Before I go on about my thoughts on mascaras, let me be clear about one thing: I am a mascara junky. I love makeup and skincare products as a whole but out of everyone, I am a mascara-fanatic. I can't help it. Not this being said, let me share with you some tips that I discovered over the last 15 years about mascaras.
First rule for short, straight lashes is to AVOID normal mascaras; not entirely, but they shouldn't be neither the first nor last step of your mascara routine. Yes, this means that unless you are applying minimum 3 coats of mascaras, you will not need normal mascaras EVER. If you have a difficulty of keeping your lashes curled even after you squeeze those babies for 30 seconds with the Shu Uemura's eyelash curler, it's not because you are using the wrong eyelash curler but because you are using wrong mascara: you need WATER-PROOF mascara. Yes, they are a bit of pain in the arse when it comes to cleansing, but the important thing is that your lashes AND your entire eye makeup will stay as fabulous as you first apply in the morning all day long.
You can't imagine how many tubes of mascaras that I've been gone through over the years. From high end to high street, I've been through a lot and a few years ago, I finally came down to a conclusion: when it comes to waterproof mascaras, Japanese know it all. From Shiseido to Candy Doll, they never let me down. In this post, I will review the two I love most.
1. Fasio Hyper-Stay Mascara Deep Thick (Curl Long/Curl Volume)
Fasio Hyper-stay Mascara Deep Thick have been a holy grail mascara for a long time. I loved this mascara so much that I bought 5 tubes three or four years ago. I am currently going through the last tube and I can't tell you how sad I am right now. For some reason, it's much more difficult to find than its sister, Hyper-Stay Mascara Magne-Plus which is 1.5times more expensive than the original. For me, Magne-Plus (both curl long and curl volume) does the exactly same thing as the original one does so it's annoying that the latter isn't available as widely as the former.
Anyway, in general, what Fasio Hyper-Stay mascaras does is absolutely amazing.
-It's very black (I hate charcoal greyish black mascaras);
-Lashes stay curled all day long;
-Both curl long and curl volume provide length AND volume which means that apart from the comb, there isn't any difference in terms of their formula (as far as I concern);
-Speaking of the comb, it is designed to catch every single lash including tiny bottom lashes as well as corner ones;
-It's waterproof which means that there is NO way this mascara will ever come off and yes, you can go swimming and this WILL stay;
-But don't worry. It will come off very easily with water-proof makeup remover and I suggest Lancome Bi-facil, the Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Makeup Remover or Loreal Paris Dermo-Expertise Absolute Makeup Remover Eye and Lip. Just remember to be very gentle; you don't want to rub your eye because skin around your eye is the most sensitive. Dampen a couple of cotton pads with the product and put them on each eye for 30 seconds. The product will melt the mascara as well as all the eye-makeup you put on: bonus!
2. Isehan Kiss Me Heroine Make Mascara Volume & Curl
This mascara is probably one of the most beloved mascaras by Japanese and Korean girls. First of all, the packing of Isehan Kiss Me is so girly and adorable. It used to be called as Kiss Me Heroine Mascara for a long time and some time in the last two years, I think it went through a repackaging and changed its name as Isehan. I was so glad to find that it was only the name and packaging design which were changed; formula remains the same. Pheeeeeeeeeeew...
To me, if Fasio Hyper-Stay is for a special day/night out mascara, Isehan Kiss Me is fuss-free daily mascara. Don't get me wrong. It does everything that girl with short, straight lashes wants. But its effects are not as dramatic as Fasio Hyper-Stay. While this doesn't stop me wearing Fasio Hyper-Stay everyday regardless of whatever the occasion it is, if you are a girl who wants a more natural look, you would probably prefer Isehan Kiss Me Heroine. Again for me, both Volume & Curl and Long & Curl do the exactly same thing formula-wise but I prefer Volume & Curl mainly because of the wand. Volume & Curl has a straight, cone-shaped wand while Long & Curl has a curled one.
