I wear contact lens, and I need to find a good smudge-proof mascara, one that won't smudge under my eyes after a few hours of wearing it. But, I'd also like something that I don't have to try to "scrub" off in the evening before I go to bed.

I tried Maybelline extreme curling waterproof mascara, thinking that the waterproof mascara would not smudge under my eyes...it was a little better than regular mascara in that department, however, I practically had to scrub my eyes with mascara remover in the evening to get all the mascara off. I don't want to have to rub my eyes raw and lose lashes trying to get the stuff off! :bouncing:

So, if I could get a few good recommendations, I'd appreciate it. Thanks, Robin

I swear - and I am NOT exaggerating - that I have tried at least 25-30 different mascaras. I wear contacts, too, so I need something that doesn't flake - but I also want something that doesn't smudge, gives me some length, helps hold the curl (because my lashes are short, blonde, & sparse), yet I want something that is easy to remove.

So far, I've only found 2 that even remotely fit into those categories for me.

L'Oreal Featherlash is the only drugstore mascara that doesn't flake or smudge on me. It separates pretty well & is easy to remove (I haven't tried the waterproof) - but it doesn't hold the curl well. I'll use it in a pinch or as an *at home* mascara.

The best is reflect's (online store) custom mascara. You fill out a questionnaire about the features you are looking for in a mascara & they formulate one to those specifications. Hint - ask for waterproof. I tried the non-waterproof & it smudged. However, they will reformulate any product with which you are unsatisfied - for free. So they remade mine in a waterproof formula. It does everything I need it to do - including holding the curl & staying on ALL day. I don't know that just any cleanser would remove it, but I have found that Aromaleigh's Lavender Mandarin cleanser does remove it easily - which is convenient, since that is my cleanser. You can usually find a coupon code for $15 off any order - so the mascara ends up costing $6.95, which includes shipping. Not bad for a guaranteed product. And if you aren't happy with the second formulation (or don't want a second formulation), they WILL refund your money.

Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof is excellent. I don't think it's going to be very easy to find a formula that is smudge-proof as well as easy to wash off. All i can really recommend is using jojoba oil to wipe off the mascara at night. It really works amazingly. I have to be careful with it, in fact: I put it on before putting on makeup, but if i accidentally put it too close to my eyes or on my lashes, my eye makeup smears a ton! Which is great because it will literally just sweep off your mascara.

Blue, thanks for the recommendation of Loreal Featherlash, I will definitely try it. I usually use an eyelash curler anyway, so I really don't need the "curling" mascara anyway. Although my lashes are dark, they are rather short, so I need all the help I get get with a good mascara, one that won't smudge under my eyes, but is easy to remove.

I saw some mascara infomercial on QVC or HSN the other day...I don't remember the brand it was. Definitely different, when you remove it, it doesn't come off in flakes or black smudges, but it actually comes off as tiny "tubes" on your makeup remover pad. It's as if each lash gets encapsulated in mascara, and it comes off your eyes in a whole little tube form...weird huh? Has anyone heard what I'm talking about? -Robin

Surreal, I like Maybelline Great Lash mascara, but I find it doesn't make my lashes as long as I'd like. About the jojoba oil to remove mascara....since I wear contacts, I really don't want to use something oily to remove my eye makeup, since the residue can sometimes get in your eyes or stay on the outer rim of my eyelids. Is jojoba oil oily or is it just called that? (I've never used it before, so I have no idea) -Robin

I love both Prscriptives False Eyelashes and if I cant get that MaxFactor 2000 calorie. I have contacts too and these are both excellent nonflakey, lengthing/thickening mascaras that dont require more than a swoop or two to get a nice feathery look. The px one is expensive (like $15) but I havent found a better one than that ever and I am a mascara freak who is super picky as well as having super sensitive eyes. They dont curl (I find those ones to be hard to remove)

I use lancome defincils and also clinque high impact mascara. I wear contacts also and these two are high in price but they are worth it.

I've tried jojoba for removing mascara & it does get in my eyes & messes with my contacts the next day. I even tried diluting the oil, but it just doesn't work for me.

The mascara that becomes tiny tubes when you remove it is call "Kiss Me Mascara". I've never tried it, but know that alot of people like it. I've heard it is nice if you just need dark, natural looking lashes. It doesn't thicken lashes.

Blue Eyed Bell-I'm a huge fan of Maybelline Sky High Curves but I think I'll have to give that custom blend mascara you suggested a try. Just this morning someone on the AL forum recommended the same company. Can't go wrong if they are willing to stand behind their products. Oh my gosh! Light bulb going on here, are you the same person?LOL

Cris

Productramp, your posting about Prescriptives False Eyelashes mascara being great, helped me to remember that when it first came out, I got a sample size tube of it at the department store, used it, and absolutely loved it! I have short, dark lashes, and it really made them long. I can't remember if it smudged under my eyes at all during the day though...does it for you? What do you use to remove it with at night?

