ARE all mascaras made the same? It’s just black pigment that you brush on to make eyelashes look longer, right? Well, yes and no. We do rely on mascara to enhance our eyelashes. But like any makeup, mascaras have different formulas and different applicators.
I’ve been using mascara almost daily for 15 years. You’ll notice that none of these are high end, because mascara must be tossed out within four months after opening (six months, at a stretch, if it hasn’t dried out yet). I don’t want to splurge thousands on something I have to replace fairly frequently, especially when there are so many good affordable ones out there. Here are a few that I’ve enjoyed using:
Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara
We probably haven’t really thought about it, but eyelashes are not all the same length. The brush on this mascara wand has 10 layers of bristles to coat every layer of lashes for a full fan effect. The waterproof formula holds its curl until you take it off, and doesn’t smudge even in the most humid of days.
Majolica Majorca Lash King
This mascara by Shiseido was formulated for Asian eyes; many of us have straight, rather short lashes. A friend who swears by this gave me one, and it lengthens lashes like anything. I do have to curl my lashes well for this one, though, as it lengthens more than it lifts. It also has the tendency to clump a few months after it’s been opened, but nothing that a lash comb can’t fix. Some people prefer a spidery, somewhat clumpy effect on the lashes anyway for drama.
L’Oreal Voluminous Original mascara
This is “formulated to build lashes to five times their natural thickness for a full and dramatic lash look.” I have repurchased this over the years and would testify that there’s truth to the claim of “no flakes, smudges, or clumps.” It goes on really smoothly, and even with three coats it still doesn’t clump.
Maybelline Great Lash mascara
This mascara has been on the market for over 40 years. It’s great for everyday definition, giving a lush lash effect just a notch higher than natural. If you just want believable volume and length on your lashes, this is a good one just to make people wonder if your lashes are really that thick. Its brush is also not too big, making it good for those with smaller eyes or still need to practice wielding sticky black pigment. This comes in several colors: Black, Very Black, Brown, or even Blue for those who want a change.