If you are going for Isehan Kiss Me Heroine, don't forget to check out with the mascara remover from the same line: it comes in the cutest pink tube. It looks exactly like a mascara except for the fact that you apply it when you are removing the mascara. The design is brilliant; it has a comb so you can brush each lash. The best part is that it still removes any other makeup on my eye and again, it's a bonus.
3. Sana Heavy Rotation Coloring Eyebrow Mascara 01 Yellow Brown
There is nothing more off than a mismatch between your eyebrow and hair. It's simple. If you colour your hair, remember to colour your eyebrows, too. This doesn't mean that your brow colour has to be the exact colour or your hair; think they are sisters which means that they have to be blended. In other words, we are trying to look natural. It's often said that if you have dark hair, try to a couple of shade lighter for your brows while if you have platinum blonde, try to go a couple of shade darker (unless you want to look like a brow-less barbie). For me, I always go for the lightest colour when it comes to brow mascara no-matter-what. I have very dark brown/black eyebrows and in order to lighten them and match my brown hair colour, I need extra light (usually designed for blonde) brow mascara and it works for me.
I've tried quite a lot of brow mascara over the years and again, to me, Japanese ones are the best. They not only invented the concept of eyebrow mascara in the first place, but also makes the best ones for Asian girls who colour their hair blonde/brown because it is a 'thing' in Japan. In the recent few years, I've been quite a lot of brands coming out with their own version of brow mascaras, from MAC, Maybelline to Korean high street brands, but nothing beats Japanese ones. I particularly like Sana Heavy Rotation Coloring Eyebrow Mascara because they offer a wide range of colours (five in total) and the its wand design is perfect for non-existing brows of mine. It fills the gaps and makes sure that my eyebrows blends well with the rest of my face, especially my hair.
Unfortunately, if you live in the UK like myself, getting Japanese products are not very easy. I usually get mine on Amazon and eBay and I haven't come across any problem with my order. Just make sure as you always do that sellers have good reviews.
I know this post was rather long but hopefully some of you out there who are struggling with lashes and mascaras enjoyed it.
Have you ever tried any of the three products mentioned above?
Kyra x
First rule for short, straight lashes is to AVOID normal mascaras; not entirely, but they shouldn't be neither the first nor last step of your mascara routine. Yes, this means that unless you are applying minimum 3 coats of mascaras, you will not need normal mascaras EVER. If you have a difficulty of keeping your lashes curled even after you squeeze those babies for 30 seconds with the Shu Uemura's eyelash curler, it's not because you are using the wrong eyelash curler but because you are using wrong mascara: you need WATER-PROOF mascara. Yes, they are a bit of pain in the arse when it comes to cleansing, but the important thing is that your lashes AND your entire eye makeup will stay as fabulous as you first apply in the morning all day long.
You can't imagine how many tubes of mascaras that I've been gone through over the years. From high end to high street, I've been through a lot and a few years ago, I finally came down to a conclusion: when it comes to waterproof mascaras, Japanese know it all. From Shiseido to Candy Doll, they never let me down. In this post, I will review the two I love most.
1. Fasio Hyper-Stay Mascara Deep Thick (Curl Long/Curl Volume)
Fasio Hyper-stay Mascara Deep Thick have been a holy grail mascara for a long time. I loved this mascara so much that I bought 5 tubes three or four years ago. I am currently going through the last tube and I can't tell you how sad I am right now. For some reason, it's much more difficult to find than its sister, Hyper-Stay Mascara Magne-Plus which is 1.5times more expensive than the original. For me, Magne-Plus (both curl long and curl volume) does the exactly same thing as the original one does so it's annoying that the latter isn't available as widely as the former.
Anyway, in general, what Fasio Hyper-Stay mascaras does is absolutely amazing.