Jill30, I used Lancome mascara a very long time ago, and loved it...thought it was terrific, but a little bit too pricey for me right now, and if I remember correctly, it was difficult to remove.

Both of your posts made me realize that it has been a very, very long time since I've shopped for cosmetics at a department store. I've been buying mine from either the drugstore or on-line.

So the "curling" mascaras are more difficult to remove? Are all the curling mascara brands that way? I'm just curious.

The brand I now have is Maybelline and it's called Sky Hi Curves Extreme Length & Curl Waterproof Mascara. This stuff is nearly impossible to remove! I use Andrea Eye Q's Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover Pads, but they simply do not work at removing this brand/type of mascara...last night, I had to use about 4 of the little remover pads on each eye, and I wound up having to really scrub my lashes (which I'm sure doesn't help my undereye skin or eyelids) to finally remove the mascara. Afterwards, my eye area hurt from all the scrubbing.

Girl, I have tried more mascaras then I care to admit being a self proclaimed producttramp. :)
I love False Eyelashes mascara and no, it doesnt smudge on me. If its a cheap month :), I swap over to the Maxfactor 2000 calorie which is the closest I found to False Eyelashes.
I used False Eyelashes mascara on my sister at her wedding with some black eyeliner and you'd swear she had on falsies.
Either way, I use either jojoba oil then rinse with water if I have on more than mascara or just my cleanser, which is right now, Nivea Visage Gel- which I love-cleans well and not drying plus gets off my eye makeup.

I find the curling ones hard to remove and make my lashes stiff and feel weird plus dont give the feathery look I prefer. Both of these have a soft feel and dont flake, look clumpy or feel too stiff but wear all day for me and are easy to remove.

Blue Eyed Bell-I'm a huge fan of Maybelline Sky High Curves but I think I'll have to give that custom blend mascara you suggested a try. Just this morning someone on the AL forum recommended the same company. Can't go wrong if they are willing to stand behind their products. Oh my gosh! Light bulb going on here, are you the same person?LOL

LOL! That would be me! :)

Hey Productramp (love that name by the way, lol), I will definitely go buy the Max Factor 2000 Calorie mascara to try. Do they have both waterproof and non-waterproof versions of it. If so, which one should I buy if I simply don't want smudges under my eyes in a few hours after applying it? ;)

I think they have both wp and nonwp. I never wear the waterproof kind anyways, I dont like that it has that same stiffer feel to it. I use just the regular kind and I dont have a problem with flakeys.
I think that mascaras tend to adhere different to different people anyways, depending on skin, what cleanser was used, etc. but I have never had a problem. But for my taste I like a thickening, feathery lash that doesnt flake and this and my px false eyelashes does it for me. I tried all the recommended ones from great lash ,clinque, lancome, etc.
2000calories runs about 5-7 bucks at the drugstore.

Hey Blue...I bought the Max Factor 2000 Calorie mascara today. (they do have both the regular formula and Waterproof) I bought the regular kind in Black, and paid $5.89 for it at the drugstore. I'll use it tomorrow (Tues) morning, and I'll let you know what I think. Thanks for the suggestion. -Robin

Okay - but it wasn't me that suggested that one! LOL! I don't like that one.

Whoops, I messed up, lol. It was Productramp who recommended Max Factor 2000 Calorie mascara. So, Productramp, if you see this posting, thanks so much for the recommendation! I bought Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara (regular kind, not the waterproof), and I used it today. I even have concealer under my eyes, and the mascara hasn't smudged underneath at all. It also goes on easily & looks natural, not clumpy at all, but lengthens & thickens my lashes. So far, I love this stuff...and all for only $5.89 a tube! Thanks again!

Hey Blue, how come you don't like the Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara? (just curious). I looked for the Loreal Featherlash, but I couldn't find it, so I got the Max Factor brand instead...today is the first time I've worn it, but it's not smudging at all or flaking off, and I put it on early this morning...it's now almost 5:30pm, so that's great news.

Hey Blue, how come you don't like the Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara?

I don't like thickening mascaras - they make my lashes look clumpy, even when the lashes are separated.

I'm glad you like the 2000 calorie mascara. :)

I'm glad you like the 2000 calorie mascara. :)

:cool: Thanks again for telling me about it...and, the Andrea Q's Eye Makeup Remover Pads took off the 2000 Calorie mascara easily..no problems removing the mascara, no scrubbing my eyelids! (this is the same eye makeup remover I'd used before to try to remove the waterproof Maybelline Sky High Curves mascara & it wouldn't remove it, without hurting my eyelids from all the scrubbing). So, I didn't have to buy a different eye makeup remover. -Robin