Is Blue the New Black?

Spotted: blue lashes on the college campus?! My fashion insider on the college scene has informed me that blue mascara is in. Blue, the new black? Like any fashionista closer to 30 than 20, I have to pause for a moment to consider what this means for my cosmetic agenda: Am I too old to rock this? After all, my beauty needs have become fairly standard, with the exception of red lipstick when I'm feeling sassy or the smokey eye for a night out.

I can vaguely recall colored mascara making a brief appearance in my high school days, but it was short-lived. Don't get me wrong; if I was stranded on a desert island and could only have two items of make-up, mascara would DEFINITELY be one (lip gloss would be the other, obvi). But what I like most about mascara is its ability to make my lashes long, lush, and blacker than black (hence the reason I love Dior Blackout soooo much). So blue mascara--or any color for that matter--really throws me for a loop.

So what's a girl to do? Yes, I google. Benefit's new BADgal Blue heralds itself as "an eye brightening blue mascara!" It's designed to make eyes look "whiter and brighter," as "the deep blue violet shade enhances your eyes." I question the necessity of eyes looking whiter, but of course I'm all for enhancing my eyes--what sane girl isn't?

However, I remain skeptical, or perhaps just loyal--I feel fully confident that the layers upon layers of black mascara that I apply meticulously each morning give my green eyes all the "pop" they need. I will admit that I am a teensy bit curious, though, and certainly overdue for a trip to Sephora. So the question remains: is blue the new black? Tune in to the next episode.

Mascara by Benefit, available at Sephora or online at www.sephora.com.