Ok, everyone and their moms know that mascara is a definite must-have in any makeup kit. This wonder product opens up the eyes, transforms lashes from short and sparse to long and full.
It can, however, be a little bit daunting to walk down the beauty aisle in search of that one mascara perfectly suitable for our specific need(s)… there’s just sooooooooo much to choose from. I have tried a whole bunch of mascara which runs the gamut from cheap drugstore brands to more expensive ones sold department stores or Sephora and can honestly say that, for the most part, there isn’t much difference between cheap and high end brands.
Mascara, according to experts and opthamologists, expires after only a few months due to bacteria growth (I believe it’s 2-3 months; that is, if they don’t dry out first) so spending $30 on a single mascara can get quite costly. Really and truly, drugstore brands do deliver! They are just as good, even better in some cases, than the high end brands. Also, keep in mind that the price point is not only determined by the product and brand; costly rent drives up the prices of beauty products!
I don’t like to spend so much money on mascara when I can allocate my money to other products, so I try to stick to the drugstore aisle. But I sometimes wander into the department store and walk out with A mascara and $20-30 less in my account. **sighs** I can’t help it, okay? I have an obsession with mascara. I love shopping around for good mascara.
Personally, I like to use a dark-brown shade for the daytime for a more natural look and dark black for the night time if I feel like going all out (hehe).
So, on that note, here are my ABSOLUTE favourites (in no particular order):
Clinique’s High Definition Mascara
Cost: $18 CAD
You gotta give it to the development team at Clinique for this genius product. The mascara wand is just amazing! First, you apply the mascara with the regular spooly end, then go over them again with the comb to define! The product in the tube itself is great. Not at all clumpy and it lasted me quite a while before it eventually dried out.
My lashes looked great all day long and did not flake.
And it just looks so natural, thanks to the comb half of the wand. I’d have to say that this is one of my all time favourites
Almay’s One Coat Lengthening Mascara
Cost: $5.00 CAD (for a two pack at Walmart)
I bought this recently, but has already become one of my all time faves. It’s formulated with aloe and vitamin B5 so your lashes are conditioned. Furthermore, it is hypoallergenic and ultra gentle! I just LOVE the natural look this mascara gives my lashes. It doesn’t have any funky smell like some mascaras do (ahem, Maybelline Colossal Volum, ahem), and DOES NOT CLUMP!! Definitely one of the best mascara you can get in a drugstore; it’s also one of the cheaper brands! I got mine in a two pack for approx. $5.00 + at Walmart!. LOVE LOVE LOVE!
*If you’re looking for volume, then you may want to try thickening, also by Almay or use a primer prior to add volume.
Dior’s Diorshow Blackout in Kohl Black 099
Cost: $31 CAD (PLUS TAX! UGHH)
This mascara is hugely popular for a reason; it’s fake lashes in a tube. This mascara lengthens, volumizes, defines each lash, and does not clump! It’s extremely long wearing, so you don’t need to worry about reapplying it at all. Also, no need to worry about raccoon eyes here — the formula doesn’t flake one bit. Use this to transform thin lashes into full, lush, long lashes… va va voom! The only downside is the price tag. At $31 (plus the insane taxes we pay here in Ontario), it’s just not economical to use only this mascara, unless you can spare that amount every 3 months. Fortunately, Maybelline’s Colossal Volum and Cover Girl’s Lash Blast deliver near identical results at a fraction of the price.
Maybelline’s Colossal Volum’ Express
COST: Approx. $ 7-9 CAD (depending on where
you get it)
Another great drugstore mascara. I’m digging the bulgy packaging and loud colour combination! And look at that brush! This mascara is formulated with collagen to plump your lashes. And does it plump!
It volumizes and lengthens your lashes without clumping. A huge pitfall of this mascara is the rose scent to it. Don’t get me wrong, I love the scent of roses (am a big fan of rosewater), but this smells downright funky — like the product has gone bad or something. However, much as I like this product, I haven’t bought any recently because Maybelline is purported to test their products on animals.
Clinique’s High Impact Mascara
Cost: $18 CAD
Though this can’t take the place of my beloved High Definition mascara, it is a great product nonetheless. I always get this in a trial size tube included in my GWP (Gift with Purchase), so I’ve never had to actually buy a retail size tube. A couple of swipes is all you really need. It instantly plumps up your lashes, making them appear full, and long. Also, like most of the products that I have already mentioned, this does not clump or flake.
