Innovative new mascaras that will take your lashes to greater heights

There’s a bit of alchemy involved in finding the perfect mascara. The right wand and technique can widen your eyes, lift your face, and transform your whole look. “You need a certain skill set for eyeliner and eye shadow, but mascara is foolproof,” says celebrity make-up artist Jo Baker, who works with Gal Gadot and Vanessa Kirby. “Now, a dramatic lash line alone can suffice as a bold eye look.” In part, this is due to mascaras with curl-holding technologies and skincare-ingredient infusions, along with inventive applications. “Not everybody’s lashes are the same,” notes celebrity make-up artist Vincent Oquendo, whose clients include Jenna Ortega and Gabrielle Union. “It’s important to layer and tailor your mascara routine to exactly what your lashes need.” Here, are some of the latest and greatest mascaras, with tips on how to get bolder, bigger lashes straight from the pros.

Clinique High Impact Mascara, ₹2,337   

Made for sensitive eyes, Clinique’s newest mascara deposits extra-black fibres to boost definition on even naturally dark lashes.

Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Refillable Mascara ₹3,000 

Beloved by those with pin-straight lashes, this mascara’s famously curved brush and long-wearing formula are now available in a refillable tube.

Estée Lauder Turbo Lash High-Powered Mascara, ₹2,790 

A trifecta of argan, castor, and maracuja oils conditions lashes, while plush fillers build soft volume with zero clumping.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Sculpt Mascara, ₹3,350 

Brows and lashes are the cornerstones of Anastasia Soare’s line. The brand’s latest mascara delivers day-to-night definition with one coat and dramatic length with three or more.

TIPS

MASCARA MIXOLOGY

Mascara cocktailing, the technique of combining two or more formulas, will amplify your results. Start with a primer, like Too Faced Better Than Sex Foreplay, which preps lashes with a black formula and a comb like brush. Then add definition to the roots of your lashes with a lengthening mascara featuring thin, straight bristles, says Oquendo. “Don’t go from root to tip yet,” he adds. “Define first and get your volume later.” Let each coat dry before picking up your next wand, whether it’s a fluffy brush for more volume or a curved one for added curl.

COLOUR POP

Colourful lashes took over the Fall 2023 runways, shown in jewel tones at Prada and pink at Victoria Beckham. “The technology behind coloured mascaras is getting better and better,” says Oquendo. His favourite—and goop-proof—way to use a hued mascara: Top a black coat with a colourful one just at the tips. “It creates an ombré effect that makes the eyes look wider,” he says. 

This piece originally appeared in the October 2023 of Harper's Bazaar US.