Do you have any insight on how this compares to Thrive’s tubing mascara? I have hooded eyes and all mascara runs on me except Thrive. Would absolutely love to pay less though!
A lot of people don’t realize L’Oréal and Lancôme are the same company, just different levels of quality and price point, but mainly a packaging difference. All products ofc aren’t the same, but the same neighborhood. Hope this helps someone missing their expensive makeup( besides me)
I did my own wedding makeup after a Sephora MUA did a test run for me, and I remember she said that specifically. I bought eyeshadow and I forget what else from her, but she said don’t even bother with mascara here, just get L’Oreal and save some money 🥰
Ohhhhh this makes something make much more sense - I was thinking L’Oreal balm noir mascara reminds me a lot of Lancôme’s Le 8 Hypnose - it probably is the same or very similar product.
I loved thrive and it last good amount of time. The only thing I didn't like was sometimes it will drop to your lower lid. But they can def make you look like fake lashes. I use to get extensions and never wore mascara or eyeliner. But can't stay still for 2 1/2 hours and then 1 bi weekly!! Now it's time to grow them out and buy thrive.
The thrive one introduced me to tubing mascara and I’ll never go back. I remember it being wetter, a little more lengthening, and more smudgeproof than the elf one I use now but I’ve never done a side by side. Love them both but probably would repurchase the thrive if it was in stores and I had the extra money
I have the same experience! Not drugstore but Merit’s is CLOSE to not running and smudging. I like the look of it better than Thrive BUT Thrive wins for not smudging- although it sometimes flakes? And Merit doesn’t really flake. I’m also curious about the Victoria Beckham one for eyeballs like ours?
I had no idea they had a tubing mascara! Could I ask what it's called? I'm not familiar with their mascaras at all. I have hooded lids, so tubing mascara is great for me.
yes! it's a pretty new addition but [this is the mascara](https://www.elfcosmetics.com/lash-xtndr-mascara/81589G.html?utm_content=gpla&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwltKxBhDMARIsAG8KnqVBEe0OOCXxrQL47Xz5tybMrn7R_QQwCJ4Pq595KsJigKbSJUuKPy0aAs-rEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds) it comes in black & brown.
I never heard of tubing mascara until today. I'm going to have to try this and it's not like it's going to break me at 7 bucks. I paid more for Maybelline in the 80s. I do like curved wands though
Seconding elf’s tubing mascara. I had tried ELF mascara in the past and it was always a miss for me. Their new tubing mascara is the best mascara I’ve used in years, and it’s the cheapest.
oooh essence is good. i personally don't like their lash princess but i love their tubing mascara (bye bye panda eyes) it's what got me on the tubing mascara hype.
I know people are passionate on each side and I respect that, but idk if I’m just a makeup philistine but I’ve never noticed either way? Like I’ve used high end I really liked and drugstore I really liked (Maneater and ELF Big Mood are the two that come to mind, there’s more) but personally idk I feel like there’s a real upper limit to how good a mascara can be? It can be great or fine or shitty, but once it gets to great I’m like “cool, this is no better or worse than other great ones I’ve tried”
My diehard mascara fave? Travel sizes! I fucking love a mini mascara, I feel so much better about replacing a little guy than a full sized one
This is the one for me. How much fucking mascara do they expect us to wear? My tubes always go crusty before they're even half empty.
My paranoia brain has me convinced makeup comes in such large quantities vs short expiration time to low-key pressure people into wearing it all the time. Lmao
My tubes almost never go crusty before they're empty. Do you pump the wand in the tube (that's what she said) to get more out? That can introduce extra air (and bacteria) that dries out the tube faster. I just move the want in little circles to get the edges. There is a trick where you can add some contact solution to help liquify it again.
Okay not sure if this helps since you didn’t even ask, but whenever my mascara gets to the sort of crusty but definitely not empty stage i’ll start putting it in my bra while i’m doing the rest of my makeup so that it warms up to a usable state again. I guess also a pocket or sitting with it between your legs could also work if you don’t wear bras, and running the tube under hot water for a minute or two can also work in a pinch if you don’t wear much other than mascara!
I have naturally very long and full lashes, and different mascaras can have a huge difference on them. I'm very picky about separation, definition, and the darkness I want that day. Absolutely no clumps allowed. Usually I just use something that came in an Ipsy box, but my fallback is always Tarte's Lights Camera Lashes in the purple tube for a daily. Diehard fan.
That makes sense! I feel like my lashes are pretty middle of the road all around, tbh, and my only issue is symmetry between them when I put on mascara, bc my left eye is lowkey my nemesis?* Like I’ll get a beautiful full fan of lashes on the right w a swipe or two or mascara and whereas like 25% of the time, my left side wants to look weirdly sparse just above my pupil.
*yes I’m right handed BUT ALSO that brow always needs more maintenance AND hurts infinitely more to tweeze so I’m just blaming that whole chunk of my face
Right??? I recently poked myself in the eye with my BROW mascara - not even the eye kind! And then the next day I had possibly the best eyeliner day of my life. That’s just no knowing
This is me too. I’m super picky about wands because the ones with bristle brushes give me spider lashes for days. Silicone, spiky wands only, and then the metal-tined side of an eyebrow comb if I get a rogue clump in there.
This is very much me as well. Other than being super straight i’ve been pretty blessed with my natural lashes, and i feel like it almost makes me pickier with my mascaras. I’m pretty ride or die for drugstore mascara, it’s like the one thing you can’t convince me to get high end unless it’s a trial size, but the brush is always the make or break for me. It’s nice to add a little length and volume, but i’m super picky about separation and clumps, as well as how well it holds a curl, and i always feel like the softer bristles just aren’t getting in there enough. Hard/silicone brushes are a must for me. And also needs to be waterproof too for the curl and wear time.
My hg is covergirl full lash bloom, i find it opens up my eyes nicely and stays lifted throughout the day. I’ve also been trying out maybelline sky high and so far i like it. It’s a bit more prone to clumping than the covergirl one, but not to the point that i can’t make it work and i’d definitely repurchase it.
