that - but so far, I can see this as a strong contender for my everyday look.

I plan on using this consistently or the next week or so, and I will report back on its durability and wear time. Stay tuned!  

$7.09 @ Rite Aid (not available online just yet)

My updated thoughts here.

Rain

Psst...I have a secret.

I hate the idea of waterproof mascara.

Ok, I guess that's not really secret-worthy. The secret-worthy part of that statement is that I hate the idea of waterproof mascara because I feel like it assumes women cry too much. I feel like for this one lame stupid assumption, a man invented waterproof mascara so that he can see women make their eyelashes longer-than-natural AND make sure that when they presumably inevitably cry, there are no visible streaks of black across her face to burst his little bubble.

I'm ranting. Probably because I don't know how to write....that I was wrong.

I was wrong. There. Easy.

There is a purpose for waterproof mascara other than saving a woman embarrassment when she cries: It saves her embarrassment when it RAINS. Yesterday, it rained, and I forgot my umbrella. In true Bollywood style, I pretended that I MEANT to forget my umbrella, and with about as much style as Kajol in DDLG, I held my head up high and faced the sky. I was thoroughly enjoying it, when I had a bit of deja vu of the last time I enjoyed the rain this way.

I was a junior in College and I was crossing Campus from one end to the other. It was POURING. But I refused to go back and get an umbrella. Columbia flooded whenever it rained, but I didn't really care. I loved it. I had a cute coat on, so I wasn't getting too soaked or anything, but it was the most liberating feeling to just look up at the sky as it rained. I think I was going crazy in the romance of it all because I ended up literally bumping into my future first-I-don't-know-what-to-call-him-except-significant-someone head on. He intelligently had his hood on and didn't see me, and since I was looking up, I didn't see him. I remember the look of mortification on his face....though I couldn't tell if it was because he bumped into a girl (he was very conservative) or because he bumped into me (he thought I was very liberal). He asked why I was looking up and why I didn't have an umbrella, and again, in true bollywood fashion, I said " I love the rain, isn't it awesome?"I don't know if it was the sight of my huge smile plastered on my face as water dripped down from my chinhairs, or just the response in itself during a major flood watch, but he laughed, and took of his hood off, too. Then he walked me to the other end of campus.

I didn't use to wear mascara then, so there wasn't much to worry about. But when I looked in the mirror last night, I looked like Gene Simmons from KISS. My face was streaked with black lines.

As I made the mental note to myself to never wear non-waterproof mascara on days where there was a risk of rain, I smiled at the irony of the situation. Inducing deja vu only got me black tears.

Black, blacker, blackest?

What is it with cosmetics companies and labeling their colors? A quick scan of the mascara aisle presents options in: Black, Rich Black, Very Black, Black-Black, Soft Black, Blackest Black, Carbon Black.

I mean - how different are 'black', 'very black', and 'carbon black' mascara really?

Weren't we all taught in grade-school science that black isn't a color anyway? It's the absence of color. Does that mean the blacker the mascara, the more nonexistent it is?

Masc(ara) of Tears

Suman and I must be on the same wavelength this morning, because I was going to write about my own personal makeup crisis as well.

My latest mascara mistress is Covergirl Lash Blast. I love this mascara so much I want to make out with it every morning. It's perfect - not too wet, not too dry, and has a great wand. (That sounds a little dirty, doesn't it..?). It applies beautifully, rarely making a mess, and separating my lashes quickly and easily. If civil unions between woman and mascara were legal, I'd be heading up to the courthouse.

Of course, when you love something that much, the honeymoon has to end sometime. This morning...it clumped on me. Like, I had a blob of mascara hanging from the lashes of my left eye. It was tragic. I really thought I had found 'the one'.

How sad is it when you put all your faith in a product and it lets you down? What does it say about us that we're dependent on life's 'old faithfuls' to always be there and get us through the day? What am I supposed to move on to now?!