Chanel Inimitable

  Sky-Long Lashes 
  Originally uploaded by
♥ Lin Pernille Photography.

Guest contributor Helena Handbasket contributes the first in a series: The Mascara Trials of Helena Handbasket...

Two essentials for trying any mascara:

Tweezerman Iashcomb--the best in the universe

Eye-makeup-remover-filled Q-tips. A few brands make these, such as Modelco and Bloom. If you are less lazy than I you can use regular Q-tips (also known as cotton buds in Commonwealth countries) dipped in remover, mild lotion, or even plain water for non-waterproof formulas.

Chanel Inimitable

BRUSH--Closely spaced, flexible rubbery bristles. Identical to Max Factor's Lash Perfection/Masterpiece.

FORMULA--Barely wet

APPLICATION--Oh so easy! The flexible bristles allow you to apply right near the root of the lash without that infuriating eyelid smear. Not a clump in sight.

LOOK--Sexy and fluttery. Look elsewhere for volume, but otherwise this is worth paying Chanel prices for.

WEAR---Fantastic.

PACKAGING/PRICE Chanel black and gold with white lettering. Excessively priced of course, but absolutely worth it.

Comments

[Franziska]

I will try this one out. I have been using the Max Factor Masterpiece Mascara for the last year and am very happy with it but it's time for a new one ;-)

Those eye-makeup-remover-filled Q-tips are hugely expensive. I usually stick my Q-tip into my mouth to make it wet to remove the last bits of my eye make-up.

Speaking about eyes, I have never tried out an eyelash curler, is it easy, does it hurt and is the result worth it? And if it is, can someone recommend a good one, please?

[stupidsexyflanders]

shu uemura makes a great eyelash curler. for more hold, let some warm air (say from your hairdryer) blow on the curler for a moment or two, but be careful..make sure it's not too hot when you curl your lashes.

[Helena Handbasket]

2nd the Shu curler recommendation, another good one is Kevyn Aucoin. It absolutely makes a difference, and it does not hurt unless you accidentally get a bit of eyelid along with your lashes in there, then it hurts quite a lot.

Also, only curl before mascara... if you curl after, the mascara can stick to the curler and pull your lashes out :(

[Grayburn]

Wonderful review! Just included this in my weekend reads announcement!
Garyburn @ blogspot

[Mikaela]

The tweezerman lash comb is a must! I've had them since jr. high, I'm amazed when someone sees me with it and does not know what it is or does not have one. They're like $5 and they make the biggest diffrence in your lashes!

[Meme]

I have a question about what you use the q-tips for. Usually I remove my eye makeup with a cotton ball and eye make up remover. Do you brush the q-tip along lashes? Or use it for the water line?

[Helena Handbasket]

I use them to clean up smears just above or below the lash line. Some mascaras are worse for these than others... the Chanel one reviewed above has no smearing problems due to the innovative brush. Others (reviewed in the future) are varying degrees of bad-to-awful in the smear department. If you still don't know what I'm talking about, thank your lucky stars!! LOL.

[Franziska]

My friend (he is male) just bought the Chanel mascara for one of his female friends and when I asked him what attracted him to this particular brand he said it was the packaging and because it was Chanel... it had to be good! ;-)
Thanks for the tips for the eyelash curler!