Taking a break from my eye lash extensions was much more traumatic than I thought it would be, but the silver lining was that I got to try some great new mascaras.
I am a long-time Tarte fan (I have been using their Cheek Stain for years, and I love their color palettes), and when I read about their new 4 Day Stay Lash Stain, I was stoked. According to Tarte press, “4 day stay: lash stain with PolyFlex™ technology keeps lashes looking naturally full for 4 days without reapplying! Our new PolyFlex™ technology allows mineral derived pigments to adhere to lashes for extended wear-time while keeping them soft and flexible – so whether you’re hitting the pool or the shower this gentle lash stain will keep lashes looking fresh, and won’t fade or flake!”
I have no clue what “PolyFlex™” is, but I was completely enamored with the idea of a non-smudging stain that would darken my wispy blonde lashes for four whole days! I was also hoping it would prove a worthy opponent for my frigid bottom lashes, which have a tendency to repel within 20 minutes any product attempting to cling to them.
In preparation, I curled my lashes with my trusty Shu Uemura curler, and thoroughly combed them to perfect separation with my Tweezerman Sepralash Pro. I leaned in close to my 10x magnifying mirror, and carefully applied the “stain”… which didn’t feel or look like a stain at all, but more like a “regular” mascara. My less-than-stellar depth perception always results in a smudge or two, but I keep some pointed q-tips moistened with eye makeup remover on hand for just that reason. This morning was no exception in the smudge arena, but two remover-soaked pointy q-tips later, the smudge remained. Yikes! I finally triumphed with a remover-soaked cotton pad and more rubbing than I would have liked, and was hopeful the product would cling to my lashes as well as it had to my upper lid.
I didn’t hit the pool, but I did go to the dentist, cavort outside with Smooches (my tiny blue Pom), work out, take a steamy shower, and apply the entire Obagi-C Rx regimen… and Tarte 4 Day Stay Lash Stain remained steadfastly in place every minute of the way… not the first smudge, smear, or flake… even from my bottom lashes! I went to bed wondering if I had found THE mascara… errrr, stain.
The next morning, I did have a few black flecks under my eyes, but nothing like I’d get if I slept in a “regular” mascara. The flecks wiped away easily with a remover-moistened cotton pad, but I did notice my lashes felt “sticky” and “gooey” and just generally not nice. A few were also randomly sticking out or angled, and getting my lash comb through them proved more difficult than usual. Around 3pm, I noticed the “stain” was almost gone from the tips of my lashes, but remained near the base of them. Again, not attractive. By the time I finished my workout and shower that evening, I had a raging case of raccoon-eye, and decided to go ahead and remove the remaining “stain”. It took 15 minutes (I kid you not) and baby oil (I know, I know… I was desperate!), but I finally had naked lashes again. Yay!
So… PURSUE IT or PASS ON IT? For $18, I’d PURSUE IT! While I don’t think it’ll go the full 4 days, it does last very well… even on bottom lashes. I also like that is has Provitamin B5 (which is great for conditioning/thickening). Just be prepared to invest some time & effort removing it.
