Let’s face it: Most of us don’t have a lot of time to spend on our beauty routines. The products we use need to be fast and easy to apply, and must make a big impact.
One thing I have learned in my 10-plus years as a makeup artist and beauty industry professional is that if you were to ask makeup artists and consumers the infamous question, “If you could only choose one makeup product to use for the rest of your life, what would it be?” most people would probably choose mascara.
Why? Because even with no other makeup on, mascara instantly makes you look more awake, opens up the eyes, and draws more attention to them, which can also make the angles and dynamics of the face pop.
The problem I hear from a lot of my clients is that when they go to shop for mascaras, the selection is overwhelming. Also, the perfect mascara is different from one person to the next based on what they are looking for. There are a lot of different options: Do you prefer mascara that is volumizing because you have a good amount of length already in your lash, but need more thickness/density? Do you have full lashes but wish for more length and prefer a mascara to define and lengthen? Do you have sensitive eyes (like me) and need mascara that won’t irritate your eyes? Do you have a small budget? Do you want to try something new and exciting?
Well, here are my top five tried-and-true mascaras. All five are bestsellers, makeup artist favorites and cruelty-free.
Kellie’s Top Five Mascaras
For VolumeAs I mentioned above, if you are looking for mascara to really add volume/density and drama to your lashes, this one is for you. The formula does not make the lashes clumpy or give that “spider lash” effect. The amazing, patented 4D Amplifier brush perfectly coats each lash from root to tip. This formula is also vegan.
Just as the name says, this mascara is meant to give your lashes a modern, “fanned out” effect. I have a lot of clients looking for a lighter mascara that gives them a more natural look, and I always recommend Super Fan to them. This mascara is clean-feeling and makes the lashes long, defined, and beautiful. The brush is slim and really makes it easy to get every little lash in the inner and outer corners. Also, a smaller brush allows for more control and less mistakes. Vegan formula.
For a long time, all the clean mascaras I tried were OK, but there was always something lacking. Some smudged easily, and with some, you could barely see that you had any mascara on at all. Ilia Cosmetics has definitely changed that! Although this is listed as a lengthening mascara, it still gives some volume. The uniquely designed double-sided brush allows you to pack on for volume on one side and then use the other side to comb through so there are no clumps, and your lashes are long and defined.
Every time I wear this mascara, I still can’t believe such amazing cruelty-free mascara exists with such a low price tag. It gives you a little of everything—volume, length, and lift. The bristle brush is the perfect size for top and bottom lashes and it wears well. Seriously, it can’t be beat for the price!
This is my newest mascara obsession. I know I’m not alone in having very sensitive eyes, and it’s hard to find a mascara that doesn’t irritate while wearing it or when washing it off. Well, our prayers have been answered, and the answer is tubing mascara. There are a few other tubing mascaras on the market, but this brand recently landed at Sephora and is already making waves—pun intended! Caliray Cosmetics was founded by the same creator of Urban Decay Cosmetics. The formula is volumizing, lengthening, clean, and waterproof, but unlike regular waterproof mascara that is so hard to remove, tubing mascara coats your lashes and forms little tubes on each lash. When it’s time to remove, all you do is massage your lashes using warm water, and it comes off in those same little tubes, with no irritation at all.
