How to Choose the Ideal Mascara Brush for Your Needs

Your brush matters!

Formula is the first thing that comes to mind when you are thinking about mascara.  Yet, the brush inside that product is just as important if you want to get the most bang for your buck for what look you’re hoping to achieve.  Therefore, here are some simple tips to know what each type of brush will do for your beauty.

A comb-like wand usually is what you want for the most natural look. This particular shape can also come to your rescue when lashes tend to stick together.

On that same note, a long, skinnier brush is the best one for doing bottom lashes over the bigger, bulkier brushes. It also can be helpful for lengthening if the bristles are evenly spaced.

The curved variety brush that rounds a bit is great for lifting and maximizing short lashes.

If you are searching for a brush that will give you bold eyes, then look for a jumbo-size brush for loading up mascara for the most intense black gaze.

Then again, there is the hourglass shaped brush that can do wonders to widen your eyes with how the mascara is deposited from the unique design of its inner and outer corners. 

A tapered brush is perfect for lengthening and doing those ultra fine lashes in the inner corners of the eye.

Something else to keep in mind is the difference between plastic and nylon brushes, which both have good and bad points.  Plastic doesn’t deliver the same amount of mascara as nylon and can take more swipes to build up the coverage, but can be more subtle while still lengthening and separating.  On the other hand, nylon can boost lash volume more easily, but can at times be harder for separating lashes. 

Whichever is your preference, just know with the right formula mascara and brush, your eyes will look sensational!

Rimmel 24HR Volume Flash Super Speed Mascara Review

*Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

The zigzag design of this brush helps fill out more lashes.

My eyes are precious to me.  Therefore, one product that I make sure to replace frequently is mascara to protect them from any contamination that may have accumulated through use.  In fact, I was about to buy new mascara when Rimmel sent a tube of their new 24HR Volume Flash Super Speed for my review.

This is a gel-like formula with a quick fix polymer that is advertised to build up lash volume without clumping in one swipe.  It comes with a zigzag brush of soft bristles around its curved design to help accomplish the task.

This mascara also has a decent texture that you can work with of not being too dry or wet for application that helps the process. I found that the brush was helpful in coating from the roots to the tip of the lashes quite nicely. 

Take your time to coat if you intend for the best looking coverage.  Of course, you may be tempted to give it another coat to balance it since some spots may receive less mascara than others with just one swoop. Though my lashes didn’t look gaudy with brittle spikes when I tried two coats, I feel they were more natural and fuller looking without overdoing it. 

For inexpensive drug store mascara, I think you would be pleased with it–-that is, if you are want more definition and fullness over exaggerated bold lashes.  If so, then do check out Rimmel 24HR Volume Flash Super Speed Mascara when you shop.

How to Solve the Mascara Clumping Problem!

This beauty has mastered the trick of working with mascara with her perfect application.

I have no patience when it comes to a mascara formula that constantly keeps clumping. Though you want to just discard it, cosmetics can be expensive. Therefore, I found a trick to get around replacing it before the three months when it should be tossed.  

What I found that does help is reaching for a tissue and gently rubbing the mascara wand against it first before applying does seem to work for lessening the chance of clumps.

However, if you want to better your odds of avoiding a clumping mascara formula entirely, you might want to stick to a lengthening mascara in place of one meant to thicken.  The reason for this is because it’s a thinner formula that is less likely to gel up on you.

Just in case, you find the thinner formula is too wet after you get it on, this is easy to fix.  Again, get another tissue and press it gently against the lashes.  By doing so, you'll absorb the excess.

I hope that you try this makeup trick because it has never let me down yet!  

Are You Interested in An Easier Way to Correct Mascara Overload?

This beauty is in the know when it comes to the look of her mascara.  

Don’t you hate when you have your makeup nearly done only to notice that you went too heavy on the mascara? Those extra coats or new formula just seemed to exaggerate your lashes, but not in the flattering way as you expected.  Instead, you are left staring in the mirror at your eyes with those brittle, wadded together lashes in disgust, thinking that you’re going to have to wipe the makeup off and start over again. Right?

