Finding the perfect mascara is an inexhaustible quest. Just as you’ve found the perfect one, along comes another, promising untold length, incredible staying power and impressively, the effect of wearing false lashes without enduring all the fiddly bits. Stylist put some of the newest lash launches to the test, so you can see the result for yourselves. Don’t buy a new mascara until you’ve read this...
Hypnose Star Mascara, £22.50, Lancome
TESTER: Jeannine Escobar, Stylist Contributor
Usability: 7
Staying power: 8
Lengthening: 9
Volumising: 8
Overall mark: 32
Comment: “It’s easy to apply, and the formula isn’t too drying – my lashes are fuller and thicker too.”
Ginzing Mascara, £17.50, Origins
TESTER AND TITLE: Michelle Blond, Emerald Street Broadcaster
Usability: 7
Staying power: 10
Lengthening: 8
Volumising: 7
Overall mark: 32
Comment: “The brush was a little too large for my short lashes, but it certainly made them thicker and fuller.”
Eye Brightening Tonal Black Volumising Mascara For Blue Eyes, £6.99, Max Factor
TESTER AND TITLE: Joanna McGarry, Beauty Director
Usability: 7
Staying power: 9
Lengthening: 9
Volumising: 6
Overall mark: 31
Comment: “Really helps to lengthen but didn’t notice my blue eyes looking much brighter.”
Noir Couture Mascara, £23.50, Givenchy – WINNER!
TESTER AND TITLE: Lauren Smith, Online Editorial Assistant
Usability: 9
Staying power: 9
Lengthening: 10
Volumising: 8
Overall mark: 36
Comment: “Despite the interesting-looking brush, it was easy to apply and looked like I was wearing false lashes with just two coats – I’m seriously impressed!”
High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara, £19, Clinique
TESTER AND TITLE: Sophie Fairbrass, PA
Usability: 8
Staying power: 9
Lengthening: 8
Volumising: 9
Overall mark: 34
Comment: “My lashes looked longer, but the brush held so much liquid that there was a little clumping.”
Ceramide Lash Extending Treatment Mascara , £21, Elizabeth Arden
TESTER AND TITLE: Debbie McQuoid, Entertainment Editor
Usability: 8
Staying power: 9
Lengthening: 9
Volumising: 9
Overall mark: 35
Comment: “A really luscious black, and the slim brush meant I could reach all of my lashes, especially the tricky lower ones that is usually smudge.”
Stay All Day Waterproof Volumizing Mascara, £15, Stila
TESTER AND TITLE: Natasha Tomalin, Designer
Usability: 9
Staying power: 7
Lengthening: 8
Volumising: 8
Overall mark: 32
Comment: “Although it was a little clumpy, and didn’t curl as much as I’d have liked, it did stay put all evening.”
Volume Glamour Mascara, £5.99, Bourjois
TESTER AND TITLE: Renate Cumming-Benson, Features Intern
Usability: 8
Staying power: 8
Lengthening: 8
Volumising: 7
Overall mark: 31
Comment: “it had a definite lengthening effect, but I found the volumising a little disappointing.”
Fanomenal Lashes Mascara, £12.95, No7
TESTER AND TITLE: Kitty McGee, Executive Fashion Editor
Usability: 7
Staying power: 5
Lengthening: 7
Volumising: 7
Overall mark: 26
Comment: “The brush was difficult to use, but it certainly lengthened and wasn’t clumpy at all.”
Autograph Aqua Proof Mascara, £9.50, Marks & Spencer
TESTER AND TITLE: Lucy Foster, Acting Features Editor
Usability: 6
Staying power: 9
Lengthening: 6
Volumising: 5
Overall mark: 26
Comment: “It was a little clumpy when applied, but really coated and defined my lashes – more so my regular mascara. And it really is waterproof. ”