Whatโs up, everybody! Iโve been looking for a very good mascara for quite some time now, and my search for the best and brightest ended up being an overwhelming one. With all these latest lengthening and volumizing mascaras being released in the market lately, Iโd say thereโs really a lot of contenders out there. I pretty much tested a bunch of mascaras to see which one is a stand out for me. Given the fact that I donโt have a lot of lashes, plus theyโre short, stiff, and straight, finding the one thatโll work for me has been quite challenging. Nevertheless, I found some that are really really great, and the difference among them can be very subtle. Letโs see which mascaras made the cut.
Lancome Hypnose Drama Instant Full Body Volume Mascara (0.22 oz: $27.50) โ This has a slightly curved brush, a bit like an S-shape. The brush itself can be a blessing and a curse. Itโs a blessing because its shape can reach and coat the inner corners of the eye which has tiny lashes in it, so itโs quite accurate in that sense. However, its S-shaped brush can also be a challenge as it doesnโt curl the lashes well. Formula-wise, itโs more of a lengthening mascara as opposed to being volumizing.
LโOreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara ($9.99) โ This is probably the best affordable mascara you can find nowadays. Itโs waterproof, smudge-proof, gives a decent volume and lengthening effect on the lashes, but itโs not that dramatic. It does a good job of evenly separating my lashes with decent volumization, but it doesnโt give me that big fat lashes that I want. However, this is worth looking into if youโre on a tight budget.
Benefit BADgal Bang! Volumizing Mascara (Mini/0.14 oz: $12, Standard size/0.30 oz: $24) โ This latest release from Benefit has a nice edgy packaging that looks very unique. This is a good everyday mascara if you donโt care that much about extreme volumization and lengthening effect but prefers a more lightweight substance. I find the formula to be quite wet but not necessarily smudgy, it just takes a while to dry. Itโs a 36-hour water-resistant mascara so it might be difficult to remove for some, but for me, itโs not that bad really. However, this particular mascara has quite a flimsy brush that a lot of us may not be used to, and can be a turn off for some.
Sisley Paris Mascara So Intense Fortifying Volumizing ($67) โ This is probably the most interesting and most unique mascara Iโve ever owned. As you can see in the photo below, the brush looks like no other mascara brush before. It is shaped like a comb with very very tiny bristles. Iโve always been skeptical for its volumizing ability, given its tricky brush shape of course, and also for its exorbitant price. True to my suspicion, and in all honesty, this isnโt the best volumizing mascara in my experience, that is unless of course, if you already have long natural lashes. However, this mascaraโs formula and brush applicator really lengthen the lashes and is the best at it. Since the brush itself is very fine, it can really reach into corners and can coat lower lashes, so itโs very accurate. The formula is very long-wearing too and it can withstand extreme humidity without any issue. I took this on a trip to one of the most humid places on earth, and my lashes remained long and coated but not necessarily curled or volumized.
Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara (0.44 oz: $23) โ I like this mascara a lot. Itโs one of the best in volumizing and lengthening lashes without any fuss. It doesnโt smudge, itโs long-wearing, it delivers, it works, and I really donโt have any issues with it, except that itโs getting harder and harder to find. I donโt know if itโs because itโs always in demand or that itโs gonna be discontinued soon. But for me, this is one of the best mascaras in the market that wonโt disappoint anyone. Itโs similar to Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, and itโs great for anyone with sensitive eyes and for those contact lens wearers.
Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara (Mini/0.21 oz: $14, Standard size/0.32 oz: $26) โ Iโm actually quite surprised at how much I love this mascara. Itโs very volumizing and the formula is also very reliable. In fact, this mascara is at the top of my list as being one of the best. It gives big dramatic long lashes that last for hours and hours without smudging. I canโt complain.
Lancome Monsieur Big Mascara (Mini/0.13 oz: $12, Standard size/0.33 oz: $25) โ This is probably my most favorite Lancome mascara as of the moment, and itโs also one of the best mascaras Iโve ever tried. Itโs really very volumizing and very lengthening, itโs indeed true to its name. The formula is creamy and it coasts the lashes well, making them big, dramatic, and long. The effect lasts for hours without smudging or clumping. No wonder itโs Allureโs Best of Beauty 2017. Oh, and I love the cute pink accent on its packaging too.
Chanel Le Volume Waterproof Mascara (0.21 oz: $32) โ Iโve had a few samples of this mascara before, but I just kinda ignored them because the formula looks goopy and clumpy around the brush. At first, I thought I may have just gotten some bad batch of samples, but one day I decided to try one of them and I was actually impressed at home dramatic and volumized my lashes looked. The formula is not really clumpy and smudgy once you apply it on the lashes. In fact, it actually helps to coat each strand of my lashes in order to make it look thick and full. The result is one super volumized dramatic lashes that makes you look very awake.
YSL The Shock Volumizing Mascara (0.28 oz: $29) โ This mascara truly gave me the shock. Itโs the best-scented mascara Iโve ever tried, and it really smells good. Apart from that, itโs also very volumizing, lengthening and overall very good in terms of performance and wear time. I like that it curls the lashes very well and you only need one coat to get that very dramatic lash look. This is really awesome and I truly recommend it.
Tom Ford Waterproof Extreme Mascara (0.27 oz: $45) โ This mascara is one of the reasons why I love Tom Fordโs makeup products. Itโs a very reliable, all-around perfect mascara when it comes to volumizing and lengthening the lashes. It doesnโt smudge, itโs not runny, itโs easy to remove, it doesnโt flake, it withstands humidity, itโs basically perfect, but itโs expensive of course, so if youโre looking for a very good high-end mascara, you wonโt be disappointed with this. For me, this is a holy grail. Hallelujah!
Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara (Mini/0.17 oz: $12, Standard size/0.27 oz: $23) โ This is the mascara that started my love for mascaras. Itโs the best in volumizing, lengthening, and complete lash drama. Itโs also great for Asians, or for anyone who doesnโt have a lot of lashes because it really gives you that extra volume to make your eyes look wide awake and poppinโ. This can be difficult to remove though, but the pink tube which is the non-waterproof version is a bit easier to take off and it is long-wearing as well. Anyhow, this mascara doesnโt smudge, itโs super reliable, and itโs my favorite mascara of all time.
Bottom line, I am in love with all the mascaras reviewed here and Iโve been alternately using them because itโs just so hard to choose just one product as being the best. What was once a quest to find the perfect mascara ended up of me collecting some great products with reliable formulas. If I have to recommend some, Iโd say, if youโre looking for a very very affordable and reliable mascara, go with the LโOreal Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara, but if you want a very good high-end one, get the Tom Ford Waterproof Extreme. Other than that, you wonโt be disappointed with Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, YSL The Shock, Chanel Le Volume Waterproof, Lancome Monsieur Big, Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir, and Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara.