By Katie Martlew
With a wave of a magic bristled wand, our lashes can be transformed from lacklustre to lust-worthy right before our very eyes. Literally. These days, it’s the formula and brush design that maketh the mascara, and with new breakthrough ingredients such as ‘spherical wax particles’ and ‘sculpt-fix gels’ plus all matter of new and improved brush designs, it means that a little more detective work is required when selecting the perfect new mascara to pledge your beauty allegiance to.
Whether you seek length, definition, volume, curl, or all of the above- we bring you our top 10 ‘eye-popping’ picks of the best mascaras on the market:
For instantly plumped up voluminous lashes, try….
1. Diorshow Extase
“Extase was inspired by the backstage world of adrenaline and excess- combining a brush with an exclusive couture design endowed with extravagant thickening power.” The breakthrough new formula contains three star active ingredients: Metamorphosis Powder to plump and increase the volume of lashes by 50% upon contact, Black Pearl Pigments that create a real 3D volume effect, and SR38, which acts like a skincare product to help coat, densify, smooth and repair lashes day after day.
What we say:
Oooh la di dah! Love the super plumped up and dramatic effect of this mascara. Sexy, bold and really show stopping. No doubt also habit forming. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!
RRP $52 Available from selected David Jones and Myer stores. www.beauty.dior.com
For the fullest, darkest lashes, most smoking lashes try…2. Bobbi Brown Extreme Party Mascara
The Extreme Party Mascara is the first ever all day layer-able mascara, which means each new coat you apply remains as clean and buildable as the first, without clumping or flaking. The more layers you build, the bolder your lashes! Enriched with vitamins A, C and E, your lashes will be soft and separated as well as dramatically longer and fuller.
What we say:
Bobbi Brown called it her “boldest mascara ever”. And as someone with super fair eyelashes, I must say the results are very bold and beautiful. Even my hard-to-reach lashes are much more visible, due to the perfectly shaped, tapered brush. I didn’t attend any extreme parties wearing this mascara, but I decided it would be my new everyday mascara, because I want my eyelashes to look this good day in, day out.
RRP $48.00. Available from selected David Jones and Myer stores. www.bobbibrown.com.au
For powerful, fine-tuned, long and lush lashes, try…3. Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara
The secret lies in the powerful Microfil technology. The formulation contains Micro-waxes combined with a ‘fineness agent’, which allows for a smooth application, and creates ‘airy’ volume for lashes. The sculpt-fix gel curves and structures the lashes, while the ‘target-smooth’ agents sheathe each lash and create highly defined, voluminous lashes from root to tip.
What we say:
An excellent early romance mascara. Not too heavy, not too light. Sexy and flirtatious lashes without looking overdone. This is one of those beauty weapons that makes you look like you are naturally blessed with perfect lashes.
Available in a Steel Black, and limited edition shades Gun Metal Grey, Brown Copper and Rouge Iron. RRP $55.00 Available exclusively at selected David Jones stores nationwide.
For dramatically extended lashes from corner to corner, try…4. Max Factor Lash Extension Effect
A bold false lash effect is created by lengthening each and every lash; including the tricky corner lashes by up to 70%. Nice. The unique tapered brush design features bristles that are perfectly positioned to be compatible with every lash shape. Thanks to the length of the brush, the middle lashes are reached, and the rounded extension at the tip of the brush picks up tricky corner lashes. The clever brush design creates additional reservoirs of Max Factor’s Liquid Lash Extension Formula, which helps give extra coats to the lashes that need it most.
What we say:
Available in Black, Black-Brown and Deep Blue. RRP $23.95. 1800 181 040 or visit www.maxfactor.com.au
For dramatically lengthened, defined and water-resistant lashes, try…5. Laura Mercier Long Lash Mascara
The perfectly engineered brush is the secret lash-lengthening weapon of the Laura Mercier Long Lash Mascara. The Petit Giant Brush grabs and stretches even those thin, short hard to reach lashes by scooping them up and individually lengthening each lash. The soft creamy formula is also longwearing, water resistant and smudge proof, while also being free of clumps, fibres and parabens.
What we say:
A very elegant and versatile mascara. No Tammy Faye Baker effect here. Classy yet still packs a visual punch and like all Laura Mercier products is dependable and close to perfect formulation.
Laura Mercier Long Lash Mascara is available in Black. RRP $50.00. Available at selected Myer and David Jones stores and www.adorebeauty.com.au
For expertly separated and super stretched out lashes, try…
6. Clinique High Lengths Mascara
High Lengths Mascara is Clinique’s most lengthening and lifting mascara to date. The new curved “Willow” wand applicator follows the natural curvature of the eyes allowing the fine-toothed comb to grab each lash at its root, carefully stretching and separating each lash to new lengths.
