Mascara 101
Choosing a mascara is tricky business. It might be the most personal of beauty products – everyone has their own opinion, and rightfully so. Some prioritize length or volume, others look for comfort and all-day wear.
With so many options – and each with their own claims – it can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve reviewed Shimmer’s most popular brands, so you can make an informed selection and get the best mascara for you.
First things first. It’s important to note how our reviewer applied mascara, which she uses daily. She has moderately full lashes naturally and she likes that the right mascara can really make them pop. She starts at the base of her upper lid, on the underside of her lahses, and shimmies up and out. She repeats until she’s happy with the coverage, and usually skips her lower lashes. No matter the brand, she finds a spare, dry mascara wand comes in handy to separate hairs and get lashes just right.
Each week she tried a different mascara: Clove + Hallow, Lily Lolo, Fitglow and PYT Beauty. The bad news is there is not one winner. The good news is they are each great products, and you can’t go wrong with any of the four. But they are different, so it depends what you want out of your mascara. Here’s what she found with each:
Clove + Hallow’s FlexLash – A great basic mascara. The formula is light and comfortable for all-day wear. It offers a nice, smooth application, but be cautious when applying – the product can splatter a bit on the lids.
Lily Lolo’s Big Lash – A mascara that packs a punch. Inside the unassuming black tube is a shapely brush that provides excellent coverage. Once applied, she noticed significant volume and length, yet it was comfortable for all-day wear, making it a great all-around mascara. Her only complaint is it left a few flakes by nighttime twice during the week-long trial.
Fitglow’s Good Lash + Mascara – If you want a mascara that performs and nourishes, this one’s for you. It defined lashes the best of all four brands, plus it has botanical extracts and plant protein to promote lash health and growth. The wand has a nice, tapered brush, so our reviewer even gave a swipe on her lower lashes. She was very pleased with the results.
PYT Beauty’s 12 Hour Mascara + Primer – A mascara that multi-tasks. The two-sided product offers a high-performing mascara on one end and a clear primer on the other. She used the mascara with and without the primer and was happy both ways, though the primer provided a bit more definition. This mascara gave the best volume of the four, but it wasn’t over-the-top for daytime wear.
Again, a mascara that works for one person may not work for another. So if you’re still not sure or have questions, the Shimmer staff is your best resource.
Quick Guide
Comfort – CH, LL, FG, PYT
Length – LL, FG, PYT
Nourishment – FG
Volume - LL, FG, PYT