I am always on the hunt for a good mascara.
In fact, I may have a slight obsession with mascara. (And coffee. And lip gloss. I totally NEED this shirt.)
But with all the choices of mascara out there, how do you know which one is right for you and your lashes?
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I took to Facebook to find out which mascaras were most popular amongst my friends, everyday gals, mascara junkies like myself! The answers varied from drugstore brands, to higher end stuff, to the kinds you buy from independent beauty consultants, so I thought I’d put together a round-up of the favorites.
{Drugstore Brands}
Maybelline® Volum’ Express® The Falsies™ Mascara
According to Maybelline: “From the Volum’ Express Collection, the Falsies mascara features a patented Spoon Brush that fans out lashes from corner-to-corner for instant lash glam, while the Pro-Keratin formula instantly builds volume without clumping. The unique flexible wand helps to lift and separate lashes, providing the look of 300 percent more visible, fuller lashes without any gaps, no matter what angle. This product is safe for contact lens wearers and ophthalmologist-tested. Available in washable and waterproof formulas.”
According to my friends: “They are cheap, but work better than anything else I have tried.”
“Tried many high end brands but I always go back to Falsies by Maybeline. It doesn’t clump as bad as the others, goes on smooth, and it’s a fraction of what I’ve paid for the others.”
And maybe she’s onto something there as this mascara will run you about $6.
Maybelline® Great Lash Lots of Lashes®
According to Maybelline, this mascara is “America’s favorite mascara even after 40 years, now with a heart-shaped brush.” It promises lots of volume. No clumps, no mess.
Why You’ll Love It
(according to Maybelline)
• America’s favorite mascara now gives the look of more lashes than ever, thanks to the exclusive Great Little Grabber Brush
• In just one swipe, the Grabber Brush easily reaches all lashes – even in the corners – for a multiplied lash look without the clumps
• The result? Great lashes with lots of impact and not a lot of work
According to my friends: “I always keep coming back to Great Lash in the pink bottle with the green lid (waterproof,blackish brown). My mom used it (she’s 79), and so do I. Old habits die hard!”
This one seems like a steal at only $4.49!
CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara
According to CoverGirl: “Get a blast of bold, volumizing mascaras! LashBlast’s patented volume-boosting hypoallergenic mascara formula and patent-pending brush are designed to max out each and every lash, leaving you with the ultimate big-lash look.”
According to friends: ” I have very light lashes and this mascara worked well to cover and thicken my lashes. I’ve used it for the last few days and it is easily removed at the end of the day, plus it lasted all day without having to reapply. I absolutely loved it!!”
This mascara is designed to thicken and lengthen your lashes and will run you $6.99.
Voluminous® Million Lashes™ Mascara
According to L’Oreal: “Voluminous® Million Lashes™ Mascara has a revolutionary collagen infused formula and Millionizer Brush for amplified volume and definition. -The luxurious, buildable, No Clump Formula amplifies each lash instantly. Glides on smoothly, and lasts all day, while thickening and separating every lash for a clump-free, smudge-free look. -The Millionizer Brush is uniquely designed to amplify and seprate lashes from corner to corner while building breathtaking volume. -The built-in Clean Sweep Wiping System wipes the brush free of clumps leaving the perfect amount of mascara for an ultra-volumized clean lash look. Fragrance-free. Ophthalmologist-tested and allergy-tested. Suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.“
According to friends: “I love anything L’Oreal — recently voluminous in a big gold tube. Makes eyelashes look long and thick, but not clumpy and won’t break the bank.”
“I cannot go a day without my Voluminous Million Lashes mascara in the Blackest Black. If you want your eye to pop and the icing on the cake to compliment the rest of your eye make up, THIS IS IT!”
It does run a little higher than the others at $8.95 a tube.
L’Oréal® Paris Double Extend Mascara
According to L’Oreal: “Double Extend® Beauty Tubes™ Mascara is a revolutionary lash extension effect mascara that provides up to 80% longer-looking, nourished lashes. -Step 1: Ultra-nourishing base coat infused with Ceramide R and D-Panthenol protects and strengthens lashes, creating the perfect base for tube application. -Step 2: Ultra-lengthening tube top coat sets to form lash-extending beauty tubes that visibly lengthen lashes to amazing new heights. Beauty tubes will not run, clump, flake or smudge and will stay on all-day. -Step 3: Beauty tubes remove easily with just warm water – no makeup remover or rubbing required. Ophthalmologist and allergy tested. Suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.”
According to friends: “I’ve ALWAYS had an issue with my lower lashes – until I found L’Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes. The mascara kind of forms a tube around your lashes and it doesn’t come off (or move, or melt) until you take it off! Even if you go swimming!”
This one runs around $8.99.
{Higher End Mascaras}
They’re Real! Lengthening Mascara
According to Ulta: “They’re Real! lengthens, curls, volumizes, lifts & separates. The long-wearing formula won’t smudge or dry out. A specially designed brush reveals lashes you never knew you had!“
This mascara got rave reviews from my friends and was the most popular. It’s one of Ulta’s best sellers!
