For purposes of rating, I decided to go with a five star system, with five being the best.

1)    Tartelette Tubing Mascara - $25

I wondered what all the hype was about regarding tubing mascaras, and I saw this one was always highly rated on Sephora.com, I was in my local store and saw a mini version at the checkouts, I gladly added it to my purchase.  I loved this mascara right away, and a while later I tried it with a Loreal mascara primer and WOW! It looked like I had extensions again with this combo.  The brush has long and short bristles that alternate thick and thin, so it really gets in there are grabs every lash even those baby lashes!  The packaging promises 24 hour flake free, smudge proof wear, that it is clinically proven to volumize, lengthen and curl, etc.  The way a tubing mascara works is micro-tubes wrap and lengthen each lash for a lash extensions effect.  The instructions say to allow the first coat to dry and then apply a second coat, but so far, I have only needed to apply one coat.  I could see this getting clumpy with extra applications, so be cautious if you try that.  This does flake a little on my lower lashes, so just be sure to touch up your undereye area with a compact a couple of times each day.  I absolutely love this mascara and I will keep this mascara in my makeup bag from now on!

I give this mascara five stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 2)    Loreal Telescopic Mascara in Carbon Black - $7.25.

This has been my go-to mascara for going on 15 years.  It’s everything to love in a mascara – the brush lengthens your lashes, the carbon black pigment is dark and covers well, and the waterproof formula lasts all day, with no smudging or flaking.  I wouldn’t say this is a mascara for volume, the brush really lends itself to lengthening.  I will probably always keep a tube of this in my makeup bag. I do find that the formula dries out after a few months, so, I purchase this probably four times a year.

I give this mascara five stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

PRO TIP:  Use a label maker to put the date of purchase on your mascara tube.  This way you know when it is time to replace!

3)     Gwen Stefani Can’t Stop Staring Clean Lengthening and Lifting Mascara - $20

This mascara is so unique.  I think I was expecting a very glam, thick and dramatic formula from Gwen, but this is just the opposite.  With one coat, this mascara just barely covers your lashes, it looks like you have dyed your lashes black instead of actually wearing a mascara.  It is very dainty and faint in coverage.  At first I was like, “Why bother?” but it really grew on me as a very natural, very light makeup option.  It is buildable, so you could apply multiple coats for a fuller effect, but I really, really like the light application, so pretty! The brush is unique as it has a ball on the tip of the brush that allows you to get in the corners of your eyes and cover the lower lashes easily.  It lasts all day, with very little flaking.  I will keep this in my makeup bag as a light makeup option. 

I give this mascara four out of five stars!

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PRO TIP:  This product is available in a mini version at Sephora.  Because I don’t plan to use this as my everyday option, using a mini is a great way to save $$.

4)    Loreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara.  I bought this Holiday Set with Primer for - $14.97.

I wanted to love this mascara.  It is highly rated online and many women say this is their go to mascara.  Unfortunately, I didn’t love it.  It is good for volume, but I didn’t get the lengthening at all with this formula.  For me, there is a lot of clumping and the brush doesn’t lend itself to pulling out every lash like the other mascaras. 

However, this wasn’t a total loss, I purchased the mascara in a Holiday set with a primer that I hadn’t tried yet and the primer is wonderful!

I give this mascara three out of five stars!

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I give the primer five stars!

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Loreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Primer: This primer promises to thicken lashes and help enhance wear.  It is infused with rose oil and helps adhere mascara to lashes.  I found that to be true, this is a great primer.  I had previously tried and loved Loreal Lash Boosting Conditioning Primer, so I was eager to try this formula to see if there was a difference.  It was equally as good at thickening my lashes and creating more volume. I like the idea of primers working to condition and treat your lashes as you wear it.

5)    Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara - $4.99

One of the bloggers I follow always has this on her favorite things lists, and I almost always see it on influencers stocking stuffer lists. For less than $5 how could I not try it?  I really wish I would have kept my money.  It was very clumpy, I experienced lots of flaking and smudging on my lower lashes and it was hard to clean off at night.  I still had some residue on my lashes the next day, even after using my trusted eye makeup remover.  This one is a NO for me!

I give this mascara two out of five stars!

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Things to consider: Let’s be sure to keep in mind that I have thin lashes and a very unusual eye shape, so some of that could play into my preference of brushes, and the amount of smudging and flaking on my eye.  I can see how someone with thicker, fuller eyelashes would prefer a thicker brush and more volume. I can also see how someone with deep set eyes would prefer a curved brush instead of a straight applicator. 

I’m not necessarily saying these are the best mascaras for everyone, just that the top three have been great for me, and the last two, not so much. 😉

Let me know, what is YOUR favorite mascara?  I am always up for trying new ones as the budget allows!  Drop yours in the comments  below, or email me at hello@kinshipandvine.com

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