Must-have Mascara

In cosmetics, as in fashion, trends come and go. Nevertheless, just as our wardrobes will essentially always comprise of skirts, trousers and tops, so will some items forever hold a place in our make up bags. Mascara is one of these.

                Psychologists will tell us that our obsession with luscious lashes is connected to our pursuit of idealised western beauty. Apparently thick, dark lashes are associated with youth and innocence and are therefore guaranteed to bag us a mate. Although I doubt that this thought runs through many womens’ minds as they reach for the mascara in the morning, it is perhaps a theory we should ponder on more often. After all, it is very easy to overstep the mark with mascara and a couple of layers too many can shift you from looking all doe-eyed innocence to distinctly over-experienced. Very little is less attractive than tarantula lashes and although clumpy, messy lashes occasionally experience a fashion moment, sleek, separated and curled will always be in.

Of course finding mascara that fulfils these magic wishes is another matter and a problem made infinitely more difficult for me due to my personal weakness for mascara adverts. I know they’re all wearing false eye-lashes; since the advertising regulations changed they even tell me they’re wearing false eye-lashes, but I still honestly believe that buy that mascara, and people might mistake that poster girl and I for twins. Of course the upshot of this delusional belief is that I am eternally disappointed and have a room littered with half-finished mascaras wands. 
Matters are not made any easier by the shocking array of mascaras now available. Wands now come in all shapes and sizes, from bushy to spiky to curved to flexi and I think there may even be a vibrating one out there, scary! Nevertheless, whatever a variety’s particular claim to fame may be, the fundamental requirements of mascara remain the same. As long as it darkens, lengthens and thickens without caking or crumbling then I’m happy. Thankfully a couple of those mascaras we tested did just that.

Marks and Spencer Volume and Length Mascara (£3.00) – The big problem with this one was that it was just too small. The wand was tiny, more like a hairy cocktail stick than a proper brush and it didn’t make much impact on my scrawny lashes, let alone the thicker ones bestowed upon Grace and Nims. If I were to rummage for a silver lining in this cloud though, I would point out that its tiny proportions make it a good choice for a tiny evening bag. Or any fairy for that matter. 1/5

Collection 2000 Length and Definition Mascara (£4.99)- As previously mentioned, I am a sucker for packaging and this imitation skyscraper immediately grabbed my attention. Shortly after application we were all fairly impressed. Although the consistency was a little too thin, it did achieve good definition and length. Nevertheless, if our lashes were skyscrapers, the architects would’ve been sued. A few hours post-application and the fissures were already beginning to show and before long our Empire State style lashes had literally disintegrated to rubble beneath our eyes.  2/5

Natural Collection Lashbuild Mascara (£1.99)- There is no avoiding the obvious attraction to this one. At £1.99 it provided excellent value for money and really didn’t do a bad job either. Again the consistency was quite thin and so you needed quite a few layers to achieve optimum thickness. The bushy brush provided an even application though, easily avoiding the undesirable clogging effect. 3.5/5

Urban Outfitters Big lash Mascara (£5.00)- Ahh another packaging lover’s dream. A chunky tube covered in black and gold tiger print, promising me seductively feline eyes. In my opinion it delivered. A generously proportioned brush created a groomed finish by fanning out lashes and coating them evenly. Nims however still had reservations regarding the consistency of this one, which she felt was too thin. 4/5

Rimmel Extra Super Lash Mascara (4.99)- Despite this week’s top three all being unusually well received, Rimmel was the agreed winner. The spiral shaped brush separated lashes well, whilst the thicker liquid created a darker, more dramatic look. An effective mascara, even for the thickest of lashes. 4.5/5