According to friends: ” I love They’re Real by Benefit… A little pricey but definitely worth it! It makes your lashes look very long and full, and does not clump at all! I’m very picky about mascara and have tried so many, this is by far my favorite!”
“They’re Real by Benefit. They also now make a tinted primer to put on before hand. Love them both.”
Looking at the reviews on Ulta’s website, it would appear people are mixed. Some feel it’s not worth the price. This mascara will cost you $24.
Roller Lash Super Curling & Lifting Mascara
Another option from Benefit Cosmetics, according to the Ulta: “It’s a roller for lashes! The eye-opening Hook ‘n’ Roll brush grabs, separates, lifts and curls…while the instant curve-setting formula holds for 12 hours.”
According to friends: “I love the Benefit Roller Lash Super Curling & Lifting Mascara!”
“This is by far the best mascara I have ever used. I don’t ever want to use any other.”
This mascara will also set you back $24.
DIORSHOW ICONIC
According to Dior: “Diorshow Iconic Waterproof, the star mascara boasting performances hailed by the press and professional makeup artists worldwide. At the heart of the waterproof formula is Lift Model Extrême™. This complex contains latex polymers, like those used in hairspray, to coat each lash, offering ultimate hold and weightless lashes.“
Apparently if extravagant curl is what you’re going for, this is the mascara for you… at $29.50.
HYPNÔSE
According to Lancome: “Get up to 600% more volume! Tiny, barely-there lashes are no match for the patented POWERFULL™ brush that thickens lashes from root to tip with custom volume you can control. The SoftSculpt ™ formula, enriched with Vitamin B5, wraps lashes one luxurious layer at a time without smearing, smudging or clumping.“
According to friends: “I love Lancome’s Hypnose (waterproof, ’cause I’m a crier). It thickens and extends my lashes. Not cheap, but worth it!!”
And she’s right. It’s not as expensive as the Diorshow, but still pricey at $27.50.
PERVERSION
According to Urban Decay: “Get bigger, blacker, badder lashes with our ultra-creamy, lengthening and volumizing mascara. So intense you might need a safe word, Perversion glides on and gets you sexy in one stroke. (Yet it won’t quit until you say when.) It’s insane how black it is…the purest, deepest, most intense black color imaginable.
Perversion has a creamy, full-bodied texture that’s not too dry, not too wet. This allows just the right amount of “pull” so it glides through lashes. The result: incredible control for insane lashes. Go ahead and pile on coat after coat. Want to apply more before you go out at night? No problem. Even if it’s been all day since you applied, more Perversion always means more beautiful lashes. Our formula NEVER gets brittle or clumpy.“
It Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara
According to It Cosmetics: “Formulated with powerful peptides and proteins, strengthening biotin, lash-lifting polymers and plumping collagen, this anti-aging mascara will take your lashes to new heights. The innovative formula and Lash-Changing Power Brush work together to coat every lash from base to tips, lifting and separating to create a fuller lash line—no lash is left behind! This super-black mascara is also super-buildable, so lash power is at your fingertips; simply apply more coats to add volume and length.“
According to friends: “It’s the only one that doesn’t give you spider eyes! It is a building formula…one coat to three. Love all their products!”
I have to agree. I LOVE their CC cream so I’m pretty sure I’d be a mascara fan, too!
$24 and it’s yours.
BETTER THAN SEX MASCARA
VOLUPTUOUS VOLUME MASCARA
According to Too Faced Cosmetics: “One application of our collagen-fueled formula and touch of our specially shaped brush will leave you begging for more. One coat and lashes are full, defined and stretched to unbelievable lengths. Two coats and they’re reaching unbelievable heights of drama. Three coats and you’ll believe in magic.“
According to friends: “I absolutely love this mascara. It is the best that I have ever used. And I try a lot of products. My lashes look longer and fuller. It’s definitely worth the buy. I still have problems with it smudging just like I do with every mascara ever.”
It’s Better Than Sex and only $23? Sign me up. HeeHee!
{Independent Beauty Consultants}
Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes+
According to younique: “With a new brush and a fresh look, our proprietary, hypoallergenic formula brings life to tired lashes. Its two international patents pending leaves little wonder about why women are talking about which lash enhancer they use.”
They also claim to be able to increase your lash volume by 400%. Wow.
The fiber lashes will cost you $29.
Lash Love® Mascara
According to Mary Kay: “Love your lashes with the mascara that defines, defends and delivers four times the volume while looking naturally flawless, soft and healthy. The flexible, sculpted brush separates and coats lashes.“
This one is actually one of my favorites! I love how it goes on and it really does add volume to the lashes. Plus, I’ve found it doesn’t take coat after coat to get the look you’re going for with long lashes. This is one of Mary Kay’s best sellers for $15.
Alright, there’s the round-up of tried and true favorite mascaras from everyday gals. Something I’d like to note, if you try a mascara and it doesn’t do what you want it to do… TAKE IT BACK! You don’t want to drop nearly $30 on a tube of mascara and then not LOVE it. Save your receipt. Take it back and try something else!
Was your favorite on the list?
Which ones are missing?