Today I wanted to talk to you about a little beauty dilemma I recently faced… I’ve worn mascara since I was about 15 years old, it’s my staple makeup bag product, my favourite item in my makeup bag and my one can’t live without item. I’ve tried them all. I (sadly) get quite excited about a new mascara, especially ones that add mega volume and drama. So you can imagine my dismay when a few months ago my mascara started randomly smudging underneath my eyes, completely out of the blue. It first happened when I was in a meeting at work, two hours I was sat in this meeting and had to spend a lot of that time looking down and reading bits of paper… I have quite long and thick lashes, so you can imagine how awful my eyes looked when I got out. Unfortunately I didn’t even notice until I got in the car and did the usual quick glance at myself in the rear view mirror – does anyone else do that every time they get in the car?! I do actually do it before I set off, don’t worry… Anyway, I was horrified! This had never happened to me before and wasn’t something I wanted to happen again.
After that, I started realising it was happening every day. I stopped wearing my kohl eyeliner for a while, that made no difference… I then went back to using some other favourite mascaras; Too Faced, YSL, MAC, Benefit – they all did it, I was starting to get a bit panicky that gone were the days of fluttery long lashes. But not one to be defeated, I decided to do a bit of groundwork. What had made the dreaded panda eye look suddenly start occurring? Well, when I thought about it, this all coincided around about the time I discovered the wonderful world of daily facial oil application, and a bit of googling confirmed it. Yep, apparently it’s an issue for lots and lots of women, many who just have naturally oily eyelids; but that’s not something I’d experienced before as I have dry skin. You may notice it yourself if you ever apply moisturiser directly under your eyes before applying your makeup – it’s not your mascara, it’s you. In my case it was definitely the facial oil, but I didn’t want to give that up as it was creating wonderful changes in my complexion.
Do not fear, there is actually a solution. Welcome to the world of tubing mascaras… not just mascaras that come packaged in a tube, as I initially thought. Nope, these little miracle developments work in a slightly different way to your regular mascaras. Instead of just covering your natural lashes, these mascaras form little tubes around the lashes that are completely smudge and water resistant. By water resistant, I mean you shouldn’t have a problem with watering eyes, but if you’re wanting something to swim in – you’ll have to use waterproof. Anyway, I understand that little tubes around your eyelashes doesn’t really sound too appealing, but it feels, looks, applies and removes no different to your normal mascara. If anything, it actually removes a little easier. But there is a catch, I tested quite a few of these mascaras and I did struggle to get the volume and drama I normally go for. By the way guys, I also tried “baking” my under eye makeup as a prevention method, unfortunately to no avail.
Well yes, yes you can; but you’ll just be limited a little more by your choices. The best ones that I tested – and when I say tested, I mean beach visits, in December & January, on very cold, very windy beaches next to the sea… they did. not. budge. – were MAC Opulash Optimum Black (£15)* and Estee Lauder Double Wear Mascara (£21)*. Estee Lauder coming out top of the two. Infact since my little smudging dilemma, I’d go as far as to say the Estee Lauder Double Wear mascara is probably the best mascara I’ve ever tried – due to the fact that it still adds volume and length, but doesn’t smudge. Should I not have an issue with panda eyes, then no, there are better ones. But if you’re having the same issues as me, this is the mascara you need. The Opulash mascara was still good, but I’d say it’s more of a daytime mascara.
Absolutely not. The wonderful thing about the beauty industry these days, is that we now have a solution for pretty much anything. My all time favourite mascara is the Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Lashes, but it smudges on me now. However, if you’re willing to shell out and add an extra step to your beauty routine, you can purchase the Bobbi Brown No Smudge Mascara (£21)* it can be worn on its own, but it can also be added over the top of your favourite mascara to seal it – and it doesn’t move at all. The only thing I will say, is that it can be quite stubborn to remove.
Hopefully you’ve found this post helpful, if you have any other little no smudge tips, or give any of mine a go, please do let me know.
*Affiliate link
I started to have this exact same problem & realised it was my oil based eye make-up remover which I was using to correct any make-up mistakes. Don’t know why I didn’t realise straight away!! Solved the problem by getting my lashes done – 3D Russian Volume to be exact & I haven’t worn a scrap of eye make-up since!!! 🙂 xx