I am a 38-year-old dummy with mascara-what am I doing wrong?
By scorpiobabes
@scorpiobabes (7225)
United States
August 9, 2010 1:29pm CST
I am so frustrated by those ads that you see on television for mascaras that promise thicker, fuller, lusher lashes! The lastest one is Falsies by Maybelline. My lashes are fairly long (for a woman), but I don't know how true these claims are. I've not had good experience with most mascaras, and am hesitant to pay nearly $10 for yet ANOTHER tube in an effort to duplicate the looks in the ads!
I've tried using both last Stiletto types--the one in the black tube seems work ok, although I've found that Almay made one that worked well for me too.
So I guess here's my real problem--do any of these actually work? What additional tools do you need? I have matte powder to put under my eyes, but because of allergies, my left eye tears and the mascara runs (even waterproof!). My lashes also clump, and I wait five minutes between coats. HELP! I want to have those sexy eyes too, without putting on false lashes! 
5 people like this
12 responses
@Loverain2 (2)
• United States
9 Aug 10
Wow that sounds like you have a lot going on. I have tried the falsies by Maybelline and I didn't really see that big of a difference.
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
10 Aug 10
Well, if you have tried Falsies and didn't see that much of a difference, perhaps it's not worth my money. Thanks for sharing! 
1 person likes this
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
9 Aug 10
False lashes are the point I'm afraid. Every mascara advert uses false lashes and post-production enhancing. It's all fake and you can't look that way with just mascara. I get really annoyed about it actually. Their adverts are basically lies because you have no idea about how well the product actually works because the models are made up with fakes.
I've had rubbish experiences with mascara and like you am still on the quest for a reliable one. Almay are good because they don't irritate sensitive eyes, but the brand is hard to find in the shops round here.
I tried Max Factor false lash effect and it was good for a little while, but it didn't take long for it to start thickening and getting clumpy.
I'd like to try a MAC one as I've had good experiences with all the products I've used by them so far, but they're not cheap. 
I also like them because they don't test on animals.
I also like them because they don't test on animals.@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
10 Aug 10
I really felt they were all fake lashes...when I first saw Falsies in Walmart, I burst out laughing. 
Of course, I had to explain WHY I burst out laughing to my daughter (which got her into a laughing fit that lasted a good ten minutes!).
I have sensitive eyes too--between wearing contacts and allergies, I tend to rub off the mascara (and my lashes) after a few hours. 
That gets quite frustrating, especially when I put in time and effort to make up my eyes! 
Of course, I had to explain WHY I burst out laughing to my daughter (which got her into a laughing fit that lasted a good ten minutes!).
I have sensitive eyes too--between wearing contacts and allergies, I tend to rub off the mascara (and my lashes) after a few hours. That gets quite frustrating, especially when I put in time and effort to make up my eyes! 1 person likes this
@Shar19 (8231)
• United States
10 Aug 10
You should try putting on a primer first or you can use a little bit of foundation on your lashes to set the mascara. I like Maybellines XXL mascara because it has one end that helps elongate the lashes and the other end of the tube has the mascara. I also like the Loreal mascara in the grey tube.
1 person likes this
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
28 Aug 10
Shar, I've heard of primer for the eyes (for liner), but never for mascara before. I have gotten foundation on my lashes before, but because I wear contacts, I have to be ultra careful of doing that, even getting powder near my eyes is risky. Maybe I'll check out Maybelline's XXL--it's got to be more affordable than Loreal, but I'll keep that in mind for when I've got some cash!
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
10 Aug 10
Thanks for the tip lulu! How do you clean your eyelash curler--regular makeup remover? I've had good luck with Maybelline in the past (that's who makes Lash Stiletto and Falsies too), but I think that maybe I should try your idea. 
@lolo58 (54)
• United States
10 Aug 10
No, you're not a 38 yr. old dummy. It's all what the advertizers are attempting to make you feel. They have this thing, as we all know, that we can always look beeter, be better becuase who we are at the moment isn't good enough...So much for that soap box...Point being, you have long eye lashes and that's good thing becuase there's something the mascara can hold on to. In agreement with the Almay - have used it, like it a lot. I've also used Cover Girl the one that Queen Latifa was promoting - like it very much also. Another I haven't been disappointed with is Loreal ( in the gold tube). All under $8.00 - FYI if you live near a CVS there are times they have great sales.
