If you want your eyes to look their best, try one of these essentials.
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Mascaras are quite like fragrances—the ones you love are very specific to your style and aesthetic. Everyone has their preferred look: bold and voluminous, feathery and fluttery, barely there, and the list goes on. So, we decided to round up three discerning mascara testers to find the ones that pass their personal test. The first is obsessed with lash volume. The second prefers a long, lightweight look. And the third likes to look like she's not even wearing mascara—even when she is. As we said, opinions vary!
After trying tons and tons of formulas, we asked each tester to share their feedback, and then we rounded up their absolute favorites. Ahead, a list of the trio's top mascaras (and in no particular order, might we add). From drugstore finds to prestige buys, there are options for every budget. And thanks to the nature of our study, there are options for every preference, too. If you're all about the wow factor, we found mascaras described as boasting "doll-like volume." For brides-to-be who love fake lashes, we've included a formula that rivals falsies. If clumps are your archenemy, we've found the mascara for you, and if you're looking for something long-lasting, you'll find plenty of those, too.
Click through for the complete list, and test them yourself to find the right fit. By the time your wedding comes around, you'll be dying to bat your lashes at your love.
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Stila
If you want your eyes to pop, grab this Stila mascara. "My friend noticed it right away," our volume-loving tester said. "The brush is a bit small, so in order to receive the required volume it promises, you need a few coats, but it doesn't cake at all. It gives you a dramatic look—just what I like."
Stila "Huge" Extreme-Lash Mascara, $23, stilacosmetics.com
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Maybelline
A little product goes a long way here, our tester explained. "You don't have to use a lot of product to get the results you want, and in this case that means super voluminous lashes," she added. "I don't usually love wands that have hard, plastic bristles, but this has that—and I actually like it, because it separates lashes and volumizes at the same time."
Maybelline "Colossal Big Shot" Volumizing Mascara, $7.99, ulta.com
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Lancôme
If you're a volume-lover, this is the mascara for you. Our tester told us this product gave her doll-like volume and that the velvety formula left nothing to be desired. "It also stays put but isn't hard to get off—you don't have to tug at your lashes, like you do with some mascaras," she adds.
Lancôme "Monsieur Big" High-Volume Mascara, $25, lancome-usa.com
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Chantecaille
Our tester with a preference for barely-there mascara says this product passes her no clump test. "I do not like a single tiny clump in my mascara, but this looks really natural, and you can't even tell I'm wearing mascara," she says. "It's a light formula that goes on really evenly, and it also contains rose oil to condition your lashes, which I love."
Chantecaille "Faux Cils" Longest-Lash Mascara, $72, bloomingdales.com
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Sisley
This mascara delivered the curled, fluttery lashes our tester loves. "It has a curved brush, which makes application really easy—it leaves no lash behind, even the tiny ones in the inner corners of your eyes," she explains.
Sisley "So Curl" Fortifying Mascara, $67, bloomingdales.com
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Chanel
"This gives a striking, long-lasting look that does not smear," our tester raved. "It also accentuates, defines, and seems to multiply my lashes, thanks to a blend of four different waxes that contain microbeads, which help to thicken."
Chanel "Dimensions de Chanel" All-in-One Mascara, $32, chanel.com
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No. 7
If you love the look of fake lashes, put down your falsies and give this mascara a try instead. "It almost makes it seem like you're wearing fake lashes," said our tester. "It's a nice size brush and a nice size wand, and it helps give your lashes a lift. I have to use a few coats of to get the look I want, but the lift comes right away. If you're on a budget (or not) it's awesome."
No. 7 "Lash Impact" Ultra Mascara, $10.99, ulta.com
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It Cosmetics
"This one claims to stretch your lashes, and does it," our tester said. "You don't need an eyelash curler to get the awesome separation and length it creates. But it makes them fuller, too, without clumping, and I think it must be because it has collagen and peptides in it. I also like the tube—it's a pretty sleek, chic black mascara."
It Cosmetics "Superhero" Volumizing Mascara, $24, itcosmetics.com
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La Roche-Posay
If you have sensitive or easily irritated eyes, this is the mascara for you. Even better: It lifts, separates, and accentuates each lash in a clearly defined way. "It lasts all day, too," our tester said. "It's actually a bit harder to wash off than others, but very worth it."
La Roche-Posay "Respectissime Extension" Thickening Mascara, $25, laroche-posay.us
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Tom Ford
"Although it was a little harder for me to apply because of the width of the brush, it lengthened and darkened my lashes while looking really natural," our tester said of this product. "And even at the end of the day, it looked as though I just applied it. It says it's formulated to withstand extreme heat and humidity, which must be true, because it has been so humid lately."
Tom Ford "Ultra Length" Lengthening Mascara, $45, tomford.com
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CoverGirl
Are you looking for a great mascara for your bachelorette party? Our tester loved this one for a night out. "It has two different bristle options on either side of the wand so you can 'choose your own adventure' in terms of how much separation and volume you want," she said. "I used the black, but it's good to know that it comes in four shades—two browns, one black, and one deep blue—for those who are partial to brown mascara. It's one of the best value mascaras."
CoverGirl "Total Tease" Thickening Mascara, $8.99, ulta.com
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