Hi All! Today I want to talk about what makeup item you can’t live without. For me, if I only had to choose one makeup item to use for the rest of my life – I would have to choose mascara. There isn’t a day I have left the house without it since I was 13 and first started wearing makeup. There’s just something about having on some mascara that makes me feel “put together” even if I may be sick or feeling sad. Amping up my lashes makes a girl feel good, ya know? Even if your go-to item isn’t a tube of mascara, I know you can relate on some level with your own fave product.

However, I’m one of those people who is always on the quest for finding that next new thing in anything makeup related. I’m most definitely not one of those people who just chooses a brand and decides to stick with it for ever and ever (bor-ring!). No offense if you’re that person, in fact, I applaud you and your dedication :). However, I’m a true believer in experimenting and testing new product.

That being said, my love for mascaras over the years has resulted in me trying a multitude of different mascara brands and formulas. I’ve come to love and not-love many a mascara over time. If you’re looking for a new mascara or you’ve never really had any luck in the past but are looking to add mascara to your daily beauty routine, below are my top 5 mascaras.

#5: Smashbox’s Full Exposure mascara. This is a newbie – they just recently released this formula, but I already think it’s great! The formula is designed to be a lengthening mascara and works like a fiber mascara. To get the best result, I definitely recommend layering this bad boy on. I already have some pretty long lashes to begin with, so I typically use this mascara if I’m looking for more of a natural look rather than my typical volume adding mascaras. The formula is also quite light weight, so it isn’t heavy on your lashes either. The packaging is a black tube and has an old-school wiry bristle applicator/brush.

#4: Pur’s Big Blink mascara. Unfortunately, I believe this formula has been discontinued, but I still have a half-used tube that I continue to use from time to time. This formula has Argon Oil in it, so it’s super great for your lashes! Who doesn’t want to show their lashes some special lovin’? The packaging is a white tube with a gold cap. The brush on this little guy is interesting though – the plastic bristles are short, blunt, little nubs, but yet this product provides some great length and some slight volume. If I were to compare this formula to some other lengthening or volumizing mascaras, I would say it’s good as far as quality goes, but if you’re looking for some big volume, then this isn’t the product for you. The product also stays on well all day and doesn’t flake or fall.

#3: Maybelline’s Great Lash^® Lots of Lashes™ mascara. I feel the Maybelline “Great Lash” has been around forever and is just basically a staple in most girls’ glam bags. However, I’ve listed this at number 3 only because I have found others that I have come to love more than this. The packaging is the same as it’s been for all of time (at least ever since I can remember, so for the sake of this post, that’s “all of time”) the pink and green tube. This formula is a bit thinner than other mascaras, which means that it isn’t going to give you that big volume that some other formulas may. However, the interestingly shaped brush (sort of looks like a cone) and long skinny bristles definitely help define each lash and when applied properly, can help curl up the outer edges of your lashes gifting to you some lovely length. The only negative with this formula I’ve found is that it tends to flake if you apply too much, so just make sure you aren’t over-doing it or you’ll have little black specks on your cheeks!

#2: Loreal Paris’ Voluminous^® Million Lashes™ mascara. This mascara is still in my makeup bag and I still tend to revert back to this mascara every now and again. There are two main reasons that I love this mascara. First of all, it is a very buildable mascara that adds a ton of volume (I’m a lover of lashes with volume!). Second of all, this formula doesn’t clump and doesn’t flake. Win – Win! The packaging is a gold tube with what Loreal refers to as the Millionizer Brush, which separates each lash like a dream. The tip of the applicator is a plastic tip with the little spikes (you know what I’m talking about here) and it’s a nice sturdy brush (not bendy like some other brands).

#1: Maybelline’s Lash Sensational mascara. This mascara is currently my all-time favorite mascara and is the mascara I currently use every day. The formula is created to reveal layers of lashes and makes your lashes look fuller and thicker. The tube is a pearly pink/purple color and it comes with a curved wand and a plastic-spike tip applicator. The curve of the applicator helps to define your top lashes and does an incredible job at making my lashes look long, full, and almost as if I was wearing falsies! The formula lasts all day and doesn’t flake – it’s truly my all-time favorite mascara.

Edit: When I initially wrote this post, I was absolutely in love with Maybeline’s Lash Sensational, as I said above. However, since I’m always on a quest for amazing mascara, I found a new #1! I’ve recently fallen in LOVE with Tarte’s Tarteist Lash Paint mascara. This formula is a volumizing formula that will make your lashes look absolutely amazing. I think one of the things I love the most about this is the applicator. It has a soft bristle brush that is soft yet firm enough to curl lashes upward. This is another formula, that just like the Lash Sensational, wears beautifully all day long and doesn’t flake!

Have a mascara you’re absolutely in love with that I didn’t mention here? Let me know down in the comments! I’d love to try it out!

xo,

Glitter Girl

*This post contains affiliate links, but all opinions are my own 🙂