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I have a lot of mascaras: my current favorites

The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Kenyon chapter.

I am of the belief that simply putting on mascara can change your entire appearance. You look more awake and like you’ve actually put effort into how you are presenting yourself, even if you haven’t showered in a few days and your hair is a mess. Somehow, mascara makes everything better. I am somewhat picky about my mascaras, but once I find one I love, it’s hard for me to turn back. As of right now, these are a few of my current favorite mascaras.*

I have a subscription to Ipsy, a monthly makeup subscription, and I love getting mascaras in my Ipsy packages. One I have received is the Lilly Lashes Triple X Mascara in the color Black. While this mascara can be a little clumpy, both on the brush and on my lashes, if applied with care, it can make my lashes look so thick and luscious that it is worth the extra work. The brush is the most fluffy mascara applicator I have come across, and once you get used to having to wipe it off before use, you can appreciate the thick coating the brush applies to your lashes. I do not know if this comes in a waterproof formula, but I would love to try it if it does because this mascara’s fatal flaw is how easily is smudges and comes off.

Now, we have another Ipsy subscription mascara. The Item Lash Snack Lengthening Mascara in the color Midnight Mood was certainly a surprise. The mascara wand is incredibly thin, and the brush itself is very small, which gave me pause. I have liked small mascara brushes in the past; however, they require much more work than regular brushes. The first time I tried this mascara I was blown away by how long my lashes actually are. The small bristles grab every possible lash and coat it all the way to the end: something I always love. I like pairing this mascara with a volumizing one to get the full effect, but it is gorgeous on its own as well. I do not know if there is a waterproof version of this mascara either, but I would love to find out.

Next is a viral mascara I absolutely had to try, and I was not disappointed. The green Essence Lash Princess is go-to of mine. It coats every lash all the way down and does not get clumpy. The bristles are a fantastic combination of soft and sturdy to allow for maximum volume and lengthening. I wish I liked the waterproof version of this mascara, but I could not bring myself to love it. I understand it’s waterproof, but I had to all but pull out my lashes to get this mascara off, even with a cotton round soaked in makeup remover.

Saving the best for last, my all-time favorite mascara is the Maybelline Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect in the color Intense Black. I always find myself reaching for this mascara. This mascara rarely takes more than one good coat or two mediocre coats to make my eyes sparkle. The curved wand catches every lash and gives them a nice even brush. Even the packaging is amazing, with the rose gold hue and the comfortable handle. I have not tried the waterproof version of this mascara, so I cannot speak on how it is, but if it is anything like its regular counterpart, I need it immediately.

Everyone has different opinions and criteria for the perfect mascara, and I hope my obsession with mascara leads you to your new favorite one!

*There is no sponsorship associated with this article.

Jordan is a member of Kenyon's class of 2026. Originally from NYC, she loves soft things, dogs, and anything chocolate. She likes to do makeup and has embraced her curly hair and can spend too long talking about both. She can usually be spotted in a pair of cute pants and platform sneakers, and will try almost anything once.