-It's very black (I hate charcoal greyish black mascaras);
-Lashes stay curled all day long;
-Both curl long and curl volume provide length AND volume which means that apart from the comb, there isn't any difference in terms of their formula (as far as I concern);
-Speaking of the comb, it is designed to catch every single lash including tiny bottom lashes as well as corner ones;
-It's waterproof which means that there is NO way this mascara will ever come off and yes, you can go swimming and this WILL stay;
-But don't worry. It will come off very easily with water-proof makeup remover and I suggest Lancome Bi-facil, the Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Makeup Remover or Loreal Paris Dermo-Expertise Absolute Makeup Remover Eye and Lip. Just remember to be very gentle; you don't want to rub your eye because skin around your eye is the most sensitive. Dampen a couple of cotton pads with the product and put them on each eye for 30 seconds. The product will melt the mascara as well as all the eye-makeup you put on: bonus!
2. Isehan Kiss Me Heroine Make Mascara Volume & Curl
This mascara is probably one of the most beloved mascaras by Japanese and Korean girls. First of all, the packing of Isehan Kiss Me is so girly and adorable. It used to be called as Kiss Me Heroine Mascara for a long time and some time in the last two years, I think it went through a repackaging and changed its name as Isehan. I was so glad to find that it was only the name and packaging design which were changed; formula remains the same. Pheeeeeeeeeeew...
To me, if Fasio Hyper-Stay is for a special day/night out mascara, Isehan Kiss Me is fuss-free daily mascara. Don't get me wrong. It does everything that girl with short, straight lashes wants. But its effects are not as dramatic as Fasio Hyper-Stay. While this doesn't stop me wearing Fasio Hyper-Stay everyday regardless of whatever the occasion it is, if you are a girl who wants a more natural look, you would probably prefer Isehan Kiss Me Heroine. Again for me, both Volume & Curl and Long & Curl do the exactly same thing formula-wise but I prefer Volume & Curl mainly because of the wand. Volume & Curl has a straight, cone-shaped wand while Long & Curl has a curled one.
If you are going for Isehan Kiss Me Heroine, don't forget to check out with the mascara remover from the same line: it comes in the cutest pink tube. It looks exactly like a mascara except for the fact that you apply it when you are removing the mascara. The design is brilliant; it has a comb so you can brush each lash. The best part is that it still removes any other makeup on my eye and again, it's a bonus.
3. Sana Heavy Rotation Coloring Eyebrow Mascara 01 Yellow Brown
There is nothing more off than a mismatch between your eyebrow and hair. It's simple. If you colour your hair, remember to colour your eyebrows, too. This doesn't mean that your brow colour has to be the exact colour or your hair; think they are sisters which means that they have to be blended. In other words, we are trying to look natural. It's often said that if you have dark hair, try to a couple of shade lighter for your brows while if you have platinum blonde, try to go a couple of shade darker (unless you want to look like a brow-less barbie). For me, I always go for the lightest colour when it comes to brow mascara no-matter-what. I have very dark brown/black eyebrows and in order to lighten them and match my brown hair colour, I need extra light (usually designed for blonde) brow mascara and it works for me.
I've tried quite a lot of brow mascara over the years and again, to me, Japanese ones are the best. They not only invented the concept of eyebrow mascara in the first place, but also makes the best ones for Asian girls who colour their hair blonde/brown because it is a 'thing' in Japan. In the recent few years, I've been quite a lot of brands coming out with their own version of brow mascaras, from MAC, Maybelline to Korean high street brands, but nothing beats Japanese ones. I particularly like Sana Heavy Rotation Coloring Eyebrow Mascara because they offer a wide range of colours (five in total) and the its wand design is perfect for non-existing brows of mine. It fills the gaps and makes sure that my eyebrows blends well with the rest of my face, especially my hair.
Unfortunately, if you live in the UK like myself, getting Japanese products are not very easy. I usually get mine on Amazon and eBay and I haven't come across any problem with my order. Just make sure as you always do that sellers have good reviews.
I know this post was rather long but hopefully some of you out there who are struggling with lashes and mascaras enjoyed it.
Have you ever tried any of the three products mentioned above?
Kyra x
No comments:
Post a Comment