Mascara Madness: Volumizing, Lengthening, and Curling Formulas Compared

Mascara is one of the most essential makeup products for many women. It can instantly transform the look of your eyes by enhancing your lashes with volume, length, and curl. However, not all mascaras are created equal. There are so many different formulas, brushes, and features to choose from, that it can be overwhelming to find the best one for your needs.

In this article, I will compare some of the most popular and highly rated mascaras on the market, based on their performance, ingredients, price, and customer reviews. I will also share some tips on how to apply mascara properly and how to take care of your lashes. Whether you are looking for a natural or dramatic effect, a waterproof or washable formula, a budget-friendly or splurge-worthy option, I hope this article will help you find your perfect mascara match.

The Mascaras

For this comparison, I have selected 10 mascaras that have different claims and benefits. They are:

• Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara: This is one of the best-selling mascaras in the US, and it promises to deliver intense black volume while lengthening, curling, and separating the lashes.
• L’Oreal Paris Lash Paradise Mascara: This is a drugstore dupe for the Too Faced mascara, and it claims to provide voluptuous volume and length with a soft wavy brush.
• Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara: This is a new launch from Maybelline, and it claims to deliver full volume and limitless length with an exclusive flex tower brush that bends to volumize and extend every lash from root to tip.
• Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara: This is a cult-favorite mascara that claims to lengthen, curl, volumize, lift, and separate lashes with a specially designed brush that reveals lashes you never knew you had.
• Lancome Monsieur Big Mascara: This is a high-end mascara that claims to provide big volume and up to 12 times more lash volume in a single stroke with a big soft brush that glides on smoothly and evenly.
• Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara: This is a budget-friendly mascara that claims to give you false lash effect with dramatic volume and sculpted length with a conic shape fiber brush.
• Covergirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara: This is another drugstore favorite that claims to give you 10 times more volume than bare lashes with a patented volume-boosting hypoallergenic formula and brush.
• Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara: This is a luxury mascara that claims to give you instant volume, length, stretch, and 24-hour vertical lift effect with a paddle brush that loads and combs through the lashes for a clump-free finish.
• Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara: This is a premium mascara that claims to give you spectacular curl and volume with a curved brush that coats every lash from root to tip with an ultra-black formula enriched with cotton nectar.
• Ilia Beauty Limitless Lash Mascara: This is a clean beauty mascara that claims to lift, curl, lengthen, and volumize lashes with a dual-sided brush that separates and builds lashes with an organic formula infused with beeswax and shea butter.

The Comparison

To compare these mascaras, I will use the following criteria:

• Volume: How much thickness and fullness does the mascara add to the lashes?
• Length: How much extension and definition does the mascara add to the lashes?
• Curl: How much lift and shape does the mascara add to the lashes?
• Separation: How well does the mascara prevent clumping and sticking of the lashes?
• Smudge-proof: How well does the mascara resist smearing or transferring throughout the day?
• Flake-proof: How well does the mascara resist flaking or falling off throughout the day?
• Ease of removal: How easy is it to remove the mascara at the end of the day?
• Ingredients: What are the main ingredients in the mascara formula? Are they natural or synthetic? Are they safe or harmful?
• Price: How much does the mascara cost per ounce? Is it affordable or expensive?
• Customer reviews: What are the average ratings and feedback from customers who have tried the mascara?

I will rate each mascara on a scale of 1 to 5 stars for each criterion, where 1 star means poor performance and 5 stars means excellent performance. I will also provide some pros and cons for each mascara based on my own experience and research.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

Volume: 5 stars Length: 4 stars Curl: 4 stars Separation: 3 stars Smudge-proof: 3 stars Flake-proof: 3 stars Ease of removal: 4 stars Ingredients: 3 stars Price: 3 stars Customer reviews: 4 stars

Pros:

• This mascara delivers on its promise of intense black volume. It makes the lashes look thick and full with just one or two coats.
• It also adds decent length and curl to the lashes, making them look more defined and lifted.
• It is easy to remove with a gentle makeup remover or cleanser. It does not leave any residue or stain on the skin.

Cons:

• This mascara can get clumpy and spidery if you apply too many coats or if you do not wipe off the excess product from the wand before applying.
• It can also smudge and flake throughout the day, especially if you have oily eyelids or if you rub your eyes.
• It contains some synthetic ingredients that may cause irritation or allergic reactions for some people, such as parabens, phenoxyethanol, and acrylates copolymer.

L’Oreal Paris Lash Paradise Mascara

Volume: 4 stars Length: 4 stars Curl: 3 stars Separation: 4 stars Smudge-proof: 4 stars Flake-proof: 4 stars Ease of removal: 4 stars Ingredients: 3 stars Price: 5 stars Customer reviews: 4 stars

Pros:

• This mascara is a great dupe for the Too Faced mascara, as it provides similar volume and length to the lashes with a soft wavy brush that coats every lash evenly.
• It also separates the lashes well, preventing clumping and sticking.
• It is smudge-proof and flake-proof for most of the day, unless you have very oily eyelids or you rub your eyes a lot.
• It is easy to remove with a gentle makeup remover or cleanser. It does not leave any residue or stain on the skin.
• It is very affordable and widely available at drugstores and online.