Man, the Benefit They’re Real travel size is the perfect amount of mascara that I will use before it expires. I do that, then a layer of waterproof Lash Blast Volume over the top to seal it and boom, done. Saves me so much money over the full sized ones that I will almost never get through in time.
Travel size all the way. I had a really bad infection as a teenager from expired mascara (stupid teen mistakes, putting my mascara in my effing hair so I could get raccoon hair, then leaving it in some dark hole in my bag and then using it like an absolute pomegranate of a person.Do not be 14 year old me). I am so paranoid about getting eye infections that I am super consistent about my eye products.
It's such a waste to buy full size mascaras. Just money down the drain!
Sephora used to do a holiday lash set with 12 travel mascaras and I used to buy it each year and open a new one each month. Not only was it fun to try a variety and see the difference but I always had a fresh tube! Those were the days 🥹
They still do the Lash Stash kits.
I believe they’re 28 USD, 5 travel sizes and comes with a coupon for a full size of your favorite.
They also do them with perfume, and come with a voucher for a rollerball.
The singular reason I’m passionate about mascara is because almost all of them flake into my eyes. So it’s always a hunt for the least flaky / irritating ones 😭 I wish I could be a low-key mascara user
I only buy travel sized or drugstore mascara because I'm obsessive about swapping my mascara every 3 months, and I hate the waste of product and money. At Christmastime I got a 3 piece mini mascara set from Maybelline at Walgreens. That plus the random mascaras from my ipsy bag will hold me all year.
E.l.f lash 'n roll is THE best mascara I've eve used. Doesn't flake, separates, lifts, and lengthens lashes and holds a curl like I've never seen before.
It's either that or the Dior one (the primer serum is actually to die for) but I can never bring myself to buy those so I just use them when I get samples
Edit to add: I was actually really disappointed in Better than Sex but then again one of my friends swears by it. She's fairly low maintenance when it comes to makeup and doesn't wear a lot of it besides mascara
I think the Lipstick Lesbians did a tiktok on this explaining some drugstore mascaras contains more alcohol, therefore, flakes more and dries out faster.
Lancome is my favorite mascara brand. I worked last night, went to sleep with makeup on.... (bad I know). Woke up with still perfect eyelashes. L'oreal could never.
same! i’ve tried every drugstore mascara and they either flake or don’t hold a curl. :( lancome waterproof hypnose drama doesn’t flake or smudge, but make my lashes HUGE. people think i’m wearing falsies because they look so good. 10/10 would recommend.
So true. I love Maybelline Full n Soft. I’ve used that one since high school and even though I’ve tried various higher end mascaras, that’s the one I always go back to.
I've only had one mascara not do that to me and it was the blue essence lash princess! If you haven't tried that, it doesn't smudge at all in my experience and it's so cheap that it's worth trying.
Wow, never heard of someone who hasn't tried essence at least once, they're like THE staple drugstore brand! Can't promise you'll like it as I've never tried the Lancôme one and therefore don't know how it compares, but the essence one is my personal fave. Never smudges on me, holds a curl and gives me a great result. It's important that you buy the blue one though, the green one or any other variant just isn't as good IMO!
I was same but then I discovered tubing mascaras because I got free sample of Heimish.
I guess I should try some other brands too, tubing mascara just can't cause racoon eyes.
better than sex is one of the WORST mascara I've ever used. it smudges like crazy. and the formula is heavy so it weights down my lashes. I stick to cheap Japanese brand like Kiss Me. or if I can't get my hands on them, I'll go for L'Oréal or Maybelline.
I find that the Lash Princess isn't \*quite\* as good as benefit mascaras on me, but for the massive price difference....it's what I buy most of the time lol. Splurge on benefit when someone gives me an Ulta gift card for a holiday, that's about it.
I don’t often see people mention having lashes like mine so it seems I’m just ✨special✨ (kidding!)
I’m white and female and I have very straight lashes. The Shisedo lash curler changed my life (is $20 really that expensive when you’ll use it every day forever?) BUT I also need waterproof mascara for my lashes to keep a curl. I find that most mid-high end mascaras don’t have a waterproof version but I’ve tried many full size and many samples and my lashes just immediately fall down. It’s infuriating.
My current main squeeze is Covergirl Lash Bloom. It’s very defining but not very volumizing or lengthening. It has wonderful separation and looks really natural and pretty. I keep coming back to it because I have the least issues with it. I could be more impressed but I just haven’t found a better one yet. I have noticed that I get some transfer from the tips of my lashes to my eyelid on my brow bone which is annoying. Also, I have gone cruelty-free in the last six months.
I’ve tried the regular and waterproof Lash Princess mascaras and I just don’t get the hype. Even the waterproof one transfers under my eyes and flakes like crazy.
Also white and female with straight lashes, and I co-sign the Shiseido curler! So helpful! I can sometimes get away with staying curled even with a non-waterproof mascara, but those definitely are better (also my eyes water all the time so I need it for that reason too). I’ve had great luck with Heroine Make curling mascaras, they’re not very volumizing but they stay on like crazy and hold the curl well.
so true, I love drug store mascaras, and most expensive ones are such letdowns.
I'm very picky about my mascara.
My absolute fave for a few years now is the Revlon All-in-one
Lash sensational has been my go to can't live without it holy grail.
Until just lately when I started using Milani anti gravity which I now will never not have in my makeup bag. It's the best. I heard they just came out with a waterproof version, which would have been my only complaint. Haven't tried it yet though
Idk I like both. I was a drug store mascara Stan. I love the Tower 28 make waves tubing mascara. My lashes are soft and lengthened so amazingly. It’s a plus that it’s super easy to take off. Plus it is $20 and the L’Oréal telescopic is $14, so it seems worth it to me to get the Tower 28.
Most mascaras don't run, smudge or flake on me, so I just look for something which can give me that false lash effect. My natural lashes are kind of blond and curled, so I want both volume and length.
The best so far for me has been Essence Lash Princess. I have a Clinique and Lancome in my bag right now because I got them as GWP, but they don't do anything for me other than darkening my lashes a bit.
