By Jennie
The other day I found myself at Sephora, looking for eyebrow gel, a product whose existence and necessity I’d been unaware of until maybe three years ago. Now, I can’t live without it (I have Eyebrow Issues), and my current tube was both almost used up and, I had just realized when I sniffed the wand last week, really funky-smelling.
So, I’m scanning all the products looking for my clear tube of gel, and what do I see but something called mascara primer. Is that a thing now? I was aware of the existence of foundation primer (which I do use, though not always), as well as lip primer and eyeshadow primer (both of which I guess I can see the value of, but I think I’d need more time and more money before I bothered). Now we have to prime our eyelashes for mascara? Isn’t that overkill?
I understand that beauty products are big business, and I’m as susceptible as the next gal (and probably more than some) to new items that promise to reduce the appearance of fine lines, brighten skin, and make the makeup I have on last longer without fading or running or flaking or doing any of those annoying things makeup tends to do. But I do wonder if I’m being hoodwinked. How do you know? And does it matter? Make-up aficionados might be interested to know that various online colleges offer programs in cosmetology!
I did a little online research and several products came up as being “not worth it” in the view of various beauty arbitors. One site mentions products specifically designed to moisturize/tighten/youthify (um, is that a word?) the neck. I can totally understand that – while I’m no dermatologist, I doubt that the skin on the neck and on the face are so radically different that the same products cannot be used on both. Another product mentioned was lip exfoliator – for smoothing flaky lips. Now, I myself find that lip balm (or Vaseline, in a pinch) keeps my lips well-moisturized, unscaly and unflaky. But I know some people swear by lip exfoliants (though many of these women go the homemade route, using a paste of sugar and olive oil, or something of that sort). Similarly, I don’t know that foundation primer has any actual function or value, but I feel like it does. The difference is subtle, so I may just be fooling myself, but I feel like it makes my foundation go on smoother and thus look better. I’m willing to pay for that, even if it’s an illusion (an expensive illusion, unfortunately – that stuff is not cheap!).
But still – mascara primer? I usually have more trouble getting mascara off than keeping it on, so I don’t need it for that purpose. Maybe it’s supposed to keep mascara from clumping? If so, why can’t they just make a mascara that does that? Many mascaras already claim to, anyway. (I have Mascara Issues, too – though my current mascara, Buxom Lash, actually works pretty well.)
What about you? What cosmetic products do you think are useless, and what products do you think are worthwhile, even if others scoff?
About the Author:
Jennie has contributed to Imperfect Women since its inception in 2009. She writes about politics, celebrity news, and anything else that catches her interest. She can be reached at jennie@imperfectwomen.com.
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Oh, Jennie, I don’t even wear make-up. They are all pretty much useless!
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OK, I’ll concede cover stick, lip balm, moisturizer, mascara, and sunscreen as useful. I prefer to get my glow from a glass of wine rather than blush.
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I’ll be reading to see what the pretty girls think!
Ann, you don’t have pale Northern European genes – I look like a ghost without makeup!
Jennie,
Those genes are beautiful. 🙂 Of course wearing makeup in my field of work is not required, just good moisturizer, suncreen, lip balm. My vice is the hot bubble baths. LOL
I wear Almay waterproof mascara. Works wonders in the southern heat. No smudging, however I have found baby oil works best when removing. The one thing I have trouble finding is a good foundation. Tried a “water/sweat proof” one and I felt like I was wearing a mask. Very heavy. Still looking for a good lip stain as well.
Dontcha have the feeling that more work is put into the marketing of these products then the actual product? 😉 I have never tried mascara primer but if it said it would youthify my eyelashes I would probably take notice!
I think its for not clumping- but I’m not sure. I have eyebrow issues too- you should see them when I get out of bed. May I suggest vaseline? Much cheaper and works just as well!
I am not a pretty girl and wear less and less makeup. I have never tried the mascara primer but I think I would like to.
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So Jennie, You really like Buxom Lash? I think I might give that a try.
Yeah, Pam, my current tube (which I think was a freebie from some gift set or something) is drying up a bit, but I find that it works well. I’ll probably buy it again, though I wonder how much more it is than the cheap drugstore stuff. Mascara is one of the items I don’t mind going the cheap drugstore route for, because when I’ve bought expensive mascaras I’ve as often as not ended up with gunky eyelashes. But I do like this one.
I think some of these products are fun to try, although I don’t see myself using them regularly. “Primer” does seem to be the new Cash Register for the beauty product sellers, doesn’t it?
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Roozerdo, I have yet to find a lip product that satisifies me either. I guess because I got those same Northern European genes as Jennie and my lips are thin and nothing to write home about. I have yet to find the lip product that radically changes that – even the ones that promise to plump them up. I do agree that to the extent my lips need exfoliating, a good homemade paste works just fine!