Mascara - the good, the bad and the ok!

I'm a complete and utter mascara junky. At any given time I will have over 10 different brands in my kit (or so I use my makeup kit as an excuse!).
I love what mascara does to peoples eyes, the way it just opens them and often finishes off the ultimate makeup look. Cosmetic companies literally spend millions on designing their mascaras and consumers spend millions on purchasing them. I know all of you out there have your favourite and maybe your worse, below are a few of mine at the moment and I say moment as it does change frequently........

THE GOOD
Benefit - They're Real $38
I've recently discovered this little gem and I'm falling a little in love with it. I find the formula rich, coats your lashes well and doesn't smudge or flake. The best thing about this mascara is the wand. As you can see in the image the top of the brush has bristles so it makes it ideal to really coat the tiniest of eyelashes!!


THE BAD
Bourjois - Volume Glamour Max Definition Mascara $28
I'm a massive fan of Bourjois cosmetics and they have some outstanding cosmetics but this mascara isn't one of them. I have truly tested this out and even used it in previous posts. It is not the application that lets it down, it goes on beautifully, adds volume and definition BUT after about 30 minutes panda eyes start to appear, even after I set my eye concealer! Then washing it off is a whole other drama........it flakes, doesn't dissolve and basically is a pain to fully remove.

THE OK
Christian Dior Extase Flash Plumping Mascara $48
This is another brand who continually reinvents their already close to perfect mascara (Original Dior Show!!). This is exactly what the heading states OK. The brush is of "couture design" apparently, that is meant to add volume. Its a nice mascara, not my favourite but a good day time one that has a nice deep formula.

And finally makeup of today.............

Makeup has come so far from the 1900's, a time when Queen Victoria publicly declared makeup improper, vulgar (tsk tsk!) and acceptable only for use by actors and when ingredients were almost deadly.


I'm proud to say times have changed and makeup is not only used to assist us in exploring our creative side but to also make us feel that little bit more beautiful.


Makeup trends are now taken from our history and modernised to fit in with our culture and society. A definite favourite of the decade is the use of bronzer and our mission to perfect the correct application. Loads of mascara and lashes infiltrated the beauty world as did glossy lips (I think I just described Kim Kardashian - really!).

The exciting thing about our era is that there are no boundaries and we are able to express ourselves through our individual taste and preferences. Below are images from my personal folio that represents MY era!!

Makeup History - 1990's The making of Supermodels!

They were the original supermodels who brought glamour and sexiness to the catwalks - Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Karen Mulder (my fav!), Stephanie Seymour, Linda Evangelista, Claudia Schiffer & Naomi Campbell. They made the 90's!

It was all about glamour and clever contouring. The overall look was polished and it was the only time you'd see a perfect smokey eye with a red lip on a night out.

Foundation was matt and full coverage - the base needed to be immaculate. Eyes were contoured smokey most often in neutral brown, beige, black and eggplant finished off with a clean liner. Cheeks were contoured with a brown/bronze powder and lips were lined with a soft brown liner then filled with natural colour lipsticks. This type of makeup and tones used worked so well with the black & white images that were so popular.

Makeup History - 1970's PEACE!

Ok, so far you've been taken through 5 decades of what I can only describe as extraordinary changes in makeup, not only in the application but the changes that took place thanks to much research and development!

Jerry Hall on the cover of Vogue 1975

Bridgette Bardot, Blondie, Jerry Hall, Farrah Fawcett, Charlie's Angels and the Bond girls all epitomise what the 1970's represented. 
The tanned, bronzed look was the hit of the decade with lots of shimmer on the eyes in blue, green and brown. To define the eye black liner was applied and smudged out to create a smokey effect and eyebrows were groomed thin in an arch shape. Cheeks were contoured and highlight was used to accentuate the cheekbones. Lips were quite natural in colour but the finish was high gloss.
Flower Power!!

Charlie's Angels

Modern 1970's

Makeup History - 1960's

Twiggy

Not sure what the 1960's beauty represented? Think Twiggy, think doe eyes, think dramatic eyes.

Eyes were the focus with pale, often white, pastel blue or green eyeshadows finished with a dark drawn on socket line and eyeliner. They were then dramatised with heavy false lashes on the top lids, and drawn on individual lashes on the bottom of the eye.
Cheeks were quite contoured and a sculptured blush was applied. To further accentuate the cheekbones a highlighter was used on the top bones of the cheek. 
To compliment the dark contoured eyes, lips were often quite pale and sometimes even shimmery.


Watch a step by step tutorial here!!!

June 1965 Vogue Cover

Modern 60's makeup

Makeup History - 1950's

The iconic late Elizabeth Taylor

And GLAMOUR was born! 


No one can deny makeup was revolutionised during the 50's with starlets such as Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly and Sophia Loren leading the way post war era.
Makeup techniques developed and product companies invested more into research & development with the boom of colour films hitting the big screens. Max Factors famous foundation 'Pan Cake' was invented to assist in covering any imperfections shown on the large screens. 
Eyebrows were arched and defined and eyeshadow was either quite contoured (think the stunning Marilyn) or pastel shades were used. Eyeliner was flicked out, very Egyptian looking (Ms Taylor) and false eyelashes were used.
Lips continued the red trend of the 40's, although shades were lighter and often pinks and orange were used. Cheeks bared colours of pink and peaches.


A definite favourite era of mine!

The ever beautiful Marilyn Monroe

Christina Aguilera's modern take of the 50's

Makeup History 1940's.

Veronica Lake

Veronica Lake, Betty Grable, Lucielle Ball, Judy Garland and Ginger Rogers all contributed to the 40's beauty revolution and made there mark in makeup history.


The 1940's saw a shift from the heavier looks of the 20's & 30's to a more natural beauty, minimal look, with a warmer base. The blush, or rouge as they once called it, was sculpted on the cheek and of bright pink and rose colour. 
Eyebrows were groomed to an arched shape and defined with pencil. Eyeshadows were quite neutral and tones such as taupe, browns and muted greys were regularly used. Thin eyeliner was often smudged through the lashes, a technique still used today to help create some depth and finished off with a brown or black mascara.
For lips think Dita Von Teese red, fuller lips with a slightly exaggerated top lip.


Hair was the main focus during this era with pin curls, finger waves and heavy tight sets.

Ginger Rogers

The modern version - Dita Von Teese