Mascara is a make-up essential, often helping disguise tired eyes and transform lashes from limp to lustrous.
This year, three hugely-hyped new launches promise unbeatable volume, length and staying power – but do they deliver?
We put these major mascaras to the test to find out…
1. Hourglass
Claire Spreadbury tried: Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara, €32
Hourglass’ latest release comes with lots of big promises – intense length, lift, definition, the look of extensions, while also being film-forming and smudge-proof, yet easy to wash off.
To be honest, I don’t listen to a lot of the hype when it comes to mascara. We all have personal preferences, but my biggest bugbear is the black bits that sit underneath my lashes and ultimately result in panda eye. I struggle with it so much that I’ve resorted to wearing waterproof mascara on a daily basis.
On first application, I did have a few speckles of black beneath my eye, but after that, I didn’t. I’ve worn it all day and night and not needed to wipe away dark smudges at all. The wand itself is easy to use and the mascara goes on nicely and stays put – but most importantly, the film-forming technology really does work – I’m impressed!
Testing out the new @HourglassMakeup Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara... pic.twitter.com/BMvGgVnXHv
— Claire Spreadbury (@PA_Features) August 3, 2020
2. Huda Beauty
Sarah Marshall tried: Huda Beauty Legit Lashes, €27,Boots
This isn’t the easiest mascara to apply, but with a bit of effort, it does deliver dramatic results. There are two brushes: one thick wand designed to build layers of volume and another finer, curved applicator to finish the look.
I’m generally slap-dash when it comes to make-up, so it took me a few attempts to master a tidy, clump-free finish. I found the volume brush slightly too chunky and unwieldy, but it does thicken lashes after only a few flicks, allowing you to work quickly before unsightly spider legs form.
For me, the curling wand was a revelation. Along with coating tips for that doe-eyed Bambi effect, it’s excellent for catching tricky corner bits and thinner lower lashes. I used it alone on these areas to get the best fluttery finish. Capable of creating multiple looks, this has to be one of the most versatile mascaras out there.
3. Urban Decay
Liz Connor tried: Urban Decay Lash Freak, €23.50, Arnotts
As someone with blonde and fairly unremarkable lashes, I’ll take any extra help I can get in the eye department, and Urban Decay’s latest launch promises to do the trick; the cult beauty brand claims it can behold the wearer with 23.6 times more volume and up to 40% more visible lash length.
The beauty of this mascara lies in its asymmetrical brush – rather than having bristles all over, the wand is smooth on one side to help hit every nook and cranny of your lash line. The bristled tip is designed to define and separate lashes (even those fiddly annoying ones in the inner corners), while the curved side adds lift at the lash root.
I was genuinely impressed at how quickly I could build a false lash effect with just a few swipes of the wand – although I did find that one too many gave me a bit of a clumpy Sixties look, so my advice would be to go gently, as a little of this product goes a long way.
That being said, I’m pleased to say that this mascara lived up to its 20-hour guarantee – I wore it all day and managed to avoid looking in the mirror to find either flaking or raccoon eyes. This is a great purchase for anyone looking to amp up their eye look this season.
