Shopping for Mascara is More Difficult than Finding the Perfect Pair of Pumps!

So, I stopped at CVS today to buy NEW MASCARA.  Not a thrilling chore, but one I keep forgetting to do. My tube had been getting dryer and dryer, and it was getting harder and harder to coax anymore of the goo out of the tube and onto my lashes. I walked to the cosmetic aisle, I stood before the Maybelline Mascara display, became dizzy and wanted to cry. I hate to think I am so old that I long for the OLD DAYS, but I guess, I have arrived!!!

Rounded Brush

I remember the days when your choice was Black, Black/Brown or Brown/Black, Brown, and Blue. There was also waterproof or not.  Then, I think it was Cover Girl that came out with a fancy rounded brush that was supposed to, I guess, curl your eyelashes. It looked like the one pictured to the right, but was a dark blue tube.

Now standing there today, staring at the mascaras covering the wall, only one looked vaguely familiar and that was the GREAT LASH. The packaging has changed, but I still recognize it. Yes, this is the one I should buy, but I was mesmerized and intrigued by the promises the other packages make!

OK, I start with the XXL PRO. Obviously from its name, it must be the best.; it has a couple of X's and says that it is professional. The design is attractive and modern. The eye appeal is very good. I can buy the XXL with:

• Extensions, or
• Curl, or
• Volume, or
• 24 hour Bold

XXL PRO EXTENSIONS

XXL PRO CURL

XXL PRO VOLUME

XXL PRO 24 HOUR BOLD 

 

Okay, so I stand there like and idiot and think, "Well, I want my mascara to lengthen, thicken and curl my lashes. I don't think I need 24 hour mascara although 16 hour mascara would be nice." So, choosing between these mascara, I pick the one giving me volume. I can curl them with the old fashioned eyelash curler, but if I buy the curling mascara, I have no other tricks to add volume. So, yes, I will buy the volume mascara.  The problem with these mascaras, however, is the price. I have a hard time paying the premium and there are sooooooo many more choices at which to look.

So, I move on to Volum' Express 3X. Is 3X better than XXL PRO? There is an extra "X. It must be better. So, I will cross the XXL PRO off of my list.

Volum' Express 3X

Next, there is Classic Volum' Express. Well, I don't want this one, because Classic must not be as good as 3X. 3X must be a NEW and IMPROVED of the CLASSIC. And what has happened to the "E" at the end of volume? What kind of marketing ploy is this one?

Volum' Express CLASSIC

Next, I move on to Volum' Express 7X. Well, this is great. It must mean I can put on half to achieve the same volume as 3X and who knows how much more than Classic.  I want this one!

Volum' Express 7X

Now, as I writing the above, I had missed my photo of..... hold on now...  Colossal Volum' Express 9X.... I WANT IT, I WANT IT, I WANT IT!

Volum' Express  COLOSSAL 9X

Now, I wish it were this easy, because there are still more pretty packages with intriguing options.  Still hanging on the wall are the following choices:

• Full N Soft:  Full and Healthy. I want healthy!
• Lash Discovery:  Lengthen and Defines. Okay, this one does not sound so interesting.
• Define A Lash: Lengthening or Volume with Zero Clumps. This one makes you make a choice. There are too many choices and the choices are stressing me out.
• Pulse Perfection:  7 MUST HAVES of Lash Perfection. PERFECTION! I want perfection. I must pay up for perfection!
• Great Lash:  Thickens as it conditions; no clumps;  no globs. Sounds simple, but good. This one sounds friendly. It is also close to the old packaging and seems like an old friend and comfortable.
• Great Lash BIG:  Bigger Brush; Bigger Lashes; Buildable Volume. This is the New and Improved old friend. I can work with this one too.

FULL N SOFT

LASH DISCOVERY

DEFINE-A-LASH -VOLUME

DEFINE-A-LASH -LENGTHENING

PULSE PERFECTION

GREAT LASH

GREAT LASH BIG

When I got home, I wanted to make sure that CVS gave me all of my options so I Googled Maybelline.  And as I expected, yes, there are more options... stilettos, more X's, falsies, turbos, etc..  How does one decide?

I think at the drug store, I usually buy the Cover Girl Mascara, but I came upon this wall first, and was so overwhelmed that I could not go to yet another display. So, I dug in to make the purchase. I went for the old friend GREAT LASH in the two pack for $7.99.

So, from now on, I will stick to the Great Lash and avert my eyes from the other choices when I go to purchase mascara as long as I am happy with the purchase I made today. And I will continue to buy this until they discontinue it and they will, because they always discontinue what I like!