Unless you have permanent eyelash extensions, chances are you use mascara. If you don't, consider that it's an easy way to add depth to the eyes with literally just a few flicks of a wand.
The variety of mascaras out there are almost endless - from waterproof formulas when you're out playing in ocean waves to volume-boosting numbers that will accent your sexy red dress on a special night out.
There are even colors to choose from - shades of black, black/brown, even gray and violet. The fad with bright blue, purple and green mascara has fortunately gone by the wayside over the past few years. In its place are classier colors like slate, auburn and plum.
With so many mascaras to choose from, and so many cosmetics companies touting their brand as best, it's easy to get confused. So if your current mascara is drying out and it's time for a new tube, check out these faves. Who knows - maybe a new lash look is in order.
Lash Lengthening Mascaras
If you want your lashes to have more pop, but a bold and thick look isn't for you, lash lengthening mascara may do the trick. Most brands give the appearance of longer lashes with a 2-step system of primer and colored coat. While some lash-lengthening mascara brands tout conditioners, to get mascara that actually helps lashes grow you'll have to shell out more than the average $10 to $15.
For Longer-looking Lashes, Try: Jane Iredale Longest Lash Thickening and Lengthening Mascara
Sea minerals condition lashes to prevent flaking, clumping or breaking. While cellulose fibers coat to give lashes a rich, lustrous look. Tapered brush aids in application and separates lashes. A unique facet of this lash-lengthening mascara is the brand's innovative shades, like espresso and dark auburn. it comes in a squeezable tube.
Volumizing Mascaras
Volumizing mascaras are set apart according to the boost they give your lashes. Whether you have thin lashes or just love the intensity of thick full eyes, volumizing mascaras typically include polymers and wax products. These serve to make lashes appear thicker.
For Voluminous Lashes, Try: NARS Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara
Like all the mascaras in the NARS Larger Than Life Line, the volumizing variety contains Vitamin E and macadamia nut oil to create a smooth finish with luxurious results. The volumizing mascara comes with a square brush to provide lashes with lots of color. Honeycomb bristles aid in even distribution to prevent clumps.
Waterproof Mascaras
Sometimes, waterproof mascara is a necessary evil. You may only need waterproof mascara for a jaunt to the pool, but some people, like female athletes, need it on a regular basis. For those with year-round allergies, waterproof mascara is probably your safest bet, lest you get caught with trademark black lines streaming down your face after your 10th sneeze in an hour.
There are a few things you should look for with waterproof mascara, which can be especially resilient to eye makeup remover and prone to flaking. To avoid these mishaps, look for waterproof mascara that has a wax blend and is resin-free and hypoallergenic. Check to see if the brand you're interested in has been tested by an eye doctor.
For Trouble-Free Waterproof Coverage, Try: Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara
Touted on the cosmetic company's website as "America's No. 1 mascara," this puppy won the 2007 Best Waterproof Mascara Award from InStyle. Its formula is meant to double lashes as you smooth it on, which provides a full look that is strikingly free of troublesome clumps. This mascara is safe for you contact lenses wearers out there, and it's hypoallergenic.
Curling Mascaras
When looking for curling mascara, the brush you choose is just as important as the brand. The brush's curved shape helps cover the whole lash when you apply the mascara. Be sure to use some firmness to best fit the brush between your lashes. If your lashes are straight or don't have much shape, a curling mascara may help provide the presence you want, minus that scary eyelash-curling contraption. Look for a mascara formula that's not too thick - since the brush goes between each strand of lashes, you don't want to increase your risk for clumping now, do you?
For Expertly Curled Lashes, Try: Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara
This mascara also volumizes while it curls. The arched wand lifts all lashes to prevent smudges or globs, and helps prevent pulling or tearing for a smooth application process. The result: long, lustrous lashes with bold volume.
False Eyelash Mascaras
A relic from the 50s and 60s no longer, false eyelashes have been made famous in recent years. Whether as the crowning jewel to a red carpet look or a wardrobe mainstay (think Kardashians), falsies are a fun way to liven up your lash look. But for those of us on the go, without the time for glue, there is a way to get that falsh lash effect. Look for mascaras that specifically aim to give the appearance of false eyelashes by plumping lashes and fanning them outward.
For the Faux Lash Look, Try: Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effect Faux Cils Luxurious Mascara
One of the mascara's features includes its brush; with nylon fibers of different sizes that lend to the fake lash effect without the commitment. The mascara is made of a triple film complex that coats, conditions and maintains your lash look for hours.
Innovative Mascaras
Whether this type of mascara's benefits lies within its brush, bold use of color, or unique formula, expect these mascaras from high class makeup designers to have a higher price tag than your typical products. This is for mascara mavens who eye the trends and want the biggest, best cosmetics out there.
For a Smoldering, Foolproof Look, Try: Givenchy Phenomen' Eyes Mascara
The most interesting aspect of this mascara is by far its brush. This brush is rounded at the top and has bristles that stick out every which way. At first glance, you'd think it an eyelash disaster, but the product has attracted a mass of followers. The brush is designed to pull mascara all the way from the base of the lash to the tips, can be used for any eye shape, and can even curl lashes.