the flutter wars - grading mascaras

I'd like to take a break from reviewing perfumes for a second (Nasomatto Absinth is next) and talk about a recent obsession of mine - the alteration of eyelashes. I've been judging my mascaras based on what I now call the "flutter factor," which is a subjective opinion on how noticeable certain expressions of mine are. As I am a nearly irrepressible flirt sometimes, the flutter factor is important to me.

Now, I'm well aware that my eyelashes, unadorned, are Just Fine. They're dark, they have natural curl, and they're a decent length. That said, when I use certain mascaras, my eyes just... pop. The length and curl accents the shape and color of my eyes so well that it completely changes my look and the impact of my expressions, and it's such an easy thing to do.

It's been fascinating because while I really love the DuWop Lash Lacquer, I've finally noticed that it changes during the day. It looks intense and marvelous when I first put it on, but after a few hours I'm back to looking - well, like myself without makeup, honestly. With Estee Lauder's More Than Mascara and MAC's Pro Longlash, I've got really lovely lashes (of two different types) that stay lovely for hours and hours... and I'm not allergic to them. Neither of them give me lashes as striking and gorgeous initially, but skin temperament and staying power are both really more important.

Keep in mind that these three were my go-tos after about a year and a half of experimentation. I've tried Blinc Kiss Me and was unimpressed - yes, the tubes were neat, but it did nothing for my lashes whatsoever. I also didn't care for Benefit BADgal, which didn't want to stay on me. I am now nearly obsessed with finding a mascara which can make my lashes look as gorgeous as the DuWop without departing like Cinderella. I'm thinking of trying Diorshow, but the ingredient list makes me nervous. Cargo Superseyes is on my must-try list, and Sue Devitt Microquatic Luxury Lash is on my skin test list, as I am not sure how I'll react to ozokerite (though I don't anticipate any problems).

If I was a smarter person, I'd do a proper test. I'd start taking photographs of my eyes, before and after each application, so I - or anyone else - could look at them with a more objective viewpoint later. I could then grade them on look, feel, endurance, and flutter factor, and come up with a cheat sheet. As it stands now, I'm too aware that the more burden I put on testing these things, the less likely I am to finish. So for now, I'll just write up each mascara as it comes up, and do a summation at the end.