Make-up Review: Besame's 1930's Mascara

The allure of Besame's gold and red packaging was too much, and I finally gave in and purchased a mascara, as a treat to me on my birthday. Here's what I think of it.

Mascara Formula - 5/5 (for everyday), 3/5 (for evening)
If only every mascara unleashed such a wonderful scent, that for a moment transported you to a different time and place, where Madam's car was waiting and one just had to put on one's hat and gloves. It's the essential oils (Is it sandalwood? I can't quite place it) that give the formula such a wonderful fragrance. The formula itself is just perfect for daytime - it gives a soft, natural look, going on cleanly and with more of a matte finish that most of the other mascaras in my make-up box. Not enough pow for evening.

Brush - 5/5
The brush is perfect for my lashes. It separates them and lovingly coats each one with just the right amount of the mascara.

Price - 2/5
Herein lies the problem. An everyday masacara costing £20 is very extravagant! I bought mine as a birthday treat to myself, but could never justify buying this mascara again, when it will only last me a couple of months with everyday use.

Overall Rating:
5/5 for daytime & rich me
3/5 for evening & poor me


Mascaras in general are tricky, aren't they? I have fine, sparse lashes and find a lot of mascaras try and do too much to them, clumping them together or coating them in a formula that's ridiculously sticky. Here are the mascaras I've tried recently:

Hate:
Clinique High Lengths - weird, bendy little 'brush' that actually has no bristles, just bumps, which was never going to work on my lashes. Makes my eyelashes look like the legs of spiders, crushed underfoot.

Rimmel Glam Eyes Lash Flirt - another bad brush, coupled with a formula that feels quite heavy, unlike the 'feather soft' one promised. I tried using the brush from a No.7 mascara to see if that made a difference, and it did improve things, but I'm still not happy with it.

Love:
Boots No.7 Extreme Lengths - has a brush that really works with my lashes, gives good coverage without getting into clumpy territory. Reasonably priced if you take advantage of Boots 3 for 2 or free gift offers.

Collection 2000 Vinyl Lash - cheap, incredibly cheap, and gives glossy, blacker than black lashes for a strong evening look. I think they've stopped making it, but it's available through cosmetic outlet sites such as Direct Cosmetics.