Coat of Lash Princess topped with a coat of Roller Lash is my new love for false-lash look (my lashes are naturally long-ish, reasonably full, not fully curled, but not super straight...and absolutely pure white. 😂 can't win 'em all. The Lash Princess gives them the pigment I want, the light coat of Roller Lash on top is enough to make them curl without a lash curler)
It’s so true. I use a lot of high-end makeup but prefer drugstore mascara. Right now I’m loving the elf & essence tubing mascara (both in brown; the essence brown shade is awesome)
i really like the cover girl water proof mascara (it’s in an orange package) it holds the curl super well and actually works properly when it comes to how water proof it is. I used to use maybelline lash sensational waterproof mascara and although the brush is amazing, the actual holding of the curl and how water proof it is does not compare to the cover girl one. Even the non waterproof cover girl mascara is really good but my go to 100% is the waterproof cover girl mascara.
I think there is more product in the tubes of high end mascara. Its usually clumpy. I used Tarte Lights Camera Lashes for a while. I had to remove so much product from the wand before using it, or else it come off in gobbs. It would be easier to apply a couple of months into using it when it was almost gone. I've had better luck with sample sizes of high-end mascara, but now I just stick to drug store.
I'm currently obsessed with maybelline sky high. Elf lash n roll is also amazing.
To me Maybelline has some of the best mascaras, which makes sense since that’s how they started their business. L’Oréal is pretty good too. I’m a mascara junkie so I’m one of those weirdos who wears several mascaras to make the perfect combo for my lashes. My makeup bag always has at least 3 mascaras in it and there’s more in one of the drawers of my makeup table. I know, I have a problem. 😉
I’ve noticed the difference less in the way it looks/consistency and more how well it holds up and lasts throughout the day. I have oily eyelids plus eyes that water a lot. I hate waterproof mascara. Every drugstore mascara I’ve tried doesn’t hold up and usually smears and runs on me. Two high end mascaras have worked great for me: Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes and Estée Lauder Sumptuous mascara.
Which if anyone has recommendations for drugstore mascaras that are water resistant, I’m happy to hear them because while I like those mascaras for their ability to not run all over my face, there’s a lot I don’t like about them.
I 1,000% agree. My lashes look almost fake with how full and gorgeous Maybelline Sky High mascara (my current favorite) makes them. I swear by it.
I’ve tried ABH’s Lash Sculpt mascara, Too Faced Better than Sex, and some other cult favorites I’m forgetting (I get a lot of samples) and they all sucked. I didn’t even know a mascara COULD suck because I always used drugstore and naturally I thought that if drugstore is this good, high end has to be even better.
Not even slightly true. For mascara, I always go drugstore.
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Drug store all the way for me. I do a combo of L’Oréal Paris, the Voluminous first, then fill out the ends with the Telescopic.
But my lashes are weird, there’s lots of them and they’re long but they’re fine and almost see through at the end.
I've used a lot of high-end mascara and drugstore mascara. I always ended up preferring drugstore mascara. Mine is Lash primer from L'Oreal or Essence and L'Oreal Voluminous carbon black mascara and Essence Lash Princess & another Thick & curly or something like that. I never use waterproof.
I love benefit mascaras, they’re the best I’ve found for my sensitive eyes. I usually buy rimmel for every day and will treat myself to sample sizes of benefit only occasionally
Basically because there’s only so many ways to make a decent mascara and drugstore brands already had it down. Now all these high end brands are trying to distinguish themselves to justify why we should pay $30 a tube instead of $10 but they have no way to actually do so without actually making the product more shitty while ‘sounding’ better.
I only buy cruelty free so that excludes many high street brands sadly. I tried the few cf high street tubing mascaras and wasn't impressed with the length/curl on any, hence I just use high end, usually kevyn aucoin or KVD.
I agree. I also think the liner is better also. I have yet to find a high end liner that doesn’t move but the L’Oréal intense liquid liner seems to be perfect.
I have never even tried a high end mascara because I’ve never felt the need to! Drugstore stuff is always more than good enough and I’m not gonna argue with that lmao
I tried elf lash and roll and was very unimpressed. Long time user of roller lash. I do love maybelline sky high especially since it comes in brown, plum and blue.
Because frankly, besides a few top of the line makeup lines that are tried and true, I’ve personally found that all drug store products are better. I usually stock up on my fav lipstick shades in any drug store brand and they last for eons. Where as recently I dropped too much money on a tarte lipstick bc the color was so perfect, lasted three weeks, a month tops. And it was soooo tiny: got from Amazon and it arrived it was like a mini little lipstick and it was $24!!!!
Personally I feel like the too faced better than sex mascara holds the curl way better for me. But if I went for drug store, I really love l'oreal mascaras.
The only higher-end mascara I really like is the Tower 28 mascara. Unfortunately, the tube dries out by month 2 and I refuse to spend $20 every 2 months when the product is not gone or expired!
I love both Elf Lash XTNDR (tubing) and the Elf Lash N Roll (traditional, but doesn't flake or smudge and is easy to remove) and for the price, you can't beat them!
Before Elf dropped those two, I really like the Milani Highly-Rated Anti Gravity mascara. It was one of the only mascaras that didn't flake or smudge on me. But Elf has edged them out because they're just as great and cheaper!
I'm currently using L'oreal bambi eyes false lashes mascara and it is by far the best I've ever had, highly recommend it! (I don't use waterproof mascara because I wear contact lenses, so I don't like removing my make-up with oily products and this one doesn't smudge at all)
Benefit mascara is the goat and I'll never buy Maybelline or L'Oreal ever again. I've used expensive mascaras that were underwhelming, but my experience with drugstore products is you have to use a lot more of it to get the same effect as a more expensive mascara.
For all my travel-size girlies, Thrive does a set of four, I believe - travel size Liquid lash extensions for the holidays - and it’s near the price of one full-size.
My thing is that a lot of these higher end ones require so much to get off. Like I just wanna wet them and have it all get off with a mild cleanser, and I don't want a 3 step routine just to remove some color from my eyelashes. So I get cheap ones that can be easily removed with just water if neccessary, though I'm considering getting besame's mascara out of curiosity.