The high Lengths formula leaves lashes soft, supple and super conditioned while helping to maintain the health and flexibility of the lashes. The mascara’s lightweight formula is made up of a combination of soft waxes and feather-light thickener to create a flexible texture, while stretching out each lash without clumping, smudging, flaking or stiffening up lashes.
What we say:
The best mascara to date from the experts at Clinique. No clumping, no flaking and really a dramatic effect. Also love that it’s allergy tested and safe for sensitive eyes. Comes off beautifully and thoroughly which is a bonus.
Clinique High Lengths Mascara is available in Black and Black/Brown. RRP $38.00. Available at Clinique counters nationwide and at www.clinique.com.au
For big BAD party gal lashes, try…
7. Benefit BADgal Lash Mascara
BADgal mascaras have built up a cult following worldwide and are iconic for being full of “BAD-itude”. The a rich, sultry, formula works with an oversized brush to build thick, bold and beautiful lashes. Enjoy the false-lash effect, sans messy glues and hassle.
What we say:
Benefit BADgal Lash Mascara is available in Black RRP $38.00. Available from selected Myer stores and www.adorebeauty.com.au
For big, bold look-at-me lashes at a very nice price try…
8. Covergirl LashBlast Volume Blasting Mascara
Spherical wax particles act as ‘spacers’ to perfectly plump and fan out lashes. The brush is exceptionally large, which means it can hold more mascara to create a bolder look. Senior Scientist for Covergirl explains: “Most mascaras dump a lot of product at the base, and then you have to fix it. We thought we would start with a new brush, a better brush. There’s more touch points and even coverage on contact. All of the lashes are volumised in concert”.
What we say: Every girl needs to own at least one Covergirl mascara. If it has to be one, choose this. A great every day mascara to make you look like you’ve had 8 hours slumber even before you’ve had your morning latte. Bright eyed and bushy tailed is the overall effect and we like it a lot!
Available in Very Black, Black Brown and is also available in a Waterproof formulation.
RRP $17.95. 1800 181 040
For full, lifted lashes with zero clumping, try…9. Estee Lauder Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara
Until now, there has been only one way to create volume- through the classic heavy deposit of many coats of waxy mascara, which creates volume by lumping lashes together. Estee Lauder has introduced a new patent-pending lightweight mousse-like formula that lifts and plumps your lashes while at the same time giving them a flirtatious curl.
Estee Lauder Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara RRP $48.00 Available in Brown or Black.
For full, lifted waterproof lashes sans clumping, try…10. Estee Lauder Sumptuous Bold Volume Waterproof Mascara
From April 4, Estee Lauder will be releasing the brand new Sumptuous Bold Volume Waterproof Mascara- capable of withstanding humidity, swimming, tears, and rain to ensure your lashes stay full, luscious and lifted all throughout the day.
What we say: We road-tested this waterproof version and have to say it’s one of the best waterproof mascaras we’ve tried. All the lifting and volumising benefit without the clumpiness. Great for brides and those who can’t be bothered to re-apply their make up.
Estee Lauder Sumptuous Bold Volume Waterproof Mascara RRP $48.00 Available in Brown or Black.
For stockists call 1800 061 326 or visit www.esteelauder.com.au
RESCU’s Expert Advice:
Giorgio Armani’s International Make-up Artist Linda Cantello’s three step instructions on how to achieve the perfect ‘Eyes-to-Kill lash look’…
STEP 1. Pull the outer corner of the eye gently to stretch the lash line.
STEP 2. Apply the brush vertically to the lash line and zig zag the brush along the lashes for instant volume and liner effect.
STEP 3. Use the brush in normal horizontal applications to lengthen, extend and separate the lashes perfectly.
Rescu. shares some of our own must-know mascara tips and tricks…
1. Wiggle the wand from left to right at the base of lashes. It’s the mascara that’s applied near the roots, not the tips- which gives the illusion of length.
2. For an eye opening effect and to make the most of short lashes, use an eyelash curler. Blast some warm air from your hairdryer onto the eyelash curler for a few seconds to warm it up before curling lashes. You can also curl lashes after mascara application; just make sure the mascara is dry first.
3. One of the most important tips for prolonging the life of your mascara is this: Do NOT pump the wand in and out of the tube. This will only introduce air into the tube, which will cause your mascara to dry out much sooner than it should.
Hygiene tip: Once a mascara has been opened, throw it out after 4-5 months. This prevents infection and irritation. Also, never ever share your mascara with anyone.
