Luscious Lashes
You’ll have to give mascara credit; it is indeed an amazing invention. Imagine lengthening your eyelashes, colouring them, making them thicker, darker, smudge-proof and enticing. It’s truly a job only the right mascara can do.
But some of us, wanting the special effect of long, luscious lashes, get carried away in the process of applying this nifty beauty agent and wear way too much, which usually results in garish clumps, lashes that appear too hard, spiked and flaky.
“And, if you sleep with mascara on, chances are you will break your lashes. Mascara has to be removed, especially if a lot has been applied for that special occasion,” warned Rose Barnett, proprietor and makeup artist of In Skin Salon, a one-stop beauty and skincare locale, situated in Mid Spring Plaza, Kingston.
She is a beauty advisor whose credits spans television, namely NCB’s Dateline, weddings and a host of other special events and requests.
“The overall purpose of the mascara is really to coat and strengthen the lashes,” she stated while indicating that any abuse of the product can reverse its intention.
She explained that there are two basic types of mascara : water-soluble and the water-resistant formulas.
“The water soluble ones are the original formula and are meant for everyday use while the water resistant type is drying on lashes, so it’s really for those occasions that requires water-proof make-up,” she said. “Or, on very hot days when the skin is moist and you may perspire a lot, it’ll prevent smearing.”
Prices she stated does not tell anything about mascara and one should go by the simple rule of thumb when purchasing the product.
“Prices in Jamaica vary. You can get a mascara for about J$100 up to $1400. But, price should not matter because of the sensitivity of the eyes, choose formulas that are fragrant-free and hypoallergenic (decrease tendency to cause an allergic reaction),” Barnett advised.
“Black mascara is the most popular colour on the market and suits most women regardless of their skin tone and hair colour. It immediately brings focus to the eyes. The clear formula separates the lashes and set them. It creates uniformity to the lashes without the dye, which is great for contact lens wearers,” the makeup artist explained. “Of all the products used on the face and around the eyes, the mascara has a limited shelf life that dictates it should be thrown out after the recommended three-month period, which should be followed.”
Mascara is presented in a variety of wands and an individual’s choice depends on what is needed to achieve a certain look. But, finding the right wand is crucial.
“For instance, the curved wand helps to curl the lash while it distributes the product evenly,” Barnett said.