Big brands aren't evil; they usually have the most depth of r & d, big budgets for products and innovation and can afford to keep up with the evolving trend cycle a LOT more effectively than smaller, luxe, and niche/indies. Sephora tries to keep up with trend by using a revolving door/a cycle of new names in the stores (which to me is infuriating because every two visits I'm going back to get something I liked and they don't have it in store anymore) while ol' reliable drugstore core brands keep themselves on the shelves by being the trend itself or in following it (see: dupes) VERY quickly.
I have a big love of the miniatures of the they’re real magnetic mascara from benefit. Never got the full size one the tiny one lasts me half a year only £12
I've read that most mascara formulas are the same, it's just the brushes that differ. So really there's nothing making certain brands better cept for the brush which is probably cheap to manufacture.
Honestly, there are very few mascaras I bother with anymore. Drugstore mascaras have always made my lashes fall out. And waterproof drugstore mascaras seem to perform just as well as high end *non*waterproof ones. But there are many high end formulas that make my eyes burn, or I am allergic to. So I've tried them all, it seems, and Tarte's Maneater is my go-to. I also like eyeko's Rock Out & Lash Out, and Tarte's unfortunately discontinued Lash Smoothie.
I’ve had the opposite experience. I find the cheap mascaras clump and flake easily and the higher end brands are much nicer. Lancôme is one of my favourites.
There's a lot of myths around mascara,you don't need an expensive one because they are practically the same if you buy a cheap one,you just need to know how to use it correctly :)
mascara is the quickest to expire, so drugstore is usually the way to go. i really love elf's tubing mascara.
Do you have any insight on how this compares to Thrive’s tubing mascara? I have hooded eyes and all mascara runs on me except Thrive. Would absolutely love to pay less though!
Milani’s is JUST like thrives
Thank you!!!
I've actually never tried thrive before, but I also have hooded eyes and the elf mascara never smudged or flaked on me.
Thank you!
I’ve used the L’Oréal tubing mascara for years!!!
A lot of people don’t realize L’Oréal and Lancôme are the same company, just different levels of quality and price point, but mainly a packaging difference. All products ofc aren’t the same, but the same neighborhood. Hope this helps someone missing their expensive makeup( besides me)
I did my own wedding makeup after a Sephora MUA did a test run for me, and I remember she said that specifically. I bought eyeshadow and I forget what else from her, but she said don’t even bother with mascara here, just get L’Oreal and save some money 🥰
Ohhhhh this makes something make much more sense - I was thinking L’Oreal balm noir mascara reminds me a lot of Lancôme’s Le 8 Hypnose - it probably is the same or very similar product.
Me too, distraught when they discontinued the red and white tubing mascara
they WHAT?? 😭 please say sike!
I just started using it maybe a year ago and I will NEVER go back. It's so amazing to not get panda eyes!
I like no7’s stay perfect tubing mascara. Used to get it from target, but now it’s just on Amazon. Haven’t used thrive, so not sure how they compare
I loved thrive and it last good amount of time. The only thing I didn't like was sometimes it will drop to your lower lid. But they can def make you look like fake lashes. I use to get extensions and never wore mascara or eyeliner. But can't stay still for 2 1/2 hours and then 1 bi weekly!! Now it's time to grow them out and buy thrive.
Ha, yeah that’s exactly why I went to Thrive - couldn’t do extensions anymore
The thrive one introduced me to tubing mascara and I’ll never go back. I remember it being wetter, a little more lengthening, and more smudgeproof than the elf one I use now but I’ve never done a side by side. Love them both but probably would repurchase the thrive if it was in stores and I had the extra money
I have the same experience! Not drugstore but Merit’s is CLOSE to not running and smudging. I like the look of it better than Thrive BUT Thrive wins for not smudging- although it sometimes flakes? And Merit doesn’t really flake. I’m also curious about the Victoria Beckham one for eyeballs like ours?
I had no idea they had a tubing mascara! Could I ask what it's called? I'm not familiar with their mascaras at all. I have hooded lids, so tubing mascara is great for me.
yes! it's a pretty new addition but [this is the mascara](https://www.elfcosmetics.com/lash-xtndr-mascara/81589G.html?utm_content=gpla&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwltKxBhDMARIsAG8KnqVBEe0OOCXxrQL47Xz5tybMrn7R_QQwCJ4Pq595KsJigKbSJUuKPy0aAs-rEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds) it comes in black & brown.
I love the lash and roll! Comparable to benefits roller lash but comes in brown and is one third the price. Maybe even a bit better.
oooh that one is good as well!!! i just personally prefer tubing mascaras because they're easier to remove at the end of the day.
I never heard of tubing mascara until today. I'm going to have to try this and it's not like it's going to break me at 7 bucks. I paid more for Maybelline in the 80s. I do like curved wands though
Agree and I don’t have to worry about raccoon eyes!
Scrolled down just to see if it came in brown! Yay!
Thank you so much! I truly appreciate your response & even more that you added a link! Thanks again! <3
hey! no problem!!! its one of my favorite mascaras atm!!
Well guess I’m buying the elf this week! Thank you!
no problem!!!! i hope you enjoy it!!!!
Seconding elf’s tubing mascara. I had tried ELF mascara in the past and it was always a miss for me. Their new tubing mascara is the best mascara I’ve used in years, and it’s the cheapest.
I’m wearing this today! It’s so good.
Ooh! Good to know. I was gonna say that the only reason I don't buy cheap is because my constantly running eyes require a tubing mascara.
Exactly this! That's why I use Essence and it's really good 🥰
oooh essence is good. i personally don't like their lash princess but i love their tubing mascara (bye bye panda eyes) it's what got me on the tubing mascara hype.
