Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper

Now you all know how I am with mascara. Bluntly put I am a mascara tramp. I will go out and try any mascara once and this new one from Max Factor is no exception.

After seeing all the artists use this on Blush I just had to try it. I am here to tell you that this mascara and Lash Blast are twins. If you like Cover Girl's Lash Blast you will like Lash Plumper.

Everything from the tube to the wand to the formula are a dead ringer for each other which is not a bad thing. I like Lash Blast and my only complaint is that the big fat wand can be difficult to maneuver and has a tendency to get mascara on my eyelid.

That aside this mascara, like Lash Blast, separates lashes beautifully and does not clump and is a great affordable mascara option. I found this at Ulta for $8.

Mascara Showdown

When I was asked the other day what my favorite mascara was my response was how much do you want to spend?

I avoid the drugstore for most of my makeup needs because there aren't any testers and I just don't like to guess what colors really look like or the texture of products. I am a bit braver when it comes to mascara and that is how I found choice #1 Max Factor Lash Perfection Volume Couture.

The main thing that persuaded me was I could get a good gander at the brush as you can see in the picture and it appeared to be like choice #2 Chanel Inimitable, but I was skeptical.

Chanel came out with Inimitable about a year ago and it was love at first swipe! Some girls go for length, others volume, but for me separation is paramount. I don't care how long or voluminous a mascara makes my lashes because if they are all stuck together and clumpy I look like a Tammy Fay wannabe!

Chanel's brush is the plastic spiky variety and it does a great job at keeping me out of Tammy Fay territory. It takes a few coats to achieve the volume I require but that is okay by me as the results are separate lashes that make the most of my stubby lashes. Chanel's Inimitable does not flake or run and washes right off at the end of the day. In my book this is an A+. I gave a tube to my best pal for her opinion and she too became a believer that $27.50 is a reasonable amount to spend on mascara.

By contrast Max Factor is $6 and I have to say does nearly as good a job. The only difference I notice is you have to work a bit harder to get the volume you want, but this is not a big deal in my book.

The person who asked me about my favorite mascara asked the logical follow up question which was why would I pay nearly $30 bucks for Chanel when I could just be satisfied with Max Factor. I informed my questioner that the definition of Inimitable is incapable of being imitated or copied; surpassing imitation; matchless! And Chanel named their mascara appropriately.

In truth I keep both mascaras on hand but there is just something about Chanel's formula that is just a bit better, that makes it matchless!

What is your favorite mascara or are you still on the hunt?

Brow Gel

This is my favorite brow gel. I picked up this tube of Max Factor clear mascara after seeing it in Dick Page's kit in an old issue of Allure years ago. He said it had great hold and was cheap. I was sold.

These tubes have become a bit of a cult item among my friends but Max Factor has becoming increasingly hard to find and often this item is sold out! So when one of us finds some we buy all of the tubes and try not to hoard them!

I am usually able to find Max Factor at Longs Drugs and Ulta and I am here to report it is worth it to hunt for this stuff. The tubes are about $6 and trounce most other expensive brow gels. This gel has good hold without flaking or being obvious on the brow. Plus it gives your brow hairs a nice shine that makes them look healthy and groomed.

I routinely wear this to the gym and it lasts through sweating and toweling. It's great stuff.

When I just can't find any tubes my second choice is Anastasia Brow Gel which is $21 at Sephora. It's a good solid choice but it's not $6 and so Max Factor remains the champion for my brow gel needs.

Gym Beauty

I don't like going to gym and regard it as a necessary evil. I have come to accept that regular exercise must be a part of my life but grumble and gripe every time. With that said nothing horrifies me more than facing the gym's mirrors, red faced and sweating, with that awful fluorescent lighting that makes everyone look half dead.

On the other hand the women who show up to my gym with full makeup on and seem to avoid breaking a sweat to keep their makeup intact are equally ridiculous looking. So in the interests of full disclosure I do have a few products that I swipe on before heading to my date with the stair climber.

Becca Beach Tint in Watermelon is my favorite stain for lips and cheeks that gives sheer color without having to worry about lipstick smudges.

Laura Mercier Mineral Powder Foundation SPF 15 is next. I sweep a dusting of powder all over to help even out my complexion and make those glances of myself in the gym mirror less scary. The real benefit of mineral makeup when sweating is it tends to be water resistant and holds up pretty well to my grueling hour in hell, I mean the gym.

Max Factor Clear Mascara is my favorite brow gel. The stuff has great hold and keeps my brows groomed and polished.

Max Factor Volume Couture Mascara is my choice for everyday mascara. It really builds nice volume on my tiny lashes and pulls my gym face together without looking like I got all dolled up just to go to the gym.

I just know that I am not the only one to take these sort of pride preserving measures before marching off to 24 Hour Fitness, right?