Star Review: The best mascaras

The number of mascaras is overwhelming and it can be quite difficult when it comes to choosing your perfect one.  You get mascaras that condition, extend, thicken, darken, volumise, curl and more.  But the one you choose, depends ultimately, on what effect you’re after.

I recently had the fabulous task of testing out 15 different mascaras, from various brands including Rimmel London, Clinique, Estee Lauder, Bobbi Brown, Benefit, Almay and Elizabeth Arden.  I tried them all out to bring you the ultimate mascara review.  I tested them based on their claim and my verdict after trying each one out…

Here is what I found, be sure to scroll down to the end and click on my link for my top 5 choices from this review.

1.  Estee Lauder
Double Wear Zero-Smudge Lengthening Mascara

The Claim: Extreme wear. Extraordinary length. Unstoppable power-now the smudge-free lash look you see in the morning is the look you keep all day.

My Verdict: A very quick drying mascara that does exactly what it claims.  I made my lashes thicker and longer, separating each lash, making them look fuller and more gorgeous.  In addition, it did last for a good 12 hours.

2.  Almay
One Coat nourishing mascara triple effect

The Claim: Get fuller, longer, curvier lashes in one coat for 100% pure impact. The patented triple action gel formula instantly builds, extends and sculpts your lashes. Triple Impact Brush wraps mascara evenly around every lash in one smooth application. Gently formulated with aloe and vitamin B5 to help keep lashes conditioned. Extra gentle, non irritating formula.

My Verdict: I literally put only one coat on and this mascara and can safely say you get the longer, curvier, fuller lashes from just one coat.  Although I could personally do with more volume – So I couldn’t help to add three coats.  It does not smudge and I didn’t notice any clumps either, plus it dries very quickly.  A perfect mascara for on the go beauty when you don’t have time to spend hours in front of the mirror.

3.  Estee Lauder
Sumptous Bold Volume™ Lifting Mascara

The Claim: Lift each lash with big, bold, weightless volume.

This is a brand new mascara that was recently launched by the house of Estee Lauder in January 09.  I took the brown one for a test drive and love the feathered effect it gives my lashes, while at the same time making them look pretty natural.  The brown finishes off the lashes without making them look overdone, so if you’re a minimal makeup kind of gal or just want a polished day look this is the mascara for you.

Completely smudge free, very natural and very filling.

4.  Rimmel London
Extra Super Lash Lash Building Mascara

The Claim: A “must have” everyday beauty essential. Allows for the building of unlimited coats of mascara on the lashes, whilst maintaining perfect lash separation and definition, without clumping or sticking. Get ready for an eye opening experience!

My Verdict: For thick, black volume this mascara is perfect.  To test out the claim of “building unlimited coats” I put about 10 coats of mascara on and while my lashes did start to stick towards the last two coats, it managed eight coats of va-va-volume.  This mascara gives the lashes a really nice “winged” effect, resulting in opened out eyes.

5. Rimmel London
Volume Extend Mascara

The Claim: Up to 15x more volume. Up to 50% more length & curve. Lash extending & building mascara. Go to great lengths, unleash your lashes. Prolong them with the unique LashExtend TM white primer. En-wrap them evenly and smoothly, from root to tip. For dramatic length and curl – In 2 simple steps.

My Verdict: Although my lashes clumped slightly when applying, I did manage to blend the clumps easily.  This one took a bit  longer to dry, but with the DRAMA, lush lashes you get from it, it’s worth waiting a few minutes for your mascara to dry.  Now I need Volume and length, so this mascara worked well to give me bolder lashes.  I almost felt like I was wearing falsies with this amount of volume.

6.  Benefit
BAD Gal Lash

The Claim: With a big, bad brush and a rich, black formula, BADgal lash mascara is like wearing a set of false eyelashes without the glue.

My Verdict: Although this mascara didn’t give me much volume for my fine lashes, it added loads of length and feathered out my lashes, making them appear fuller (not thicker).  It also opened the lashes out and out of all the mascaras tested in this review, this one does indeed have a big, bad brush.  Its also clump and flake free, easy to apply and long lasting.

7. Rimmel London
Magnify’eyes

The Claim: Ultra-extending, eye opening mascara. Unique Eye Magnifier applicator. Body boosting formula for 70% more vertical lashes and outstanding lash lift. Give them an eyeful!

