Mascara

I haven't worn mascara for decades as it makes my eyes water - even the so-called hypo-allergenic type. I used it as a fashion-conscious teenager but gave up.

Lancome for me, usually black, but sometimes for fun blue. They used to do green as well, don't know if they still do, so they might do grey as well.

Any firm that makes theatrical make-up,should be able to come up with a grey mascara.

I use Boots Volume Natural Collection in Brown/black. I think it costs around 2 or 3.99. I have allergies and find this ok for me.

Anything Maybelline on top and a waterproof mascara on the bottom. No raccoon eyes that way. Love Lancôme and Urban Decays Canon waterproof.

Many companies which used to be cruelty-free no longer are. Most of them sell in China which means they are tested on animals. Boots is about to start selling cosmetics in China so can no longer claim to be cruelty-free. Many others are owned by a parent company which tests on animals, so by purchasing them consumers are supporting animal testing. These products may have a leaping bunny symbol but it’s misleading in these cases. It’s so easy to find the truth by a bit of careful research on the Internet.

I'm careful about the products I buy and often buy make up and skincare from www.lovelula.co.uk but I have recently started using products from PHB Ethical Beauty (natural, cruelty free and British made) and I really like their Mascara.

I always imagined that I was the only one looking for a mascara which is not black, which does not clump and one that suits sensitive eyes . Lancôme certainly was better than most although have recently been using Clinique. However, I find that in order to avoid thick clumps I need to wipe brush with tissue before applying. Seems a bit of a waste but.....
Btw Reading that other people also suffer from eyes sensitive to wind, and mine water badly esp when walking the dog , can anyone recommend some stylish glasses as I am using ski goggles but am getting weird looks and risk getting a reputation that am going a little batty.

I used Max Factor 2000 calorie mascara for years. I tried other brands but always returned to it until about six months ago when I read an article about cheaper brands of makeup. It recommended Wilkinson’s Essence Lash Princess mascara as being as good as some of the premium brands so I thought I’d give it a try. It is very good and is only about £3.30 so a big saving. I think it only comes in black though.

No7 mascara for me & I can usually find a brown/black which I've worn for years, I have natural blonde/silver grey hair & fair colouring. I do only wear mascara when I'm going out, never bother if I'm going to the shops

I always end up with ‘panda’ eyes unless I use waterproof mascara. Avon do a good brown one that lasts all day but washes off quite easily.

I'm not virtue signalling, I promise. I've downloaded the Bunny Free app and I've just tackled my bathroom cupboard. It's quite big and full of all sorts of stuff, some going back years. I'm shocked how many brands are not cruelty free. I've resolved to finish up the bad products and only buy cruelty free from now on. It'll be mostly Boots and Body Shop. I just read that household cleaning products haven't been tested on animals for several years.

I'm grateful for the suggestions of alternative mascaras. I'll be rejecting Max Factor and trying the Boots Natural Collection mascara suggested by sharon103.

I love L'Oreal 'Million Lashes' - it word very well on my non too full lashes. It was recommended to me by someone I worked with; a few months ago I bought a Max Factor as I was in a great rush and the store didn't sell L'Oreal - I really regretted it as it was hopeless.

I am blessed with long black eyelashes and have never had any reason to use mascara.

Blinko, have you thought of a purple/ violet colour of mascara? I always wear that colour as I feel it suits me far better than black, brown or navy.
YSL do a good range of these colours and they look more subtle than you might imagine. Also they glide on without clumping, don't smudge and come off easily. Although I think they are expensive, they last a long time.

Btw I love your name on this mascara thread!

L'Oreal is good but I've discovered Primark's own brand lash building mascara (thanks to my DD) and it's just as good!

That's worth knowing.
The trouble is, even with Aldis, they have a few different options and I'm never sure which to go for.

Annana - sorry can't help with advice but it did make me chuckle.

(I know someone who wears industrial ear protectors in the car when driving with her dogs to where they set off for a walk, because the dogs bark like mad in their state of excitement and she can't stand the din (nor can she control the barking). She was pulled over by a policeman and warned that its illegal!)

Number Seventeen Va va voom is really good but unfortunately they have stopped making this brand. Not sure if the replacement brand is the same. My daughters wedding makeup artist put me into Va va voom she compared it to Dior or something similar.

I keep and use the mascara brush that suits and match it with a mascara that is best for me.

The brush has to be wrapped or stored somehow because obviously it doesnt match to screw on the mascara.
I wrap in a small piece of foil.

The mascara stays as it was with its brush and lid. Don't use the brush it came with.

I'm using Rimmel's Scandaleyes Reloaded . It stays on all day -doesn't clump ,itch or smudge plus it's available in Morrisons . Cheap and cheerful !

I am obsessed with mascara but refuse to pay exorbitant prices. Over the last few years I have tried lots of different ones but my absolute favourite hands down is Mark at Avon Big&Extreme in the orange tube. It gives great volume and length.

Llamedos13 I have tried the dyeing route as I have very fine and not very long lashes but I can't say it was very effective for me. I tried lash extensions.....which were probably a bit better.....but, as I was told I could not use mascara on them - not a dramatic improvement. Mascara, I think I have tried all the more common makes and I don't think there is much to choose between them but Lancôme Hypnose I will definitely give a try as it has been recommended by several on this thread.

I have kept and washed a plastic wand from a cheap make, possibly Rimmel. I use it in between each stroke when putting on my mascara. It helps enormously in separating the lashes before it dries.

I've had my lashes tinted in the past and thought it a waste of time. You can buy packs of brushes on Amazon think they sell them as 25's and 50's I use them when I tint my brows and then bin them but you can use them to apply mascara or remove excess mascara.