With the proliferation of new mascara wands in stores, how do you choose the right one for you? Do you crave long and defined, curled and lifted or voluminous and full lashes? These new mascaras claim to achieve each of those desired effects with new, futuristic wands armed and ready.
I decided to put each one to the test. Here I have chosen five mascaras, a mix of drugstore brands and Sephora buys, to try out and share with you the results.
WHICH MASCARA WANDS ARE RIGHT FOR YOU
1. Plumpify blast PRO mascara from L’Oreal: This one has the coolest looking wand! A bright red silicone brush reminiscent of those swirling double helix drawings of DNA you saw in Biology class. The tip ends in a spiky ball which is meant for hard to reach lashes. This mascara claims to plump and lift lashes so for this trial and the others following, I decided to fo go using an eyelash curler (when I do a makeup I always use an eyelash curler to lift lashes and open up the eye.) Verdict: It does a great job at lifting the lashes and defining them adding some length. The spiky ball tip on the mascara wand does help to get to hard to reach lashes and is great for bottom lashes. Not much volume and with a thicker wand I found it hard to get really to the base of the lashes. Good everyday mascara.
2. Roller Lash from Benefit: This mascara claims to lift and curl your lashes making the need for a lash curler obsolete. It also claims to lengthen the lashes and provide a long lasting curl. It has a thin curved silicone wand. Verdict: It lifted and curled my lashes without an eyelash curler! My lashes were definitely lengthened and I felt I had a wider eyed look, great for those mornings where coffee doesn’t work! My eyelashes felt a bit stiff, but I think that is the key to it being long lasting. Great for stubborn straight lashes and eyes needing a lift.
3. The Falsies Push Up Drama from Maybelline: Like the name says, this mascara claims to push up lashes, or lift and provide dramatic volume. I am very intrigued by the wand that has a u-shape push-up cup between the bristles ( a Ph.D. in mascara wand design anyone?) Verdict: Definitely lengthens lashes and thickens somewhat but tends to be clumpy. It is best to brush through the lashes with a lash brush after applying and between coats. It also does push up the lashes and so curling them before hand wasn’t necessary. Great inexpensive evening out mascara.
4. They’re Real from Benefit: Benefit has a thing for mascara, with their Roller Lash and this mascara, they are ready to corner the market. This one claims to do everything, lift, lengthen, curl, and volumize with their specially designed wand. Verdict: This one gave me the most volume and the end of the wand also has a spiky ball to get hard to reach lashes. I really liked this mascara for its ability to lengthen and add volume. I would use this in my pro kit. This is a great all around mascara.
5. Pumped Up! Colossal from Maybelline: I’m really excited about this one; colossal like huge lashes I’m hoping. It’s also waterproof which is great for brides and for lashes that don’t hold curl very well. This one is the only wand that is traditional in the sense that it is metal with bristles instead of silicone. Verdict: The wand is colossal! The largest one of the group, so if your have small eyes or prefer a thinner wand this isn’t for you. It does deposit enough product to give thicker lashes and isn’t clumpy even after several coats. I like that it is waterproof, but I would curl the lashes first. Great all around waterproof mascara.