5 Australian makeup artists on the best all-rounder mascaras

The mascaras we should all be buying.

Sometimes I feel like I’m fighting a losing battle with mascara – hundreds of dollars and a zillion tester-size tubes later, I’m still yet to find my perfect match.

Past fails include an array of pharmacy-sourced, cheap and clumpy, too-dry disasters, and my fair share of XXXL Covergirl lash ‘blasting’ abominations (oh to be 15 again).

To help right these beauty wrongs, we’ve asked some of Australia’s most reputable for some guidance on which mascaras we should all have in our bathroom cabinet.

Georgia Gaillard, freelance makeup artist

Name of product: Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara
RRP:
 $57.00
Where to get it: Yves Saint Laurent
Why it’s worth the splurge: I was introduced to this mascara by a friend when I was 15 and have never found a better one! It adds length and volume without looking clumpy. There is no fall out at the end of the day, even in humid climates. It comes in a range of different colours, my favourites are Number 1 Black, a classic, and Number 2 Rich Brown, which is softer on pale skin tones, and Number 5 Burgundy, dark enough that it looks super subtle unless in direct sunlight, [and it] makes green and blue eyes pop!

Get it here.

Raffaella Tomaiuolo, freelance makeup artist

Name of product: Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara
RRP:
 $45.00
Where to get it: Mecca Cosmetica
Why it’s worth the splurge: Fall out? Oily Lids? This tubing mascara is the easiest mascara to remove; even if you make a mistake, you can easily wipe it off by using a cotton bud. It also volumizes your lashes without flaking or falling out, also, it keeps the curl during the whole day. Finally, yet importantly, it has a thinner wand than most of the products in the market, which makes it PERFECT for both top and bottom lashes. Simply life-changing!

Get it here.

Chris Arai, freelance makeup artist

Name of product: Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash Waterproof Mascara
RRP:
 $39.00
Where to get it: Sephora
Why it’s worth the splurge: Ultra-pigmented, it separates lashes nicely.

Get it here.

Alphie Sadsad, National Artistry Lead Sephora ANZ

Name of product: Sephora Collection Size Up Mascara
RRP:
 $22.00
Where to get it: Sephora
Why it’s worth the splurge: Size Up Mascara is currently my mascara staple in my kit. It literally does everything, from supersized volume to lengthening and curling, it only takes a single swipe to get those over-the-top lashes. This mascara doesn’t transfer and gives you all-day wear. This mascara is not for faint-hearted.

Get it here.

Rob Povey, freelance makeup artist

Name of product: Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara
RRP:
 $45.00
Where to get it: Mecca Cosmetica
Why it’s worth the splurge: Coats the lashes in a glossy true black that doesn’t dry down to a crunchy, crumbly finish and never clumps due to the slim, precise wand. The tubing formula coats each individual lash to give separation and definition and wears well under humid conditions (like studio lighting!) and on oily lids and watery eyes, but still removes easily with micellar water.

Get it here.