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Why does mascara smudge?
  • bluecatbaby

    Wow. It's 12:30 on Christmas morning and I just finished wrapping presents from Santa. I'm beat. There's nothing else to do except - Ask a question on the Beauty Brains Forum!


    I wear mascara every day, because my lashes are so fair, thin, and short. I have tried lots of mascaras, both regular and waterproof, and all rated highly by Beautypedia and Makeup Alley. They all end up smudged under my eyes. The waterproof ones last longer until they smudge but they eventually do. My lashes aren't getting wet.


    I am hoping Santa brings me my HG mascara, but just in case he doesn't, can anyone explain why this might be happening and how to work around it?

  • lindygirl1960
    I have always read that mascara smudging under the eyes is due to oil on the skin. But that could be wrong. I don't even put mascara on the lower lashes anymore. After a 'certain age' only using mascara on the upper lashes, according to the make-up gurus, is supposed to be better. It certainly does draw less attention to any crow's feet. I figure since less attention is drawn to the crow's feet and it eliminates the smudging it is a win-win for me.

    Maybe the Brains will answer as to what makes mascara smudge.

    And I hope you find your HG mascara!!
  • bluecatbaby

    Hmm, oil on the skin. I do use non-oily serum and  moisturizer, and an emolliant sunscreen, and then a full coverage concealer. I will have to experiment with different combinations of products to find out if any of them lead to less smudging.


    I will also give it a go with no mascara on the lower lashes. I find that I am so used to seeing the advertising images every where of women with thick dark lower lashes that to not have them looks wrong to me. I must be brainwashed.


    If I find a no-smudge mascara I will be sure to post about it.

  • sarahf
    Sunscreen will do it every time.  It makes everything smear on me.  I don't even bother with eye makeup anymore (was never that important to me and I have such oily lids everything slides right off anyway, even with primer).
  • bluecatbaby

    Now it's 12:30 a.m. on New Year's Day.


    I found a mascara that hasn't smudged yet. It's Fiberwig, bought it at Sephora. It's the Christmas gift that no one remembered to get for me. I had already read about it, so I went looking for it.


    After 12 hours of wear, including a nap, not a single smudge or flake on my skin or in my eyes. It's not a HG because it doesn't do a lot of thickening, certainly less than a good regular mascara will do. But I plan to use this a lot. It remains to be seen how it holds up on a hot humid day.

  • sarahf
    My problem is that I found a sunscreen that doesn't irritate my eyes, so I use it all around the eye area every day.  So I doubt I'll ever be a serious eye makeup user.  But thanks for the recommendation--if it doesn't smudge on my eyes, you know it's a keeper...
  • bluecatbaby

    Sarahf, you're doing the best thing. Sunscreen is more important than makeup.


     If you ever want to, you could test Fiberwig at a Sephora store. They give you a disposable spoolie to dip in the sample bottle. I brushed it only on the outer third of my lashes, and then waited for the smudging, which never happened. Sold!

  • sarahf
    Thanks blue--agreed about the sunscreen, but it does cause all manner of cosmetic challenges for me.  I have a zinc oxide sunscreen for the face that I love, but if I use it under makeup, it alters the color of the makeup!  Aargh.  But yeah, I may try the fiberwig.
  • lindygirl1960
    I love the name of the mascara...fiberwig. Definitely memorable!  :)
  • Vick
    I'd like the name of the sunscreen that doesn't irritate your eyes; everything irritates my eyes: eyeliner, mascara, foundation. I have oily lids and face, only use mascara on the outer 3rd top lashes, and use more natural" type liners. I also work in an unairconditioned building so I have to sweat. I don't think there is a makeup that can work for me. But I digress, I would like to try that sunscreen, please....thanks.
  • lindygirl1960
    If anyone would know the answer to that it would be Sarahf. She is a sunscreen guru.  :)
  • sarahf
    For the eye area, you want to look for mineral sunscreens (with active ingredients zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide).  Apply lightly, avoid the waterline.  I use Elta MD UV Clear (I order it from dermstore).  That said, a friend tried it and said it DID irritate her eyes.  And if you sweat a lot, it might run.  But give it a try.  Dermstore has a liberal return policy.  Or try another mineral sunscreen.
  • KaitlinGKaitlinG
    I do know for the smudgy look , just take some mineral veil and it removes it...
  • bluecatbaby

    I also can't wear most sunscreens. I have been using "Neutrogena Healthy  Defense Daily Moisturizer with Pure Screen SPF 50 for Sensitive Skin." Been using it for about 6 months with no problems. It's a mineral sunscreen, and fragrance-free. I think I got it at Target or WalMart.

    KaitlinG: what is mineral veil? It sounds like something I would like to try.

  • sarahf
    I liked Neutrogena Healthy Defense Pure Screen but found it way too whitening for my skin tone.  Bummer.  Probably good for fairer skins, or maybe my skin just doesn't absorb it well for some reason.  I tried applying it lighter, but still looked grey and ghost like.
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