Friday 17 January 2014

I have been a fan of Helena Rubinstein mascaras since the launch of 'Spectacular' in 1991, although it is now a discontinued item, their mascaras have gone from strength to strength and I am now never without my 'Lash Queen Feline Blacks', non waterproof. This mascara has a wonderful brush, it allows you to push the lashes up from the root, giving them a lovely boost right to the tip, providing both volume and length. It never leaves that shadow that so many others do on the lower lid, lasts all day, even in hot and humid conditions, never leaves the lashes feeling stiff or clumpy and when it comes to removing it, can be gently wiped away with ease. Should you accidentally get it on your lid or anywhere else you don't want it, let it dry and then gently remove it with a dry cotton bud or small makeup brush, it just disappears without smudging or making a mess of the rest of your makeup. To get the most volume I apply the second coat before the first drys completely and so on should you care to apply more.
I recently tried their newest 'Surreal Mascara', which I must confess has been my first disappointment in 23 years. The brush is difficult, it distributes the product unevenly which eventually causes clumping and the formula is very different, more waxy and far harder to remove. So I am now, happily back with 'Lash Queen'.
I know this brand is not widely available anymore, however, it is very easy to come by online, I use strawberrynet.com.
Quick tip: Never pump the mascara wand up and down, this just allows more air into the product, which will dry it out faster. Instead try rotating the wand in the tube as if scrapping the edges of it. Also in colder weather I find it useful to warm the mascara, most makeup is wax based, generally by holding it under my arm as I do the rest of my makeup, this enables it to glide on with ease.
Don't keep it more than 3 months, it will be empty!