Deborah's Favorite Mascaras that Endure Hot Yoga Class
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Hi! Yes, it’s been a minute - but I am glad to be sitting down to compose this since I have some great recommendations that I have been asked about that I would love to share with you!
As some of you know, I teach a LOT of Hot Hatha and (heated-to-hot) Steely Yoga classes every week. Over years of teaching these sweat sessions, I have test-driven a LOT of waterproof mascaras and eyeliners (note-to-future self: a blogpost for sweat-proof eyeliners).
Most of the waterproof products that I have tried left me with the “Alice Cooper” look. For those under 40 reading this, Alice Cooper is a legendary rock star that was seriously popular in the 70s and 80s. Look up “School’s Out” on Youtube and also see photo at right. Please don’t get me wrong, I adore Alice (he’s still pretty sexy after all these years in that dark, macabre, bad-ass, leather-clad rocker way). Ok, I am already going off-task, so I digress. Suffice to say, I prefer not having black streaks running down my cheeks after leading a sweatfest, call me high maintenance (you won’t be the first).
For me, going without mascara is like yin without yang. For lack of a better phrase mascara “completes me”. Well, I feel incomplete (naked) with out it, anyway. Nobody, I tell ya, nobody wants to deal with flaking and smudging mascara while they're focusing on their mindfulness, meditation, breath, and drishti.
You may scoff. You may laugh - but this is can be a vital issue to many yogis (it can't be just me, right?). Not to sound vapid, but one flake of mascara in the contact lens while guiding #garidasana in a hot room is irritating enough to drive a girl mad!
This post highlights the items that have surpassed my own “three back-to-back” hot classes test . These items have left me with little, to no raccoon rings, flakes, or drips. Also, as some of you know, I am addicted to shopping and trying new cosmetics, lotions, and potions so I am always “researching” and trying new products. If I find something better, I will update you for sure. If you see me at the studio between classes with raccoon rings, it means, I am trying something new.
Consider this article as my public service to those on the never-ending quest to find the mascara that will yield you fluttering, and wink-worthy lashes and keep your face clear of black drips whilst you profusely sweat. Yes, with proper use of these products, you can even stop in at the grocery store (clear and worry-free) after a drippy and sweaty 75-minute Hot Steely Yoga class.
But hey, enough of my yakking. Here are my favorite mascaras that endure the rigors of incredibly hot Yoga classes and beyond:
FOR DRAMATIC LASHES:
Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara
by Too Faced
Provocative name aside - THIS (in my opinion) is the ultimate waterproof mascara! Holy grail territory here. Think drama (the good kind) in a tube here. More drama with each coat!
This product the epitome of decadence for your lashes. From the hourglass shaped teddy bear brush (it simply hugs the lash line and lifts like crazy), to the nourishing formula that contains collagen and porcelain flower extract for conditioning, this jet black formula of goodness is as tough as it is luxurious.
Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara consistently endures and outlasts my three-in-a-row Thursday sweat sessions. The rest of me may look like I was dunked in the pool, but my lashes are intact and on-point. Amazing.
I am hooked on this product and wouldn’t know what to do without it. I’m totally screwed if they stop making it. This product was a game-changer for me, and I am sure it will be for you (especially if you lead and/or partake in sweaty classes and require a little drama up top).
It is worth every penny.
$24 (SHOP HERE)
FOR NATURALLY-DEFINED LASHES:
TIGHTLINE Waterproof Black Mascara Primer
by IT Cosmetics
Don’t let the word “primer” deter you. This is dark, defining, and waterproof - is also a mascara as well as a primer. Oh, did I mention it is also a conditioning serum? Yes, the serum includes biotin, collagen, olive, jojoba, and avocado - it’s so nourishing.
The formula is amazing, but the brush is magic. It is a skinny brush that gets real tight up in your lash line. Many people use this and skip the step of eyeliner - hence the name TIGHTLINE. It gets so tight to the line, that it darkens the area, giving the illusion of liner.
Find lashes you may not know you have! This brush is magic. I wear TIGHTLINE waterproof every day of my life (even when not teaching yoga). I use it to define the low lashes and run the amazing brush on the upper and lower lashes and really pull those corner lashes to attention. Additionally, I run that magic brush through all the lashes and separate the previous layer of mascara (yes, I layer different mascaras - it’s a system - see the layering “recipe” to follow).
Does it run? No. Can it outlast a hot Yoga class? Abso-freaking-lutely.
If you want to leave the drama for your mama, yet still have defined, fluttery, low-key lashes for class - wear TIGHTLINE on it’s own and skip the liner (or other mascaras). You will look amazing (you little vixen), and still be able to stop by the coffee house after class (just make sure you have top knot and deodorant in full effect).
I have recommended TIGHTLINE to many people. They all have come back to me singing the TIGHTLINE praises. It’s unadulterated goodness in a tube.
$24 (SHOP HERE)
Better Together.
The best of both worlds - The Layering “Recipe”
After reading about these wonderful products, you may be wondering how I use them in the most effective manner to yield a positive result. I hope I'm not being too presumptuous to assume that you may want to know this. It’s just that you read this far - I figured you may want to know.
Anyway, layering product is something I’ve done for as long as I can remember (some days that’s way longer than others) - I layer mascaras in a specific order. On off days (the ones I don’t teach hot Yoga), I layer up to 4 different formulas of mascaras, along with lash sauce, conditioner, and lots of little lash combs - and yes, a safety pin sometimes comes into the equation, again - going off task. Back to business.
Please know - these products are fantastic on their own. But boy, oh boy, much like chocolate and peanut butter - the are they are amazing together. Here is what i do with the above-mentioned products on days that I teach hot Yoga:
Start with clean lashes
Separate lashes with a small lash comb
Starting with your lower lashes - bring wand of TIGHTLINE up to lash line (at roots) and “jiggle” the brush side to side and deposit color at root. Draw down to tips with little-to-no product on the brush (don’t put wand back in until you get to the other eye). Repeat on other side.
Use Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara on the top lashes. Bring inside of hourglass brush to top center lash line (at roots) hold for a moment with a slight side-to-side jiggle, then in a sweeping upward motion, sweep to the tips. Repeat on other side.
Use TIGHTLINE to separate and get any little inner-corner lashes. Redeposit brush in tube, acquire more color and sweep the outer corners really extend them out.
Use your lash comb to get out any pieces that may have bonded and separate.
Voila! You are done! Grab your towel and head to Some Like it Hot Yoga for class!
You will need to use an eye makeup remover to remove these products. In a future post I will share the best products to gently remove mascara, and my favorite waterproof eyeliners that also surpass future sweat sessions!
I hope you all enjoyed reading this. Feel free to ask me questions about these products.
Until next time, Namaste, Y’all!