I was a mascara nomad, hopping from one Maybelline Volum' Express to another. But those chunky wands just didn't suit my distinctly Asian hooded eyelids. They smudged, smeared, and clumped. Then, during a 30% off sale in January 2015, I decided to try Lashionista. The thin applicator applied smoothly, and the fiber-rich formula naturally extended my lashes. I often got asked if I had lash extensions - that says it all. I went through about four tubes in a year.
After using it for over a year, I noticed some drawbacks I hadn't seen at first. The excess is seriously bad. After 3-4 hours, you'll find black dust-like particles all over your cheeks. It also makes my eyes a bit itchy. The fibers don't stay put, flying around randomly and occasionally getting into my eyes. I've shed many tears in class, flipping my eyelids inside out. True to its name, it's more about 'lashing' than volumizing. However, it does make lashes look naturally longer, which is why I stuck with it for a year. But now, I think it's time to move on.
I don't have much in the way of tips, but if you don't have double eyelids, definitely use a fixer. Well, if you don't need volume, you might not need it, but it'll likely be necessary as it droops over 30 minutes. For a natural makeup look, just curl your lashes and apply this (though beware of the excess). Many people say to apply mascara from the middle of your lashes and use the wand vertically for the outer corners, but that's advice for people with big eyes and good hand skills. Start from the outer corners, keep the applicator flat, and gently brush upwards. The middle will already have some product from coating the outer lashes, so if needed, just add a bit more fiber there for a pretty look. And don't be shocked when you remove it for the first time. I always realize how depressingly short my natural lashes are during cleansing...