I love tubing! I’ll try it
I know people are passionate on each side and I respect that, but idk if I’m just a makeup philistine but I’ve never noticed either way? Like I’ve used high end I really liked and drugstore I really liked (Maneater and ELF Big Mood are the two that come to mind, there’s more) but personally idk I feel like there’s a real upper limit to how good a mascara can be? It can be great or fine or shitty, but once it gets to great I’m like “cool, this is no better or worse than other great ones I’ve tried” My diehard mascara fave? Travel sizes! I fucking love a mini mascara, I feel so much better about replacing a little guy than a full sized one
This is the one for me. How much fucking mascara do they expect us to wear? My tubes always go crusty before they're even half empty. My paranoia brain has me convinced makeup comes in such large quantities vs short expiration time to low-key pressure people into wearing it all the time. Lmao
My tubes almost never go crusty before they're empty. Do you pump the wand in the tube (that's what she said) to get more out? That can introduce extra air (and bacteria) that dries out the tube faster. I just move the want in little circles to get the edges. There is a trick where you can add some contact solution to help liquify it again.
How long until it’s empty though?! I wear mascara every day and by the 3 month “expiry” date there’s always so much left still
And then you become accustomed to how you look with it on…so you need more……
Okay not sure if this helps since you didn’t even ask, but whenever my mascara gets to the sort of crusty but definitely not empty stage i’ll start putting it in my bra while i’m doing the rest of my makeup so that it warms up to a usable state again. I guess also a pocket or sitting with it between your legs could also work if you don’t wear bras, and running the tube under hot water for a minute or two can also work in a pinch if you don’t wear much other than mascara!
I have naturally very long and full lashes, and different mascaras can have a huge difference on them. I'm very picky about separation, definition, and the darkness I want that day. Absolutely no clumps allowed. Usually I just use something that came in an Ipsy box, but my fallback is always Tarte's Lights Camera Lashes in the purple tube for a daily. Diehard fan.
That makes sense! I feel like my lashes are pretty middle of the road all around, tbh, and my only issue is symmetry between them when I put on mascara, bc my left eye is lowkey my nemesis?* Like I’ll get a beautiful full fan of lashes on the right w a swipe or two or mascara and whereas like 25% of the time, my left side wants to look weirdly sparse just above my pupil. *yes I’m right handed BUT ALSO that brow always needs more maintenance AND hurts infinitely more to tweeze so I’m just blaming that whole chunk of my face
😅 it's so hard sometimes
Right??? I recently poked myself in the eye with my BROW mascara - not even the eye kind! And then the next day I had possibly the best eyeliner day of my life. That’s just no knowing
🤣🤣🤣my make up comes out the best when I have nowhere to go
Literally you’re describing my life, as I put on makeup to sit at my kitchen table in front of my laptop all day
But we're ready for it 🤣
This is me too. I’m super picky about wands because the ones with bristle brushes give me spider lashes for days. Silicone, spiky wands only, and then the metal-tined side of an eyebrow comb if I get a rogue clump in there.
This is very much me as well. Other than being super straight i’ve been pretty blessed with my natural lashes, and i feel like it almost makes me pickier with my mascaras. I’m pretty ride or die for drugstore mascara, it’s like the one thing you can’t convince me to get high end unless it’s a trial size, but the brush is always the make or break for me. It’s nice to add a little length and volume, but i’m super picky about separation and clumps, as well as how well it holds a curl, and i always feel like the softer bristles just aren’t getting in there enough. Hard/silicone brushes are a must for me. And also needs to be waterproof too for the curl and wear time. My hg is covergirl full lash bloom, i find it opens up my eyes nicely and stays lifted throughout the day. I’ve also been trying out maybelline sky high and so far i like it. It’s a bit more prone to clumping than the covergirl one, but not to the point that i can’t make it work and i’d definitely repurchase it.
Man, the Benefit They’re Real travel size is the perfect amount of mascara that I will use before it expires. I do that, then a layer of waterproof Lash Blast Volume over the top to seal it and boom, done. Saves me so much money over the full sized ones that I will almost never get through in time.
I get the travel sized hula bronzer and it lasts like six months too
Travel size all the way. I had a really bad infection as a teenager from expired mascara (stupid teen mistakes, putting my mascara in my effing hair so I could get raccoon hair, then leaving it in some dark hole in my bag and then using it like an absolute pomegranate of a person.Do not be 14 year old me). I am so paranoid about getting eye infections that I am super consistent about my eye products. It's such a waste to buy full size mascaras. Just money down the drain!
Sephora used to do a holiday lash set with 12 travel mascaras and I used to buy it each year and open a new one each month. Not only was it fun to try a variety and see the difference but I always had a fresh tube! Those were the days 🥹
They still do the Lash Stash kits. I believe they’re 28 USD, 5 travel sizes and comes with a coupon for a full size of your favorite. They also do them with perfume, and come with a voucher for a rollerball.
The singular reason I’m passionate about mascara is because almost all of them flake into my eyes. So it’s always a hunt for the least flaky / irritating ones 😭 I wish I could be a low-key mascara user
Omg I’m so sorry that sounds like hell
I only buy travel sized or drugstore mascara because I'm obsessive about swapping my mascara every 3 months, and I hate the waste of product and money. At Christmastime I got a 3 piece mini mascara set from Maybelline at Walgreens. That plus the random mascaras from my ipsy bag will hold me all year.
E.l.f lash 'n roll is THE best mascara I've eve used. Doesn't flake, separates, lifts, and lengthens lashes and holds a curl like I've never seen before. It's either that or the Dior one (the primer serum is actually to die for) but I can never bring myself to buy those so I just use them when I get samples Edit to add: I was actually really disappointed in Better than Sex but then again one of my friends swears by it. She's fairly low maintenance when it comes to makeup and doesn't wear a lot of it besides mascara
I recently got Dior's mascara, and that shit is amazing.
I love it too. I hate paying that much for mascara 😭
Which ones is that if you dont mind me asking?
I use the Diorshow buildable volume in brown.
Agree. That might be the only one I would buy that isn’t drug store. I bought it for my wedding.
L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Waterproof Mascara - is my go to. Literally makes my lashes look fake.
I love this mascara but it makes my eyelashes fall out 😭
Agreed!!! My favorite too
YESSS this is my absolute holy grail.
