Full disclosure? After a medical procedure-gone-wrong, I lost all of my lashes on my right eye — and they haven’t been the same since. And I already had the flimsiest eyelashes, so…not ideal at all. The savior: mascara.
While I love a good bronze smokey eye, sometimes I just don’t have it in me to do the work. So, I pick up my mascara, double-coat it, and can pretend I have huge eyes. (Love my almond eye shape, but sometimes I want to look like I’m bright-eyed and alive, rather than lazy with my makeup routine.)
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As 2020 ends, I’m trying to expand my horizons from my go-to mascara and find other types, like volumizing and lengthening. Scouring the internet has been helpful — you can’t find reviews in the shelves of the beauty aisle — and I’ve compiled a list of mascaras with rave reviews (which I’m dying to go out and try myself!). From waterproof to curling and everything in between, we’ve got plenty of picks for you here. Now, excuse me as I hurry off to Ulta to get my hands on all of our picks. It’s totally for science.
#1.
Best Overall: L'Oreal Paris Bambi Eye Mascara
Cosmopolitan’s yearly round-up included this L’Oréal mascara, with one reviewer saying it makes them “look like [they’re] wearing a set of wide-eye fake lashes.” And it’s unsurprising, as this mascara is both volumizing and curling. With short and long bristles on the wand, every lash will be defined -- without clumping.
SHOP - $10.99
#2.
Best Waterproof Mascara: LashBlast Volume Waterproof Mascara
Actual waterproof mascara can be hard to find: the second water splashes on your face, the mascara runs down your cheeks. Not the case with this! The mascara goes on effortlessly, lengthening eyelashes without that blink-and-it-flakes-and-smudges look. It also won’t irritate your eyes or skin, and it comes off easily with make-up remover (but only with makeup remover. No running!).
SHOP - $9.99
#3.
Best Lengthening Mascara: Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Lengthening Mascara
Go on Sephora, and the proof is there: 94% in the consumer panel survey reported that they saw dramatic length and volume, and 100% saw long-wearing results. The wand gets straight to the roots for maximum lengthening, and the domed-tip allows for the smallest lashes to receive lift.
SHOP - $25
#4.
Best Volumizing Mascara: Wander Beauty Unlashed Volume and Curling Mascara
Looking for oomph? You’ll find it here, thanks to Wander Beauty’s formula. Featuring peach leaf extract to condition lashes; trehalose to strengthen lashes; and vitamins A, C, and E to reduce fallout, this creamy mascara is not only volumizing but also water-resistant and smudge-proof. Build layer upon layer to up the oomph of your lashes.
SHOP - $24
#5.
Best Curling Mascara: Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara
The dream is a mascara that builds upon natural lashes, rather than bulking them down. ILIA has cracked the code with this mascara. Its ingredients are what truly make it the best curling mascara: beeswax conditions, shea butter enhances and nourishes, and arginine conditions your lashes. Doesn’t get much better or natural than that.
SHOP - $28
#6.
Best Mascara for Sensitive Skin: La Roche Posay Toleriane Extension Mascara
Just because you have sensitive skin doesn’t mean you can’t have full, beautiful lashes. This La Roche Posay Toleriane Extension Mascara is dermatologist tested, paraben free, and fragrance free, so watery eyes, be gone! Apply several layers for extra effect from root to lashes. Everyone else will be jealous by how soft and non-inflammatory this mascara is.
SHOP - $25
#7.
Best Drugstore Mascara: CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara
No need to drive to every Sephora for the perfect mascara, when your local drugstore has this right in the makeup aisle. The mascara has the effects of any other volumizing mascara, and it doesn’t clump, either. The makeup artist for Amandla Stenberg says it’ll “stay on for hours without smudging.” Boom.
SHOP - $9.99
#8.
Most Affordable Mascara: Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
At $5, this mascara is a steal. It’s also ethical: no testing on animals, so you don’t have to worry about dangerous practices due to the cheap price. With multiple coats of this mascara, your eyelashes will be sky-high. Eyelashes, meet eyebrows.
SHOP - $4.99
#9.
Best Eyelash Primer: Dior Diorshow Maximizer 3D Triple Volume Plumping Lash Primer
With an “air-pumped” texture, this primer is lightweight but will help prep your lashes for their most dazzling look. It has an oil serum concentrate to help with thickness and curl underneath your mascara. Used at Dior runway shoes, you’ll have the eyes of a model thanks to this.
SHOP - $29.50
