If anyone is going to appreciate the importance of a good lash scenario, it’s someone who had all of her eyelashes fall out (thank you Chemo).
They’ve since grown back but not quite to their full former glory. I’m also classically lazy with my make-up routine – BB cream, blush and mascara are tasked with transforming this face into something that looks fresh and alive. Even more pressure on my mascara to work miracles on these little stubs. So, full of hope and optimism, I road-tested three heavy hitters to see which would fulfil all of my wildest lash dreams.
Starting with Tom Ford Ultra Length Mascara in Ultra Raven ($82) – this baby promises “extreme lengthening” (take that stubs) and long-wear, even in high temperatures and humidity. Boy did I have the perfect test drive situation. Enter, The Rave Cave.
A friend's 40th included a special dancefloor area that seemed the perfect spot to test out this mascara’s stickability. Most mascaras I’ve tried seem to give at least some ‘panda eye’ on a normal day where no dance moves are even pulled, so some time in The Rave Cave was really going to put Tom Ford to the test.
The verdict? Incredible. This mascara did not budge all night. There was zero panda eye by the end of the night; not a smudge. I could, however, have done with a slightly more heavy duty cleanser to remove it - my everyday cleanser didn’t quite cut it, and I was finding residual mascara on and around the stubs for a few days afterwards.
Given that my lashes are dead straight and stick out like teeny tiny verandahs over my eyeballs, it was hard to really see the lengthening effect on me. I’d imagine it would be very effective on someone who had either a lash lift or just lashes with any kind of curl to them. Application was super easy, not too clumpy. The colour is a nice intense black and overall, this felt like a very good all-day and all-night wear mascara.
Up next was the Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara ($62). The kohl pigments in this wee number promise thicker, bolder, fuller lashes. Think buildable volume and drama. Given that I probably crack out a smoky eye twice a year, I liked the idea of a dramatic eye with very minimal effort. The lazy girl in me was very excited about the prospect of doing not much.
I wore this for a full afternoon and evening, and was pleasantly surprised by how much thickness I could get from just a few strokes. Some mascaras that promise volume actually deliver a clumpy mess that flakes off onto your cheeks throughout the day. Not so with this.
The volume was clean and stayed put. No eyeliner or shadow necessary (although by all means knock yourself out) – this mascara gave some great depth, which I’m sure would look even better if paired with an actual smoky eye. Minimal smudging, easy application and removal and an all round great effect make this a very solid option for easy daily wear.
Finally, YSL Volume Effect Faux Cils The Curler Mascara ($68). I was most excited about this one as it touted itself as offering all the things I need: volume, length and curl. These teeny tiny verandas were about to get a wake-up call!
The brush is what makes this mascara works its magic – a black rounded fibre brush is used to curl your lashes, then a pink elastomer comb helps lift and define them. Bloody hell, science is amazing.
It’s all incorporated into the one applicator with handy instructions on the side, so it helps to read those before diving on in (I looked at the brush in bewilderment for a while before realising there was a very straightforward explanation on the packaging).
Of the three mascaras I tried, this one seemed to have the most effect on really opening up my eyes. It did indeed provide curl and lift, something I desperately need. It stayed put all day, right through some work, a lunch and even a puppy class.
This YSL mascara also felt luxe. You know when you use something and it just feels a bit flashy? It felt like that. Beautiful packaging, and weirdly enjoyable to wield.
I can see this being one I start off saving for “special occasions”, but then end up using every day because it’s actually so damn good. Treat yourself people.
The majority of product in our beauty reviews is gifted to our reviewers with the requirement it be trialled over a period of time. Editorial opinions are the writer's own. Is there a product you’d like to see reviewed? Let us know.
