I'll be watching this closely. I have the same problem. I tried every type of mascara known to man and it always ran. Deepset eyes and bluish undereye circles. Eyeliner didn't seem to be the problem, though. When I was younger my skin was oilier and as I got older I had to use creams and concealers. None of this helps keep your mascara in place.

I bet some people will say to blot powder. That will give emphasize my lines.
Donna

The best mascarra I ever used was my mother's little block of blacking that came with a brush. You *spit* on the brush; rubbed in on the blacking; applied. ICK, eh? Well, I'm not sure it was any ickier than the stuff in tubes -- and one *could* use water instead of spit. I never had any problems with it. Anyway, I guess you can only buy that sort of thing from stage makeup suppliers now.

I just bought Cover Girl 'Lash Exact' -- little brush, no clumps, meant to color, not add bulk or length -- just COLOR. So far, so good.

Does it seem to you that eyeliner is making a big comeback? Upper and lower lids? When I saw 'racoon eyes', that's what I thought I'd find being talked about.

I love Avon's waterproof mascara (read the reviews - I'm not the only one who loves it! lol). I have no problem with it rubbing or coming off at all. I use Pond's cold cream to remove it at night.

Here is a link that might be useful: Avon's Waterproof Mascara

Max Factor's 2000 Calories is what I've used for years and I don't have coon eyes. Make sure to get the regular, NOT the waterproof.

I've been using Great Lash for years and have never had that problem, but I don't use moisturizer or concealer. I hope you find a solution.

I use the same thing, and you do need to lightly blot the under eye area with powder to set the concealer and mosturizer. Not much is needed, just a touch. Otherwise the oils will be a magnet for the mascara.

Trin

Posted by chisue: "You *spit* on the brush; rubbed in on the blacking; applied. ICK, eh? Well, I'm not sure it was any ickier than the stuff in tubes -- and one *could* use water instead of spit.......... Anyway, I guess you can only buy that sort of thing from stage makeup suppliers now."

You were NOT SUPPOSE TO SPIT in the mascara. It was even printed on the container "Do not use saliva". That is the reason they took it off the market for common people. And no, professional make-up artist do not use "spit" in their stage make-up.

They still make cake mascara. One reason it is not popular is that it is inconvenient to use. It takes two hands - no putting make-up on in the car. Often times water is not available - no putting make-up on at your desk.

The advantage to cake mascara is that one can control the coverage. Apply a thin coat or a thick coat. One pan lasts practically forever. You never have to toss it because it "dried out". Google *cake mascara*. There are many many brands available.

http://www.amazon.com/Femme-Cake-Mascara-Brush-Brown/dp/B0002T49OM

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Posted by by organic_donna: "What is causing this?"

It's the oils in the moisturizer and the concealer. Try using an oil free version of both and see if if the problem goes away. Also try using the higher priced brands. The upper end mascaras usually contain silicone (read the labels) and won't smudge as easily. Also try using a waterproof mascara.

Use a primer before applying the concealer so it stays in place.

Have you tried the new tubular mascaras that are out?? They are suppose to be guaranteed not to smudge or money back. The best part is that you do no need to buy any remover to get it off. It just pulls off with warm water and a wash cloth.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tubular

dilly-dalley,
I do think it's the moisturizer and concealer causing the problem. I use Neutrogena concealer stick and concealer eye cream. What brand of eye cream and concealer is moisture free? Also, if it's moisture free how does it work. What kind of primer do you use?
Trin,
What powder do you use under your eyes? Doesn't it get cakey?
Donna

I use Great Lash too, have for years. The only time I have raccoon eyes is usually after a long day at work and after I've rubbed my eyes. I can't use waterproof because they always flake off and irritate my eyes.

I'd try waterproof masacara, or even a different brand with stronger staying power. Great Lash comes off rather easily. You should find the waterproof types of mascara stay on a lot better... only problem is you will need to find a really good eye makeup remover.

Does your mascara come off if you use your eye creams as removers? I'm guessing with Great Lash, yes. Great Lash makes great Lashes but it comes off with ease... too much ease for some people. With your creams (even just your natural oils), etc... you are more or less "using" an eye make up remover of sorts so when your eyes blink the masacara is coming off and staying under your eye. If you use a waterproof type, it usually takes a lot more to get the mascara off so it shouldn't come off so easily and create the racoon eyes. My best friend used to use Great Lash and by the end of the night her eyes seriously looked ridiculous. All the mascara was off her lashes and under her eyes... I'm like "Can't you see yourself. Try a different masacara"!

I had the same problem, complicated by dry eyes condition, so that even getting out in the sunshine or wind causes me to cry and turn into a raccoon. Now I use CoverGirl's washable waterproof mascara, in a purple tube, and it works great!:)
Now it's only my eyeliner I have to worry about.:)

I also think that it is the cream you may be using. I don't use any creams on my face as part of my makeup routine, but I have oily skin and get the raccoon eyes. And as Dilly Dally suggested, the tubular mascara is an option. I only discovered it a few months ago, after a suggestion on the beauty forum and I absolutely love it! It stays exactly where you put it until you decide to take it off. Even though it is not recommended, if you forget to wash it off before going to bed, it will still be where it is supposed to be in the morning when you wake up. And it is not at all difficult to remove. Just wash your face with soap and water and a washcloth, using gentle pressure as you go over your eyes. It also does not leave black marks on your washcloth. You'll just see little black "worm" like things that rinse right down the drain. The brand I use is Blinc, but there are several brands. I have not been able to find any at any of the stores in my area, but ebay yielded lots of options.

I'm going to try a different mascara. I've used Great Lash my whole life without problems. I use Vaseline to remove the mascara. That could be it but I've been doing that forever too.
Donna

I just use a compact cover girl powder. Use a light coat, and I never have to worry. I do have dark circles, and also lines that can be accentuated with the powder, but if I just use a tad, no problem.

Trin

I used to use maybelline also,didn't really have too many problems with it.But when i went to the"Look good,feel better" class last year,for dealing with cancer and makeup etc,they gave us a bag full of make up,moisturizers,and all sorts of stuff.The mascara in the bag is Physicians formula and it has the mascara at one end ,and at the other end is a clear sealer you put on after.Works great!!
Kathi

I too think it's the mascara you are using. I used to use the same pink and green tube and had the same problem.

Right now I'm using Cover Girl Eyelights which I love.

Also, a great primer to avoid eyeshadow creases and mascara smudges is Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion. I use it on both my eyelid crease and under the eyes and it works much better than powder, and doesn't highlight the wrinkles!

dilly_dally -- I *know* using spit is unsanitary. That's why I put "ICK" in my post. I was recounting how my mother taught me how to use it -- you know, back in the Real Dark Ages. Unlike today, there was no warning on mascara -- or on just about anything else -- when my mother bought her mascara. She was born in 1905! (I never said makeup artists use spit.)

Thanks for telling me the product can still be found. Cross my heart and hope to die, I won't use *spit*! LOL

Today I omitted the eye creme before putting on my concealer. I didn't have racoon eyes, well maybe just a little bit . It looks like it's the eye cream not the mascara.
Donna

I think Great Lash makes a waterproof version that does come off with soap and water.
Myself, I'm with Lydia, Avon Waterproof mascara is the only one I buy.
Suzan J