Mascara is a pretty personal beauty product and in many cases, when you find a product you love, you tend to stick to it. But, given the short shelf life of mascara (roughly three to six months), it does give you the opportunity to try new products when your old one is nearing the end of its life.
We love recommendations and are always on the hunt for products people are loving. So, in order to discover a new mascara, we turned to the POPSUGAR team to find out their favourite mascaras. Some of the team have one trusty product that they have long been loyal to, some have made new discoveries and others have up to three on the go.
Whatever your preference is, you’re bound to find a new mascara amongst these stellar recommendations.
Amanda, Publisher: MECCA MAX Wink Ink Super Mascara ($20)
I bought this mascara on a whim because it was affordable (tick) and the packaging is bright, which means I can find it easily when it inevitably rolls around the bottom of my bag. I love that it gives thick, plump lashes but doesn’t become flakey by the end of the day.
Sangeeta, Lifestyle Editor: Maybelline Great Lash Mascara ($12.95)
I use the classic Maybelline Great Lash. It’s affordable, I love the pink and green tube and it makes my lashes pretty thick!
Angela, Commerical Content and Shopping Editor: Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara ($41)
After the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara ($12.47) went viral on TikTok, I was totally sucked in by the hype. Thankfully, it lives up to it. This is one for day and night and is definitely buildable — so you can basically go as dramatic as you want. Plus, it never flakes, even when I accidentally rub my eyes during the day (which I do, often) and the tube lasts forever.
The Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara gives a dramatic lash that’s still wearable every day. Most mascaras smudge on me and this one never budges, plus, it has a classic bristle wand (as opposed to a plastic wand) and I generally find these a little bit easier to use.
In my opinion, the Glossier Lash Slick (US$16) is the perfect subtle mascara for every day. It’s lengthening but doesn’t make your lashes look spidery and gives the effect of freshly tinted lashes. Basically, it makes my lashes look like they’re just naturally great.
Laura, Culture Producer: Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara ($40)
I use Kevyn Aucoin’s The Volume Mascara because it gives the most natural effect I’ve ever found and doesn’t smudge.
Alexandra, Beauty & Wellness Editor: MCoBeauty Xtendlash Mascara ($24)
I tend to swap between a fair few mascaras on a regular basis, but there are also three I come back to again and again. I’m a big fan of tubular mascaras and I can’t go past MCoBeauty’s Xtendlash Mascara, which is budget-friendly and also doesn’t flake or smudge. It makes my lashes look long and fluttery and stays put all day.
For something on the more luxurious end, I love the Westman Atelier Eye Love You Mascara ($83). While it is definitely pricey (like very expensive), the plant-based formula provides volume without crumbling or flaking, which is a huge feat for a ‘clean’ mascara. It lengthens and separates my lashes and leaves them looking naturally long and lush.
I’m also a big fan of the M·A·C Cosmetics Extended Play Gigiblack Lash Mascara ($39) as an everyday product. While I don’t usually reach for waterproof mascaras, I like this formula as it dissolves when it hits warm water — similar to a tubing mascara. The brush is super slimline, so it allows me to coat every lash and leaves my lashes looking dainty and long.
