Best Mascaras

By Danielle Lemay

With the myriad of mascara options floating around cosmetics counters of late, it’s quite difficult to figure out which ones are the best mascaras. With promises of lengthening, volumizing, curling, and giving the illusion that you have more lashes than you actually do, mascara is an essential part of eye enhancement.

But which one should you buy? Which are the best mascaras on the market? Well, it all depends on what kind of lashes you have and how you want to enhance them.

No matter your eyelash situation, though, there’s no need to worry; there’s something out there that’s perfect for you.

Note: All amounts are in US dollars.

What you have: Short lashes
Best mascaras #1
Lengthening mascara
Although some people think it’s a gimmick, thanks to their thick bristles, lengthening mascaras allow for more mascara to be applied to your lashes - especially to the tips of your lashes, where it’s most important.

Recommended mascara: Lancome Definicil – approximately $21
Recommended waterproof mascara: Shu Uemura – approximately $23

What you have: Straight lashes
Best mascaras #2
Curling mascara (and eyelash curler)
Using a heated eyelash curler, curl your lashes before applying any mascara, then use a curling mascara to further curl your lashes and keep them looking great all day long.

Recommended mascara: Agnes B Cil Festival Mascara – approximately $13
Recommended waterproof mascara: Estee Lauder Illusionist Curling Mascara – approximately $21
Recommended eyelash curler: Talika Heated Eyelash Curler

What you have: Thin lashes
Best mascaras #3
Volumizing mascara
If thin lashes are your problem, you definitely need a mascara that will darken and thicken your lashes instantly, leaving you with full, defined lashes.

Recommended mascara: Bourjois Pump Up The Volume – approximately $13
Recommended waterproof mascara: Bourjois Pump Up The Volume Waterproof – approximately $13

About waterproof mascara

Many women who use waterproof mascara complain that it doesn’t come off entirely for days and that they end up losing lashes whenever they use it. And while that may be true, if you use a waterproof mascara remover and a swab, you can remove the makeup without causing any damage to your lashes.

I wouldn’t recommend using it every day, however, simply because there’s no need to and it is, after all, more difficult to remove than the non-waterproof variety.

Non clumping mascara

If you don’t want your mascara to get clumpy on your eyes, here are a few tips to follow:

Best mascaras tip #1
Apply the second or third coat right away
Don’t let your mascara dry up before you apply another coat, otherwise you will get clumps on your lashes guaranteed.

Best mascaras tip #2
Remove excess mascara
If the tip of the mascara brush has an excess amount of mascara, use a tissue to remove it and avoid a potential clump up.

Best mascaras tip #3
Don’t pump the wand
When applying mascara, don’t pump the wand in and out of the brush like a madwoman before you apply, you will cause the mascara on the brush to dry and get wet and dry and get wet, and that leads to clumping.

When to throw mascara out

So when should your mascara get the old heave ho? Typically, it would be between two to four months, even if you barely used it.

Once the seal of a mascara tube is opened, oxygen begins to pollute the makeup and it will begin to get clumpy and unhygienic, which may lead to eye infections.

Beauty editors’ favorite mascara

Finally, while there are many pricey mascaras that promise to give you the longest, strongest, sexiest lashes in the world, America’s No. 1 mascara has been the same one for years: Maybelline Great Lash.

Whether you opt for the waterproof variety or you just want to decorate your lashes with the regular kind, many American women swear by this mascara… and it’ll only run you about $5.

Keep the best mascaras

Keep your eyes looking beautiful and make sure to remove your eye makeup every night to keep your eyes looking as young as they can for as long as you can.