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 are several 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. It’s arguably a trade off whether they deliver the staying-power and wow volume of predecessors, but we’re less likely to have dry, crispy lashes that break off or fall out like we sometimes used to thanks to these new formulas.
Lancôme Le 8 Hypnôse Serum-Infused Volumizing Mascara
Pushing innovation in the category forward, Lancôme offers several new ideas in this chic and sleek-looking new arrival. Instead of the traditionally-used waxes, it uses a black balm that contains nourishing and conditioning serum ingredients including shea butter and 8 amino acids, said to be a major component of natural lash keratin. The idea is to keep lashes in great shape over time as well as adding natural-looking colour that can be removed gently with warm water. The 8-shaped tube is also made of glass, including 15% recycled glass.
COVERGIRL Simply Ageless Lash Plumping Mascara
This mascara uses hyaluronic acid, more commonly used in skincare, to provide hydration and nourishment. It also has a serum from bamboo, included to thicken and strengthen lashes and ensure less fall out. The formula aims to deliver buildable volume and handily comes in both black and brown shades.
Clarins SOS Lashes Serum Mascara
As well as a similar lash-boosting serum formula, this 94% naturally-derived multi-tasker can be used three ways. Used alone it subtly boosts the natural colour of lashes. Applied before another mascara, it prepares lashes and improves and enhances the make-up result. Used as a night treatment, it intensely nourishes, strengthens and revitalizes your natural set over time.
L’Oreal Paris Pro XXL Lift Mascara
One of three brand-new, double-ended mascaras under the ‘Pro XXL’ name, each is designed to mimic lash services achieved in salon, but with mascara. Pro XXL Volume Mascara adds dramatic volume, while Pro XXL Extension helps with the illusion of length. This version however, is a curling mascara that aims to scoop up and lift lashes (just like a pro lash lift) for a wide-eyed effect. First you use the volumising brush, then the curved one, which gets help from a formula infused with pro-keratin.
Yves Saint Laurent Lash Clash Mascara
You may be swayed by the high-end designer vibes of the packaging, but what’s inside is equally as good. Again there is a focus is on care with an iris-flower extract, but you’ll also achieve a bold, voluminous set with a conical brush that catches every last lash – even the tiny ones on the inner corners of your eyes. The pigment is very black and dense too. Consider this your perfect ‘night out’ mascara.
