We are firm believers that you can never have too many mascaras—something simple for day-to-day wear, something high-drama and volumizing for Friday nights and maybe even something electric blue for out-of-this-world lashes when the occasion calls for it. Widen the windows to your soul with luscious length and come-hither curl! It’s a good thing we have plenty to choose from.

What is a mascara?

The real question is what doesn’t it do. Depending on the formula you pick, mascaras can add length and volume, create dramatic curl and thickness or simply coat your lashes in soft, natural colour for a little added definition. Whether you’re looking for a clear primer that conditions each and every lash, the best waterproof mascara to stand up to sweat and surf, or a layer-it-on-thick black-as-night mascara, we’ve got your lashes covered.

How to apply mascara?

Picking the best mascara for you is the first step to getting the eye look you want, from natural to super sexy, but the secret to clump-free lashes is how you apply mascara. You can curl your lashes if you want, but otherwise jump right to the mascara.

Step 1: Make sure you remove any excess product from the wand using the rim of the mascara tube. This will help prevent buildup from being deposited while you comb the wand through your lashes.
Step 2: Apply your first coat starting at the root of your eyelashes and wiggling the wand gently back and forth as you comb through the tips. This will ensure that product is deposited more evenly and coats every lash—even those little ones in the inner corner. If you want to intensify the effects of your mascara, do the same thing for a second coat.
Step 3: Use an eyelash brush to comb any excess or uneven product if needed.

Types of Mascaras

Get serious with smudges with waterproof mascara

If you’ve ever glanced at your reflection to see streaky black mascara running down your cheeks, it’s clear you’ve not been using a waterproof or smudge-proof mascara. Pick up a product that can handle tears, tantrums and dancing in the rain. But don’t think that’s all they do - a good smudge-proof mascara will also appear natural and long-lasting while building volume and length. Newbies to waterproof mascara can pick their product depending on their needs: daily wear and tear may only require a smudge-proof mascara while trips to the beach and swimming pools will definitely warrant a full-on waterproof formula. However, if you find these mascaras harder to remove at the end of the day, it’s best to stick to a regular mascara when you’re unlikely to get wet.

Grow and glow with lengthening mascaras

A lengthening mascara can be an excellent addition to your beauty collection especially if you have smaller eyes you’d like to enhance. These innovative mascaras can act as natural lash enhancers and save you splashing out on expensive eyelash extensions. Building length can often be a game of illusion - one that some products excel at. The best lengthening mascaras bond with your natural eyelashes and create an invisible tube around them, therefore giving the illusion of extended length. But if lashing on as much product is your usual style, ease up when it comes to lengthening mascara. Unlike volumising mascara where ‘the bigger the better’ is the name of the game, the secret to long lashes isn’t multiple coatings. Single, straight strokes are best for building length and ensuring colour extends from the roots to the tips of your lashes.

Correct the curl with curling mascaras

Lashes straighter than an arrow? Never fear. To hold curl and craft the eye-opening look you’re after, all you need is a curling mascara. This one is all about the brush. A curved wand will hug your lashes and guide them out of their die-hard straight shape. A tip from us? To expertly hold curl, a little extra work is needed from you. Use an eyelash curler prior to mascara application to build curl before you even begin. This will enhance the work of your mascara and set you up for a long-lasting look.

Volumising Mascara

Lusting after those celebs with constantly voluminous eyelashes? Unless they’re wearing falsies, their secret’s almost definitely a volumising mascara. The very best thickening mascaras separate your lashes at the root to ensure each hair is coated in bold black colour. The pockets of air created by lash separation help to give the impression of thicker, more voluminous eyelashes. The bolder the shade of black, the deeper and denser your look will appear. To give the formula the best chance of successfully thickening your lashes, don’t neglect the type of brush you choose. Keep an eye out for ones with precisely-aligned bristles. The method here? The space between each bristle is minimal meaning you can achieve that fanned-out lash look with ease.

Get the lashes of your dreams with the best mascaras that volumize, curl, define, lengthen and thicken when you shop online at Sephora.