Having an exceptionally busy time at work just now- bear with me, I'll try to get a new op posted so...
Having an exceptionally busy time at work just now- bear with me, I'll try to get a new op posted soon.
Member since:09.07.2001
Reviews:51
Members who trust:45
For all you guys in the audience who are thinking, " Oh no, not another girlie op on MAKE-UP!," read on. I promise to reveal a sure way to tell if someone fancies you (and no, it's not because they are sticking their tongue in your ear.)
When I left America 6 years ago to move to Scotland, there were a few things that I worried about leaving behind. Good bagels. Cheap Levi 501's. And Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in the pink and green tube. My mother used to come over at Christmas bearing a truck load of the stuff to keep me supplied. Happily, Maybelline Great Lash is now available in the UK, though I gather from other reviews it has left some users underwhelmed. It was launched to some fanfare, but has yet to really penetrate the market the way it does in the US.
My appreciation of Maybelline stems from the fact that it is such a classic make-up item in America. The Maybelline website proclaims that it is America's No 1 selling mascara, and the statistics show a tube of Great Lash is sold every 1.4 seconds or thereabouts. It is touted as the mascara used by make-up artists and supermodels alike, a fact that I cottoned on to at about age 14. I started buying
it because I wanted to have eyelashes like Christy Turlington, and because it is cheap and widely available in the US. They sell it at just about every supermarket and chemist in every state there.
But is it any good? Ah, time for a close inspection…
First of all, the reason for mascara is to add definition and colour to lashes. If you are like me, and have dark eyes but quite pale lashes, it becomes essential if you don't want your eyes to look washed out and small. I curl my lashes with a curler first, which makes them appear more prominent. This is an excellent beauty technique to try- if you have never curled your eyelashes, you will be amazed at the difference.
The mascara can then be used to further enhance your lashes by darkening them, or if you want even more va-va-voom, you can choose a coloured mascara. Maybelline do a range of colours, including Very Black, Royal Blue, Brownish Black, Soft Black and Dark Brown. Recently they launched a limited edition Pink (to which I say ewww-bad idea). They also offer a waterproof mascara, which is great if you live someplace like Scotland and don't want to appear at work looking like a drowned panda. Admittedly, I am not sure if there is much difference in the colours themselves. I mean, can you really tell if it is Soft Black versus Brownish Black and does it matter? Personally, I find that Black is too dark for me, especially if I am wearing eyeliner as well, so I usually go for one of the dark brown shades.
I noticed on the Maybelline website they are bringing out a limited edition in Pink. I am not sure this is such a great idea, as it strikes me as an odd choice of colour to put over your eyes, but I could be wrong.
One of the main things I like about Great Lash is that it goes on without clumping, in a quite thick but even application. I hate mascaras that make your eyelashes stick together and look as if you have black clots above your eyes. Maybelline suggest putting it on in a "zig-zag" motion to avoid clumps, but that strikes me as a recipe for disaster, i.e getting it all over my face.
I try to apply an even coat from the base of my eyelashes to the tip, over the whole lash, as it is easy to forget to do the bit closer to the eye. I always sneeze immediately after applying my mascara, which naturally makes a bit of a mess, but any blotches come off very easily with a bit of cotton bud or a tissue.
Maybelline offer both a curved brush and a straight brush, but to me it makes little difference which one I use. The brush is meant to be "lash-building" and to contain special conditioning formula to thicken and treat your lashes. Frankly, I have never noticed any big change in the condition of my eyelashes, but then again I have been using this product for 15 years, so who knows what state I would be in without it! One problem I do have with Great Lash is that the mascara gets a bit runny at times at the top of the tube and this can be a bit messy. But it's a minor inconvenience, really.
It's recommended that you change your mascara every six months to prevent bacteria from getting into the tube and causing eye infections. It can be a bit of blow to do this, especially if there is plenty left, but it's better than walking around with some sort of nasty ooze in your eyes. Under no circumstances should you pump the brush back into the tube to get more mascara on it, as this increased the likelihood of contaminating the product. Great Lash is suitable for contact lens wearers as well and will not irritate your eyes..
I find the product lasts all day, without smearing or smudging, unless I actually rub my eyes. It comes off easily with water and soap if you are wearing the normal stuff. For the removal of the waterproof stuff, use a cotton bud and a gentle eye-make up remover. Don't scrub at your eyes, as the tissue around this part of your face is very delicate and more prone to wrinkling and damage. Or so I was told…
I find that I rarely do get through a whole tube in six months, and never need to apply it more than once in a day, even if I am going out for an evening. I find this very good value for money, much more than other mascaras I have tried.
In terms of packaging, the pink and green is tried and true- I think I would find it a shock if Maybelline ever changed the look of it, and I find it comforting and familiar if a trifle garish. Maybelline is not as widely available in the UK, but I have been able to find it as most chemists such as Boots and Superdrug. I have not noticed any difference whatsoever in the product bought here vs the States apart from the price. In America a tube costs about $3.50 whereas here is it is more like £3.50 although I need to double-check this- it's been a while since I bought it here.
So, is it really that great? Hard for me to say as I may be so entrenched in my brand loyalty that I may not be able to see past it. But as good, cheap and long-lasting mascara that does a good job of enhancing my lashes with good colour- I have to say yes, I would recommend it.
Now, as promised, a hot dating tip- If you are want to impress someone who you think is wearing mascara, you can always lean in for a closer inspection and then comment, " I simply love the shade of Royal Blue you have chosen, it accentuates your nose!" Meanwhile, this manoeuvre will give you an opportunity to see if their pupils are dilated, which is apparently an involuntary reaction when someone is attracted to you. If they recoil in horror, well, maybe it's time to move on to another candidate.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
great op, i noticed that it was cheeper in the states when i went, its not fair! I love this stuff, wear it every day, but not if i am goin out, i go for a big volume one then. Claire x x x
jimbuck 21.11.2001 19:36
I've had to rate this op VH in spite of the fact that I don't use mascara and you also get 1p.
sweetfire_01 12.11.2001 20:48
I have used this stuff before, but it was the waterproof kind...It was awful the mascara itself was so runny my lashes clumped together and it looked like I had one huge, thick eyelash, but I am glad it worked for you! I personally will never use this stuff again! VH opinion and enjoyable to read!
Indigo Blue Formula: The exclusive maxi-coverage formula is loaded with indigo pigments ... more
for a new kind of blue. From the first brush stroke your lashes appear Denim Blue, intense colour as wearable as your coolest pair of jeans! Great Lash Denim Blue i...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: bold, gives volume and length, clump-free, no flaking, long lasting, cheap! Disadvantages: is quite bold if you dont like that sort of thing
ilusvm 14.11.2008 (14.11.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Maybelline Great Lash
Sep 1st, 2001
(Nov 2nd, 2001)
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