W7 ULTRA PLUSH MASACRA BLACK

Product Information

We asked makeup artist Adeloa Gboyega (who has worked with some of the biggest brands in beauty, from Bobbi Brown to Pat McGrath), for her expert tips when it comes to A* mascara application... USE ENOUGH MASCARA I love to coat both the top and bottom of the lashes by curling and combing the lash out from above before wiggling [the mascara wand] upward from the root,” says Whitfield. “This evenly distributes the product to keep the lash from looking heavy and less curled. You will also have less product transfering onto your under eye skin as the mascara is not solely underneath the lash.” We all dream of it: Having long, voluminous natural lashes. Now, it's possible to bring that dream closer to reality with the innovative technology of tubing mascara. Though you can also get that dramatic look with fake lashes and lash extensions from brands like Lashify or magentic lashes, the benefit of using a tubing mascara is that it's easy and simple (all you do is swipe it onto your lashes as you would with any other product, and the tubing technology does the rest of the work). "Unlike traditional wax-based mascaras, this technology does not adhere/glue to a hair fiber," says Good Housekeeping Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann. "Instead, it encapsulates individual lashes by forming a tube-like coating." This results in excellent lengthening effects and more intense color.

No matter which formula you eventually choose, here’s a tip from legendary make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury on the best application technique: "As you drag the brush up from the base of your lashes, zig-zag the wand from side to side. This creates more volume as you are depositing more product onto your eyelashes." Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry. She has tested countless washable and waterproof mascaras, including several on this list. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty. Be advised that this mascara isn’t labeled as cruelty-free, nor is it Byrdie Clean, as it contains paraffin and PEGs. This isn't necessarily a deal-breaker but is more something to think about if you place a high value on those qualifications.Caitlyn Martyn is a commerce writer on staff at Byrdie, where she covers beauty and style-related topics. She is an experienced product tester and has tried hundreds of mascaras over the years, including a number of the formulas that appear on this list. With so many people relying on expensive salon treatments, such as eyelash extensions, perms and tints, it's worth remembering that mascara technology has come a long way over the last few years, promising plump, sky-high, defined lashes with just a few swipes of a mascara wand.

Selecting a formula comes down to what’s important to you. Besides benefits like volume or length, you can choose between clean and vegan formulas (like Ilia Limitless Lash Lengthening Mascara), those with nourishing oils (our favorite is UOMA Drama Bomb Extreme Volume Nourishing Mascara), and/or tubing technology that offers more water-resistance (like Tarte Tartelette™ Tubing Mascara). Your Questions, Answered What’s the best way to apply mascara? It might seem obvious but, according to Gboyega, many of us aren’t using enough mascara formula to begin with. “One of my pet peeves is when I see people not applying their mascara properly,” she says. “They only get the tips of their lashes instead of fully coating their lashes with the mascara.” Looks like we’ve gotta layer that stuff on, guys. BRUSH UP YOUR TECHNIQUE Unlike traditional mascaras, tubing mascaras wrap around each individual lash, creating extreme length, volume, and curl. "A tubed formula is also pretty smudge-proof, since it seals a rubber-like tube around each individual lash — almost like a rain coat,” New York makeup artist Neil Scibelli previously told InStyle. Yet the tubes slide right off when removing them at night for less rubbing and pain. Depending on how often you use it, you should replace your mascara every three to six months. A good rule of thumb is that if you notice a change in the consistency or smell of the product, it’s time to toss it out. To get the most from your mascara, it is so important to place your wand at the root of your lashes,” explains Gboyega. “I always recommend using the wand in a zig- zag motion, ensuring that you are working up from the root of your lashes all the way to the tip.” And yes, that open-mouth-mascara-face is basically inevitable. KNOW YOUR ANGLES

What mascara makes your eyes look bigger?

Lastly, while this mascara isn’t marketed as a tubing formula, that’s exactly the result it seems to deliver. As such, removing it was a bit more difficult—in fact, it was the most difficult formula to remove among those we tested. The results make it worth a few extra swipes of micellar water, though.

Emily Cieslak is an assistant commerce editor for InStyle, covering everything from the best makeup products to the latest fashion trends. Mascara is the only makeup product she uses daily, and she has tried every tube from department stores to drugstores. If you’re looking for a mascara that allows you to build waterproof volume with minimal effort, this is a great option. As for your bottom lashes, turn the brush vertically. "The thinner end will help you control your application with more precision," Charlotte adds.

This is a great choice for anyone seeking natural-looking definition (ideal for everyday makeup), as the brush deposits the right amount of product every time. For Curling: This is always debatable, but I've found that curved wands are helpful with curling. I also love the rounded mascaras tips, (like the one on Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Lengthening Mascara) — they are excellent with curling since the wand lets you easily get all the angles. Shade But change is good, right? So, which new mascaras are worth turning your head for? Which clever new wands and lash boosting formulas really are worth the hype?