Dear Jeannine... How do I find a good drugstore mascara?

Hi Jeannine, I was wondering if you could suggest a good mascara that I could buy from a drugstore. I just finished my Rimmel Lash Accelerator, which I like, but I'm looking for something else. Mind you my lashes are very short and straight. Thanks so much! -T Hi T,

Thanks for your message!  It's great that you were using the Rimmel Lash Accelerator since your lashes are short and you want length.  I would recommend continuing to use a lash growth serum (that mascara has one in it that works over time).  Try Talika Lipocils Expert. I've used it and it works as long as you're compliant.

My number one tip is to take the extra two seconds and use an eyelash curler before applying your mascara.  Not only will it give you the desired curl you wish for, but it will also help to separate your lashes before you coat them.  My favorite is Lancome Le Curler, because it's designed really well.

Now onto the mascara!  To conquer the length right away, you want a mascara that has micro-fibers in it that attach onto the ends of each individual lash.  Sounds crazy right? Try Maybelline Illegal Lengths.  It will give you a false lash effect!  Let me know how you make out!

xo,

Jeannine

Maybelline Great Lash Celebrates 40 Years in Style

You know it – the legendary pink and green mascara tube that's been selling out on store shelves since 1971.  That's Maybelline Great Lash.  Now, 40 years later, it's America's best selling mascara with a tube being sold every 1.7 seconds.  No lie. To celebrate it's anniversary, the brand partnered with top designers – Max Azria, Tracy Reese and Vivienne Tam to design a limited edition collection.  Since Maybelline sponsors New York Fashion Week, it was a natural fit.  Each designer created a black graphic print unique to their brand on the pink tube and sealed it with their signatures.  My favorite – Max Azria's (obvi) it's a sexier black lace pattern.

*Available in September.

New Mascara Reviews: CoverGirl NatureLuxe & Hourglass Film Noir

If you're anything like me you've gone to the store, become completely overwhelmed by the insane amounts cosmetic brands that fill the aisles and chances are you're just looking for something that shouldn't seem so damn hard to find.  Take mascara for example.  Now there's a gamble!  Here are some of my takes on two of the latest launches. CoverGirl NatureLuxe Mascara, $7 at drugstores

The claim: Discover luxurious volume that feels light as air. We took out a heavy synthetic and put in a light touch of beeswax — for luxurious lashes that are 20% lighter* with 2X more volume!

The truth: It is more natural than their other mascaras, but not all natural.  The brand is definitely taking a step in the right direction.  The mouse-like formula is super light so my lashes felt very flutter-like.  After two coats, my lashes looked clean, evenly separated and coated with no clumps. Even though it's water resistant, taking it off was a cinch. Overall, if you're looking for a mascara that simply enhances your natural lashes but doesn't take them to the next level, this is it.

Hourglass Film Noir Mascara, $28 at Sephora

The claim: Film Noir's signature hourglass-shaped brush is designed for optimal application, adding volume, length, lift, and separation to lashes. The intense concentration of Panthenol (ProVitamin B5) adds a reflective, jet-black sheen for dramatic impact.

The truth: After two careful coats my lashes looked the way I want them to for a night out in the city.  Volume?  Check.  Length?  Check.  And no flakes (which I sometimes get underneath my eyes).  The only thing that I had to be very careful with was coating the inner and outer corners of my eyes.  Since the brush is shaped like an hourglass, it's thick on the top and therefore difficult to use.  Let's just say a Q-tip came in hand for some clean up.  If you're looking for sexy, dramatic oh-la-la lashes, this is the mascara for you.

Sneak Peek: Also launching from Hourglass is their Film Noir Lash Lacquer on July 15th.  I got to test it out and yes, it does what it clams.  It's a coat that you can apply on top of your regular mascara to make your lashes appear wet and shiny.  I think it looks kind of sexy and model-like.  You can also use it alone without mascara and it acts as a subtle tint.