Ok, so I have moaned and complained about natural mascaras. I thought that the last one I tried, Honey Bee Gardens Natural Mascara, wasn’t that great. Turns out, it’s much better than many out there and I can’t wait to buy some more.

I have used Physician’s Formula Organic Wear Mascara for three weeks. I am so annoyed with it, I’m struggling to find something good to say. It does have a very nice color, but it flakes and slides. It is under my eyes by 9:00 am. 9! I put it on at 7. What is the problem with this picture? On a high note, it is organic and uses recycled packaging. That really is something to be proud of.

In addition, it’s hard to put on. The wand has these stubby little nylon bristles reminiscent of Cover Girl’s Lash Blast, but without the length. I have to get the wand so close to my eyes to put it on that I end up with it on my eyelids half the time.

You would think since it starts to come off my lashes so easily that washing it off would be a breeze. No. I end up having to dip a Q-tip in moisturizer and swipe under my eye to remove what’s left. Bummer.

Where I got it: CVS Pharmacy.  What it cost: About $10.

And, I wish it was great.  Natural mascara, an oxymoron?  Or, am I a moron for holding out hope?

This flakes a little and does run some.  I find after noon, I need to tissue off the darkness.  If I forget to clean up a little before I go grocery shopping and buy wine, I don’t get carded.  At my age though, I kind of look forward to getting carded.

Anyway, this is pretty good.  As good as Dr. Hauschka mascara that has the same problems, and for half the price.  I just wish it came in navy.

Where I got it: W3LL PEOPLE.  What it cost: Around $12

UPDATE 2/17/10: I want to clarify that this is the mascara I am using day to day.  It’s not perfect, but it’s not full of petrochemicals or parabens so it passes the test for me.

Oh, this was beautiful going on.  I bought basic black and it is the loveliest, deep color.  Truly the black I wish my lashes were.  The brush is also good and grabs all the little lashes perfectly.  I really feel like this is the best brush out of the natural mascaras I’ve tried.

However, the formula does not wear well.  I don’t know if it’s the slightly humid Austin climate or what, but this ran down my face before noon.  I tried it on several different days to see if I could find a cause, but got nothing conclusive.  I wore it when I wasn’t even moving around much and it still ran.  I even tried brushing a little powder under my eyes, but that didn’t help either.

Where I got it: Whole Foods, 6th & Lamar.  What it cost: $33.95(!!!).

I want to start out by saying I love the powder foundation by Jane Iredale.  So much so, that I am completely disappointed in the mascaras.

Jane Iredale Longest Lash Mascara – This is the most expensive one in the line up, beware before buying!  It goes on so well.  You’re convinced, this is it!  You have done it!  You have finally found a natural mascara, that is very pricey, but does its job.  One hour goes by.  Still good, but is it you or do lashes feel kind of dry?  Maybe, not.  Besides, who could tell if their lashes were dry?  Two hours later, flakes.  You brush them off and think: ok, if I have to brush off flakes every once in a while, no prob.  Three hours, flakes and slight smudge.  Four hours more flakes, more smudge.  By the end of the day you look like you haven’t slept because you can’t keep the flakes from smearing and smudging under your eyes.  Not attractive.  Also, it was not returnable.

Jane Iredale Pure Lash Mascara – Maybe I’m a glutton for punishment.  I don’t know.  Though I hated the Longest Lash mascara, I decided to give the Pure Lash a try.  I figured it doesn’t have those stupid fibers which were probably what was flaking all over the place.  This one left some flakes and smudge, but not nearly as bad.  The issue was, I couldn’t get it to come off with soap and water.  I am not an eye makeup remover sort of girl.  I don’t like to have jars and bottles of stuff I don’t use.  I think mascara should wash off with a little soap and water.  Not this one.

Where I got it: Beauty Store, Central Park, N. Lamar.  What it cost: $16, way too much.