Most women, asked what their desert island beauty pick would be, choose mascara. The instinct to select this beauty basic is understandable, considering the big difference it can make to our appearance. Whether you prefer subtle definition or full-throttle flutter, a sweep of mascara frames the face and is one of the easiest ways to instantly look your best.
My favourite mascara (and I’ve tried a lot) is, without doubt, Benefit Roller Lash (£24.50, benefitcosmetics.com). The curved wand has one side that loads up lashes while also curling them, and the other combs through to separate for a flawless finish, adding oomph to the length. It rarely clumps and doesn’t smudge. ‘What mascara are you wearing?’ is the question I am asked the most, and the compliments I’ve received have ensured that Roller Lash is the most on-repeat purchase in my beauty arsenal.
Most women choose mascara when asked for their desert island beauty pick. You’s beauty assistant has compiled the team’s favourite mascaras from the curling one and the tinting one to the eco one and the sellout one
That said, in my search for the best mascaras the beauty aisles have to offer, my head has been turned by some of these alternatives – so much so, several of them have remained in my make-up bag. And, as it has also become increasingly clear how subjective choosing a mascara can be, the YOU team trialled each of these (opposite) to make sure we were all in agreement.
Alice Robertson’s favourite mascara is Benefit’s Roller Lash with a curved wand that loads up lashes while also curling them
THE CURLING ONE
Maybelline Colossal Curl Bounce Mascara, £10.99, superdrug.com.
Maybelline Colossal Curl Bounce Mascara, £10.99, superdrug.com. Promising to deliver curled lashes without the need for an eyelash curler, the curved wand lifts lashes into position
Promising to deliver curled lashes without the need for an eyelash curler, the curved wand lifts lashes into position. The results are impressive. The brush bristles are densely packed to ensure minimal clumping and the formula (literally) holds up without dropping and dries quickly.
THE BIG-VOLUME ONE
Sweed Cloud Mascara, £24, spacenk.com.
Sweed Cloud Mascara, £24, spacenk.com. The flexible rubber brush manages to get into the base of lashes well, and sweeps out any clumps
This uber-cool brand is famed for its false lashes, so I had high hopes for the latest mascara offering. From the name I expected this to give feather-light lashes, but boy does it deliver heavy-hitting volume. The flexible rubber brush manages to get into the base of lashes well, and sweeps out any clumps.
THE TINTING ONE
Deck of Scarlet Big Lash Energy Tinting Mascara, £25, deckofscarlet.com.
Deck of Scarlet Big Lash Energy Tinting Mascara, £25, deckofscarlet.com. The bubbled wand shape may look a little unusual, but it adds a good amount of length and separates lashes very well
The bubbled wand shape may look a little unusual, but it adds a good amount of length and separates lashes very well. Plus the clever formula contains biotin (to help stimulate lash growth) and melitane – a peptide that increases pigmentation in the lashes to gradually tint with regular use.
THE TRENDY ONE
Isamaya Beauty Rubberlash Mascara, £35, selfridges.com.
Isamaya Beauty Rubberlash Mascara, £35, selfridges.com. There’s the luxe packaging and the outstanding wand that coats lashes with wonderfully spiky combs to ensure smooth application
It may be pricey, but there are reasons why beauty aficionados are lusting after make-up artist Isamaya Ffrench’s collection. There’s the luxe packaging and the outstanding wand that coats lashes with wonderfully spiky combs to ensure smooth application. Plus the flexible formula adds serious drama without feeling heavy, sticky or crusty. It’s vegan, too.
THE ECO ONE
Lush Naked Mascara, £10, lush.com.
Lush Naked Mascara, £10, lush.com. This water-activated solid mascara has three wands (for separating, defining and thickening)
This water-activated solid mascara has three wands (for separating, defining and thickening), comes in a recycled card box and is both vegan and cruelty-free. You wet the brush then swirl it inside the mascara ‘tube’. I’m impressed by its highly pigmented colour, mega staying power and eco cred. And you can bypass liquid limits on flights. Result!
THE ULTRA-DEFINING ONE
Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara, £19, spacenk.com.
Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara, £19, spacenk.com. This defines and lengthens without looking too ‘done’
With a bristle brush that combs lashes well, this defines and lengthens without looking too ‘done’. Best for those who prefer fluttery to full pelt. If more volume is your preference, a second coat works wonders, without going flaky or brittle.
THE SELLOUT ONE
Sculpted by Aimee Connolly MyMascara, £17, boots.com.
Sculpted by Aimee Connolly MyMascara, £17, boots.com. The formula adds serious length that outlasts sweaty workouts and weepy movies alike
Following its unveiling in February, this mascara sold out in seven minutes. The Irish make-up artist behind it clearly knows what works, as the wand is curved, with large combs on three sides to ensure no clumps. Plus the formula adds serious length that outlasts sweaty workouts and weepy movies alike, without sliding anywhere it shouldn’t.
THE NATURAL ONE
Eyeko Limitless Mascara, £19, eyeko.co.uk.
Eyeko Limitless Mascara, £19, eyeko.co.uk. The comb-like teeth on the wand separate lashes well for a lush and lengthy finish
One of our testers described this as ‘love at first flick’. The comb-like teeth on the wand separate lashes well for a lush and lengthy finish that can survive meltingly hot weather. This is one for those who prefer definition to dramatic eyes.
THE HIGH-IMPACT ONE
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High in Cosmic Black, £11.49, boots.com.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High in Cosmic Black, £11.49, boots.com. This blacker-than-black formula is powerful stuff – it lengthens, it lifts, it volumises
Another Maybelline mascara has made it into our top picks, and for good reason. This blacker-than-black formula is powerful stuff – it lengthens, it lifts, it volumises. With a flexible brush to reach the tiny lashes in the corner, even stubby ones will pack a punch. Several of our guinea pigs received compliments when wearing it. Plus it has staying power without any crumbling.
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