The One with all the Mascaras

Hello, my name is Adrienne and I am addicted to mascara.
Having long but flimsy and super straight eyelashes mean I am forever lurking at beauty stands seeking out the newest formula in the hope of thick, luscious lashes. That of course is a pipe dream as most mascaras can only really work with what you already have and in my case the end result is always the same but I remain ever hopeful. Here is what I have been trying out...



The One with all the Mascaras
The One with all the Mascaras

My Favourite Mascara Ever
Big claims I know but if I was to quit trying out new formulas and commit to only one it would be Make Up Forever Smoky Lash Mascara. It adds a little volume but doesn't weight down my lashes, can be applied coat upon coat and doesn't clump and gives a little added length. It is one of the few mascaras I find that holds a curl which is easier said than done with my fine and super straight eyelashes. If you are looking for something very similar and easier to source in the UK I recommend Lancome Hypnose Mascara. The main difference is that Lancome's formula is a little heavier and not at good at keeping a curl.

The One with all the Mascaras
The One with all the Mascaras

The Definer
If you have great natural eyelashes and only want to add a little tint then I recommend MeMeMe Dark & Divine Mascara. The plastic wand acts like a comb so the mascara never clumps, the end result is dark black eyelashes that look very natural. I personally like to use it on my bottom lashes. No.7 Lash Impact Intense Volume Control is a very similar but the brush isn't as good at keeping clumps at bay but on the plus side it does layer on for full impact lashes.

The One with all the Mascaras
The One with all the Mascaras

Va-va Volume
I have two go to mascara's for volume are Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara - a quick drying, albeit a little prone to flaking blacker than black mascara and L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes which is a new addition to my stash.  Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara is one of those mascaras that is a little prone to clumping so two coats is all you will ever really get away with. The good news is that it dries on the lashes instantly and adds oodles of volume and length without becoming to "spidery". I find this to be more of an evening mascara a.k.a the one I reach for when sporting a smoky eye. If you want a more natural take on volume then L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes is the way to go, it approximately doubles the thickness of my lashes but isn't all that great at adding additional length. The good news is that the brush has been designed so the mascara never clumps and L'Oreal is one of the few non-water proof formulas that doesn't flake or smudge on my oily skin. 

The One with all the Mascaras

Brush on False Eyelashes
I kid you not when I say you will find nothing better than Santhilea Magnetic Lash Mascara and Lash Builder, this duo is as close to false eyelashes as you will ever get. No it won't add curl but it does add length for days the down side is that it is of course a brush on fibre top coat which can irritate sensitive eyes. I personally love how long and full my lashes look when in use but will admit that after a few hours the fibres do tend to flake off and land on the under eye. As long as you keep a mirror handy you will be more than okay.

The One with all the Mascaras

The Big Fat Disappointment
There was a time when everyone and their dog was harping on about just how great Tarte's Light's Camera Lashes Mascara was. They claimed it added length, definition and volume in one swoop. Yes it coated my eyelashes in a thick black coat but nobody warned me about how badly it smudged and smeared throughout the day - irritating my eyes along the way. Crispy eyelashes and blood shot eyes are not my idea of a good time sorry!

The One with all the Mascaras

Forget Waterproof Mascara...
You need Clinique Feathering Mascara in your life, nothing quite puts up with humidity like it.
I am prone to mascara smudging, smearing and generally wilting at the first sign of heat and then Clinique feathering came along and changed everything. This mascara was originally created for the balmy conditions of Asia and gently "tubes" the lashes in product so it doesn't flake, smudge or smear. You'd think with such technology that the lashes would be crispy and difficult to remove and yet it has to be the softest mascara I own. My lashes feel natural to touch yet have a gentle black coating which gives the impression of length and volume. As for removing all you need is water - I kid you not, no tugging or pulling or fancy eye make-up remover. It is rather amazing, okay it may come off in the pool but otherwise it is the mascara your summer holiday needs.

Yeah I can't quite believe how many mascaras I own or have tested out recently either...
This post contains a combination of press samples and products purchased with my own money.