7 Tips For Finding The Ultimate Mascara

For Natural Lashes

If you prefer a softer, natural look, try Clinique’s Naturally Glossy Mascara which, thanks to its gel-based formula, gives your lashes a stay-all-day gloss as well as a little help with the length for a healthy finish. If you’re looking to splurge, Chantecaille’s Faux Cils Longest Lash Mascara is worth every penny – one swipe guarantees a lifted and lengthened look but over time, the lash peptides work to encourage growth, meaning you can fake it till you make it.

For Precise Definition

Fed up with your mascara only catching some of your lashes? It could be worth trying a ball-shaped wand such as Givenchy’s Phenomen’Eyes Mascara. Ideal for giving your lashes a defined, hyper-real appearance, the idea behind the ball-tipped brush is to build the lash from root to end, so you can spend time detailing individual areas instead of conventional one-swipe mascaras.

For Luxurious Length

If it’s length you’re after, you’re better of using a fabric brush as opposed to a plastic one. Why? Make-up artists agree it’s trickier to load on the volume with a plastic brush and fabric versions hold product better, meaning it’ll distribute more easily onto your lashes. Some of the best length-defying formulas on the beauty shelves include Chanel’s Inimitable Intense Mascara and NARS Audacious Mascara.

For Fat, Fluffy Lashes

When it comes to volume, bigger really is better. Remember that, as a general rule, how the wand looks is how it will apply. If you’re on a mission to get fuller lashes, look for a brush that fits that description – we love Charlotte Tilbury’s Full Fat Lashes Mascara which delivers a hit of colour along the lash line, pushing your lashes up and out for a full flutter. Just be sure to wiggle your chosen mascara from the roots all the way to the tips of your lashes for a plumping, 360-degree coating.

For Drama

Whether you’re a smoky eye fan or looking for the ultimate night-time mascara, keep your peepers peeled for long, tightly packed bristles to reach every eyelash and instantly build thickness. Try Stila’s Huge Extreme Lash Mascara (a make-up artist favourite), as well as Too Faced’s Better Than Sex Mascara – the genius hourglass brush leaves you with intense, oversized and defined lashes that really do last all day.

For Lower Lashes

The often-neglected lower lashes can get the attention they deserve with a tiny brush like the one found in Surratt Pointilliste Mascara. To get an elongated look at the outer corners, try wiping excess product from the brush tip before using the wand vertically, pulling away from each lash. While you may not be convinced by a different mascara for your lower lashes, the right one can be a fool-proof way to make your eyes look bigger. Eyeko fans should try the brand’s Skinny Mascara, which also does the trick.

For Curled Lashes

The key to curling your lashes with your wand lies in your application – focus on applying more mascara at the roots, as heavy tips can weigh on your lashes and drag down the curl. Specially designed to curl, Kevyn Aucoin’s Curling Mascara has a tapered wand – try using the narrow tip to give the ends of your lashes an extra boost – while Benefit’s Roller-Lash is an industry bestseller. For the ultimate curl, prep your eyes with a lash curler.