We all have our own particular makeup routines, am I right? Some of us prefer to keep it simple, forgoing the products a makeup enthusiast would never dream of skipping during that morning ritual—like primer, a full coverage foundation, contour/highlighting powder, eyeliner, the list goes on. Others choose a 15-step ritual, including the products mentioned above and so many more. Whether you’re going for a full-on makeup look or just something simple to help you feel put together, I’ve come to the realization there’s one product that remains a staple in nearly every makeup lover’s routine: mascara. From no-makeup looks to those sultry-night out looks, mascara is the universal go-to product that can drastically change or pull your look together in seconds. It’s eye-opening to realize just one product can dramatically change the size of your eyes, bring out their natural contour, and frame your entire face. Now that’s some pretty powerful stuff.
While the decision to wear mascara is quite a simple task, choosing the right one for your lash needs is not. But don’t worry! You’ve come to the right place because when I say mascara is my “thing,” I truly mean mascara is my “thing.” If I were limited to bringing one makeup product to an island, that product would be mascara. With that, I think it’s necessary to let you in on what I look for in a mascara. My lashes are on the longer side, they happen to grow straight out, and an eyelash curler doesn’t always give reliable results. So I look for a mascara that will, first and foremost, give my lashes a curl. I also look for a mascara that will add volume, drama, and length, which is what most mascara-lovers search for. There’s nothing worse than losing an eyelash to a non-gentle formulation and an applicator that doesn’t glide through the lash. Lastly, I look for good quality mascara with beneficial ingredients that will only enhance the current state of my lashes. By that, I mean I take advantage of the great mascaras on that market that contain ingredients like sunflower oil, cocoa butter, natural waxes, or peptides to help with lash conditioning and encourage lash growth.
There are hundreds of mascaras in pretty little packages on the market that make empty promises about delivering all the key qualities I just mentioned. Luckily, with many trials (and many errors) over the years, I’ve curated a list of my top five favorite mascaras that will give you legendary lashes! Shop my favorite mascaras and read a short review of each below:
Charlotte Tilbury is the Queen of makeup for me. Not only is she an incredible makeup artist, but her products and the concept behind her brand are innovative and extraordinary. Some might say I’m addicted to her products, but that’s a very different story. Charlotte Tilbury’s Full Fat Lashes Mascara was one of the first products I ever purchased from the makeup line, which was about 4 years ago. Ever since then, I’ve purchased countless tubes of this product because it does exactly what it says on the tin – “FULL FAT LASHES: curl, separation, volume, length, and drama.” Need I say more? The 5-groove brush deposits the perfect amount of product and allows you to get very close to the lash line, which helps push your lashes up and out. The 5-tipped bristles catch each individual lash to create the perfect flutter. No matter how short or how fine, your lashes will be coated in glossy black brilliance. After one coat, my lashes are separated, curled and feathery with natural definition. This is a mascara I grab on days when I want a more natural yet full fat lash effect.
2. L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara ($7.29)
L’Oréal Paris is proudly known for delivering quality makeup products at affordable prices. Who doesn’t love a good find from L’Oréal? They offer a variety of mascaras, but I found the Voluminous Original Mascara to work the best. The formulation doesn’t clump upon application, and you can softly build your way up to a naturally looking thick lash. This product is one of celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic’s favorite products to use on client Kim Kardashian. He chooses the color ‘Carbon Black’ for that dramatic lash look. For me, it’s difficult to find a drug store mascara that doesn’t run after a few hours of wearing the product, but I can confidently say this product is long-lasting and delivers volume.
3. Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara ($29.50)
Dior is infamous for delivering some of the most luxurious, trendsetting, and fashionable beauty products to makeup lovers like me. The Iconic Overcurl mascara was gifted to me late last year, and I must say it is unlike anything I’ve tried before. Dior has revolutionized the way I apply my mascara thanks to their curved applicator. This mascara will give you spectacular volume and, most importantly, amazing curling power. What I love most about the curved brush is that I can start from the very bottom of my lash line and push slightly up with the wand for the ultimate curled lashes. I have added this product into my rotation of mascaras for the past 3 months because it has yet to let me down when I need a high quality product to give me that false-lash effect and still have longevity throughout the day. Last Wednesday, I applied two coats of this product at 7am, and it looked just as good as when I washed my face at 9pm. My lashes are also noticeably thicker and hold curl better after using this product. I know it sounds too good to be true, but trust me—it’s not!
4. Bobbi Brown ‘Eye Opening’ Mascara ($30.00)
Bobbi Brown is another holy grail makeup line for me. Bobbi Brown is a contributing factor to my love for makeup. My first ever luxury makeup product I ever purchased was from Bobbi Brown, so you could say I hold a special place in my heart for BB. If you are looking for high drama lashes that are long and full, this ‘Eye Opening’ Mascara is your new best friend. The revolutionary jumbo brush helps fan and push lashes up and out for intensely thick and curled lashes. I can get right at the base of the lash with this brush, which helps create that fluttery wide-eyed effect. You would think such a full-on product would get clumpy, start smudging mid-day, or flake off on to the face, right? That was my initial thought when I first heard about this product, too, but it is undoubtedly long lasting and comes off easily with warm water. Bobbi is famous for her Carbon Black color because it makes “eyes stand out the most.” If Bobbi says it, I believe it.
5. Kevyn Aucoin The Expert Mascara ($29.00)
Last but not least is the Expert Mascara. This mascara was introduced to me by my mother who swore it did something remarkable to her lashes. Naturally, I had to see what all the talk was about. With a few swipes of this product, I instantly knew what she meant. The creamy formula gave my lashes an instant lift and curl, and just like that, I was sold! I have come to realize a mascara comes down to the applicator, and this Kevyn Aucoin brush does not disappoint. It’s two sided – one side is straight and the other side is curved. I use the straight side to separate and intensify my lashes, and I use the curved side to amplify and give drama to my look. This mascara is buildable and the double-sided applicator helps keep the look voluminous without clumps. My lashes seem to be very soft after I use this mascara, and I found out this is due to the Japanese camellia oil used in the formulation. It helps fortify the lashes, making them more elastic and resilient.
I hope you enjoyed this beauty post! Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below.
Liv xx
