Mascaras have had a glow up in recent years. With more choices than ever before, we no longer have to settle for clump-prone, flakey, smudgeable formulas. Want to prioritise big, bold, black lashes? There's a volumising mascara for that. Looking for a natural-looking level-up on your natural lashes? Go for a lengthening brown mascara! Need an everyday staple that lasts for hours but is easy to wipe away with warm water? A tubing mascara might be for you.
All these choices can make it hard to know exactly which formulas you can rely on – and that's when it's time to turn to an expert (or three experts, to be exact). On a mission to discover the game-changing mascaras that do the most, we tapped three of our MECCA Makeup Experts and asked them to share their all-time favourite formulas. Scroll down for a peek at the mascaras that have changed their makeup game (and their lashes) for the better.
Sally Axford, Makeup Education Lead
What makes a mascara ‘game-changing’ for you?
“A game-changing mascara is one where people tell me they love my lashes rather than asking which mascara I’m wearing! For me, that means no residue or smudges creating a shadow around the eye, as well as a natural, fluffy end to the lash itself (rather than a thick blunt end – if you’ve used a chunky mascara you’ll know what I mean!) and one that can be removed easily.”
Which mascaras have changed your lash game?
Kevyn Aucoin’s The Curling Mascara and The Volume Mascara: “I’m a Kevyn Aucoin wearer from way back. I used to layer The Curling and The Volume formulas.”
Glossier Lash Slick: “I often turn to the Glossier Lash Slick, which has a polymer formula that builds up on the end of the lash and gives me extra glossy length that’s still believable!”
Hannah Daniel, Makeup Education Manager at MECCA
What makes a mascara ‘game-changing’ for you?
"With so many mascaras out there, it takes a lot to get my attention. A game-changing mascara must have something unique about it, but not just for show – that special feature has to really serve a purpose. The other key element for me is durability; I want something that's hard-wearing and lasts!"
Which mascaras have changed your lash game?
Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara: "This is the mascara that really has my heart. I love the narrow wand, which allows me to get excellent separation and length. On top of that, it has amazing durability and never gets clumpy."
ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara: "The distinctive wand on this mascara has two different sides, which allows you to really customise how your lashes look. It’s also got an ingredient called arginine, which is often found in haircare and can help to nourish and strengthen your lashes."
Mitchell Heggie, Junior Learning Designer, Makeup Education Team
“I believe a game-changing mascara is all about the innovation of its brush! It’s the tool that creates lift, curl and volume in the lashes. A good mascara wand always leaves the lashes looking defined while preventing clumping.”
Which mascaras have changed your lash game?
ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara: “This mascara has personally transformed my lash game.I love the dual-sided wand – it adds volume to the lashes while the comb side separates them, creating lift and length. I'm obsessed! It also stays put all day without budging.”