My Verdict: After the second coat I could really see the lashes lifting, and it also gave them a nice curled effect.  I used the tip of the brush to wing out my lashes the end and it worked beautifully.  It didn’t do that much in terms of lengthening my lashes, but the curled effect makes a nice impact.  My lashes were black-black right to the tips with no clumps.  Does require a bit of a “clean up” afterwards.

8. Elizabeth Arden
Ceramide Lash Extending Treatment

The Claim: Our first-ever mascara infused with Ceramide Triple Complex and Keravis™ to help lengthen, define and revitalize lashes. Lashes are longer and fuller, giving eyes a younger, more vibrant look. Won’t smudge, flake or clump.

My Verdict: This mascara is really, really great.  After the first coat I was not that impressed, but after the third coat my lashes went “wow”.  They got thicker, fuller and curled slightly outwards making my eyes appear more “open”.  When I looked in the mirror all I noticed was fabulous, thick, black and long lashes.

Its clump and smudge free, and although it volumises, you don’t get that “feathered effect” with this one, but I guess you can’t have it all.

9. Bobbi Brown
Everything Mascara

The Claim: An everyday essential for lashes. Bobbi Brown Everything Mascara has an innovative, all-in-one formula that lengthens, thickens, and defines – without smearing, smudging or clumping. With special conditioning and strengthening ingredients for beautiful, luscious lashes.

My Verdict: Does exactly as it says, thickening and enhancing the lashes, in a natural way that is perfect for everyday wear.  It’s smudge free, clump and flake free as well.

10. Rimmel London
Glam’eyes Mascara

The Claim: Seductive Volume. Turn heads. New VolumFlex Brush styles lashes for sensational volume and instant separation. Ultra supple elasto-bristles groom each lash, lacquering them from root to tip for a spectacular 7 x more lash intensity.

My Verdict: This mascara is fabulous because it adds volume and length, but still leaves your lashes with that “feathered” look.  So, it makes the lashes thicker and because each lash is nicely separated, it makes them appear fuller too.   The brush is very different, it has lots of fine bristles which help to give it the “effect” and was totally clump free.

11. Clinique
Naturally Glossy Mascara

The Claim: Lengthens, glosses, enhances. Lashes stay silky, pliant, clump and flake-free through multiple coats.

My Verdict: This is a pretty mascara for natural looking lashes that just finish off your day look.  It does add a bit of length, although not drastic, and glosses with nice feathery effect.  My lashed did indeed look and feel silky and the formulae is flake and clump free.  A great mascara if you want to pile on the coats to add volume and it really doesnt clump or flake even after a few coats.

12. Clinique
Long pretty lashes mascara

The Claim: Long, lush, soft to the touch lashes. Take lashes to new lengths for the softest, prettiest look imaginable. An exclusive new formula extends lashes up to 30%-without flaking or clumping. For full, feathery, natural-looking lashes that go on forever.

My Verdict: Separates each lash perfectly without adding any clumps.  Although this mascara did not add major volume to my lashes, it definitely gave them more of a natural, longer look.  I like how it gets to each lash separately and how easily it “wings” out on the edges for a nice polished look.  Quick drying, smudge free. I think I would definitely feel safe applying this one without a mirror!

13. Rimmel London
Volume Flash Mascara

The Claim: Instant Volume thickening mascara

My Verdict: This mascar is great for adding loads of volume.  With only 2 coats, my lashes went from short and simple to bright and bold.  I really love the way it curls the lashes, which means you don’t need to curl them afterwards.

14. Clinique
Lash Power Mascara

The Claim: One stroke and these pretty lashes last through rain, sweat, humidity, tears. Yet the formula removes easily with warm water. Unique brush reaches and beautifully lengthens even the tiniest lashes. Ophthalmologist tested, too.

My Verdict: This mascara finishes off the lashes nicely by covering each lash without adding clump or too much volume, thereby giving them a natural, feathered effect.  The “one stroke” claim works wonders, and lashes are instantly prepped, although I found two coats really worked well.  To test the theory that the formula lasts, after allowing it to dry for about 5 or so minutes, I rubbed my lash vigoursly and the was quite impressed to see that the mascara stayed put.  I also dipped my finger in water and rubbed and it still lasted

15. Charlie by Revlon
Eyelash Mascara Conditioning

The Claim: Pro-vitamin B5 and Keratin condition and nourish lashes.

My Verdict: Although this mascara didn’t change my lashes much, other than make them appear darker, it did make them feel soft and cared for, therefore being true to its claim.

Find out which of these 15 mascaras made my top 5