Following up on our blog ‘lash for beginners’, we wanted to reach out to our Wedztylers who prefer to use mascara to enhance their lashes. For me, choosing the right mascara for your eyelashes is just as significant as selecting the right shade of red lipstick.
There is no doubt that there are many variations of mascara. My personal view is that not all mascaras work equally. Thought should go into a cosmetic purchase such as this. I look at various elements, such as:
- the smell – does it smell like a chemical laboratory?
- the depth of pigment
- the type of bristle brush
- Wiper ratio – want good amount of product on the brush
- It is not wet – I really do not want to be applying 2-3 coats
- Intended effect – love lengthening and volumising
- how easy it is to remove
- consistency – gluggy and thick – my pet hate
Before I continue what I look for in a mascara, have you ever wondered about the ingredients in a mascara? Mascara’s ingredients typically include a carbon black or iron oxide pigment to darken lashes; a polymer to form a film that coats lashes; a preservative; and thickening waxes or oils such as lanolin, mineral oil, paraffin, petrolatum, castor oil, carnauba wax, and candelilla wax.” (Makayla, 2019).
Image Source: Instagram @narsissist
A lot of cosmetic products, including mascara, contain crystal guanine which is a colorant. Guanine is manufactured from fish scales. Yes, you read correctly. As fish scales are animal-based, mascaras are neither vegetarian nor vegan. Synthetic dyes (chemically derived) are also used as colorants (Makayla, 2019).
There are brands of mascara available that are natural and organic vegan, many of which are certified by the Vegan Society and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals PETA (https://www.peta.org/). The Vegan Society logo launched in 1990 to help make a living a vegan lifestyle simple by providing an easy way to recognize whether a product comes from their certified Vegan beauty brands (https://www.vegansociety.com/).
Interesting enough, the formulation of mascara has not changed dramatically over the past fifty years. What has changed and evolved is the mascara brush. Traditional mascara brushes are made from nylon bristle fibres which wrap around a wire into a particular shape. Nylon brushes deliver more volume. Nowadays, plastic-moulded brushes are used for greater design control. Cosmetic companies spend millions on patenting their brush designs to give a specific look (Gattis, L). These include:
- Lengthening
- Thickening/Volumising
- Curling
- Lash defining
It is worth mentioning that the thicker the brush, the more volume to the lash. The thinner the brush, more precision delivery to the lash.
Image Source: Instagram @hourglass
The wiper, which is the plastic ring inside the mascara tube’s mouth contributes to the performance of the product; it is pivotal. Companies aim to balance the volume of excess formula wiped off versus how much is retained on the brush as it determines how much product is on lashes. If the wiper is too tight, all the formula gets squeezed off the brush. But too large a wiper, then it clumps. (Gattis, L).
Regardless of the formulation, the brush or bottle, it appears to me that the wiper is the bit that counts.
Brand and type of a mascara is a personal choice. I would like to do is share with our fellow Wedztylers my ultimate favourites.
Benefit – They’re Real
- Long lasting
- Lengthening
- The brush separates my lashes and most importantly does NOT clump
- Wiper ratio spot on
- Paraben free which is another plus
Image Source : Instagram @benefitaustralia
Tarte – Lights Camera Action
- Lengthens and volumizes
- Does not clump
- The brush is a good size
- Long lasting
- Ultra-dark pigment which is a huge plus
- Wiper ratio is good – perfect amount falls on the lashes
- Vegan
Image Source: Instagram @tartecosmetics
Charlotte Tilbury – Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes
- My new obsession mascara
- The bristle brush is narrow which gives that nice precision and control for an even lash effect
- Lengthens, stretches and volumizes lashes beautifully
- Strong pigment
- Does not clump
- Perfect wiper ratio
- Contains natural waxes
Image Source : Instagram @Charlotte Tilbury
Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Lashes Volume 2
- Very volumizing due to bristle brus
- Strong pigment
- Does not clump
- Perfect wiper ratio
- Contains natural waxes
Image Source : Instagram @Charlotte Tilbury
Morphe – Make it big volumizing mascara
- Well priced – excellent value for money
- Decent size bristle brush
- Adds great volume
- Wiper ratio is good
- Vegan
Image Source: Instagram @morphe
Hourglass – Film Noir Full Spectrum
- Love the bristle brush – adds volume to my lashes
- Pigmented
- Nice formula – no clumps and applies evenly
- Wiper ratio is perfect
- Made without: Phthalate, sulphates, synthetic dyes and gluten.
Image Source: Instagram @hourglass
Stila – Magnum XXX™ Mascara
- Lengthen and volumize -makes my lashes pop
- Lashes look amazing due the bristle brush
- Great pigment
- It does not clump – true to the advertising
- Contains natural waxes
Image Source: Instagram @stilacosmentics
Chantecaille – Faux Cils Longest Lash Mascara
- Due to the price – I use on special occasions – it has a treatment serum in the product hence the hefty price tag.
- Nice formula
- Bristle brush nicely lengthens and volumizes my lashes
- Wiper ratio is good
- Contains rose oil, not tested on animals, parabens and other nasties
Image Source: Instagram @chantecaille
Burberry – Cat Lashes
- Love the product
- Bristle brush delivers length and volume
- Pigmented
- Perfect wiper ratio
- Made with Anti-oxidants, Fragrance-free, Oil-free, Paraben-free, Sulphate-free, Vitamins
Image Source: Instagram @burberry
For those looking for a natural organic vegan PETA mascara, check out Nourished life Australia. Nourished Life is a must for those who want clean beauty (no nasties, organic, vegan friendly PETA). Check out the website, it will amaze you. https://www.nourishedlife.com.au/.
There are many variations in the market. I encourage our Wedztylers to try different mascaras, colours, and types of lash effects. Keep in mind, the brand is irrelevant. Focus on the type of bristle brush and the wiper ratio. Not all mascaras are the same!!!
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References
Gattis, L. (2020, October 10). A Mascara Expert Sets the Record Straight. Retrieved from INTO THE GLOSS: https://intothegloss.com/2013/09/best-mascara-2013-expert-tips/
Makayla. (2019, October 24). Is it True That Mascara is Made of Bat Poop? Retrieved from https://www.encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/daily/is-it-true-that-mascara-is-made-of-bat-poop/
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