Cheap to luxe mascaras

Ladies, let’s be honest: You would never leave your house without wearing mascara. No matter if you skip foundation, lipstick or even concealer, mascara should always be part of your everyday beauty regime.

Rimmel Extra Super Lash Mascara

Any makeup product inspired by British beauty can’t be wrong, which is exactly why Rimmel Extra Super Lash Mascara ($6 at well.ca) should be a staple in every beauty bag. Like its rivals, this mascara does all the important things — separates, thickens, enhances — but it also has another advantage: the ability to be reapplied. You can carry around this handy (and cheap) number with you, reapply it at lunch or before a date and not worry about your lashes becoming drier and more gritty because of the extra coat. So go ahead, layer it on!

L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black

If you want to achieve the perfect dark, smoky eye, this is your go-to mascara. With its patented brush — yes, I said patented — this mascara is perfect for creating seductive, dark lashes to be envious of. This is also a great mascara for those who have smaller or slanted eyes they want to enhance to full effect. Besides not clumping or smudging (qualities of any good mascara), it applies so evenly and thickens lashes so much, you might feel like you’re wearing fake eyelashes. Although this mascara comes in two colours, I highlighted the Carbon Black shade ($7 at walmart.ca) because it’s perfect to wear for any occasion, and you can often wear it without eyeliner or eyeshadow and still create a dramatic look.

Maybelline Great Lash

I can still remember how, when I was a teenager, my older sister religiously used Maybelline Great Lash Mascara ($8 at well.ca) to enhance her already wide, bold eyes, saying it actually worked. Now that I’m much older and wear mascara myself, I can vouch that it actually does work. No matter the size or shape of your eyes, this cheap yet effective brand has become a favourite of the wise and young alike and is still proving that drugstore brands don’t have to be of cheap quality. The best thing about this mascara is that when applying it, the brush actually does sweep from the roots of the lashes to the ends without creating annoying clumps or causing smudges, all the while thickening your lashes. Other great things about this mascara are that it’s hypoallergenic and it easily wipes off with makeup remover.

Estee Lauder MagnaScopic Maximum Volume Mascara

The name speaks for itself. Estee Lauder has created a mascara ($28 at sears.ca) that puts a whole new definition to the term “volume.” Yes, this is definitely a luxe choice, but it’s also definitely worth the money. The pros of this mascara include its sleek, narrow tube; its soft-to-the-touch brush that’s still effective enough to glide the mascara on evenly; and the long, slender wand, which is perfect for those of you who often get more mascara on your fingers than your lashes when applying it. You’ll also love the fact that it’s fragrance-free and dermatologist-tested — a plus for those with sensitive eyes.

Benefit “They’re Real!” Mascara

If you’re a real beauty junkie, I’m sure you’ve heard by now all the hype on this Benefit mascara ($29 at Sephora.com). But it’s not just hype — it’s real (no pun intended). There’s no doubt that this mascara works, especially since a consumer panel conducted by Benefit Cosmetics showed a consumer satisfaction level of 90 per cent or higher in four categories, including that 94 per cent of users see a visible lift in lashes and 100 per cent experience long-wearing results. But let’s forget about the stats for a minute and focus on what makes this mascara so great: its brush. Although it’s not your usual soft brush, the bristles are evenly spread out for maximum lengthening and separation. Another great benefit of the brush is its coating ability. You often only need one coat per eye, but of course you can layer it on too if you like. But the absolute best thing about this mascara? People will actually ask you if your lashes are real, and if you use this mascara, you can tell them they are!

Complete your eye-popping look with these liquid eyeliner tips > >

Dior Diorshow Iconic Extreme Waterproof Mascara

The whole line of Dior mascaras were born backstage at designer fashion shows, proving that if this mascara is good enough for professional models, it’s good enough for you. Although it’s at the higher end of the price scale, you’ll feel safe investing in Dior Diorshow Iconic Extreme Waterproof Mascara ($35 at Sephora.com) because it offers just the right amount of curl enhancement without flaking or clumping together. The best thing about this mascara is that it works wonders in high heat or sweaty situations (hence, a favourite at runway shows) and it doesn’t run when under hot lights. It’s also waterproof, which is a super-important benefit if you’re attending a wedding or watching a sad movie. Choose this mascara if you need to take your makeup from morning to night without fail or if you just want to look and feel extra glam.

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