I like Chanel Inimitable Intense. It volumizes, lengthens, and curls (more so than regular Inimitable).

I'm a drugstore makeup kind of gal. It's the rare high end product that wins my heart or my money! When it comes to mascara, I've been loyal to 2 brands and specific products for more years than I care to confess.

L'Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara - gold and gray tube

Maybelline Great Lash - pink and green tube

When I want more drama for a special occasion, I always use the L'Oreal, although a light application is just perfect for everyday, too. The Maybelline is what I use most often for everyday type activities.

Have tried most of the department store counter mascaras and have not been impressed with the results. Really don't care for the price and lack of results.

Another loyal Maybelline lover here. I use the "Great Last BIG" in black in the good old green and pink tube. I've never used the waterproof, so can't say whether that is as good as the regular. I have never been disappointed. I do have long lashes, but the Maybelline nicely separates and covers every lash. No clumping, no smearing. Whether I am going to the grocery or the theatre, I like my Maybelline. It's worth a try since you don't have to invest very much, since it is probably the most reasonably priced mascara made:P.

Another Maybelline user here. Also, for about 20 years now all the mags and makeup artists says that's what the models wear.

To make your lashes look longer, make sure to curl them first. I broke down and bought a nice lash curler from Sephora, it was under $20 but it does a good job and doesn't put that crease in the lashes.

I love these makeup threads! lol

Another Maybelline Great Lash user here. It is what a lot of the makeup artists use, regardless of how expensive the other cosmetics are that they have. I use the brown-black, because it is just a bit softer for we 'slightly older" ladies. Better on blondes, too.

I spend a fair amount on most of my cosmetics and skin care, and have tried much more expensive mascaras, but always go back to the pink and green tube.

I used the Maybelline Great Lash years ago. Not sure why I gave it up but will give it another try. thanks.

I don't know that the great lash is particularly for "thickening" lashes as Roseabbey is looking for. I've used it also.

Roseabbey - I'm wondering if you need one of those lash conditioners? Haven't really read up on them, but you might want to.

tina

I read somewhere that Great Lash was the best around, tried it and was not for me. It looked pretty good when I put it on, then throughout the day it flaked, and looked like I had on cheap mascara.

I like Clinique's, in the dark green tube. Mostly, what I find though, is the small mascaras you get in gifts are the best. I don't know if it has to do with it being smaller or what, but, any brand you get in a gift in the higher end makeup brands, are the best for me.

Another Maybelline user, but I prefer the Full and Soft in the Silver tube. If that's not available, then it's the Great Lash in the pink and green tube. I've tried department store brands and L'Oriel, and keep coming back to Maybelliene as my favorite.

I always come back to this..
L'Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara - gold and gray tube

But I've actually been using Almay (white bottle) mascara for the first coat and then the gray tube or L'Oreal. I didn't care for the Almay alone because I needed a bazillion coats (I like the look of thick, full, long lashes for every day) and didn't want to throw it out.

I have never tried the lash conditioners, maybe I will give those a try. Anyone recommend a brand?

I've had good luck with Urban Decay's 'big fatty' mascara, and as and added bonus, their products are all certified cruelty free.

i really LOVE clinque's naturally glossy mascara for everyday wear... don't love the real thick mascaras as much anymore that clump on your lashes...i'm not dark and i don't have beautiful, long lashes!
i usually have a tube of the loreal voluminous mascara open too and change things up, esp if going out.

If you really want to go all out, lash extensions. I know they're pricey, and it's sort of weird, but I got it done and now I'm hooked, even at my advanced age. Really makes a huge difference.

Former Great Lash fan, now Bobbi Brown. Almost out, but waiting for new one coming next month that supposedly both thickens and lengthens well. Like the way my present BB slicks it on and curls them up in one quick swoosh.
I read btw ( a little OT) that the pharma (Allergan?) company is working on a hair growth product by hugely increasing the amount of active ingredient in Lattise. Interesting. Lattice worked for me, but only in length, not fullness.

I had never heard of the lash extensions, so I did a little reading on some sites that sell them. I think they are interesting, but really no different than the individual lashes that used to be applied, except that they are stuck on with medical adhesive for longer wear, and are probably a bit finer hair. Interesting, tho.

The thing that wouldn't work for me, from what I could glean from reading, is that you can't used any oil-based product around them. I use cleansing cream to clean my face and eyes every day and moisturizers that have oil in them on my eyes.

I did consider Latisse but read where it actually can stain the area around the eye and sometimes even changes the color of the iris! Like lash extensions, it is pricey too.

I love my Chanel mascara. I tried the maybelline and had the same problems as oliesmom.

I bought a lot of Chanel products awhile ago and ended up returning all of them except the mascara within a few days. It is the most wonderful mascara I have ever used. :)

I didn't care for the pink & green tube Maybelline, which I tried because it's always listed as a popular one. I think it flaked too much or clumped, I don't remember I just know I didn't buy it again.

Currently, I'm using one called Tarte (I think) which was a free sample with purchase at an Ulta store. It's fine and I'm considering buying it again if I get back to the store.

Mostly I use Almay from the drugstore. Once I tried some expensive brand that a friend swore by, and her lashes looked great, but it was just awful on me so I went back to the cheap-o Almay.

I do discard the tubes after 3 months (Jan-April-July-Oct). I think I'll make note of some of these other suggestions and try them out this year.

Is it 3 months or 6 months that you can use mascara before you discard?

No matter what product you use, any of them will work better with this comb. A girl at a local makeup store recommended it to me years ago - one of those 'can't do without' products for me. The tiny, tiny teeth are key and you can't get that with plastic teeth. These are SHARP so don't be in a hurry!

Here is a link that might be useful: Mascara Comb

Sheeesh!
All the trouble you Gals go thru!?!?!

(I'm glad I don't use much makeup....;-))

Faron

Roseabbey,
According to About.com, mascara should be thrown out after 4 months. I'm sticking to every 3 because it's so easy to remember - each new calendar quarter I open a new mascara.

Here's a link to the page with beauty shelf life answers

The link showed up in preview but is missing now! Then I had trouble getting back to post, then it rejected my post, now it's not showing my link but is combining my message with the terms of service notice.

I give up. If you're interested in shelf life of makeup check about.com.

Put me in Oliesmom's camp too.

I have used Lancome Definicils for many years (Mom gave me a sample tube from a free gift in my Christmas stocking, I don't know how long ago!). I have thin, short lashes and prefer the short bristled brush version, both reg. and waterproof.

A few years ago I started using the Lancome conditioner (because it came in a free gift ;-), I love it!

For day wear, I can get away with one coat of each. For evening, two coats of each.

I read in Oprah mag today, that if your lashes are short you should use thickening, not lengthening mascara, which will weigh them down.