TESTED: MASCARA
We tested the top 5 rated mascaras across the internet. Will they live up the hype?
METHOD
Each mascara was tested 3 times
Each product was applied using 1 coat in 2 applications (except Too Faced)
Removal of product was done with the Erase Your Face cloth and warm water
TOP PICKS
#1: Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Brag Mascara
#2: Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
For me, these almost tie. They are both great with the look they give. Which is your favorite?
Left: Anastasia. Right: Essence
MASCARA REVIEWS
#5: Better Than Sex Volumizing Mascara: $26.00
Overall Score: 5
EWG Score: 4
Review
Brush: Firm, hour-glassed shape brush
First coat: Natural, soft look. Volume is more towards lash line, minimal length.
Second application: Did not provide much difference in the volume or length.
Second coat, third application: I saw an increase in volume, but not much length added.
Overall: Disappointing. This gives a very soft, natural look. It's hard for me to justify paying $26 a bottle for results that any drugstore mascara a third of the cost can deliver.
Bonus: Vegan. Cruelty free.
Removal: 22 seconds
Volume: 5
Length: 6
Clumps: 1
Will I buy? No
Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Synthetic Beeswax, Paraffin, Glyceryl Stearate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Butylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax/Oryza Sativa Bran Cera, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Polybutene, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Copernicia Cerifera Cera/Cire De Carnauba, Aminomethyl Propanol, Glycerin, PVP, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Polyester-11, Cellulose, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Propylene Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Acacia Seyal Gum Extract, Sodium Phosphate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Dextran, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Black 2 (CI 77266).
#4: Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara: $24.00
Overall Score: 6
EWG Score: 3
Review
Brush: Firm
First coat: Minimal length and volume, some clumping.
Second coat: Volume and length increased, but so did the clumping.
Overall: Disappointing. From the advertisements, I expected to have crazy length with this mascara, but it did not deliver. The only pro for me is that the removal is very easy and gentle on your eyes.
Bonus: Paraben, sulfate, cruely, and phthalate free. Vegan. No synthetic fragrance.
Removal: 30 seconds
Volume: 5
Length: 6
Clumps: 4
Will I buy? No
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer, Alcohol Denat., Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Stearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Tromethamine, Palmitic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Laureth-21, Pvp, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Methylglucamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium Edta, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Neofinetia Falcata Callus Culture Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Lecithin, Iron Oxides (Ci 77499)
#3: Maybelline Sky High Washable Mascara: $8.98
Overall Score: 7
EWG Score: -
Review
Brush: Flexible
First coat: Very smooth application, fanned lashes, volume, and length.
Second coat: Volume and length increased. Some clumping, but overall, lashes were fanned and separated.
Overall: Good overall mascara. Provides great length and volume. My only issue is that the results were not consistent across applications.
Removal: 25 seconds
Volume: 6
Length: 7.5
Clumps: 2
Will I buy? No
Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Propylene Glycol, Styrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Polyurethane-35, Cera Alba/Beeswax/Cire Dabeille, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Peg-200 Glyceryl Stearate, Ethylenediamine/Stearyl Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera Cera/Carnauba Wax/Cire De Carnauba, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Ethylene/Va Copolymer, Alcohol Denat., Paraffin, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Butylene Glycol, Rayon, Xanthan Gum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Disodium Edta, Myristic Acid, Tetrasodium Edta, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Potassium Sorbate, Silica, Soluble Collagen, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Trisodium Edta [+/- May Contain / Peut Contenir CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499/Iron Oxides, CI 77007/Ultramarines, Mica, CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide, CI 75470/Carmine, CI 77288/Chromium Oxide Greens, CI 77742/Manganese Violet, CI 77510/Ferric Ferrocyanide.
#2: Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara: $4.99
Overall Score: 8
EWG Score: 2
Review
Brush: Firm, fiber brush
First coat: lashes were fanned, lengthened, and voluminous.
Second coat: Length and volume doubled. Mild clumping, so I wouldn't do another coat.
Overall: Very impressed with the length and volume it added. This does not give a natural look, but if volume and length is what you want, this is it.
Bonus: Cruelty free, gluten free, paraben free.
Removal: 25 seconds
Volume: 7
Length: 7
Clump: 3
Will I buy? Yes
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Cera Alba (Beeswax), Paraffin, Glyceryl Stearate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Butylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Polybutene, Aminomethyl Propanol, Stearic Acid, Carnauba (Copernicia Cerifera) Wax, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Dimethicone, Polyester-4, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides).
#1: Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Brag Mascara: $25.00
Overall Score: 8.5
EWG Score: -
Review
Brush: Firm, hourglass shaped brush
First coat: Very smooth application, minimal volume and length, no clumps, very natural looking.
Second coat: Volume and length increased. Lashes were nice and separated.
Overall: Great mascara for a natural look. It gives you length and volume while still keeping your lashes soft and clump free.
Bonus: formulated without parabens, gluten and phthalates.
Removal: 20 seconds
Volume: 7
Length: 7
Clumps: 2
Will I buy? Yes
Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Paraffin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Glyceryl Stearate, Synthetic Beeswax, Stearic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Polybutene, Ozokerite, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Copernicia Cerifera Cera/Cire De Carnauba, Glycerin, Cellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearyl Stearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyester-11, Pvp, Disodium Edta, Aminomethyl Propanol, Phenoxyethanol, Black 2 (CI 77266) (Nano), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Ultramarines (CI 77007).
Which is your favorite?
Too Faced Anastasia Essence Sky High Thrive
What's your go to mascara?
Leave a comment below letting me know your thoughts, recommendations, or requests.
*Amazon links are affiliate links and I do get a small commission off purchases. Thank you for your support*
Sources:
<https://www.ulta.com/lash-princess-false-lash-effect-mascara?productId=xlsImpprod12741009>
https://www.ulta.com/lash-brag-volumizing-mascara?productId=pimprod2014182>
https://www.ulta.com/lash-sensational-sky-high-mascara?productId=pimprod2020260>
https://www.ulta.com/better-than-sex-volumizing-mascara?productId=xlsImpprod5530007>