My Favorite Mascara

Mascara has always been my number one go-to beauty product. In fact, if I had to choose only one product, it would be mascara (okay, and concealer and lip gloss and foundation). If you come to my classes or follow me on Instagram, you know my lashes are coated before class and raccoon-eyed by the end of the debauchery (it's my brand, LOL). If I think back, I have been wearing mascara almost daily since I was 10!

When it comes to mascara brands, I have tried just about everything from the drug store staples (yes, yes, I have used the famous pink and green-cased Great Lash, it's okay) to Dior (yay) and Chanel (meh).

When choosing the perfect mascara, I have three criteria of excellence:

  1. Application: It's not just about the brush quality but the formula as well. Does the product go on easily, consistently, and smoothly without clumping? Does it separate and coat each lash well from root to tip? Can I easily clean mistakes off of the lids?

  2. Durability: How long does it last during the day? A deal breaker is smudging under the lower lashes after just a few hours, barring no Pilates Boot Camps, of course. But be careful how you apply it; if you don't apply it correctly on your lower lashes, this can happen with any high-quality product.

  3. Removal: I hate washing my face. But we all have to do it. I really do not enjoy adding an extra step of eye makeup remover. My mascaras must be able to wash off easily with whatever face cleanser I'm using.

Being a Stylebook member has its perks. Everyone's favorite local health and beauty shop, Bellacara, was so kind and offered several high-quality mascara samples for me to try. After several weeks of daily tests, I have found my favorite. 

And the winner is…SuperFan by Smashbox

I wore just the mascara (I did not use the primer because I always eliminate the extra steps) throughout my trip to Bermuda in early August. It's staying power lasted all day long. It even held up against a few Bermuda cliff jumps without bleeding or smudging. At the end of the day, SuperFan washed off super easily with just soap and water. 

Sold, SuperFan! You now have a fan in me.

Dr. Megan Brown

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Co-founder | Mind the Mat Pilates & Yoga

Megan Brown, physical therapist, Pilates instructor, mother and co-founder of Mind the Mat Pilates & Yoga in Alexandria, VA, likes to goof around. Yet her commitment to her students and her skill set in the field is no joke. After graduating from University of Virginia with a degree in Sports Medicine, Megan went on to receive her Masters in Physical Therapy and eventually her Doctorate in the profession. Although Pilates was never part of the plan, the method changed the way she treated patients, positively re-directed her career path and enhanced her own active lifestyle. Customized Pilates instruction is her specialty--she designs classes based on clients needs: athletes, new moms, rehabilitation or just for fun (why be serious all the time?). Pilates + Yoga is the best of both worlds, hence the creation of Mind the Mat studios providing classes for all—in every walk of life.

Mind the Mat Pilates & Yoga was founded in 2008 by Megan Brown, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Polestar Certified Practitioner of Pilates for Rehabilitation and Sara VanderGoot, Nationally Certified Massage Therapist and Registered Yoga Teacher (e-RYT 200, RYT 500). In their private practices as physical therapist and massage therapist respectively Megan and Sara observed that many of their clients were coming in with similar needs: relief for neck and shoulder tension and low back pain as well as a desire for more flexibility in hips and legs, stability in joints, and core strength.

Together Megan and Sara carefully crafted a curriculum of Pilates and yoga classes to address needs for clients who are pregnant, postpartum, have injuries or limitations, who are new to Pilates and yoga, and for those who are advanced students and are looking for an extra challenge.

www.mindthemat.com     

2214 Mount Vernon Avenue

Alexandria, VA 22301

703.683.2228

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