The Best Mascaras That Are in a League of Their Own

When it comes to must-have beauty products, mascara is a hard one to beat. Marie Claire’s Acting Senior Digital Beauty Editor, Fiona Embleton, reveals the ones that merit the hype.

It’s no exaggeration to say that a good mascara – the kind that gives you long, thick lashes you catch sight of in your periphery vision – can change your life. How you apply it makes all the difference, too. Wiggle the wand right up close to your lash line then zig-zag your strokes from root to tip as this builds thickness and aids separation. Whether you’ve got stick straight lashes, stumpy ones or just want to create a false lash effect, these are the best mascara formulas to invest your time and money in…

Benefit They’re Real

Like a Wonderbra for lashes, it lengthens, curls, volumises and lifts – all with a flick of the wand.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Zero-Smudge Lengthening Mascara Black

Special polymers lock the mascara onto lashes so it stays put for a whopping 15 hours, no matter how hard you dance or how vigorous your spin class.

bareMinerals Lash Domination Volumizing Mascara

One or two strokes coats each and every hair for a fanned-out, false-lash effect that gives the ‘wow’ factor to even the spindliest lashes.

Smashbox Full Exposure Waterproof Mascara

Elongates lashes without leaving behind clumps or smudges should you get caught out in the rain. Better still, the waterproof formula lifts away easily with make-up remover so there’s no arm ache involved in removing it afterwards.