The 411 on Mascaras

Mascaras have come a long way from the original formulation of coal dust and petroleum jelly in 1913. There is an endless variety of formulas and colours out there, but the main desire that each addresses is essentially the same - to make your lashes look more prominent, more defined, just MORE OOMPH!

Although there are many wild and wacky mascaras with bright colours, multiple steps (primers, lash "builders" and the like), many will get all their mascara needs answered with one great tube of well-matched mascara.

One of the first questions to ask yourself is, "Do I want length or do I want volume?" If you aren't sure, look at your lashes. Do you have lots of little, short lashes? You may prefer a lengthening mascara, seeing as you have lots of lashes, but they aren't that long. On the other hand, if you have fewer but longer lashes, you may want a volumizing mascara. A volumizing mascara will give your longer lashes more presence, and keep them from looking sparse. Many mascaras do a little bit of both, but most formulas will focus on either lengthening or volumizing.

Another thing to look for is how curly or straight your lashes are. I have fairly straight lashes, so an eyelash curler makes all the difference to the final effect of my mascara. If you are intimidated by an eyelash curler, please just pick up one (they are sold in every drugstore now) and practice. It makes a world of difference to virtually everybody. Taking the extra minute to curl you lashes in the morning ensures that they look great all day, because your mascara helps hold the curl throughout the day. Some mascaras are "curling formulas" but nothing takes the place of curling with an eyelash curler.

In terms of colour, most mascaras come in black, brown, or something in between. If your hair is dark, black mascara will give nice definition, day or night. For blondes wanting subtle definition, a brown mascara works well. Mascaras in a black-brown colour are great for most people during the daytime, and are a pretty fail-safe option for everyone.

Basic mascaras may also come in blue, which is usually a dark navy tone. This is actually a really nice look for anyone with blue-green or hazel eyes, as it really makes the green tone in eyes pop. The effect is very nice, but it is hardly a look that screams, "I'm wearing coloured mascara." Try it if you have those in-between coloured eyes.

Waterproof mascara is not necessary for everyday wear, unless you are a swimmer or cut onions daily. It can be very drying for your lashes, and difficult to remove. Try to save this only for occasions when you need it.