There are almost as many on the market as there are ways to apply it: mouth slightly agape, brush held horizontally; or using vertical strokes to catch every last tip. Perhaps you go down the eyelash curler route first? Or you like to wiggle the brush from root to tip? Not only are there myriad application techniques, but we’re also spoiled for choice when it comes to the selection available, too.
Your first job is to consider the kind of finish you want. While some favour a softly defined lash line, others like a full-on, clumpy, voluminous lash for extra drama. There are formulas for all: from separating and lengthening to volumising, curling and long-lasting. Simply identify your desired look before buying.
The best mascaras combine an excellent wand – be it curvaceous or multi-pronged – with a brilliant formula. Everyone wants something that doesn’t flake or transfer onto the surrounding eye area, but that is easily buildable for a more impactful look, should we desire it. Decide on your shade – black is most popular but a rich chocolate-brown can be soft and alluring (and works wonders on paler skin tones especially), and colours like deep purple flatter most eye colours too.
7 ways to get the most out of your mascara
To make a mascara last as long as possible, avoid pumping the wand in the tube – it allows air into the formula, which causes it to dry out.
When your mascara starts to get too clumpy and dry, pipette a few eye drops into the formula and stir to extend its lifespan.
If you loved the mascara wand but have finished the formula, why not keep it and use it again? Clean it with eye make-up remover and then dunk it into other formulas you love.
Prep eyelashes by using a lash primer – they help to boost volume while conditioning eyelashes with nourishing ingredients. Cue stronger eyelashes in the long run.
For extra volume, apply mascara to the front of your eyelashes in the usual way – then, run the wand over the back of your eyelashes. High impact lashes in seconds.
If you accidentally get a bit of mascara on your eyelids or around your eyes, wait for it to dry before removing it. Attempting to remove it while it’s still wet will cause a grey smear that’s far harder to remove. Once dry, you should be able to dislodge it easily with your finger or a cotton bud.
Every mascara offers a different finish so don’t be afraid to layer up two mascaras for your perfect look.
From Hourglass’s new Unlocked Instant Extensions to Glossier’s Lash Slick, the best mascaras are as reliable as your favourite pair of jeans – failsafes that never disappoint and always deliver. One final tip? Resist the urge to really pump the wand up and down in the tube – all that extra air inside will make the formula dry out quicker, shortening the life of your mascara.
Discover British Vogue’s pick of the best mascaras on the market below.
Best Affordable Mascara: L’Oréal Paris Air Volume Mega MascaraGiving the expensive mascaras a run for their money is L’Oréal’s new mascara. With a whipped texture, it’s an easy route to big volume without making eyelashes feel heavy. A must-try.Best For High Impact Lashes: Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara Extreme BlackFor next-level volume, definition and length, Lancôme’s iconic Monsieur Big mascara now comes in an “extreme” version, offering bigger, bolder lashes at the stroke of its chunky, fluffy brush. It stays put for up to 24 hours, too.Best For Definition: Clinique High Impact Extreme MascaraAdding volume and length while simultaneously separating lashes, this mascara delivers a satisfyingly dramatic but – crucially – clump-free look. Plus, it stays put regardless of the weather (or your emotional state). Best For A Natural Finish: Glossier Lash Slick MascaraPerfect for Glossier girls, this mascara is almost imperceptible – it makes lashes look like your own, only a little bit better. As natural as a finish gets.Best For Length: Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions MascaraYou can expect the longest lashes going with this new Hourglass formula. The brush easily gets through every lash, creating a defined, fanned-out appearance that stays put; it’s also a tubing mascara which means it comes off easily with water – no scrubbing needed.Best For Evening: Guerlain Maxi Lash So Volume MascaraFor a fan of thick lashes, Guerlain’s elegantly-packaged mascara is an essential. The brush head is made of fine, rubbery prongs which make it easy to catch and cover each lash, and it imparts an intense black hue for a sultry stare. Best For Curl: Marc Jacobs Beauty At Lash’d Lengthening And Curling MascaraIf it’s party eyelashes you’re after, Marc Jacobs’ Lash’d mascara is here to save the day. Not only does it effortlessly lengthen and curl, but it also conditions each eyelash thanks to biotin peptide and vitamin B5.Best For Long Wear: Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl MascaraFor effortlessly curved lashes and a formula that won’t budge for love nor money (only a really good make-up remover), look no further than Dior’s Iconic Overcurl. Best For Flutter Factor: Pat McGrath Labs Dark Star MascaraIf you like your lashes thick and high-octane, look no further than Pat McGrath’s Dark Star mascara, which goes on lightweight and fluttery, and can be built up for even more drama.Best All-Rounder Mascara: Fenty Beauty Full Frontal MascaraFenty’s first mascara has a “fat-to-flat” brush which means it does it all, lifting, defining and curling lashes, while making it easy to get into the corners, too. Best High-Street Mascara: Rimmel Scandaleyes Volume On Demand MascaraWith a wand made for layering, this mascara offers buildable volume, and the formula conditions the lashes to keep them soft and flexible. It doesn’t flake either. Best For Thick Eyelashes: Morphe Make It Big Volumising MascaraIf your mascara motto is “the bigger, the better” this is for you – think easily buildable volume and lengthBest For Lengthening: Maybelline The Falsies Instant Lash Lift Look MascaraThe curvaceous wand on Maybelline’s new number makes lengthening your lashes a breeze, and ensures fibres in the formula are distributed evenly to thicken lashes, without things getting too clumpy.Best All-Rounder: Kevyn Aucoin The Volume MascaraPromising va-va-voom lashes, this mascara has won numerous awards thanks to its clever brush and effective formula. With nourishing jojoba oil and volume-building fibres, expect some of the best lashes of your life. Best Mascara For Day: Benefit They’re Real MascaraOne tube of Benefit’s They’re Real mascara is sold every 15 seconds in the UK alone, which says it all really. A non-flaking, non-smudging formula combined with a brush designed to lift and extend, this product deserves its place in the mascara hall of fame.Best Mascara For Day: Benefit They’re Real MascaraOne tube of Benefit’s They’re Real mascara is sold every 15 seconds in the UK alone, which says it all really. A non-flaking, non-smudging formula combined with a brush designed to lift and extend, this product deserves its place in the mascara hall of fame.Best For Eyelash Health: BareMinerals Strength & Length Serum-Infused MascaraKeep your eyelashes in good nick while defining them – this BareMinerals number contains red clover flower and peptides to keep eyelashes healthy and intact.Best For Volume: Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Brag Volumizing MascaraThis chunky mascara brush is your ticket to full, fat lashes in just a few coats. True to its name, lash bragging rights = granted.
Original article from VOGUE UK | Author Hannah Coates
