Mascara is having a bit of a moment. That’s no shock, though. Face masks have put our eyes firmly in the spotlight, and brands have caught on. Mascara after mascara has made its way on to the Escentual new-in page in recent months, and we realised it must be tricky to choose which one to buy. That’s where #EscentualWears can help. We’ve rallied the team and all of the latest mascaras and put them to the test. Discover what makes each one special, see how they look on, and find out one is best for you below…
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1. Benefit they’re Real! Magnet Powerful Lifting & Lengthening Mascara
3. Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effet Faux Cils Radical Mascara
1. Benefit they’re Real! Magnet Mascara
Best for: Lengthening
Name: Ceryn
Job Role: Communications & Campaigns Editor
Mascara: Benefit they’re Real! Magnet Mascara; a magnetic mineral-enriched mascara that lengthens lashes by 40%
What do you usually look for in a mascara? A formula that’ll lengthen rather than volumise. I like my lashes to look naturally long.
What did you like most about this mascara? The length it gave my lashes, it was jaw-dropping; Benefit didn’t lie when they said it’ll lengthen by 40%!
Who would you recommend this mascara to? Anyone who wants length over volume. If your desert island beauty pick is an eyelash curler or you never miss an LVL lash lift treatment, this mascara will not only make you very happy but will save you a lot of money too.
Do you have any tips after testing the mascara? Let the brush do the work for you. It has zig-zag bristles that’ll catch every lash and create a fanned-out effect; work from root to tip.
Watch Ceryn’s 5-Minute Review Video ⬇
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Volume: ★★★★/5
Length: ★★★★★/5
Curl: ★★★★/5
Blackness: ★★★★/5
Separation: ★★★★/5
Value for Money: ★★★★★/5
Ease of Use: ★★★★★/5
Definition: ★★★★★/5
Longevity: ★★★★/5
We Review Benefit’s They’re Real Magnet Mascara – Before & After
2. Lancome Lash Idole Mascara
Best for: Layering
Name: Chelsey
Job Role: Communications & Campaigns Manager
Mascara: Lancome Lash Idole Mascara; a non-clumping mascara that targets every single lash for instantly longer, lifted eyelashes
What do you usually look for in a mascara? I like my mascara to be a unicorn. I want it to lift, volumise, separate and also be blacker than black.
What did you like most about this mascara? The brush and the buildability. The fact it has over 350 bristles in 250 sizes is so impressive.
Who would you recommend this mascara to? I’d recommend Idole to anyone who wants their mascara to do everything for them, without looking too heavy or overdone. I’d also recommend Idole to anyone who likes to build and layer – you can’t go wrong with the formula, it never looks cakey and that’s because of it’s oil-gel emulsion texture.
Do you have any tips after testing the mascara? Use the custom curve brush to the advantage of your eye shape. Direct it inwards to capture the inner lashes, and fan it outwards to pick up any fair outer corner lashes – this helps to create a more fluttery effect.
Watch Chels’ 6-Minute Review Video ⬇
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Volume: ★★★★/5
Length: ★★★★/5
Curl: ★★★★/5
Blackness: ★★★★/5
Separation: ★★★★/5
Value for Money: ★★★★/5
Ease of Use: ★★★★/5
Definition: ★★★★/5
Longevity: ★★★★/5
3. YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils Radical Mascara
Best for: Black Intensity
Name: Keavy
Job Role: Communications & Campaigns Assistant
Mascara: YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils Radical Mascara; a midnight-black volumising mascara that creates a bold, dramatic and an eye-catching look.
What do you usually look for in a mascara? When shopping for mascara, I look for a formula that will make my lashes look full and fluttery – a bit fake, but in a good way! I want my mascara to be versatile, so my lashes look full and lengthened for the day but are also super easy to layer up when I’m looking to add extra drama, which – FYI – is most of the time!
What did you like most about this mascara? For me, it was the instant, full-black payoff, a few swipes, and my lashes look bigger and bolder than I could have ever imagined! The brush catches every lash and ensures the length is completely coated. It makes my lashes look fake but in the best way; it is as if someone has added false individual lashes so that my lashes look extra fluttery, and my eyes look bigger and more cat-like as a result.
Who would you recommend this mascara to? I would recommend this mascara to anyone who loves the false lash look!
Do you have any tips after testing the mascara? Don’t overload your bottom lashes to avoid smudging under your eyes.
Watch Keavy’s 2-Minute Review Video ⬇
View this post on Instagram
Volume: ★★★★/5
Length: ★★★★/5
Curl: ★★★/5
Blackness: ★★★★★/5
Separation: ★★★★/5
Value for Money: ★★★★/5
Ease of Use: ★★★★/5
Definition: ★★★★★/5
Longevity: ★★★★★/5
4. bareMinerals Strength & Length Serum-Infused Mascara
Best for: Vegan Formula & Lift
Name: Caitlin
Job Role: Communications & Campaigns Assistant
Mascara: bareMinerals Strength & Length Serum-Infused Mascara; a clean vegan mascara that’s infused with a plant-based serum to lengthen and strengthen lashes overtime.
What do you usually look for in a mascara? Curl, lift and length.
What did you like most about this mascara? I liked how it lifted my lashes quickly and wasn’t at all clumpy, the curl lasted all day, and it didn’t flake or smudge throughout the day. I’m excited to see the benefits of the serum formula too, over time.
Who would you recommend this mascara to? Someone that’s looking to lengthen their lashes, plus want something non-clumpy and non-smudgy, or they’re looking for a vegan and cruelty-free mascara. It’s not as volumising as it is lengthening, so someone who opts for length over thickness.
Do you have any tips after testing the mascara? Don’t wiggle the brush when you apply and use the wand flat.
Watch Caitlin’s 3-Minute Review Video ⬇
View this post on Instagram
Volume: ★★★/5
Length: ★★★★★/5
Curl: ★★★★★/5
Blackness: ★★★★★/5
Separation: ★★★★★/5
Value for Money: ★★★★/5
Ease of Use: ★★★★/5
Definition: ★★★★/5
Longevity: ★★★★/5
5. Urban Decay Lash Freak Mascara
Best for: Volume
Name: Kate
Job Role: Communications & Campaigns Assistant
Mascara: Urban Decay Lash Freak Mascara; an intensely volumising black mascara that’s designed to lengthen, lift and curl.
What do you usually look for in a mascara? Lift, volume and definition.
What did you like most about Urban Decay Lash Freak? I liked the instant volume it gave, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much lift the curved side gave.
Who would you recommend this mascara to? Anyone looking for big, bold volume.
Do you have any tips after testing this mascara? My tip would be not to overload your lashes too much with this mascara; it goes a long way! If you want to use all three sides of the wand (including the curved side for curling), I’d advise making sure that the wand isn’t overloaded with the formula to avoid clumping.
Watch Kate’s 4-Minute Review Video ⬇
View this post on Instagram
Volume: ★★★★★/5
Length: ★★★★/5
Curl: ★★★★/5
Blackness: ★★★★★/5
Separation: ★★/5
Value for Money: ★★★★/5
Ease of Use: ★★★★/5
Definition: ★★★/5
Longevity: ★★★★★/5
