TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 4.0*
What you said: "Just because a mascara comes in a big tube doesn't mean it's going to make your lashes look big also. This mascara is one of the worst I've ever used. It doesn't plump the lashes like it claims. It just sticks and clumps to your lashes. It's also a pain to remove. Just spend a little extra money to buy better mascara." -- GeekyChic, TotalBeauty.com member
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 3.9*
What you said: "It doesn't apply smoothly, it clumps terribly and it doesn't wear very well. I had flakes a short time after applying it. I love the goth look, just not on me." -- lesa5363, TotalBeauty.com member
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 3.9*
What you said: "I love Jessica Alba and (of course) her lashes look great in the ads for this mascara. In real life, the brush is awkward and I have never tried a mascara that clumped more than this one. After a few uses, I threw out the tube." -- wisconsin_girl, TotalBeauty.com member
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 3.7*
What you said: "Totally not worth the money ($23... what was I thinking?!). The brush is nice enough -- soft, full, easy to use, non clumping... thus, the two stars. But the product is so thin that it barely does anything. It took about 10 coats for me to even see any noticeable difference. It curled my eyelashes a little bit, but really, I think it was only due to the curved brush, which many mascaras have, and is not a testament to the actual product. I have tried many, many drugstore brand mascaras that are miles better than this one. Let's just say I'm glad Sephora has such a forgiving return policy." -- missmeliss, TotalBeauty.com member
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 3.7*
What you said: "I liked this mascara for awhile until I noticed that my lashes started to break off about half way down so I ended up with short eyelashes. And at that length not even this [mascara] can make them look longer. Also for me it seemed to take a lot longer than most mascaras I have tried to dry. It was easy to smudge if you weren't careful after putting it on." -- tracy_anne8, TotalBeauty.com member
It's official -- we're obsessed with mascara. If this is surprising to you, let us back up that statement by waxing poetic on all of the reasons why: First, it instantly opens up our eyes. Even when we've been burning the candle at both ends, we still manage to look awake thanks to this fabulous eye makeup we call mascara. Second, it makes us look like we actually have eyelashes -- even those of us who were blessed with blonde (aka invisible) lashes or super fine and stubby ones. Third, it creates an instantly feminine, polished makeup look. Even if it's the only product we take time to apply, it helps us look pulled-together.
So now that we've convinced you that mascara should be the go-to product for all women, it's time to let you in on a few other tidbits. Like, not all mascaras were created equal. How do we know this? Well... let's just say that we've tried enough of them to prove it. What's even better is that our readers have too. Thanks to them we have a list of the mascaras that produce lack-luster lashes (try saying that three times fast). Peruse their feedback to learn which mascaras you should steer clear of -- unless you want flaky raccoon eyes, of course. And hey, if you unknowingly bought one of the eye makeup products on this list already, these mascara tips may help salvage your look:
Tip 1: Improve lash separation by applying your mascara in a swift, zigzag motion from lash root to tip as opposed to one sweeping motion.
Tip 2: Dab the tip of your mascara wand on a tissue to get rid of the glob that tends to form there. It will prevent you from getting uneven, goopy product distribution.
Tip 3: If you use a lash primer, particularly a white one, wait 10 to 30 seconds for the primer to dry before applying your mascara. It will keep the color from looking diluted (i.e. gray instead of black).
