Top 10 Tuesday – My Favorite Mascaras
When it comes to mascara, I am super picky. You see, my lashes are STRAIGHT! Like straighter than straight. And they’re short, and not very full. So a mascara really has to bring it in order for me to love it.
That’s why I was thrilled when my Top Ten Tuesday group selected mascaras as the subject of these week’s post. If you are plagued by straight, short lashes, I have ten great mascara finds for you!
So as I mentioned, I’m looking for a lot when it comes to mascara. Length, definition, volume and the ability to hold a curl. I live and breathe for my MAC Eyelash Curler so whatever mascara I use has to keep the curl. For day, I like a natural, defined lash and for night I like to bring the drama so my mascara faves fall into those two categories. Let’s break it down!
My Top 10 Mascaras
Daytime Mascaras
1. Clinique Naturally Glossy ($16) – I’ve been using Naturally Glossy for as long as I can remember. It’s the perfect product for day as it makes my lashes look like they are naturally well defined and long. I’m currently out of it, which explains the use of a stock photo in the image above.
3. Estee Lauder TurboLash ($34.20) – I know the whole vibrating mascara thing seemed like a fad but this is one holds up. Wiggling a brush back and forth at my lash line usually results in black dots of mascara on my lid. Thanks to TurboLash, I get definition with no mess. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! So much, I have three tubes right now thanks to the CCO. To see the effect it has on my lashes CLICK HERE.
4. Dior DiorShow Iconic ($28.50)- The regular DiorShow gets all the accolades but Iconic is where it’s at for me. I like the thinner, more defined brush. It gets rid of clumps and separates my lashes so so well and holds a curl with no flaking. Worth the investment!
5. COVERGIRL LashBlast Volume ($6.23)- I’ve tried all the LashBlast variations and the original is still my fave. I love the way the rubberized brush makes every single puny hair on my lash line stand out.
7. Lancome Definicils ($27.50)- Like the other daytime mascaras I’ve listed, this one has that same style of brush that works so well with my lashes. It doesn’t deposit too much mascara, so I can avoid Tammy Faye Baker syndrome, and it holds a curl beautifully all day long.
8. L’Oreal Paris Telescopic ($9.99) – To me, this is the more affordable twin to Definicils. And since they have the same parent company, that should come as no surprise. I do think Definicils holds a curl better but for the budget conscious, this is an excellent choice.
9. Givenchy Phenomen’Eyes ($30) – That weird little ball at the tip that looks like a mace straight out of Medieval Times, is actually pretty genius. It too came out during the mascara fad times of TurboLash and it’s still around because it works. This is the only mascara that really hits my outer corners without making them over-saturated with product.
Nighttime Mascaras
2. Smashbox Lash DNA – That wacky brush is really something. It brings the fullness and drama without leaving any clumps behind. (Edited to add – Didn’t realize this has been discontinued. Cue the sad pandas!)
6. Revlon Lash Potion ($7.99) – It has a big fluffy brush but the stiffness of the bristles make sure my lashes are separated but still voluminous. And this is going to sound odd but I like the scent. There are some brands (MAC), that are so strongly scented, I can actually smell my lashes, in a bad way. Lash Potion is the exact opposite of that.
10. Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies Flared ($6.99) – This is probably my number one go-to when it comes to evening makeup. There’s something about that bushy, curved brush that really does make it look like I’m wearing lash inserts. Not a full strip, mind you but it really brings the volume like no other I’ve tried.
So what are your mascara needs? Are any of my Top Ten in your mascara wardrobe? What is your go-to mascara for day and night?
Disclosure: Product samples were originally provided by reps for COVERGIRL, Dior, Estee Lauder, Givenchy, Lancome, L’Oreal, Maybelline and Revlon but I have purchased the current ones pictured. Affiliate links appear in this post. When you purchase through an affiliate link, you help support this site. For more info view my Disclosure Policy. Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Lisa N.
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Love all these choices. Now I want to try that Estee Lauder mascara. Oh and I make no distinction between day and night..for me mascara should make me look like a drag queen at all times!
I see some of my favorites on your list, too! I loved Phenomen’Eyes! The problem is that there’s a new mascara every day!
I have been loving Maybelline Volum’ Express The Rocket. It’s perfect for work. I don’t use a curler, though, because I’ve never quite figured out how they work!
Nice fave mascaras!
Great list! I loved the Covergirl Lash Blast mascara.
LashBlast is such a great mascara and I am such a fan of TurboLash too. I pick one up every time I’m in a CCO too!
Great list! I don’t have a top 10 because I still haven’t found my perfect mascara!
That Givenchy is all types of amazing. I haven’t used it in a long time, but I got it back when it first came out. It’s intimidating, but kicks butt.
I’m seeing a lot of Cover Girl, I need to start using that more. I’m with you on Dior Iconic. That’s the Dior I like too. Clinique just never worked for me which is too bad since I like Clinique gwp.
For about the past 15 years I’ve sworn by Avon’s Wash-Off Waterproof, I would stock up on it whenever it went on sale. But the meanies at Avon have finally given this the axe, I’m done with that brand. I’m so tired of growing attached to one of their products only to have it discontinued. I’m going back to Clinique, the Naturally Glossy Mascara used to be my favorite before I started using Avon.
You should try Benefit They’re Real! mascara…I got a sample from Sephora for my birthday and I absolutely love it. Huge volume without clumping, and the brush is great.
you should totally try “benefit – they’re real”. i have straight lashes too and this mascara gives me a natural curl that holds strong for 8-10 hours. it looks really natural, no clumping – it’s the perfect mascara (albeit a bit pricey).
Thanks for the recommendation. That and Too Faced Better Than Sex seem to be popular with my fellow Top Ten Tuesday bloggers.
I third the They’re Real recommendation. It’s my HG mascara! Bad Gal Lash, also by Benefit, is really good, too.
Love your choices! Lancome Definicils will always be a fav of mine and I forgot to put it on my list!
After using Cliniques High Impact (original non-waterproof) for years, Benefits They’re Real is my new favorite. It gives me a fake lash look without being overdone. I get compliments daily and can’t live without it!
I also suggest Benefit’s “They’re Real” mascara! The first time I used it, I literally said out loud, “Holy lashes Batman!” Lol! It’s a fantastic mascara!
I used to like Lanc
I have a mascara from Avon (could look at the specific name if anyone cares) goes on well, looks nice, and washes off easy. The reason I’m commenting is due to that it had a brush like the one you said is discontinued
I have a mascara from Avon (could look at the specific name if anyone cares) goes on well, looks nice, and washes off easy. The reason I’m commenting is due to that it has a brush like the discontinued Smashbox
So…I bought the Givenchy eyes once but could not tolerate spending that much money on a mascara again…so I went to Sephora and they gave me a bunch of the sample wands and I just use it as a finishing mascara
With the hefty price tag. 
Cute blog! And how awesome are the sits girls for getting us new bloggy friend!