The formula and brush work together to lengthen and volumize the lashes while giving them a lifted effect. The wand contains staggered bristles to effectively grip each lash, and we found that the bristles did a great job of separating lashes for a more wide-eyed look. The bristles on the tip of the brush also helped to coat the lashes in hard-to-reach areas, making for a full, even application. Perversion Mascara contains Hairdensyl, a complex blend of proteins and amino acids—including marine glycogen, known to stimulate lash growth. Honey extract provides deep nourishment, sea idrolized elastine stimulates the hair follicle, and marine collagen protects.

While there are tons of high-end mascaras we love, you can also grab some excellent options at the drugstore for a fraction of the cost. Our favorite option is the Covergirl Exhibitionist Uncensored Mascara. One of our favorite plant extracts to look for in lash growth formulas is castor seed oil. Many people use this natural ingredient as a homeopathic remedy, applying it to their lashes, brows, and scalps to help stimulate hair growth. There’s something to it, though — ricinoleic acid is one of the most concentrated fatty acids found in castor seed oil, and it’s been proven to have an effect on hair growth. Remember, the key to seeing success from lash growth formulas is using them every day. That’s why we like the idea of mascara infused with ingredients that support lash growth — it’s easy for us to remember to use our mascara! This mascara from Gwen Stefani’s makeup line has been receiving a great deal of hype —and it’s actually worthy. The formula doesn’t dry stiff (a pet peeve of ours), but rather leaves lashes feeling soft, flexible, and natural while creating a doe-eyed look. This is due to the castor and argan oil-infused formula, which actually conditions lashes with wear. Treating your eyelashes gently and with care will go a long way towards supporting healthy growth. Often, it’s certain behaviors that are inhibiting your lashes from getting lengthy. “External factors include damage from rubbing too harshly when removing eye makeup, reaction to mascaras or eyeliners, or irritation from lash extensions,” says Dani Kimiko Vincent, professional makeup artist and founder of Kimiko.

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If we could change one thing about this mascara, it wouldn’t be anything having to do with the brush. Rather, we wish it was a bit easier to remove. Not directly, per se. “Mascara in and of itself does not affect lash growth, but not fully removing it or being harsh when removing can,” says Vincent, who (like Thomas) advises against regular use of waterproof mascara as rubbing your lashes to cleanse them can adversely affect lash fullness. The only detractor with this formula is that it is strikingly hard to remove for a non-waterproof mascara, especially if you use water-based eye makeup remover — this one will require an oil-based formula to fully cleanse the eye area.

If your lashes grow downwards, you may not have the best experience with this, though. The formula is a bit heavier than other mascaras we’re used to which makes it hard for our lashes to hold a curl, but they do stay soft! Beyond using mascaras with nourishing ingredients and avoiding bad behaviors, you can supplement your diet with nutrients that facilitate hair growth. Some to look for are biotin (found in eggs), fatty acids (in oily fish, like salmon), and vitamin B (in nuts and seeds). You can also go the supplement route. Brittany Lo, professional makeup artist and founder of Beia, recommends seeking out prenatal vitamins, while Vincent likes Nutrafol. Just be sure to ask your doctor before incorporating anything new into your diet, supplements included. Urban Decay For lashings of sex appeal and high voltage drama, introduce Perversion Mascara into your make up bag. For lashings of sex appeal and high voltage drama, introduce Perversion Mascara into your make up bag.

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Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk line is iconic, and this mascara is too. Created to provide length and volume, it features a unique double-sided paddle brush that works to load and comb product onto the lashes while giving them a lift. It’s also smudge-proof and humidity-proof, making it a fitting choice if you’re traveling or you live in a humid climate. You can also just give them a chance to breathe. “When your lashes are feeling weak, I suggest using a darker liner, curling the lashes, and foregoing mascara unless it's necessary,” Lo says. When you’re feeling ready for mascara, select one of the above formulas — they’ll help fortify your lashes over time for a lush and healthy look.

Of all the formulas we tested, we felt this one yielded the most impressive results. That’s due to the fact that it delivers well-rounded benefits. Instead of just offering length or volume, The Big Clean provides both while curling and making lashes look denser. The combination of all of these benefits in one formula means that in just one coat, it appears like we’re wearing a set of ultra-plush, high-quality falsies. Truthfully, there’s no “better” wand between the two options. “I really find that that’s a matter of preference,” says Thomas. “It’s up to the user whether they prefer a brush that carries more product or helps them to define and separate better.” Traditional wands tend to hold a lot more mascara than molded brushes as there are more nooks and crannies between wire bristles for the formula to get into — this means you’ll be able to load on some significant pigment for a more bolder look with boosted volume. Molded brushes, especially those that have spiky tips, are helpful for creating separation and definition, says Thomas.Tip: For even sexier lashes, prep yours with Subversion Lash Primer before applying Perversion Mascara. Lastly, consider how you sleep. Of course, you’ll be going to bed after fully removing your makeup (right?), but sleeping on your face can wreak havoc on your lashes. “If you are a face sleeper, a silk pillowcase can be especially helpful for retaining moisture in your skin and hair,” recommends Thomas. Ultimately, this formula is best used for a more natural and flirty aesthetic, so if you are trying to build up layer after layer, you may just see more of the same. That said, we do enjoy using it as a “base coat” of sorts for bolder looks, giving lashes a nourishing foundation beneath standard volumizing mascaras. If you are someone that prefers a waterproof formula, we recommend only using it sporadically and applying one that has lash growth properties like Urban Decay Perversion Waterproof Mascara. “Most waterproof formulas have formaldehyde, and even if they do not contain this ingredient, they are especially difficult to remove — the friction of removal causes your lashes to fall out more readily,” warns Thomas. Your Questions, Answered What helps your eyelashes grow? Effect: Lifting, defining | Formula: Waterproof | Brush type: Thin, low-profile brush with spiral bristles

Your makeup technique can also play a role. For example, you should never curl lashes once you’ve already applied mascara. “This can tear out lashes when the curler is opened and is damaging, so ensure you’re only curling bare lashes,” Vincent adds.

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The basic ingredients in mascara typically don’t differ too much from tube to tube — they essentially all boil down to a combination of wax and pigment — but the specific ingredients included in a certain product can vary widely. For example, if wearing makeup that is vegan and cruelty free is important to you, you’ll want to steer clear of animal ingredients or animal-derived ingredients like honey, beeswax, lanolin, or carmine (a red colorant obtained from insect shells). If you have sensitive eyes or skin, look for “clean” formulations that are free of parabens, fragrance, sulfates, and silicones, which could be irritating. Through this brand’s founder, board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Diane Hilal-Campo, we learned that many makeup formulas can actually be damaging to the eye. This mascara was designed to help support eye health while keeping all eyes comfy (including those with sensitive eyes or allergies). It promotes healthy growth with strengthening biotin, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and nourishing vitamin E. Plus, it features a slightly curved bristle brush so you can swipe all your lashes in one stroke to create a very natural, everyday look. In addition to providing impressive length, it worked wonders in terms of giving the lashes a curled and lifted finish. If you struggle to coat your inner lashes as one of our testers does, this could be just the mascara you need. She explained that while she usually struggles to lengthen the small lashes at her inner corners, this product eliminates that problem. She did note that she wished the application was more even but admitted that the issue could be attributed to the shape of her eye, so everyone may not have the same experience.