You know what they say: two heads are better than one. And with Stila Convertible Mascara ($22), newly released for spring, that’s exactly what you get.
It comes with two brush heads, one on each end of the tube, and according to Stila each serves a different purpose. The fatty thickens and lengthens, and the thin one creates separation.
Full brush
Skinny brush
To test the black mascara and both of its brushes, I coated my top lashes with the fatty and my bottom ones with the thin brush.
And did I find Waldo?
Well, my normally thin, uninspiring lashes looked downright long, full and curly, and the mascara didn’t smudge as the day wore on.
Having the two brushes really helped out. The instructions on Stila’s site recommend using the larger brush for top lashes, and that seemed to work well. It’s designed to thicken lashes, and the smaller brush has thin bristles that make it better for separation.
I kinda think that both Chanel Exceptionnel and Make Up Forever Smoky Lash beat Stila Convertible in the thickening department, but not by a huge margin. Yep, it satisfies my inner drag queen!
Unfortch, there’s a catch.
It’s hard as hell to remove!
It’s marketed as a long wearing mascara, which is fab, but I had to use three Almay Moisturizing Eye Makeup Pads to get it all off … and Almay’s like the Ajax of eye makeup removers!
With a single Almay pad I can usually remove other long wearing stuff like MAC Fluidline, so I was getting a little nervous as I reached for that third pad. “It’s never gonna come off, AHHH!”
But it did. It only took the three pads, LOL!
Of course, I lost two lashes in the ordeal. Yes, I counted. 🙂
I love long lasting makeup, and Stila Convertible has long lasting skillz to pay the bills, but I don’t like how tough it is to remove. I mean, three Almay pads?? Yowza.
Stila Convertible Mascara
Price: $22
Use: A long-lasting black mascara with two brushes
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B-
If you’re a cheerleader or performer under hot stage lights you might really like this stuff. The formula stays on like a mo’ fo’, but you’ll have to work hard to remove it when the party’s over.
Tabs on TV?
Did you catch Tabs’ big TV debut last night? He won’t admit to it, but I swear I saw him on last night’s 30 Rock. I recognized that fussy face in an instant!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Shefali says
Wow!! I’m so liking this dual-ended brush…why didn’t anyone think of it before!?
Regarding removing the stuff…do you think Bi-Facil would do a better job? That’s my HG eye makeup remover and I’m wondering if it would work better than the Almay pads? Can you test it? (wink wink)
Alli says
So I have this blog and one of my cowriters posted this silly link that you might find as hilarious as I did (I’ve been reading you for awhile and I know how you love Mr Bale): http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/27350111.html
Alli´s last blog post..Reenactors: the unsung heroes.
Justine says
Hm, I wonder if Le 2 Guerlain would work the same way… in any case, I remember seeing this and wondering why the mascara was ‘convertible’… I mean it’s not like the convertible colour for cheeks/lips… where else do you use the mascara??
Justine´s last blog post..Snapshot Thoughts
Toma says
Yes, could you test it with the Bi-Facil? I’m curious too (although I love the Almay pads).
Toma´s last blog post..MAKEUP MIX SHOP IS OPEN!
Stephie says
Wow. I was just looking at this at the Sephora site before I checked out your blog. Having the two brushes does seem quite convenient, but I agree w/ Justine that I don’t get the “convertible” part that much. haha. At first I thought it was gonna include some eyeliner or something. Also, I read on the site that it’s supposed to come off w/ warm water. AH, how they lie.. Thanks for road testing this for us 🙂
BeautyTalk says
I just recently read about this mascara… (i think in Elle) it is based on “tubing technogoy” and can add length to even the shortest of hair. Does it really create sort of “tubes” around each lash?
BeautyTalk´s last blog post..Beauty Find: Clarisonic. What’s all the hype about?
tania says
Karen-
This is a great idea cuz I keep two CG Mascara’s (define a lash and lash blast) for that very purpose. My lashes are like yours but those inner ones are a doozy even after curling which is a must! BUT when you said it was hard to remove, that’s a no go! LOL at the Ajax of eyemakeup removers! Is it better than cleanse off oil?
Rose says
I bought this last week and love it. This is one of those tube mascaras that doesn’t come off with eye makeup remover. Lots of warm water and a gentle rub with a washcloth, or even your finger tips takes it right off. Also, with the tube mascara, you have to be quick about putting it on. You can’t do a second coat if the first one has dried. Hope that helps!