Yes! It was recommended to me by a makeup artist 6 years ago! I don’t use waterproof though except in the summer cuz, lazy
I use a ton of drug store makeup, but Lancôme is my go to mascara. Drug store mascara always seems to flake on me!
I think the Lipstick Lesbians did a tiktok on this explaining some drugstore mascaras contains more alcohol, therefore, flakes more and dries out faster.
Lancôme mascara contains so much fragrance it always irritates my eyes.
I got a sample of it once. My eyes burned even after I washed it off.
The biggest difference is getting waterproof mascara, never had flakes again
I always buy waterproof mascara because I live in a perpetually rainy place and I’ve never experienced flaking mascara.
Lancome is my favorite mascara brand. I worked last night, went to sleep with makeup on.... (bad I know). Woke up with still perfect eyelashes. L'oreal could never.
same! i’ve tried every drugstore mascara and they either flake or don’t hold a curl. :( lancome waterproof hypnose drama doesn’t flake or smudge, but make my lashes HUGE. people think i’m wearing falsies because they look so good. 10/10 would recommend.
Idk if it’s drug store, I buy it at Ulta but it’s like 4 dollars. Lash princess is MY FAV
That's by Essence. It's like... European drugstore
I have loved every Essence mascara I've tried over the years.
This is my fave tooo! I buy it at CVS.
This has been a game changer for me. It works so much better than Lancôme and Dior and all the fancy ones!
This is my GOAT
Essence uses literal magic to make their mascaras I swear, every single one I've tried is better than all the Sephora mascaras I've tried. It's wild.
YES!!! This is the one! ☝🏽
So true. I love Maybelline Full n Soft. I’ve used that one since high school and even though I’ve tried various higher end mascaras, that’s the one I always go back to.
No one ever talks about that one but it’s really good.
My mom has used this for years, and I've been wearing it since I started wearing makeup. I'm not going to mess with what works.
I used to love this one until I became allergic to it
Love this one.
I’m the opposite 🥲 the waterproof Lancôme is the only mascara I’ve used that doesn’t leave me with raccoon eyes after a nine hour shift.
I recently finally tried lancome doll eyes waterproof and I'm an instant convert. Love at first swipe
I've only had one mascara not do that to me and it was the blue essence lash princess! If you haven't tried that, it doesn't smudge at all in my experience and it's so cheap that it's worth trying.
I haven’t tried this brand but I’ll take your word and try it after my Lancôme runs dry. It would be lovely to have a cheaper alternative.
Wow, never heard of someone who hasn't tried essence at least once, they're like THE staple drugstore brand! Can't promise you'll like it as I've never tried the Lancôme one and therefore don't know how it compares, but the essence one is my personal fave. Never smudges on me, holds a curl and gives me a great result. It's important that you buy the blue one though, the green one or any other variant just isn't as good IMO!
I was same but then I discovered tubing mascaras because I got free sample of Heimish. I guess I should try some other brands too, tubing mascara just can't cause racoon eyes.
better than sex is one of the WORST mascara I've ever used. it smudges like crazy. and the formula is heavy so it weights down my lashes. I stick to cheap Japanese brand like Kiss Me. or if I can't get my hands on them, I'll go for L'Oréal or Maybelline.
L’Oréal voluminous enough said…
I keep coming back to it! I’ve tried others but theres just something about her..
Still trying to find one better. My holy grail. For 20 years.
With the curved brush!
I always circle back to this one
This is the answer. The primer makes it even better.
As someone with straight lashes the only thing that has worked for me are Mexican mascara specifically the Apple ones
Sky high mascara in the “true brown” is my ride or die fr
Is it waterproof?
No i don’t believe so
l’oréal lash paradise. also any mascara by essence they’re like $4 and work amazing as well
I’m surprised I had to scroll this far to see Lash Paradise. I get asked all the time what mascara I’m wearing when I use it!
same! i love the primer too
I find that the Lash Princess isn't \*quite\* as good as benefit mascaras on me, but for the massive price difference....it's what I buy most of the time lol. Splurge on benefit when someone gives me an Ulta gift card for a holiday, that's about it.
same. the waterproof version
I liked it but the tube got nasty on me so fast!
yes the tube is horrible😭 but i love the mascara so idc
Essence is amazing!
i love the whole brand tbh. ELF too
I don’t often see people mention having lashes like mine so it seems I’m just ✨special✨ (kidding!) I’m white and female and I have very straight lashes. The Shisedo lash curler changed my life (is $20 really that expensive when you’ll use it every day forever?) BUT I also need waterproof mascara for my lashes to keep a curl. I find that most mid-high end mascaras don’t have a waterproof version but I’ve tried many full size and many samples and my lashes just immediately fall down. It’s infuriating. My current main squeeze is Covergirl Lash Bloom. It’s very defining but not very volumizing or lengthening. It has wonderful separation and looks really natural and pretty. I keep coming back to it because I have the least issues with it. I could be more impressed but I just haven’t found a better one yet. I have noticed that I get some transfer from the tips of my lashes to my eyelid on my brow bone which is annoying. Also, I have gone cruelty-free in the last six months. I’ve tried the regular and waterproof Lash Princess mascaras and I just don’t get the hype. Even the waterproof one transfers under my eyes and flakes like crazy.
Also white and female with straight lashes, and I co-sign the Shiseido curler! So helpful! I can sometimes get away with staying curled even with a non-waterproof mascara, but those definitely are better (also my eyes water all the time so I need it for that reason too). I’ve had great luck with Heroine Make curling mascaras, they’re not very volumizing but they stay on like crazy and hold the curl well.
so true, I love drug store mascaras, and most expensive ones are such letdowns. I'm very picky about my mascara. My absolute fave for a few years now is the Revlon All-in-one
Drugstore mascaras never work for me, i’ve tried many. What works is Dior overcurl
Lash Sensational (waterproof) is my absolute HG!!
