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I Tried 4 Mascaras and Found the Best One

Mascara is one of the most essential makeup products for many people. It can instantly transform your eyes and make them look more awake, defined, and glamorous. But with so many mascaras on the market, how do you choose the best one for your lashes?

To answer this question, I decided to try out four different mascaras and compare them based on their performance, price, and ingredients. I chose two clear mascaras and two black mascaras, each with a different formula and brush. Here are the mascaras I tested:

  • RARE BEAUTY Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara
  • E.L.F. Clear Brow & Lash Mascara
  • Maybelline New York Great Lash Clear Mascara Makeup
  • ETUDE – Dr. Mascara Fixer For Perfect Lash

I applied each mascara on one eye and took photos of the results. I also wore them for a whole day and checked for any smudging, flaking, or clumping. Here are my honest reviews and ratings of each mascara.

RARE BEAUTY Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara

This mascara claims to be an all-in-one mascara that works for every lash type. It has a weightless, easy-to-build formula that lifts, lengthens, curls, and volumizes every lash from every angle. It also contains black food extracts to condition the lashes. It has a unique curvy brush that combines long and short bristles to create a full and fluttery effect.

Price: $20 for 13.5 ml

Ingredients: Water, Paraffin, Glyceryl Stearate, Synthetic Beeswax, Stearic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Butylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Polybutene, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Ozokerite, Aminomethyl Propanol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Stearyl Stearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Nylon-6, Papaver Somniferum Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Tropolone, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Biotin, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Iron Oxides (CI 77499).

Review: I was impressed by this mascara. It gave my lashes a lot of volume and length without making them look clumpy or spidery. The brush was easy to use and reached every lash. The formula was smooth and buildable, and it didn’t flake or smudge throughout the day. My lashes felt soft and nourished, not stiff or dry. The only downside is that it’s a bit pricey, but I think it’s worth it for the quality and performance.

Rating: 5/5

E.L.F. Clear Brow & Lash Mascara

This is a dual-sided clear gel that grooms, defines, and separates the lashes and brows. It can be used alone or as a base under other products. It has a long-lasting and conditioning formula that keeps the lashes and brows in place.

Price: $3 for 2.5 ml each

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), PVP, Propylene Glycol, PVM/MA Decadiene Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin.

Review: This is a basic and affordable clear mascara that does the job. It doesn’t do much for the lashes, except for giving them a slight lift and gloss. It works better for the brows, as it helps to tame and shape them. It doesn’t feel sticky or heavy, and it doesn’t flake or smudge. It’s a good option if you want a natural and subtle look, or if you want to prep your lashes and brows for other products.

Rating: 3.5/5

Maybelline New York Great Lash Clear Mascara Makeup

This is a clear gel mascara that conditions and sets the lashes and brows. It has a classic spoolie brush that grooms and separates the lashes and brows. It’s ophthalmologist-tested and suitable for contact lens wearers.

Price: $11.15 for 2 x 12.7 ml

Ingredients: Water, Alcohol Denat., Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Panthenol, Disodium EDTA.

Review: This is a decent clear mascara that adds some definition and shine to the lashes and brows. It doesn’t have much hold or curling power, but it does help to keep the lashes and brows in place. It doesn’t clump or flake, and it feels lightweight and comfortable. It’s a good value for the price and quantity, and it’s a classic product that many people love.

Rating: 4/5

ETUDE – Dr. Mascara Fixer For Perfect Lash

This is a transparent fixing gel mascara that offers curl, volume, and waterproof fix for the lashes. It contains black food extracts to condition the lashes. It has a slim and curved brush that coats every lash and helps them stay curled all day.

Price: $5.11 for 6 ml

Ingredients: Isododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Silica, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Phenoxyethanol, +/- Black Iron Oxide (CI 77499), Yellow Iron Oxide (CI 77492), Red Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Carbon Black (CI 77266), Mica (CI 77019).

Review: This is an amazing mascara fixer that really makes a difference for the lashes. It adds a lot of curl and volume, and it makes any mascara waterproof and long-lasting. It also prevents the mascara from smudging or drooping, and it keeps the lashes looking fresh and fabulous. The brush is very precise and easy to use, and the formula is smooth and clear. It’s a must-have product for anyone who wants to enhance their lashes and make them last.

Rating: 5/5

FAQs

Q: What are the benefits of using clear mascara?

A: Clear mascara can be used to groom, define, and separate the lashes and brows. It can also be used as a base under other mascaras to help them adhere better and last longer. Clear mascara can also give the lashes a slight lift and shine, and make them look more healthy and natural.

Q: How do I remove waterproof mascara?

A: Waterproof mascara can be removed with an oil-based makeup remover or a micellar water. You can soak a cotton pad with the remover and gently press it on your eyes for a few seconds, then wipe it off. You can also use a cleansing balm or oil to massage your eyes and dissolve the mascara, then rinse it off with water.

Q: How often should I replace my mascara?

A: Mascara should be replaced every three to six months, or sooner if it becomes dry, clumpy, or smelly. Mascara can harbor bacteria and cause eye infections if used for too long. You should also avoid pumping the wand in and out of the tube.

Q: How do I avoid pumping the wand in and out of the mascara tube?

A: Pumping the wand in and out of the tube can cause the mascara to dry out faster and introduce bacteria to the wand. This can lead to clumping, flaking, and eye infections. To avoid this, you should twist the wand inside the tube to pick up the product, instead of pumping it. This will help to minimize the air trapped in the tube and keep the mascara fresh and smooth.

Conclusion

After trying out four different mascaras, I found that the best one for me was the RARE BEAUTY Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara. It gave me the most volume, length, and curl, and it also nourished my lashes with black food extracts. It was easy to apply and remove, and it didn’t flake or smudge. It was a bit pricey, but I think it was worth it for the quality and performance.

The second best mascara for me was the ETUDE – Dr. Mascara Fixer For Perfect Lash. It was a clear fixing gel that made any mascara waterproof and long-lasting. It also added curl and volume to my lashes, and it was very affordable and effective. It was a great product to have in my makeup kit, especially if I wanted to make my lashes more resilient and resistant.

The other two clear mascaras, the E.L.F. Clear Brow & Lash Mascara and the Maybelline New York Great Lash Clear Mascara Makeup, were not bad, but they were not very impressive either. They were good for a natural and subtle look, or for prepping the lashes and brows for other products. They were also very budget-friendly and gentle on the eyes. However, they didn’t do much for the lashes in terms of curl, volume, or length.

I hope you enjoyed reading my blog post and found it informative and fun. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for your attention and have a great day! 

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