Mascaras

By Lancome

Price: £23

Claim: “The 1st lashcare mascara by Lancôme enriched with precious plant cell extract. Lashes feel stronger, look denser & fuller, as though multiplied.”

Pros: This mascara had a small brush which allowed me to get right to the root of my lashes for a real lift, plus it enhanced the length of my lashes without clogging. I have been using it for about a week so I haven’t noticed a difference from the conditioning plant cell extract, but I will persevere with it and if I notice a true, long-lasting change you’ll be the first to know.

Cons: The brush felt a bit flimsy, I am usually drawn to a larger wand and the results weren’t as dramatic as I like.

Verdict: I would recommend this product as a good everyday mascara – but stick to a more dramatic product for play.

Kat Webster, Picture Editor

By Rimmel

Price: £6.69

Stockist: Rimmel

Claim: “Breakthrough adjustable volume mascara – 3 settings for 3 glam looks in 1 mascara!”

Pros: This works so simply, all you do is twist the body of the mascara to either the 1, 2 or 3 marker for differing volume.  It’s great to have such control from a mascara; setting 1 gave me added volume that was suitable for a day in the office, while 2 gave ramped up volume to my lashes – they looked much thicker and slightly longer.

Cons: I did find the mechanism a bit clunky and while 1 and 2 gave my lashes volume without clumping, 3 caked the wand in tons of mascara which led to my lashes looking really thick and caked.

Verdict: If you love a super thick, clumpy lash (ideal paired with a smoky eye for a night out clubbing) then this is a good choice. For someone looking for daily mascara it may be a bit too heavy.

Amy Lawrenson, Beauty Assistant

By Clinique

Price: £16

Claim: “Stretch limp, lifeless lashes to lengths beyond your wildest mascara expectations
Our curved, fine-toothed comb finds the tiniest lashes and brings them out of hiding. Ophthalmologist tested and appropriate for sensitive eyes. We're wild, not reckless.”

Pros: I have really short lashes so I always find it extremely difficult to apply mascara without making a mess. However, this tiny fine-toothed comb made it so much easier to apply. It gave my lashes incomparable lift and length, my eyes look larger in just one coat.

Cons: I would have liked this mascara to give a bit more thickness to my lashes; the only other downside I could see is that I had to remove it at night! Let’s hope they start including lash building serums into their mascaras soon, I want this boosted lash effect 24/7.

Verdict: Great for short lashes to increase length and lift.  I will definitely buy this mascara in future, but I will use it layered with a mascara designed to make lashes thicker.

Jae Lee, Art Director

By Collection 2000

Price: £4.99

Stockist: Collection 2000

Claim: “Double your lash size! Lash boosting tube technology plumps and stretches each lash. No clumping or smudging.”

Pros: This brush is huge! It could easily be compared to Benefit’s Bad Gal mascara, but a lot cheaper.  The mascara is a great dark black which thickens and lengthens lashes in just one coat. I also found I could easily add a fresh layer over a coat I applied in the morning before going out at night, without a clump in sight.

Cons: Because the brush is so huge, I ended up with mascara on my lids every time I used it, without fail. However, it’s a small price to pay for such stand out lashes. I did find the mascara flaked a little towards the end of the day. However when I’m tired I rub my eyes, so if you avoid that you’ll be flake free!

Verdict: For anyone who loves a false lash effect, but can’t afford extensions or falsies.

Amy Lawrenson, Beauty Assistant

By YSL

Price: £23

Claim: “The ultimate luxurious mascara for a false lash effect.”

Pros: The packaging is gorgeous, the gold screams luxury and the wand is simple – no gimmicks in sight. What I loved the most about this mascara is how it clung to my lashes for dear life, it grabbed each lash and in one fail swoop my lashes were longer, glossier and thicker with not a clump in sight. I didn't even feel the need to put on a second coat.

Cons: Boy does this mascara stay put, and for some this could be seen as a pro but for me it's a negative. This mascara should come with its own eye make-up remover as it's a nightmare to get off – ideal for summer holidays by the beach. I also found it smudged a little onto my under eye.

Verdict: I loved the false lash effect it gave but it's not for everyday use. It's quite high maintenance with the removal process and having to check for smudging all night. But because the overall look was so amazing I think it's worth the cons. I had so many compliments about my lashes, with lots of people asking if they were false. Result!

Leanne Bayley, Picture Researcher

By The Body Shop

Price: £10

Claim: “Now you can create bigger, curvier lashes in the blink of an eye”

Pros: The brush is a modest size, but because it is tapered you can get right into the corners to coat every single lash. This mascara creates a really natural everyday effect. You won’t get any clumps and the wand is really easy to control so you can push your lashes up and out for a soft curl.

Cons: It’s called Big and Curvy, but I think neat and curvy would be a better name. My lashes were ideal for day wear, but not huge. It took a couple of layers to build up big volume.

Verdict: A great every day mascara.

Amy Lawrenson, Beauty Assistant

By Diorshow

Price: £22

Stockist: Dior

Claim: “The first mascara to plump lashes inside and out - wear it alone or pair it with your favourite Dior mascaras.”

Pros: I tested Dior’s Extase mascara, which is apparently formulated to expand lashes by up to 50% from the inside and out, as well as reconstructing them and making them stronger and fuller. Bold claims. Plus the wand is inspired by the iconic Dior couture dresses and is tiered to give you even more volume. All you really need to know though is that this is a great mascara. It goes on easily, it makes your lashes look fantastic and you only need one coat (and this coming from a girl who feels naked without at least three).

Cons: The only downside? It takes a little while to dry, so if you’re not careful you can end up smudging it.

Verdict: All in all I though it was brilliant. As for repairing my lashes, I think I’ll have to use it for longer to find out if it really works. Watch this space…

Emma Sells, Fashion and News Editor

By The Balm

Price: £18.99

Claim: “Two brushes, one formula, endless possibilities. Long-lasting, smudge-proof mascara formulated with a new polymer that improves water resistance, prevents flaking, builds volume and gives a soft and natural feel.

Pros: This mascara includes two wands. One is rubber which defines and separates lashes, while the other - a brush with a twist detail - thickens and curls. I like that you have two mascaras in one, ideal for day and night, and I did notice that you gained a completely different result from each brush.

Cons: Both were good, long-wearing mascaras but they didn’t really stand out for me as being exceptional or particularly brilliant.

Verdict: A good mascara, which proves the wand shape is more important than the formula when it comes to the final effect.

Amy Lawrenson, Beauty Assistant