Mascara is my favorite makeup step. I feel that it really pulls a look together, or enhances those no-makeup days. With so many options available out there, it can be really difficult to pinpoint what works for you. Depending on what you’re searching for, mascaras can range from providing you with a bold, dramatic, thick lash, to a natural and wispy look. A good mascara can lengthen, volumize, and curl the lashes; it won’t clump, feel crunchy or dry, or make your eyelashes stick together. Today, I will walk you through some of my favorites and which purposes they serve in my makeup routine.
As a side note, it is important for me to disclose that my natural lashes are already quite long and have a slight curl to them. That means that the mascaras I am speaking about may sit differently on people with a different lash type than me. If your lashes tend to grow straight out, I would suggest curling them before application, to really make them pop.
Removing any of these mascaras is super easy. All I do is use my same tried and true Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 Mattifying to remove my makeup. I find it most useful to soak a cotton pad with the product and hold it to your eye for about 30 seconds before gently beginning to wipe it away.
Glossier Lash Slick Mascara
When you want to go for a very natural, barely there look, search no further than the Glossier Lash Slick ($18). We all know that Glossier rules the ‘no makeup-makeup’ scene, and this mascara is no exception. The first thing you’ll notice upon opening the tube is the flexible, plastic-bristle wand. The bristles are very small, and the tube itself does a great job at scraping off any excess product, so you never apply too much at one time. The formula is thin, light, and coats the lashes evenly, but due to the thinness of the formulation, it may take a couple of coats to get the desired effect. It adds length without any clumping or flaking, even after a few layers. The Lash Slick does not smudge throughout the day, as it doesn’t cake up the lashes to any degree. I like to use my Garnier Micellar water to remove my makeup, and this mascara comes off with ease at the end of the day, despite its water-resistant formula.
I love Glossier’s products because they always pride themselves as being a cruelty free brand, environmentally friendly, and hypoallergenic. I find that this mascara doesn’t irritate my sensitive eyes, particularly as a contact lens wearer, which is extremely important to me.
Urban Decay Perversion Volumizing Mascara
Next, and perhaps my most used and absolute favorite mascara is the Urban Decay Perversion Volumizing Mascara ($28). I have used this mascara since I was in high school.
It comes in a stylish looking black tube with purple writing. The applicator is a thick, full-bristled brush, which can make the mascara application a little less precise and potentially messy, if you do not use a steady hand. In addition, the formula is very wet and needs time to dry down before blinking, as it will transfer quite easily, especially if your lashes are longer. This formula is highly buildable, but only to about two layers worth before it risks becoming clumpy. One huge benefit to this mascara is how pigmented it is in comparison to any of its counterparts. After all, it is called the “Bolder, Blacker Mascara.” You can rest assured that each and every lash will be coated, and they will stand out with its incredible pigment. To apply this mascara, I like to wiggle the wand along the base of my lashes, and work my way up to the tips. This assures that I will not get any clumps towards the tips of my lashes, and the fullness will sit at the base. Now, because the formula is so liquidy, this mascara is prone to a bit more smudging if you are doing anything active or sweat-inducing during your day. In the same vein, the liquidity of this formula allows it to be removed with a makeup wipe or micellar water, with very minimal difficulty.
Urban Decay is a certified cruelty free brand, and this mascara is reported to have a vegetarian formulation, as opposed to vegan, since it does include honey extract in its ingredient list. This mascara also includes hairdensyl, which helps support lash growth and marine collagen that will nourish and protect your lashes.
Urban Decay Perversion Mascara is now waterproof, but upon reading several reviews, the formula does not seem to provide the same benefits as the original product.
Milk Makeup KUSH Mascara
Lastly, I want to discuss the Milk Makeup KUSH Mascara ($26). Even though this mascara is not new on the market, I have only recently been experimenting with it. I find the wand’s bristles and thickness to be quite similar to the Urban Decay Perversion mascara, but the formulation is very different. I noticed that the formula is significantly drier than other mascaras that I frequently use, which can promote some clumping if layering the product.
Milk Makeup is both vegan and cruelty free. Something that makes their mascara unique is its use of hemp-derived cannabis seed oil to help condition the lashes. This mascara is also paraben-free, silicone-free, alcohol-free, fragrance-free, gluten-free, and coal tar-free, making it a very clean formula.
The Milk Kush Mascara is very volumizing, but it is prone to smudging slightly under the eyes, particularly if you like to apply mascara to your bottom lashes, like I do. Any mascara that is not innately waterproof is prone to smudging, however.
Drier formula mascaras like the Milk Kush Mascara are characterized by their matte texture, which tends to provide a more natural and subtle look compared to wet, glossy formulas. Drier formula mascaras tend to clump easier, particularly if you apply more than one or two coats. Its thick brush also allows you to coat more lashes in fewer strokes.
National Lash Day, celebrated annually on February 19th, is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the significance of proper lash care. Our eyelashes play an important role in keeping our eyes protected from harmful particles, such as dirt, bacteria, and foreign objects, making it crucial to maintain their health and well-being. Read more about National Lash Day here!
Choosing the right mascara can make a big difference in the appearance and health of your lashes. Whether you’re looking for length, volume, definition, or a combination of all three, there’s a mascara out there that’s perfect for you. When choosing a mascara, consider factors such as brush shape and size, formula, length of wear, color, and ingredients. And don’t forget to read reviews and perform a patch test to make sure that you have a positive experience with your chosen product.
As always, thank you for reading!
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