Reader question: cheap mascara 101?

We here at Deal Divas are delighted to take your questions! Here's a good one from reader Lisa in Wesley Chapel:

Question: Hey, I am trying to find a decent lower cost substitute for my luscious Lancome Definicils ($23.50), no thanks to high gas prices. Do you know of an alternative that doesn't end up making me look like Rocky Raccoon by the day's end?

Answer: I'm cheap, but my heroes include Dolly Parton and Tammy Faye Messner. These factors have led me on a pathetic, years-long mission to find the perfect drug store mascara.  I've tried them all. Maybelline Full 'N' Soft, Volum' Express, Lash Discovery, L'oreal Double Extend, Cover Girl Multiplying.  I'm exhausted.

Almost invariably, I go back to Maybelline Great Lash - you know, the stuff in the neon pink tube. It's sturdy, non-flaking, defining, plumping, and less than $5. My only complaint is that I can't find the waterproof variety in a curved brush. So, I usually take a tissue, grab the brush and curve it myself. Beauty is labor!

Recently, I've also tried Cover Girl LashBlast in the fat orange tube, and it's phenomenal. The brush is big as my gourd. It ranges from $6 to $8. For the drag gals out there, it creates serious lashage. If you're more understated, you may want to stick with Great Lash.

Tip: apply one coat, let it dry, THEN curl, then apply another. The first coat will help the curl stay in place. You'll look like an anime character!

For a more subtle look, run your curler under warm water for a few seconds, dry it off, then curl before applying the first coat of mascara. The mild heat will act like a curling iron. Happy blinking!

~ Deal Diva Stephanie

(Photo: Times staff, Maybelline, Cover Girl)

Comments

[kira]

I have BRAND NEW AUGUST 2008 INVENTORY GOING FOR REAL CHEAP. ESPECIALLY MASCAR IS GOING FOR AROUND $3

[Desiree]

There are 2 kinds of heated eyelash curlers. A comb type ($16) that is sold at Sephora. It takes longer and make a softer curl. Then there's a traditional style curler ($9 to $30) for more curl. You can find lots of brands at Amazon.com.

You can even find cheap versions of both at Walgreens. But get one with an on off switch. That way you can sit it down to heat up while you put on your make-up.

[Stephanie Hayes]

Captain Ron: I've been doing it for a while, and I haven't had any breaks. But I'm sure there are some more cautious peeps who would advise against it. I want to know about this heated curler Desiree speaks of, though!

P.S. = Wear waterproof, better for seafaring.

[Desiree]

You need to try a heated eyelash curler. It's the bomb!!! Max Factor Lash Perfection Mascara in Rich Black is good too.

[Captain Ron]

Steph, I heard that applying mascara before using the curler can break the lashes. Is that true?

[Deal Diva Colleen]

I'm a little ashamed to know this, but yes ma'am Steph, Jillian Dempsey is both the real life Mrs. McDreamy and a celebrity makeup artist. How cool is that?

[Starfish]

ha ha yes, I used to look through them all the time when my mom got them and now I find myself looking through it for myself. They have some really good sales occasionally, I just got this super cute makeup bag that I might actually use for a purse instead. Its like the blue and white stripe that looks like a sailor print with a hemp handle that has red on it. Super Cute! and only 3.99!

[Stephanie Hayes]

No worries. The software is being screwy. Great tip on Avon. I used to read through the Avon catalog as a kid and dream of all the stuff I would buy if I had money. Sadly, not much has changed.

[Starfish]

oh yes, so now I look like an idiot and have two posts...ha ha. Oops! but I swear the first time I looked it wasnt there!

[Starfish]

Im so upset, I had a huge awesome comment written, and the stupid thing said page not displayed! ugh! So anyways, yes, I am loving this deal diva world, absolutely loving it! I have been lurking and not commenting. Bad me, I should know better!

Anyways, about my mascara, Im not sure if it is the Mrs. Mcdreamy. Ill have to do some investigating. All I know is that its totally awesome! and I have a miniature one that is smaller then a lipstick that fits in my pocket! Im totally in love with Avon now! ahhh..

[Starfish]

Oh I have been wanting to come into your diva world! I just haven't had the time to get in here and look around, but I'm totally loving it! I was on a much needed relaxing vacation in the mountains. However, I did not think about that, I'll have to look into it and see if its the same person. It just says Jillian Dempsey and thats more then I care about, its amazing. And I bought it in a mini version smaller then a lipstick that fits right into my pocket! Ive fallen in love with avon lately...ahhh..

[tre]

Remember -- no matter how expensive your mascara is, it goes bad in 2-3 months anyway, so just get the cheap stuff!

[tre]

Remember -- no matter how expensive your mascara is, it goes bad in 2-3 months anyway, so just get the cheap stuff!

[tre]

Remember -- no matter how expensive your mascara is, it goes bad in 2-3 months anyway, so just get the cheap stuff!

[Stephanie Hayes]

STARFISH! Yay, a recruit from Pop Life! Come into our happy diva kingdom.

Jillian Dempsey? As in, Mrs. McDreamy?

[Starfish]

I know not everyone has access to an Avon person, but I recently started using the Jillian Dempsey mascara from them. It is amazing, works wonders! It has a big brush and a little one for your bottom lashes, which is awesome because my bottom lashes are very thin. I used to use the lash exact, the one in the purple bottle, but not anymore. This is my new choice, and it is under like 6 bucks I think. :)

[Stephanie Hayes]

Great test drive, Lisa, thanks! While you're using up the rest of that Great Lash, try to double (or triple) up on coats. You may get more life out of it.

[Lisa]

Ok, I tried both Great Lash and LashBlast. Here's the verdict: Neither brand ran, which is good. Great Lash colored my lashes but that was basically it. They didn't look any fuller or longer, just darker. I was a bit intimiated by LashBlast's huge brush, when I tried it I found it manageable. The mascara more closely mimicked my Lancome Definicils, too. Because I'm super-frugal, I'll use up the Great Lash, when it comes time to buy more, it'll be LashBlast for sure. Thanks for the tips.