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Mascara Makes Eyes Pop

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 14, 2007

If you're never quite sure if the ads for popular beauty products can be believed or not, relax.

Our 4you Beauty Board has some veteran testers onboard, ready to try the latest and greatest when it comes to all things beauty. We'll share what worked and what bombed in the hopes of making life a little easier for you.

This week: mascara. Is it possible to enhance your lashes without clumps and smudges?

Revlon 3D Extreme Mascara

"Get the extreme lash makeover with 3D Extreme Mascara! Twenty-five times fuller, 70 percent curvier and 80 percent visibly longer lashes."

Rating: B-

Michelle says: Promises, promises. Revlon makes several on its packaging for its new 3DExtreme Mascara. And it does it in French as well as English (is that supposed to lend credibility, or what?). But while its performance starts out with a bang, it fizzles into ordinariness. When I first applied the mascara with its "bold impact brush," I was impressed. But a few hours later, my eyelashes had the same old look. Plus, by day's end, the residue is a little clumpy and gunky, a real no-no in my book. I'll stick with Mom's favorite — the tried and true Great Lash by Maybelline, in the familiar pink package.

Michelle Bearden, 52, is the religion reporter for the Tribune and produces a weekly segment called "Keeping the Faith" for WFLA, News Channel 8.

MAC Plush Lash Mascara

"Volumizing, lengthening, curling, lifting. This mascara features everything you want, with all the top mascara no's: no clumping, spiking, smudging or flaking."

Rating: A

Cloe says: I admit it. I'm a MAC girl. I love their eye shadows, blushes, lip glosses, you name it. But for some reason, I'd never tried their mascara. I'm so glad I did. I use this mascara every day. It thickens, lengthens and makes my lashes look full and flirty. I add about two coats for day and three to four coats for a more dramatic evening look. There's never any clumping or flaking. And it's got a great application brush. Now, I have very sensitive eyes and this formula never caused tearing or irritation. And it stayed on all day with no raccoon eyes. Removing it in the evening is also a breeze. It rinses off clean with no residual crusty stuff. This mascara has found a permanent spot in my cosmetics bag.

Cloe Cabrera, 41, is the fashion reporter for the Tribune. She writes the BayLife column "Hot Pursuits," where she tracks down the must-have beauty and fashion item of the moment.

IsaDora Protecting Waterproof Mascara

"100 percent waterproof and long-lasting formula. Ideal for use in hot and humid climates and during sports activities, with conditioning panthenol."

Rating: A

Kim says: Yay! I'm sick of sounding like the Russian judge — always handing out the lowest scores. This time I get to rave! I expected IsaDora's Protecting Waterproof Mascara to be like most of the waterproof mascaras I've tried, which are so clumpy, they put the mass in mascara. But this one went on smoothly, stayed put and my lashes didn't get brittle. My eyes water easily, but I need to wear mascara to keep my eyes from disappearing. This one stays on and my lashes stay soft instead of getting sticky.

Kim Franke-Folstad, 49, is senior features editor of the Tribune and the editor of 4you.

Maybelline XXL Curl Power Volume + Length Microfiber Mascara

"Dramatically curls and extends lashes 45 degrees from root to tip. Patented CurLock formula gives lashes 12 hours of hold."

Rating: C+

Deborah says: Are you skilled with wands? I'm not. This goopy brush clumped my lashes and left "tracks" on my eyelids. I wanted a look that screamed "Va-va-voom!" — not heroin addict. But if you wield a wand like an artist does a brush, than Maybelline XXL Curl Power really does create "dramatically oversized" lashes. It's two brushes in one: the mascara and a white primer that curls. And, oh, the curl! It's as if Maybelline bottled the curling power of Florida humidity. Still, I prefer the simple, polished application of Maybelline's Great Lash, an industry favorite.

Deborah Meron, 22, is a multimedia intern for News Channel 8 and TBO.com. Which means she doesn't sleep much, and she has formed a strong appreciation for the art of makeup.

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