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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at DU chapter.

 

 

Hey Sharks! Has this ever happened to you?! “My mascara sucks! What do I do?!!”

Well, look no further, Katherine and Manya are back! This time, with mascaras. Just trying some COOL stuff so you don’t have to! As March Madness winds down this year, we bring you our favorite sport tournament: Mascara Madness!!

 

We tried six different mascaras throughout this week and rated them based on our general criteria as well as comparing them to our favorite mascaras. DISCLAIMER: Both Manya and Katherine have long lashes and all the mascaras we tried, not including our own, were sample sizes.  

 

Here is our general criteria

  • Wearability (comfortable to wear throughout the day)

  • Smudge (or lack thereof)

  • Lengthening

  • Obviousness of wearing/naturality

  • Cost effective

  • Irritate/heaviness

  • Formula and Packaging

 

Monday

On Monday, we wore our typically, everyday mascara so we could compare it to the new ones we were trying out.

 

Manya wore Physicians Formula CC Curl + Care Mascara on her top lashes and wore Almay One Coat Lengthening on her bottom lashes

Thoughts: Through trial and error, Manya has found this perfect combination of what she’s looking for in mascara, and it doesn’t stream off during public breakdowns at Subway.

 

Katherine wore Tarte Tarteist Lash Paint Mascara on both her top and bottom lashes.

Thoughts: This is Katherine’s all time favorite mascara, it’s tried and true and has lasted through multiple crying outbreaks.

 

 

Tuesday

 

Katherine wore: Clinique High Impact Mascara, $17.50

Thoughts: It was ok, wasn’t anything special. The wearability wasn’t that good, it smudged throughout the day. The look of the mascara was very natural and subtly lengthening.The formula was slightly dry but wasn’t too bad.

Overall rating: 2.5/5 stars (would not recommend unless you like the very natural look).

 

 

Manya wore Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes,$23

Thoughts: It was good, it was just about what Manya is looking for. General wearability, it didn’t feel heavy and didn’t smudge throughout the day. It was lengthening and was natural but you could definitely tell Manya was wearing mascara. Formula was baby bear just right and the packaging TO DIE FOR. Manya LOVES bright gold (It makes her feel like an egyptian or, you know, just Indian).

Overall rating: 4/5 stars (It was pretty good but it was a little overpriced and formula wise it was similar to the Physicians Formula Organic Wear mascara.)

 

 

Wednesday  

 

Katherine wore YSL Babydoll Mascara, $32

Thoughts: OVERPRICED OVERPRICED. This mascara, while it did make Katherine’s lashes look pretty good, it crumbled off within the first couple hours. The formula was the perfect balance of wet and dry and the mascara was lengthening and volumizing but overall it was just too much money for what it did.

Overall rating: 3/5 stars.

 

Manya wore Smashbox X-Rated Mascara, $23

Thoughts: It smelled funny, not quite bad funny, but like it smelled chemically perfumic and not something you want to put on your eyes. But at the same time, it didn’t smudge or feel heavy. It did lengthen but it was very obvious that Manya was wearing it. And the packaging wasn’t anything to write home about.

Overall rating: 2.5/5 stars  (It was definitely a bit extra)

 

Thursday

 

Katherine wore Marcelle Xtension Plus Curl Mascara, $15

Thoughts: This was Katherine’s favorite mascara of the week. It was lengthening and wore incredibly throughout the day. It was the perfect combination of natural but also noticeable but not too noticeable, ya know? It was baby bear just right.

Overall Rating: 4/5 stars

 

 

Manya wore Benefit Roller Lash, $12

Thoughts: Really good on wearability and smudge proof. And VERY good on lengthening. It was natural but you could tell it was there since it gave Manya a pop of lift. Wasn’t heavy and Manya really liked the formula and felt like it’s worth the price. The only downside is that Manya’s lashes sorta clumped together but were able to separate easily by ruffling her lashes like she would her bangs (if she had a fringe, which she does not).

Overall Rating: 5/5 stars — of the mascaras Manya tried, it was definitely the most cost effective.

 

So, in conclusion, Manya and Katherine wore a lot of mascara this week so you don’t have to, and it has been decided that Marcelle Xtension Plus Curl Mascara ($15), and Benefit Roller Lash ($12) are our cost-effective and lash-effective picks. Go forth and pop those lashes, you gems!

Neck deep in her third year of Psychology and French at DU, this double major has a soft spot for plants, puns, and layering face masks. Director of Events for Her Campus DU, connoisseur of chaos, and proclaimer of words. If there is a problem, coconut oil is likely the solution.