Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara

      Lately, I've had the Joneses for a really good mascara. I don't wear it too often these days, and that's because I can't find one that I'm one hundred percent, head-over-heels in love with. I've gotten recommendations left and right to try some Eastern dupes for popular brands that are comparable if not better by default, but I'm just really not up to dealing with the shipping and the wait for the product ( international shipping= grumpy me. They hold your package in NY for like 2 weeks, Why?) Mascara used to be my go-to item if I wanted  a minimal-effort-but-good-finishing-touch added to my daily ensemble, but all that ended when that hot little number, pictured above, was discontinued. That's Max Factor's very own 2,000 Calorie Mascara, and it was the best mascara that I've ever used, to date. I literally used to go through tube after tube of it because I used it so often, and shared it with my mom (ssh I know, that's unsanitary, blah blah blah).

      While there are still a few places to buy it online, again I don't want to deal with shipping, money isn't the problem at all; it's the ridiculous wait time and my lack of patience. But before I go off on an aside about how much I hate waiting for something to ship internationally, let me enlighten you regarding my affinity for this particular product:

Packaging.

       The packaging was simple, yet sleek enough that did not distract from the product itself. It had a very 'chic' atmosphere to it with out having to much physical bulkiness that would weight the product acclaim down after application (coming from the mouth of a person who believes nothing seen on television about cosmetic commercials, and news. They both always leave out a 'minor' detail that has the potential to completely alter the consumer's perception of the product).

Applicator.

       The applicator was, in one word: perfection. I've never found another like it; it contoured to the shape of my eyelid perfectly, and the distribution of the bristles ensured that every one of my lashes was not only coated simultaneously, but that each lash got the appropriate amount of mascara. I'll never understand how whomever figured out that this brush construction would be one hundred percent effective, but props to them. and also I wish that I'd saved it; I have such a hard time finding a brush that is comparable to it :(.

Durability.

       This mascara, from my personal experience, stood up to everything from sweat and dirt to tears. It didn't flake and leave an unwanted litter of residue on my face, and it came off without irritating my sensitive skin. It was also very mold-able, I never had a problem with my lashes feeling stiff from using this mascara, which was a plus!

Coloring.

       They did an awesome job of coloring these mascaras. The blacks dried exactly the same color as if they were just freshly drawn from the tube. And as for the brown, it was a natural looking color, to say the very least; I didn't use it so much as my my hair was, at the time, jet black.

Smell.

      There was a weird chemical smell with this product. When they made the newer 2,000 calorie, the smell was suppressed, but so was the quality. I didn't mind it as much, but I've never forgotten the smell. Even after all these years, just a picture of this mascara will trigger my memories of the smell, just as strong as if I were holding the mascara in my hand, just opened. Whatever that was making the makeup smell this way was also probably the reason it was so good; the newer the make of 2,000 calorie, the weaker the smell, the lesser the quality.

Overall.

 This product literally earned its 5/5 star rating, it outdid the competitors hands down. If you have some extra cash on hand and you're feeling adventurous (and you can find the original 2000 calorie, happy hunting!), give this mascara a try. If you're disappointed (or just you want to tack something onto this review), then you have an interesting story to tell, and someone to tell it to ;).