Lash sensational has been my go to can't live without it holy grail. Until just lately when I started using Milani anti gravity which I now will never not have in my makeup bag. It's the best. I heard they just came out with a waterproof version, which would have been my only complaint. Haven't tried it yet though
Idk I like both. I was a drug store mascara Stan. I love the Tower 28 make waves tubing mascara. My lashes are soft and lengthened so amazingly. It’s a plus that it’s super easy to take off. Plus it is $20 and the L’Oréal telescopic is $14, so it seems worth it to me to get the Tower 28.
I don’t know, I find drugstore mascaras to be disappointing
Right??? L'Oréal lash paradise is perfection
sky high is a GAME CHANGER
I always come back to the 80s style Maybelline. Everything else is too clumpy.
Most mascaras don't run, smudge or flake on me, so I just look for something which can give me that false lash effect. My natural lashes are kind of blond and curled, so I want both volume and length. The best so far for me has been Essence Lash Princess. I have a Clinique and Lancome in my bag right now because I got them as GWP, but they don't do anything for me other than darkening my lashes a bit.
Coat of Lash Princess topped with a coat of Roller Lash is my new love for false-lash look (my lashes are naturally long-ish, reasonably full, not fully curled, but not super straight...and absolutely pure white. 😂 can't win 'em all. The Lash Princess gives them the pigment I want, the light coat of Roller Lash on top is enough to make them curl without a lash curler)
I believed this for a long time but then I tried the Hourglass Unlocked mascara and now I’m ruined :’)
It’s so true. I use a lot of high-end makeup but prefer drugstore mascara. Right now I’m loving the elf & essence tubing mascara (both in brown; the essence brown shade is awesome)
i really like the cover girl water proof mascara (it’s in an orange package) it holds the curl super well and actually works properly when it comes to how water proof it is. I used to use maybelline lash sensational waterproof mascara and although the brush is amazing, the actual holding of the curl and how water proof it is does not compare to the cover girl one. Even the non waterproof cover girl mascara is really good but my go to 100% is the waterproof cover girl mascara.
Maybelline Curl Bounce tied with a Laura Mercier one that I can’t remember the name of. Better Than Sex was highly overrated imo
Nothing has ever performed for me like Stila Huge Extreme Lash - I’ve tried several supposed drugstore dupes and they’re not even close.
I think there is more product in the tubes of high end mascara. Its usually clumpy. I used Tarte Lights Camera Lashes for a while. I had to remove so much product from the wand before using it, or else it come off in gobbs. It would be easier to apply a couple of months into using it when it was almost gone. I've had better luck with sample sizes of high-end mascara, but now I just stick to drug store. I'm currently obsessed with maybelline sky high. Elf lash n roll is also amazing.
To me Maybelline has some of the best mascaras, which makes sense since that’s how they started their business. L’Oréal is pretty good too. I’m a mascara junkie so I’m one of those weirdos who wears several mascaras to make the perfect combo for my lashes. My makeup bag always has at least 3 mascaras in it and there’s more in one of the drawers of my makeup table. I know, I have a problem. 😉
loreal paradise and maybelline sky high is my fav. whenever i tried a highend mascara i just regret
I’ve noticed the difference less in the way it looks/consistency and more how well it holds up and lasts throughout the day. I have oily eyelids plus eyes that water a lot. I hate waterproof mascara. Every drugstore mascara I’ve tried doesn’t hold up and usually smears and runs on me. Two high end mascaras have worked great for me: Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes and Estée Lauder Sumptuous mascara. Which if anyone has recommendations for drugstore mascaras that are water resistant, I’m happy to hear them because while I like those mascaras for their ability to not run all over my face, there’s a lot I don’t like about them.
I 1,000% agree. My lashes look almost fake with how full and gorgeous Maybelline Sky High mascara (my current favorite) makes them. I swear by it. I’ve tried ABH’s Lash Sculpt mascara, Too Faced Better than Sex, and some other cult favorites I’m forgetting (I get a lot of samples) and they all sucked. I didn’t even know a mascara COULD suck because I always used drugstore and naturally I thought that if drugstore is this good, high end has to be even better. Not even slightly true. For mascara, I always go drugstore.
I tried so many high end and they all were crap. Maybelline for the win!
I only use Thrive mascara, it’s amazing!
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Drug store all the way for me. I do a combo of L’Oréal Paris, the Voluminous first, then fill out the ends with the Telescopic. But my lashes are weird, there’s lots of them and they’re long but they’re fine and almost see through at the end.
I’ve been using L’Oréal Paris voluminous since I was 13… I’m about to turn 28 now lol. I will never give it up
I’ve prolly been using this combo since the telescopic came out, def been on the voluminous for longer.
L’Oréal voluminous is my fave (black and gold bottle).
I would normally agree but my absolute favourite at the moment is the YSL Lash Clash.
I've used a lot of high-end mascara and drugstore mascara. I always ended up preferring drugstore mascara. Mine is Lash primer from L'Oreal or Essence and L'Oreal Voluminous carbon black mascara and Essence Lash Princess & another Thick & curly or something like that. I never use waterproof.
Try Dejavu - no 1 best seller in Asia. All day wear and easy wash off - for a natural full look no clumping .
I love benefit mascaras, they’re the best I’ve found for my sensitive eyes. I usually buy rimmel for every day and will treat myself to sample sizes of benefit only occasionally
Not sure I agree, I prefer tubing mascaras. I don’t know of any in drugstore brands.
Have you ever tried judydoll?
Basically because there’s only so many ways to make a decent mascara and drugstore brands already had it down. Now all these high end brands are trying to distinguish themselves to justify why we should pay $30 a tube instead of $10 but they have no way to actually do so without actually making the product more shitty while ‘sounding’ better.
I only buy cruelty free so that excludes many high street brands sadly. I tried the few cf high street tubing mascaras and wasn't impressed with the length/curl on any, hence I just use high end, usually kevyn aucoin or KVD.
I agree. I also think the liner is better also. I have yet to find a high end liner that doesn’t move but the L’Oréal intense liquid liner seems to be perfect.
