No, this is not a fake review and no, I am not being dramatic. To give a little background, in late August, Netflix produced what might possibly be known as the most relatable/adorable rom-com of 2018, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. In the movie, young and precocious Lara Jean’s high school world is flipped when love letters she’s written to previous crushes are accidentally sent out to their respective receivers. I realize this is a very vague description, but it’s just enough to help you understand my article and leave you curious enough to watch the movie yourself. So, instead of reviewing all of the boys I’ve loved before (and risking a lifetime of embarrassment), I was inspired to reflect on all the mascaras I’ve loved before. Quite frankly, it’s the same amount of love.
Covergirl Lashblast Fusion (2011)
Ah, my first mascara love. We met in a Target near my hometown and for a tween who desperately wanted to try makeup, she did the job. I’ve gone back to her a few times, I won’t lie, but it has been a while since we’ve seen each other. Maybe we’ll cross paths again soon, who’s to say. She was a treasure and will always have a special place in my heart.
Buxom Lash Mascara (2012)
As I entered eighth grade, I decided I wanted to move on to bigger and better (and more expensive) mascaras. I thought Buxom would satisfy my long-lash needs and excite me more than cheap old Covergirl. And for a while, she did. I was impressed with the volume and length she gave me, but my 14-year-old self could not keep up with the financial commitment she required. So, I let her go. If you’re out there, Buxom, I’m still thinking of you.
Benefit Bad Gal Mascara (2012-2013)
As they say, poor spending habits start early (do they say that? If they don’t they should). So of course I had to buy another expensive mascara. Bad Gal was the one for me for years. The wand was the perfect thickness and she gave my lashes volume like no other. I truly thought we were going to last forever. But alas, I let her go when my wallet finally prevailed. I’ll always love you, Bad Gal.
Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies Mascara (2014-2016)
To be honest, Maybelline was secretly always my favorite. She had (and still has) a variety of brushes and formulas that rarely disappoint. I knew when I first met her, this would not be a quick fling. She stuck with me through all the tears over high school boys I would never talk to again. She was real. And made my eyes pop. God, I miss her.
Covergirl the Super Sizer Mascara (2016-2017)
At last, Covergirl and I were back together. Albeit with a different formula, she still gave me what I needed. A thick and long lash, we shared my first year of college together, my first frat party, she even coated my cheeks when I failed my first exam. She saw a side of me no one knew. We parted ways after growing in different directions, but she gave me a support no other mascara did in a very confusing (and still confusing) time of my life.
Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal Cat Eyes Mascara (2018-present)
At last. We’ve come full circle. I always knew I’d come back to Maybelline at one point or another, and after deciding that drugstore makeup was in fact for me, I knew I could count on her. We are currently living together in my off-campus apartment, spending time together getting ready for interviews, happy hour and nights out with friends. What can I say? She makes me happy. I can’t say if it’ll last forever, but we have right now, and that’s what matters.
And there you have it – a timeline of love from my middle school years to now. It’s been a rocky road, as most love stories are, but it’s also been a journey of growth and self-discovery. Will another mascara come into my life at some point? Maybe, maybe not. The future is unwritten, but when it comes to mascaras, one thing is for sure – never go waterproof.