Although it’s a staple of a beauty routine, if you’re following the rules around how long to keep and when to discard, you need to replace mascara fairly regularly.
If you’re one of those who likes to bend those rules, it’s worth taking heed of a gentle reminder that anything that goes near your eyes needs regular replacement.
Mascara has one of the shorter life spans, needing replacement after three to six months. Not only does it dry out and get clumpy fairly swiftly by nature, it can be a vehicle for infection.
Bacterial buildup over time is common in mascara products and can be transferred to your eyes with use. Mascara wands can also help transfer microorganisms from your skin to the eye area which can cause irritation and other issues.
If you’re in the market for a new one, there area number of worthy new arrivals to replace your old faithful with.
The current trend is to load tubes up with nourishing ingredients rather than the simple pigments we’ve used previously.
Formulators are also seeking to create length and volume for lashes with lightweight ingredients that won’t feel heavy or clump prematurely. While black pigment used to be everyone’s go-to, many new releases are meeting the current trend for brown mascara with shade options.
Once you’ve got one you love, it’s worth trying a few tried and true application techniques to ensure it looks stunning on.
Here are the best new mascara releases to try for the new season:
Benefit Cosmetics Fan Fest Mascara
Benefit has a long history with cult mascaras – remember the hype around Benefit Roller Lash Curling Mascara? This brand new option similarly seeks to lift and curl lashes with that scooped brush, but it does so with a more defining effect. The bristled brush does a good job of smoothing the pigment so every lash gets even coverage and each is combed and separated as you apply.
Water-resistant and ophthalmologist-tested, it also contains Provitamin B5, cranberry extract and rice wax to ensure lashes are nourished and conditioned with use.
Clinique High Impact High-Fi Full Volume Mascara
Love a mascara that brings the drama? Here’s the latest launch for you. Clinique’s new High Impact High-Fi Full Volume Mascara claims 230% more volume, instantly. That’s a big call, but the R&D team from a brand seriously respected for its mascara formulations (if you want a smudge-free tubing mascara, check out Clinique’s Lash Power mascara) have been busy infusing tiny fibres into the mix of this new release. The fibres help to pump up the black pigment, maximising the volume and length of your lashes. Don’t worry, the mascara has been ophthalmologist-tested and is safe for sensitive eyes, as well as safe for contact lens wearers, which has previously been a problem in other fibre mascaras.
The angled brush helps get into all those tiny lashes in the inner corners of your eyes and the formula is buildable, so you can keep swiping until you get the look you want.
It promises a lightweight gel formula that also includes a blend of coconut, argan, and moringa oils to help lashes feel stronger, softer and look healthier.
Maybelline The Falsies Surreal Lash Extension Mascara
Sound the alarm! Maybelline has a new mascara. If, like us, you’ve done extensive research on the best mascaras out there, you’ll know Maybelline regularly tops the lot, even outperforming far more expensive brands.
This one makes lashes long and fluttery and also has fibres included in the mix. With what the brand calls ‘Hybrid Fiber technology’ it uses a mix of fibers of different sizes – up to 3mm – to help with that longer look.
The twisted bristle brush is also said to help with its lengthening performance.
It lasts well on and has a vegan formula, which means no animal-derived ingredients or by-products, great for animal lovers!
Huda Beauty 1 Coat Wow! Mascara
For a more wide-eyed look, this mascara is a winner. Like the name suggests, it’s a one coat wonder, thanks to a dual-shaped brush with short and long bristles that help lengthen and separate lashes. The brush is silicone, which can be less separating and defining than other nylon-bristled brushes but it helps get the pigment on without delay.
Fenty Beauty Hella Thicc Volumizing Mascara
Trust Rihanna to create a bold mascara. So yes, this one does layer up for a seriously volumised look, but it’s actually not a bad all rounder also. This is because brands that only have one mascara in their line up, (unlike mass brands like Maybelline etc.) have to try and create a product that caters to as many people as possible. So although it has some mixed reviews online, you have to take them with a grain of salt, as no one mascara meets everyone’s preferences!
We found this to do a good job, although it does have quite a ‘wet’ formula so you need to be patient while it dries and it can need a little a scraping on the tube to remove excess product before applying.