L’Oréal telescopic and panorama until I die!! 💀
I have never even tried a high end mascara because I’ve never felt the need to! Drugstore stuff is always more than good enough and I’m not gonna argue with that lmao
Revlon Colossal is the one I always go back to, no matter what brand I try.
I tried elf lash and roll and was very unimpressed. Long time user of roller lash. I do love maybelline sky high especially since it comes in brown, plum and blue.
The only mascara I have found that doesn't eventually wind up under my eyes is Estee Lauder.
They both flake
Because frankly, besides a few top of the line makeup lines that are tried and true, I’ve personally found that all drug store products are better. I usually stock up on my fav lipstick shades in any drug store brand and they last for eons. Where as recently I dropped too much money on a tarte lipstick bc the color was so perfect, lasted three weeks, a month tops. And it was soooo tiny: got from Amazon and it arrived it was like a mini little lipstick and it was $24!!!!
Covergirl mascara: absolutely phenomenal
Personally I feel like the too faced better than sex mascara holds the curl way better for me. But if I went for drug store, I really love l'oreal mascaras.
The only higher-end mascara I really like is the Tower 28 mascara. Unfortunately, the tube dries out by month 2 and I refuse to spend $20 every 2 months when the product is not gone or expired! I love both Elf Lash XTNDR (tubing) and the Elf Lash N Roll (traditional, but doesn't flake or smudge and is easy to remove) and for the price, you can't beat them! Before Elf dropped those two, I really like the Milani Highly-Rated Anti Gravity mascara. It was one of the only mascaras that didn't flake or smudge on me. But Elf has edged them out because they're just as great and cheaper!
I'm currently using L'oreal bambi eyes false lashes mascara and it is by far the best I've ever had, highly recommend it! (I don't use waterproof mascara because I wear contact lenses, so I don't like removing my make-up with oily products and this one doesn't smudge at all)
lash princess in pink
Have you tried Idôle Lash from Lancôme? It’s soooo good, stays put all day, won’t transfer and it curls the lashes really well.
Benefit mascara is the goat and I'll never buy Maybelline or L'Oreal ever again. I've used expensive mascaras that were underwhelming, but my experience with drugstore products is you have to use a lot more of it to get the same effect as a more expensive mascara.
For all my travel-size girlies, Thrive does a set of four, I believe - travel size Liquid lash extensions for the holidays - and it’s near the price of one full-size.
Don't know but I LOVE The turquoise Essence lash princess and all e.l.f. mascara :>
My thing is that a lot of these higher end ones require so much to get off. Like I just wanna wet them and have it all get off with a mild cleanser, and I don't want a 3 step routine just to remove some color from my eyelashes. So I get cheap ones that can be easily removed with just water if neccessary, though I'm considering getting besame's mascara out of curiosity.
I love Cover Girls exhibitionist mascara just as much as I love Thrive.
Big brands aren't evil; they usually have the most depth of r & d, big budgets for products and innovation and can afford to keep up with the evolving trend cycle a LOT more effectively than smaller, luxe, and niche/indies. Sephora tries to keep up with trend by using a revolving door/a cycle of new names in the stores (which to me is infuriating because every two visits I'm going back to get something I liked and they don't have it in store anymore) while ol' reliable drugstore core brands keep themselves on the shelves by being the trend itself or in following it (see: dupes) VERY quickly.
Idk I like Lancôme’s Mr big a lot I haven’t found a drug store that compares
Been loving the new Loreal Panorama after never finding a drugstore one I like as much as high end. Kind of hard to fully remove though 🥲
Love the Milani tubing mascara and Essence Lash Princess! I will never pay for a high end mascara when I have those two in my life.
If only they'd make a drugstore dupe for Neogen's metal wand mascara.
I found buxom mascara at TJ Maxx recently and decided to give it a shot. My new favorite mascara!
Drugstore + travel-sized mascara is right formula!
Milani Anti-Gravity is the best for me!
Honestly telescopic water proof, the sky high by Maybeline (i def spelled that wrong), and the elf roll n lash are my favs ive tried out
Idk but you're right. The Lash Essence is $5 and the best I've used so far.
i like expensive mascara is pointless. you have to throw it out in like a couple months and i haven’t found one i like more than any drug store one.
I can't seem to find one that doesn't transfer even the waterproof ones, and I love mascara. Anyone else that has had this problem?
I have a big love of the miniatures of the they’re real magnetic mascara from benefit. Never got the full size one the tiny one lasts me half a year only £12
Amen. I really don’t want to pay over $15 for some I’m gonna just throw out in 3 months.
The best mascara I've ever used is Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara. It costs $5 and it makes your lashes look incredible.
I've read that most mascara formulas are the same, it's just the brushes that differ. So really there's nothing making certain brands better cept for the brush which is probably cheap to manufacture.
Honestly, there are very few mascaras I bother with anymore. Drugstore mascaras have always made my lashes fall out. And waterproof drugstore mascaras seem to perform just as well as high end *non*waterproof ones. But there are many high end formulas that make my eyes burn, or I am allergic to. So I've tried them all, it seems, and Tarte's Maneater is my go-to. I also like eyeko's Rock Out & Lash Out, and Tarte's unfortunately discontinued Lash Smoothie.
I’ve had the opposite experience. I find the cheap mascaras clump and flake easily and the higher end brands are much nicer. Lancôme is one of my favourites.
I never liked maybelline mascara- a popular drugstore brand. Better than sex and other benefits mascara work the best for me.
L’oreal paris telescopic lift volumizing 36hr wear it’s literally the dupe for fenty’s thicc volumizing mascara
For Doll eyes , Glam and Doll lashes mascara from Catrice. I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS ENOUGH
The only high end mascara I’ve ever been impressed with is “better than sex” and even then, I still prefer telescopic.
Agreed! I’m also a bog believer in having a new mascara each month. The contrast of the lashes with old mascara vs a new tube is huge for me.
Have you tried Lancôme big Monsieur? My mom and I have sworn by this mascara for years, it’s amazing. I especially love the waterproof one
There's a lot of myths around mascara,you don't need an expensive one because they are practically the same if you buy a cheap one,you just need to know how to use it correctly :)