Cons:

• This mascara does not curl the lashes as much as the Too Faced mascara, so you may need to use an eyelash curler before applying it if you want more lift and shape.
• It contains some synthetic ingredients that may cause irritation or allergic reactions for some people, such as parabens, phenoxyethanol, and acrylates copolymer.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara

Volume: 3 stars Length: 5 stars Curl: 5 stars Separation: 5 stars Smudge-proof: 5 stars Flake-proof: 5 stars Ease of removal: 5 stars Ingredients: 3 stars Price: 4 stars Customer reviews: 5 stars

Pros:

• This mascara is amazing for lengthening and curling the lashes. It makes them look long and fluttery with an exclusive flex tower brush that bends to volumize and extend every lash from root to tip.
• It also separates the lashes perfectly, creating a natural and feathery look. There is no clumping or spidery effect at all.
• It is smudge-proof and flake-proof for the whole day, even if you have oily eyelids or if you rub your eyes. It does not budge or transfer at all.
• It is easy to remove with a gentle makeup remover or cleanser. It comes off in small tubes that do not leave any residue or stain on the skin.
• It is reasonably priced and widely available at drugstores and online.

Cons:

• This mascara does not add much volume to the lashes, so if you are looking for a more dramatic and full effect, you may need to layer it with another volumizing mascara or use false lashes.
• It contains some synthetic ingredients that may cause irritation or allergic reactions for some people, such as parabens, phenoxyethanol, and acrylates copolymer.

Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara

Volume: 4 stars Length: 5 stars Curl: 4 stars Separation: 4 stars Smudge-proof: 4 stars Flake-proof: 4 stars Ease of removal: 3 stars Ingredients: 3 stars Price: 3 stars Customer reviews: 4 stars

Pros:

• This mascara is great for lengthening and volumizing the lashes. It makes them look long and full with a specially designed brush that reveals lashes you never knew you had.
• It also adds some curl and separation to the lashes, making them look more defined and lifted.
• It is smudge-proof and flake-proof for most of the day, unless you have very oily eyelids or if you rub your eyes a lot.
• It comes in different shades, such as black, brown, blue, and purple, to suit different preferences and occasions.

Cons:

• This mascara can be hard to remove at the end of the day. You may need to use a waterproof makeup remover or an oil-based cleanser to get rid of all the traces of the mascara.
• It contains some synthetic ingredients that may cause irritation or allergic reactions for some people, such as parabens, phenoxyethanol, and acrylates copolymer.
• It is quite expensive compared to other mascaras, especially considering the amount of product you get in the tube.

Lancome Monsieur Big Mascara

Volume: 5 stars Length: 4 stars Curl: 4 stars Separation: 3 stars Smudge-proof: 3 stars Flake-proof: 3 stars Ease of removal: 4 stars Ingredients: 3 stars Price: 2 stars Customer reviews: 4 stars

Pros:

• This mascara delivers big volume and up to 12 times more lash volume in a single stroke. It makes the lashes look thick and full with a big soft brush that glides on smoothly and evenly.
• It also adds decent length and curl to the lashes, making them look more defined and lifted.
• It is easy to remove with a gentle makeup remover or cleanser. It does not leave any residue or stain on the skin.

Cons:

• This mascara can get clumpy and spidery if you apply too many coats or if you do not wipe off the excess product from the wand before applying.
• It can also smudge and flake throughout the day, especially if you have oily eyelids or if you rub your eyes.
• It contains some synthetic ingredients that may cause irritation or allergic reactions for some people, such as parabens, phenoxyethanol, and acrylates copolymer.
• It is very expensive compared to other mascaras, especially considering the amount of product you get in the tube.

Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara

Volume: 4 stars Length: 4 stars Curl: 3 stars Separation: 4 stars Smudge-proof: 4 stars Flake-proof: 4 stars Ease of removal: 4 stars Ingredients: 3 stars Price: 5 stars Customer reviews: 5 stars

Pros:

• This mascara is a budget-friendly option that gives you false lash effect with dramatic volume and sculpted length. It makes the lashes look thick and long with a conic shape fiber brush that coats every lash evenly.
• It also separates the lashes well, preventing clumping and sticking.
• It is smudge-proof and flake-proof for most of the day, unless you have very oily eyelids or if you rub your eyes a lot.
• It is easy to remove with a gentle makeup remover or cleanser. It does not leave any residue or stain on the skin.
• It is very affordable and widely available at drugstores and online.

Cons:

• This mascara does not curl the lashes as much as some other mascaras, so you may need to use an eyelash curler before applying it if you want more lift and shape.
• It contains some synthetic ingredients that may cause irritation or allergic reactions for some people, such as parabens, phenoxyethanol, and acrylates copolymer.

Covergirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara

Volume: 5 stars Length: 3 stars Curl: 3 stars Separation: 5 stars Smudge-proof: 5 stars Flake-proof: 5 stars Ease of removal: 5 stars Ingredients: 4 stars Price: 4 stars Customer reviews: 4 stars

Pros:

• This mascara is another drugstore favorite that gives you 10 times more volume than bare lashes. It makes the lashes look thick and full with a patented volume-boosting hypoallergenic formula and brush.
• It also separates the lashes perfectly, creating a natural and feathery look. There is no clumping or spidery effect at all.
• It is smudge-proof and flake-proof for the whole day, even if you have oily eyelids or if you rub your eyes. It does not budge or transfer at all.
• It is easy to remove with a gentle makeup remover or cleanser. It comes off easily and does not leave any residue or stain on the skin.
• It is reasonably priced and widely available at drugstores and online.
• It contains some natural ingredients that may benefit the lashes, such as beeswax, carnauba wax, and olive oil.

Cons:

• This mascara does not add much length or curl to the lashes, so if you are looking for a more dramatic and defined effect, you may need to layer it with another lengthening or curling mascara or use false lashes.

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara

Volume: 4 stars Length: 5 stars Curl: 5 stars Separation: 5 stars Smudge-proof: 4 stars Flake-proof: 4 stars Ease of removal: 4 stars Ingredients: 4 stars Price: 2 stars Customer reviews: 4 stars

Pros:

• This mascara is a luxury option that gives you instant volume, length, stretch, and 24-hour vertical lift effect. It makes the lashes look long and full with a paddle brush that loads and combs through the lashes for a clump-free finish.
• It also curls and separates the lashes beautifully, creating a defined and lifted look. The brush has two sides, one for loading and one for combing, that allow you to customize your lash look.
• It is smudge-proof and flake-proof for most of the day, unless you have very oily eyelids or if you rub your eyes a lot.
• It is easy to remove with a gentle makeup remover or cleanser. It does not leave any residue or stain on the skin.
• It contains some natural ingredients that may benefit the lashes, such as carnauba wax, rice bran wax, and keratin.

Cons:

• This mascara is very expensive compared to other mascaras, especially considering the amount of product you get in the tube.
• It can be tricky to use the paddle brush at first, as you need to get used to the different sides and angles. You may need to practice a few times before getting the hang of it.

Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara

Volume: 4 stars Length: 4 stars Curl: 5 stars Separation: 4 stars Smudge-proof: 4 stars Flake-proof: 4 stars Ease of removal: 4 stars Ingredients: 3 stars Price: 2 stars Customer reviews: 4 stars

Pros:

• This mascara is a premium option that gives you spectacular curl and volume. It makes the lashes look curved and full with a curved brush that coats every lash from root to tip.
• It also adds decent length and separation to the lashes, making them look more defined and lifted.
• It is smudge-proof and flake-proof for most of the day, unless you have very oily eyelids or if you rub your eyes a lot.
• It is easy to remove with a gentle makeup remover or cleanser. It does not leave any residue or stain on the skin.

Cons:

• This mascara is very expensive compared to other mascaras, especially considering the amount of product you get in the tube.
• It contains some synthetic ingredients that may cause irritation or allergic reactions for some people, such as parabens, phenoxyethanol, and acrylates copolymer.

Ilia Beauty Limitless Lash Mascara

Volume: 3 stars Length: 4 stars Curl: 4 stars Separation: 5 stars Smudge-proof: 4 stars Flake-proof: 4 stars Ease of removal: 5 stars Ingredients: 5 stars Price: 3 stars Customer reviews: 5 stars

Pros:

• This mascara is a clean beauty option that lifts, curls, lengthens, and volumizes lashes. It makes them look long and full with a dual-sided brush that separates and builds lashes.
• It also curls and separates the lashes beautifully, creating a defined and lifted look. The brush has short and long bristles that allow you to customize your lash look.
• It is smudge-proof and flake-proof for most of the day, unless you have very oily eyelids or if you rub your eyes a lot.
• It is easy to remove with a gentle makeup remover or cleanser. It comes off easily and does not leave any residue or stain on the skin.
• It contains only natural and organic ingredients that may benefit the lashes, such as beeswax, shea butter, keratin, and arginine.

Cons:

• This mascara does not add much volume to the lashes, so if you are looking for a more dramatic and full effect, you may need to layer it with another volumizing mascara or use false lashes.
• It is quite pricey compared to other mascaras, especially considering the amount of product you get in the tube.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many different mascaras to choose from, depending on your preferences and needs. Some of them are more suitable for volume, some for length, some for curl, and some for separation. Some of them are more smudge-proof and flake-proof than others. Some of them are easier to remove than others. Some of them contain more natural ingredients than others. And some of them are more affordable than others.

The best way to find your perfect mascara match is to try different ones and see how they work for you. You can also read customer reviews and watch tutorials online to get more insights and tips. However, remember that everyone’s lashes are different, so what works for someone else may not work for you.

Ultimately, the most important thing is to have fun with your mascara and enjoy the way it makes your eyes look. Mascara can be a powerful tool to enhance your natural beauty and express your personality. So go ahead and experiment with different formulas, brushes, and features until you find your favorite one.

I hope this article was helpful and informative for you. Thank you for reading it. ?