I found a sensational way to solve that mascara problem that you really need to try. You will need to buy an extra toothbrush and cotton swabs when the need arises just for this purpose so make sure to have them on hand. 

What you do is pour some of your eye makeup remover over that fresh toothbrush until it moistened enough to use without dripping to gently go over your lashes with.  It’s a good idea to have a cotton swab or two dunked in some of that eye makeup remover as well in case you accidentally get a bit of that mascara on your lid to clean up the mishap.  

With this super trick, you get extra control of how much mascara you want to take off.  Do try this makeup tip for mascara overloads because it does work and can often save you from redoing!

d.j.v. MIARAY Fiberwig Paint-On False Lashes Mascara Review + ($95) Giveaway (5 Winners)!–Ends November 6, 2015

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

d.j.v. MIARAY's Fiberwig Paint-On False Lashes

An easy way to look amazing is to concentrate on your eyes.  With the help of a great formula of mascara like d.j.v. MIARAY’s Fiberwig Paint-On Lashes that I have been using, my eyes certainly do look more dramatic with the extra length this product provides.

I was not blessed with long lashes, but short ones.  However, this thinner mascara formula does a nice job with how this stuff can coat each lash to encapsulate it with fiber.  The curved brush managed to help me get closer to the roots of the lashes while I kept building them up with a few coats, which I can’t always do with some formulas without them clumping together like little black spikes.

Though this mascara added impressive length to my stubby lashes, it didn’t do as much for volumizing.  Nonetheless, it does thicken, only not to the same extent as it lengthens.

This curved Fiberwig brush helps catch the lashes better. 

Another exciting thing about this mascara was those fibers didn’t irritate my more sensitive eyes.  I could even rub them without smearing or having those fibers fall in my eyes during the hours that I wore it.  

By the way, this mascara didn’t cause the lashes to feel brittle. They actually felt softer than you might expect.  My guess is because this formula was designed to condition the lashes as well with its hydrolyzed silk, apple fruit extract, honey, panthenol, vitamin E, and royal jelly extract.

Something else wonderful about this product was how easy it was to take it off.  All you need is to some warm water and those tubules slip off the lashes.

To sum it up, I am smitten with my new mascara for the standout lashes it gave me.  If you, too, want sensational lashes, I recommend trying this one.  Find d.j.v. MIARAY’s Fiberwig Paint-On False Lashes ($19) at ULTA website or at ULTA stores.

Thanks to d.j.v. MIARAY, five lucky Nuts 4 Stuff readers in the United States win a tube of Fiberwig Paint-On Lashes ($19 value)!

Giveaway details and how to enter–


Prize: Five (5) winners from the USA will win a tube of d. j. v. MIARAY’s Fiberwig Paint-On Lashes ($95 total value)!

Dates of entry: 10/19/15–11/06/15 at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time

Eligibility: Open to USA residents only.  No PO Boxes. The winner will need to respond to my email with name and shipping address within 48-hours or another winner will be picked.  

How to Enter:  Please use the Rafflecopter widget if it works.  You can also enter by clicking this link or try to enter using another browser. You can return daily and log in again with your email to tweet or to vote daily for Nuts 4 Stuff on Picket Fence Blogs.

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Review: Rimmel's NEW Wonder’Lash Lift Me Up Mascara (Black)

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Rimmel's Wonder'Lash Lift Me Up Mascara

Overall, I haven’t been all that excited over some formulas of Rimmel’s mascara–-that is until recently when PR sent along their new Wonder’Lash Lift Me Up.  This particular mascara was a pleasant surprise in quite a few areas.

To begin with, Wonder’Lash Lift Me Up mascara has an appealing spa-like scent from the cucumber among its ingredients along with vitamins.  