In order to bring out your eyes more you can always use eye shadows to enhance your features....
good luck and happy hunting
@lolo58 (54)
• United States
30 Aug 10
Well that brought on a chuckle on my end....,Tom boy? I take it you're wanting a little perkin up in the make up dept? Lots of stuff to choose from, everyone has a hook that takes you in....One thing I've learned - never go for the real pricey stuff you find at department stores - most make up is the same, perhaps some have a higher quality of ingrediants, but that's about it...If your face can handle anything, stay in the inbetween. One other thing and most important of all: Your applying make up to a canvas, the canvas needs to be in good shape. Oops, got on my soap box again, sorry. I did make up for a long time and learned quite a bit that has come in very handy. So, I was wondering, what made your mascara run? ( I just read my last post - the spelling is atrocious )
@fantabulus (4000)
• India
22 Aug 12
No nothing is wrong if you are 38year old and applying mascara but for new person who is not applying before and then applying now then problem may arise. I think you are using from more years. I not use mascara so not know about it. But my daughter use it.
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
22 Aug 12
I never knew to put matte powder below my eyes, or to make sure that my eye area is completely dry. I learned those tips from here. I used to wear a lot more makeup when I was younger (pre-teen) than I did as an adult, but I didn't really need mascara because I had thick, black lashes; now they're a lot thinner and sparse, so I applied mascara (incorrectly) to emphasize my eyes.
@ladym33 (10979)
• United States
10 Aug 10
You need to apply more than one layer unfortunately to get those kind of lashes. What I do is put on a thin layer to begin with then I do the other eye while the first eye dries a bit then I add a second layer on top of that. Then to make them even longer with out clumping I brush just the tips of the lashes on top. That usually gives me the good length. To get out clumps pick the brush up side ways and brush them individually.
@eltobh (231)
• Indonesia
29 Aug 10
Hi, scorpiobabes!
Being an Asian, I think it's our destiny to not having long or thick eye lashes, lol. So, in other words, mascara is a must-wear item for me. I don't know if you still have Volume Express mascara from Maybelline in your country. I always use it since many years ago, and never disappointed of it. It's thickening my eye lashes for sure. However, like many advises above, I ALWAYS use this eye lash curler before applying mascara, since I was not gifted with tapering eye lashes. Afterward, I apply the mascara carefully (two coats only). I do not clean the curler regularly, but I do change the pad whenever it gets dirty or old enough.
I never experience clump lashes, except when the mascara is almost run out, and that's when you need eye brush to remove the clump from your lashes.
Hope it helps, and you will still look good in your 30s..:)
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
29 Aug 10
Thanks for the great tips! I recall that brand....it seems that Maybelline makes the BEST mascara all around! I guess my next major purchase will be a lash curler!
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
4 Oct 10
Hiya scorpio,
Did you try Maybelline? They are okay. I have sensitive eyes too so I have to be careful what I use. Maybelline was okay for me. I don´t put it on every Day of the Week though.
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
22 Aug 12
I've tried Maybelline, but right now I'm using Falsies (broke down and tried it) or Almay. I usually end up wiping my eyes and wrecking my makeup because of allergies, which makes me NOT want to experiment too much. That's why I don't always make my eyes up.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
10 Aug 10
I have never been a fond user of mascsra myself. I never really saw the use for it. I never saw what the benefit of putting on mascara really did for your beauty.@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
28 Aug 10
Since I rarely wear makeup, I like to keep it to a minimum, especially for work. Many mornings, I prefer to put a couple of swipes of mascara on, and some lip balm. My routine takes me about five minutes and is super-simple! I never feel comfortable putting on makeup--it always looks fake on me! Just a quick pop to my eyes (my best feature) is all I'm really comfortable with.
@nixiecole (358)
• Philippines
25 Aug 10
I guess what you need is a lash brush to remove the clumps. Plus you really should curl before applying the mascara. I recommend the Loreal mascara where there are two applications. I forgot the name, but it's on a blue tube. It uses a comb-like applicator so it lessens the clumps. :)
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
28 Aug 10
Ok nixiecole, so I need a lash brush too? Any suggestions? I only have an eyebrow brush with an attached comb, but I don't think that's what you mean. I have so much to check out now! But thanks for the tips--guess I'll be shopping!
@Lemonata (33)
• Estonia
17 Aug 10
I use Falsies by Maybelline and it's one of the best ones I've used (Colossal was a bit better). Just pulling the brush out of the container and applying won't get you anywhere, though. As with all mascaras - I first use eyelash curler to curl my lash. Then I pull out the brush and clean off the lumps and apply. After I've finished the second eye I apply another coat to the first one. Don't wait for it to dry completely - that's a reason it gets lumpy.
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
28 Aug 10
I don't own a lash curler--guess I should buy one, especially you're the second person to mention it to me. How do you clean your brush though? And how long do you wait to reapply? I tend to not wait any more than 20 seconds.
