The Eyelash Series Part 3: Cruelty-Free and Nontoxic Mascara
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BB Dakota Ariane Lace Dress | Marc Fisher Annie Wedges | Thrive Causemetics Mascara
Welcome to part 3 of my eyelash series!! If you missed part 1 and 2, I listed them below:
Why I stopped getting Lash Extensions
Cruelty-Free and Nontoxic Lash Serums and Primers
Long story short, I stopped wearing eyelash extensions at the beginning of this year and began applying mascara for the first time in a whileeeee, at the end of January. So, what I'm going to go all 4 I have tried and tell you all about them. Here goes!
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
$23
Cruelty-Free, Paraben Free
Pros: Great volume + length
Cons: Not nontoxic, flakes like crazy, not waterproof (they do have a waterproof option though)
Thoughts: I started with this one because I have always heard amazing things about it. The volume + lengthening factors work amazingly; however, it dusts under your eyes like crazy. I leave the house thinking I look fly, then look like a panda bear by noon! What's worse is that you can't just brush the mascara flakes off, they have to removed with at least water, which then messes up your under eye makeup -_-
Lune and Aster Formidable Lengthening Mascara
$22
Cruelty-Free, Paraben Free, Vegan
Pros: Lengthens
Cons: Doesn't do much else, really wet formula
Thoughts: I looked to Blue Mercury next, because they have some really good options and are more beauty focused than skincare. I'm actually not sure that this is nontoxic, because I can't seem to find an ingredient list, but from what I do know, it's on the better side of the spectrum. My lashes kind of just poked out when I used this and my Texas nature wanted BIG lashes, which I didn't get. At least it didn't flake on me though!
Lune and Aster Stratosphere Volumizing Mascara
$20
Cruelty-Free, Paraben Free, Vegan
Pros: Volumizes
Cons: Lashes look too short, really wet formula
Thoughts: This is the sister mascara to the above lengthening mascara. I have pretty much the sammmme thoughts about this one. My main question was "why can't I have a mascara that lengthens AND volumizes?" SO, I actually combined the two. I put on one coat of lengthening mascara, and let it dry, then applied one coat of the volumizing mascara. It was my favorite way to wear these, but they still left me searching for more...
Thrive Causmetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara
$24
Cruelty-Free, Paraben Free, Vegan, Nontoxic
Pros: Lengthens and volumizes, as close to waterproof as possible, doesn't turn your whole eye black when you remove it, Beauty with a Purpose
Cons: The stem cell complex is great, but if you mash your eyelashes the wrong way/take a nap wear it, your lashes will stay that way unless you force them back into place
Thoughts: My mom actually gets credit for this find! She saw it as an ad on Facebook and told me about it. This mascara is by far my favorite! It holds the shape you want and is basically waterproof, without the toxins. I know! I've cried a few several times while wearing it and it has S T A Y E D. I also love the message behind the brand. Their name "thrive" has to do with the fact that they give back and help other women thrive How cool is that? It's beautiful all around.
This is honestly kind fo a hard process because there's no real regulation of the words "natural" or "nontoxic". It's also somewhat of a frustrating journey, because ingredients are hard - haha. Do you have a CF and NT mascara that you love?? Send it my way! A couple of mascaras that I have heard good things about but haven't tried are:
UPDATE 2021: I have actually tried the Ilia Limitless Mascara now and it is great. The best truly nontoxic mascara out there. I still prefer Thrive over it though because it is more “water proof” even though neither actually are. The 3D fibers work really well and make removal a breeze. Ilia recently came out with a volumizing mascara that I haven’t tried yet, but I have heard really good things!!
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