From the consistency of its formula to its hourglass-shaped brush, I also liked how this mascara managed to lengthen, add some curl and volume and yet keep lashes from clumping.  Instead of heavy spikes of black framing my eyes, this product beautifully coated and keep the lashes separated, opening up my eyes more in the process.

The next time you are looking to replace your mascara, you really should give Rimmel Wonder’Lash Lift Me Up a try.  For $8.99, you won’t believe it came from your drugstore!  

Mirenesse Cosmetics iCurl TwinHeated Lash Curler + Secret Weapon iCurl 24Hr Mascara Opens Eyes Even With Short Lashes to New Extremes! (Review)

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Secret Weapon iCurl 24Hr Mascara

I have always believed in the benefits of using an eyelash curler.  Having shorter lashes, I found a crimp eyelash curler indispensable for opening up my eyes before applying mascara.  However, I had never tried a heated eyelash curler until Mirenesse Cosmetics included their award-winning iCurl TwinHeated Lash Curler and Secret Weapon iCurl 24Hr Mascara in a box of products to review.

You want to apply mascara after you use a heated eyelash curler.  If you tried applying mascara in the same way using a conventional crimp curler, the force of it would damage and pull out lashes.  On the other hand, the heated eyelash curler is designed to work harder using the warmth and mascara together as a curling catalyst.

The first thing I did was to reach for the Secret Weapon iCurl 24Hr Mascara.  This is a unique memory driven formula to work specifically with their lash curler for boosting the curl while lifting lashes up to 90% higher and locking curl for the most time.  This mascara has an excellent shaped brush patterned to fit like a dream between individual lashes and extend over the complete lid from end to end without any gaps.

I applied the mascara on my lashes first vertically and then horizontally from the base to the tip so everything was covered.  Finding that this formula  didn't clump or make the lashes still together while working was wonderful as well.  One coat of this deep black mascara was perfect for daytime.  Despite stubby, little lashes, this product did manage to open my eyes more than I ever expected.  Now, I was really getting excited because my lashes need coaxing with my crimp eyelash curler before they do that. 

Smiling at those results, the first thing I did was to insert two "AAA" batteries so I could operate the iCurl TwinHeated Lash Curler since it did not ship with batteries.  Before you begin, you need to allow it to heat first for about 10-15 seconds once you turn it on.  In order to tell if it is hot, I checked the color of the pad.  Instead of red, the pad turns clear when it is ready to use. 

Mirenesse Cosmetics iCurl TwinHeated Lash Curler

Secret Weapon iCurl 24Hr Mascara

After I got that sign, I slipped my lashes inside between the gap at the base.  When my lashes were properly positioned, I moved over the silver button, which controls the twin pads lifting and held steady for about 15 seconds or so.  Later, I slide the button down to free my lashes.

As I examined my work, my eyes looked so beautiful with a black, more upward curling fringe of lashes.   It was hard to believe how well the iCurl Lash Curler complimented the Secret Weapon iCurl 24Hr Mascara when it comes to transforming short lashes into more lush, curling ones that you can barely recognize. 

 iCurl TwinHeated Lash Curler

After putting on my new mascara, I wiped the pad of all traces of black left behind with a damp cotton square before storing the iCurl Lash Curler away. 

The rest of the day, I just enjoyed looking more glamorous.  Even when I forgot that I had mascara on and rubbed my eyes, I didn't smudge, flake, or end up with black rings around my eyes.  The weird part is how  just rinsing away with warm water is sufficient enough to get such stubborn mascara gone in a flash.

Glamorizing this way does require extra effort.  You do need to wash the mascara brush after use in sterile saline or boiled and cooled water as well.  Nonetheless, when you see the difference using it, then you don't mind.  

My advice, ladies, is to head to Mirenesse and check both products out.  The Secret Weapon iCurl 24Hr Mascara retails for $35.96 and the iCurl TwinHeated Lash Curler goes for $44.96.