With party season in full swing we thought wise to throw the spotlight on one of our most indispensable beauty weapons: volumising mascara. It’s the building block of any come-hither eye and the ultimate tool to glamming up the protective shield of your oculus.

We asked Beauticater Megan McGlinchey to lash out across the category and she has successfully narrowed down the competitive field – with her pick of the very best. Avoid tennis elbow and read on; the work is already done.

BEST FOR MAKEUP AFFICIONADOS

Benefit BADgal Lash Volumising Mascara

“If you’re wanting to look feminine with a hint of bad-ness in the lash department, then this is the one for you. The simple, yet effective thick brush gave me an intense and wide-eyed appearance that goes beautifully with a smoky eye. If you err toward strong makeup coverage; voluminous lashes are essential to match, especially for evenings. The buildability of this mascara makes the transition from day to night a breeze and there’s no clumping. With a thick, black formula this mascara didn’t budge all day and yet, was surprisingly easy to remove. Who doesn’t love that when you want to crawl into the clouds after a night of cocktails and serious dancing?”

BEST FOR DRAMA QUEENS

Lancome Hynose Drama Mascara

“There’s no secret as to why Lancome’s Hypnose Dramahas become a huge hit on the mascara market this season. The curvaceous S-Shaped brush coated every single one of my lashes in one application from root to tip, providing instant eye-drama when I needed to make like Usain Bolt and sprint out the door on Monday morning. With intense black pigments, a smooth and creamy formula that is apparently loaded with Pro Vitamin B5, this is the ultimate secret weapon for those of us who are length-deprived. You’ll to worry about leaving that movie-star aspiration behind; the drama is coming to you, Bette Davis style.”

BEST FOR THE SPARSELY-LASHED

Clinique Chubby Lash Fattening Mascara

“This was my first choice for date night at an Italian restaurant, when I wanted my lashes to be as indulged as my palate. And I found that Clinique’s Chubby Lash Fattening Mascara actually drew attention away from the hips and straight to my plump set of volumised lashes. Coming in Jumbo Jet and three limited edition shades; Portly Plum, Two Ton Teal and Massive Midnight, you can be spoilt for a shade that compliments your individual eye colour. The oversized, straight as an arrow brush design means you can go from faint to fat instantly with a bit of wriggling from the roots up and those lashes won’t be weighed down. Love that it’s also allergy tested and 100% fragrance free. Ahem, yes please.”

“Some like it quiet, others like it Lauder. Estee Lauder that is. Don’t let the elegantly understated packaging deceive you, this product screams volumes in the eye department. For lashes that go for miles, the gravity-defying fibres in the brush beautifully shape, extend and plump without the clump. I found it not only smudge proof but sweat and humidity resistant – making it the mascara of choice for all seasons. The best bit? No under-eye swiping and wiping in the ladies room at your next event (or perhaps your next desert trek!). So, if it’s elegance without the high maintenance you’re after, get your mittens on a tube and you can bat your illustrious lashes at me later.”

“If you’re a futurist when it comes to your make-up pursuits and you love it clean, sharp and conditioning, Laura Mercier has hit the nail on the head. I was blown away with the ingredients but my eyelashes were be kept upright, curled and feminine from the moment this advanced formula hit my roots. It contains Pro-Vitamin B5, and good old-fashioned olive oil to hydrate and help strengthen some of our most important follicles. I found this mascara to be really ahead of its league when it comes to adding volume, nourishing and yet staying light.”

BEST FOR STRAIGHT-LASHED LADIES:

Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara

“Dior. Need I say more? I will. The stunning curl this mascara produced upon application rendered my words useless. Elegant as always, the curvature of the brush styled the entire lash line in one coat and held with ease, all evening. The added ingredient of ‘K- Polymers’ strengthens, restructures and improves lashes…Big tick for the eyelash flick. This would be perfect if you are addicted to your lashe curler and your lashes crave a little bend.

“There is a reason why Maybelline Sensational Lash Mascara has become such a huge hit on the mascara market. After hearing endless rave reviews overseas, I was wanting to try a tube for myself. And boy did it live up to the hyperextension hype. Affordable, cleverly constructed and reliable, this mascara is the perfect addition to your bag. Giving you a full flourish of lashes with 10 layers of bristles to assist, you will most-likely find yourself repurchasing. Hip hip hooray!”

Story by Megan McGlinchey.

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