Buckle up, ladies…because this post is a long one!
At the request of one of my best friends, I have compiled a mascara run-down complete with tons of pictures of 8 different mascaras that I tried over the weekend. Some of which are my tried and true favorites, a few that I wanted to try, and a combination of drugstore or prestige (non-drugstore) brands.

There are many things I look for in a mascara, because I’m super picky! I wear mascara almost every single day, and thanks to my naturally blonde eyelashes, I’m very selective about pigmentation and consistency. The things I usually look for in a good tube of mascara is the brush style, liquid consistency, pigmentation, and how well it lengthens, builds volume, doesn’t clump or flake off. Like I said…I’m picky! So without further ado, let’s dive in!

Let’s get a baseline photograph of my lashes to start with. As I previously mentioned, they’re blonde, light, decently long, and definitely not the fullest. (I have had lash lifts and tints applied before, but that’s a whole separate blog post!) When you’re going through these photos, revert back to this photo to get the full effect of how each mascara builds length, color, and volume. Also to note, I have no eyeliner or eyeshadow applied in any of these pictures so that the full lash effect could be more easily noticed.

The first mascara I tried was the Covergirl Full Lash Bloom. I wanted to try not only prestige mascaras, but two possibilities that you could find at your local drugstore. However, this mascara was not one I would write home about. Personally, I feel it would take a million coats to finally build enough on the lash. I did not find it dark enough (pigmented) and I also did not care for the brush. Needless to say, it was not a mascara I would personally recommend. [Overall score: F]

The next mascara I tried was the Urban Decay Troublemaker. Overall, it was a very “meh” experience. I personally did not like the brush at all, and I found the mascara difficult to apply because of the brush. It was also just so-so in my opinion at building volume. I also took pictures of each mascara and the brushes, so if that’s something that also intrigues you please feel free to comment and I can include the pictures! [Overall score: C]

Third on the roster was the Benefit Bad Gal Lash. As an Allure Beauty Award winner, I wanted to like the brush style because it seemed similar to brushes I normally like, but instead the lashes came out clumped together and spidery. IF that’s a look you normally enjoy, then this would be an excellent mascara because it was good for lengthening, but not so much for fullness. [Overall score: B-]

The next mascara was the Tarte Tarteist Lash Paint. I used to swear by this mascara, for many reasons. It’s great for building volume, however only curls well when lashes are crimped (my lashes are quite straight with little curl naturally). I’ve liked the brush for this mascara, however I do wish the brush was a little more packed (it has spaced out bristles) so that it would build more on the lash to the end. [Overall score: B]

IT Cosmetics Superhero. This is a wonderful mascara for all-around performance (yes, I will discuss mascaras like they are sports cars). It’s wonderful for length, volume, and curl; however, the mascara can be thick and difficult to use. The brush is extremely full and I love the finished effect. [Overall score: A-]

The other drugstore-available mascara was Loreal Voluminous Lash Paradise, which is the best drugstore mascara you can find. It’s great for volume, length and curl…and it’s easily affordable! As you can see in the photos, it compares easily to the other prestige photos, and I personally love how full the lash looks. Bonus: it also comes in a waterproof formula and a lash primer, which I have also been using and enjoy! [Overall score: A]

Second to last is the Tarte Maneater. I’ve been using this mascara for the last three months and really love it. It’s great for length and separation, and the brush easily builds more on the lash than my previous Tarte favorite the Tarteist. The brush is easy to use and really separates the lashes to build great length while catching every lash. Lash Paradise creates a fuller lash, but the Maneater is a wonderful everyday mascara. [Overall score: A]

Lash but not least (so punny, I know), is the Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions. I’ve been recently trying two different products from this brand, so I decided to also try their mascara because it is supposed to deliver insane results. As unsure as I was about it while applying, I must say these pictures do not lie. The brush was slim and tapered, which surprised me that while applying it tried to clump. It took some experimenting with during the application, but boy do these lashes look extended for sure! It’s good for volume (when avoiding the clumping), but great for the overall length and effect. This is a mascara I will love using when I know I’ve got somewhere to go or a night-out. [Overall score: A+]

Mascara can be a very personal decision based on the overall goals and outcome you want to achieve in your mascara. Are you looking for length, volume, curl or pigmentation? All of the above? A waterproof formula? Then hopefully this post has helped point you in the right direction for a new product to try. As someone who really cares about what they get out of their mascara, I suggest you try to figure out what your main issues are and pay attention not only to formula, but to the brush type as well. (And as I mentioned, if you’d like brush pictures of any of the above 8, I have them!)

In a cosmetic world full of hundreds of different mascaras, this is just an extremely small sampling of products I’ve seen encouraged. However, when you find a mascara you enjoy then don’t forget it! But when the formula changes or it just isn’t meeting your needs anymore, don’t be afraid to step out of the box and try something new. There are decent drugstore-available products, or you may generally have more luck with a more-prestige brand. These brands are easily more pigmented, and just because they are “prestige” doesn’t mean they’re not on sale! Ulta and Sephora frequently run each of these mascaras for sale prices, so stock up when they do!

Enjoy enhancing those lashes!
xoxo, Chelsea