In short, you should become intimately acquainted with your own lashes before spending money on lash products. Factors to consider include the mascara’s formula, its intended effects, and even the color. Ahead, we break it down.
Mascara Effects
Generally speaking, there are three major promises mascaras make: the ability to volumize, the ability to lengthen, and the ability to curl. Many can deliver on these promises if they’re quality products and if they’re paired with the right lashes.
Generally speaking, there are three major promises mascaras make: the ability to volumize, the ability to lengthen, and the ability to curl. Many can deliver on these promises if they’re quality products and if they’re paired with the right lashes.
Lengthening
Lengthening mascaras, like this one from Estée Lauder, work on both short and full lashes, and help to elongate and separate, explains celebrity makeup artist Marni Burton. Mascaras that contain fibers are particularly good at extending lashes, and some even come as a two-part application process (more on that later). Also, many lengthening mascaras are applied with hard rubber applicators with very short, dense bristles.
Lengthening mascaras, like this one from Estée Lauder, work on both short and full lashes, and help to elongate and separate, explains celebrity makeup artist Marni Burton. Mascaras that contain fibers are particularly good at extending lashes, and some even come as a two-part application process (more on that later). Also, many lengthening mascaras are applied with hard rubber applicators with very short, dense bristles.
Volumizing/Thickening
People with sparse lashes should look for mascaras that add volume, like this CoverGirl pick. Volumizing mascaras often contain silicone and/or minerals — which plump and nourish the lashes — and tend to dry faster, allowing you to build multi-layer volume more quickly.
People with sparse lashes should look for mascaras that add volume, like this CoverGirl pick. Volumizing mascaras often contain silicone and/or minerals — which plump and nourish the lashes — and tend to dry faster, allowing you to build multi-layer volume more quickly.
Curling
“If you have straight lashes, then a curling mascara is best,” says Burton. “Curling-mascara formulas use supple waxes to soften the lashes, and shape them to have a curved dimension.” When putting on curling mascara — or any kind of mascara — apply pressure to the lash bed and press upward. You can also hold the wand on the tips of your lashes and gently press up and back while the mascara dries. This allows the curl to set. A good eyelash curler can also help you create a dramatic, curled effect.
“If you have straight lashes, then a curling mascara is best,” says Burton. “Curling-mascara formulas use supple waxes to soften the lashes, and shape them to have a curved dimension.” When putting on curling mascara — or any kind of mascara — apply pressure to the lash bed and press upward. You can also hold the wand on the tips of your lashes and gently press up and back while the mascara dries. This allows the curl to set. A good eyelash curler can also help you create a dramatic, curled effect.
Mascara Formulations
We touched a little bit on mascara formulas, but let’s dive in a little deeper.
Oil-&-Wax-Based
Not only are oil-and-wax-based mascaras the easiest to find in stores, but this is also the most traditional type. The cosmetics world has branched out, but wax has become a standard for a reason. “Wax is best known for its volume, separating, and blackest black capabilities,” explains Burton — adding that she finds wax mascaras create the most natural, beautiful lashes. She recommends looking for soft waxes, which help create a soft and flexible feel. Hard waxes — found in low-quality and expired mascaras — can stiffen your lashes and cause breakage.
We touched a little bit on mascara formulas, but let’s dive in a little deeper.
Oil-&-Wax-Based
Not only are oil-and-wax-based mascaras the easiest to find in stores, but this is also the most traditional type. The cosmetics world has branched out, but wax has become a standard for a reason. “Wax is best known for its volume, separating, and blackest black capabilities,” explains Burton — adding that she finds wax mascaras create the most natural, beautiful lashes. She recommends looking for soft waxes, which help create a soft and flexible feel. Hard waxes — found in low-quality and expired mascaras — can stiffen your lashes and cause breakage.
Tubing
This is a less common type of mascara, but it’s proven to be a good alternative for those who are sensitive to wax, oil, and fiber mascaras that may flake or smudge into the eyes. Tubing mascara works by encapsulating the entire lash in a polymer-based formula. It gently hardens, protecting your lashes and hyper extending them. It’s also water-resistant, which gives it the green light for beach days. “Tubing mascara can be tricky to remove,” notes Burton. “You don’t want to pull at your lashes too much when cleansing. Use a natural oil to slide mascara right off.”
This is a less common type of mascara, but it’s proven to be a good alternative for those who are sensitive to wax, oil, and fiber mascaras that may flake or smudge into the eyes. Tubing mascara works by encapsulating the entire lash in a polymer-based formula. It gently hardens, protecting your lashes and hyper extending them. It’s also water-resistant, which gives it the green light for beach days. “Tubing mascara can be tricky to remove,” notes Burton. “You don’t want to pull at your lashes too much when cleansing. Use a natural oil to slide mascara right off.”
Fiber
We’ve seen an uptick in fiber mascaras in recent years, like this one from Too Faced. Some are single-tube applications that contain small fibers within the black or brown formula. Others are two- or three-part applications that require you to first apply a base layer, and then swipe on fibers, followed with a sealant layer.
The result is full, dramatic lashes. So dramatic, in fact, that it may look like you’re wearing falsies. Fiber mascaras come with a caveat, though: They require a very deft hand. Poor application can result in dramatically clumpylashes.
We’ve seen an uptick in fiber mascaras in recent years, like this one from Too Faced. Some are single-tube applications that contain small fibers within the black or brown formula. Others are two- or three-part applications that require you to first apply a base layer, and then swipe on fibers, followed with a sealant layer.
The result is full, dramatic lashes. So dramatic, in fact, that it may look like you’re wearing falsies. Fiber mascaras come with a caveat, though: They require a very deft hand. Poor application can result in dramatically clumpylashes.
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