The right mascara doesn’t just make your lashes long, voluminous and curly. On the contrary, it glams and dresses up the eyes, making them pop. But finding the right mascara in a sea of choices is a job in itself: we’ve done some homework so your search can be a tad easier. Whether you are looking for length, volume, curl or all of the above, we’re certain we’ve found the perfect mascara for you.
BEST LENGTH
Glominerals – Glolash Lengthening Mascara
Glominerals – Glolash Lengthening Mascara contains pure vitamins, minerals and extracts to condition and soften lashes while creating a long lush look. Includes green tea to fight bacteria and reduce inflammation, vitamin E to heal irritation and beeswax to keep lashes strong. The wand allows for buildable length and no clumping – even when applying multiple layers. $16 dermstore.com
Dermaquest Skin Therapy – Dermalash Mascara
Dermaquest Skin Therapy – Dermalash Mascara not only gives lashes great length, but also contains an exclusive formula that stimulates hair follicles for full, long lashes even when you are not wearing mascara. Its rubber bristles reach high and low to coat and separate lashes while delivering the ingredients to the hair follicle. The combination of the rubber bristle brush with Dermaquest’s formula took lashes from the short and stubby stage to the remarkably long look. We balked a bit at the price —$80 for a mascara is a tad lavish in today’s economic times. However the lash growth benefits in this exclusive formula make it a treatment product with the added benefits of color and length. $80, yuvadermstore.com
BEST CURL
Cat Cosmetics – Diva Lash
Cat Cosmetics – Diva Lash: Diva Lash mascara’s curling formula actually curls unlike many other mascaras that make that claim. It virtually eliminates the need for an eyelash curler. But do keep an eyelash comb available – there was a little bit of clumping, but not enough to take away from the great curling effect. It is easily removed using eye-makeup remover. $20, catcosmetics.com
BEST VOLUMIZING
Cover Girl Lash Blast has a patented volumizing formula for a look of faux lashes. Lashes were visibly multiplied. We found it comparable to DiorShow Mascara at less than half the price. It removes easily with water and soap alone – there’s no need for a makeup remover. Available in four shades – $7.29, amazon.com
Almay – Pure Blends Volumizing Mascara
Almay – Pure Blends Volumizing Mascara is 97.5% natural, hypoallergenic and eco-friendly plus it makes lashes thicker and longer: yes, this mascara does it all. Our lashes looked longer, voluminous and clump-free. The unique brush was made of rubber but with longer bristles, thereby coating each lash to give us a long full fringe. $6.99 amazon.com or most major drugstores
Kanebo – Sensai Mascara 38°C (Volume) & Sensai Eyelash Base
Kanebo – Sensai Mascara 38°C (Volume) & Sensai Eyelash Base
Kanebo’s Sensai mascara gave us a great combination of volume and length without clumps. It thickened lashes and gave us a beautiful full fringe. It’s great on its own but even better coupled with Sensai’s Eyelash Base for added definition, volume and length. The base deposits a layer of wax on each eyelash, and prevents clumping when the mascara is applied. If you layer the mascara, you’ll get an intensified, dramatic look. The mascara comes off with warm water alone at 38ºC, hence its name. Base retails for $28; mascara for $25, www.kanebo.com
BEST VIBRATING
Maybelline – Pulse Perfection Vibrating Mascara
Maybelline – Pulse Perfection Vibrating Mascara is clearly a winner in the vibrating mascara contest. It beat out much more expensive department store vibrating mascaras to win a place on our favorites list. The motor-powered vibrating brush moves at a constant pace that allows for consistent lash coating from root to tip. One coat gives you lush lashes; apply multiple coats for a more dramatic look. $10.99 amazon.com
ALL AROUND BEST
Dior – DiorShow Mascara is an all-around great mascara. A beauty editor favorite, Dior Show gives you long, thick and curly lashes. The extra large brush allows for buildable volume, length and maximum curl. If you’re looking for glamorous lashes, your search is officially over. $24, Sephora.com
– Catia Carvalho
