THE BEST MAKEUP FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

Your face is the canvas for your beauty, but for those with sensitive skin, finding the right makeup can feel like a challenge. The delicate nature of facial skin demands extra care. That’s why choosing gentle, non-comedogenic products is essential. Let’s dive into some makeup must-haves for sensitive skin.

WHAT IS SENSITIVE SKIN?

Sensitive skin is a condition in which the skin becomes itchy, stinging, burning, red, and tight after contact with skin care products, food, dirt, or other environmental factors. Because there are many factors that can cause skin sensitivity, sometimes it is impossible to determine which specific factor causes skin sensitivity and discomfort.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A REACTION TO MAKEUP?

If you experience a negative reaction to makeup, promptly discontinue use and gently cleanse your face. To pinpoint the culprit, try an elimination diet with your products. Remember, finding the perfect makeup routine requires experimentation. To assist you, we’ve curated a list of dermatologist and makeup artist-approved gentle makeup options, formulated with nourishing ingredients to soothe and hydrate even the most sensitive skin, allowing you to look and feel confident.

BEST MASCARA FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

CLINIQUE HIGH-IMPACT ZERO-GRAVITY MASCARA

Celebrity makeup artist Billie Gene swears by an ophthalmologist-tested, fragrance-free tubing mascara for her clients with sensitive skin and eyes. The gentle, tubing formula is easily removed and the curved brush not only builds length but also lifts and enhances the lashes’ curl.

THRIVE CAUSEMETICS LIQUID LASH EXTENSIONS MASCARA

Finding a mascara that both pampers sensitive skin and delivers dramatic lashes can be a daunting task. However, Yadav raves about Thrive Causemetics as a hidden gem for those with skin sensitivities. Designed for individuals with compromised immune systems, this mascara boasts a tubing formula that creates bold, long-lasting lashes without the risk of irritation or smudging, making it a standout choice for sensitive eyes.

TOWER 28 MAKEWAVES MASCARA

This clean mascara defies expectations. Instead of subtle definition, it delivers dramatic, false-lash-like volume. Infused with lash-loving castor oil and equipped with curl-holding Aquaflex technology, this formula has people doing double-takes. It’s a rare find in the clean beauty world, especially in a coveted brown shade, and has earned the seal of approval from celebrity makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell.

ALMAY THICKENING MASCARA

Say goodbye to flaky, clumpy lashes with Almay’s hypoallergenic, fragrance-free mascara. Its specially designed wand coats each lash evenly, extending them from root to tip for a fuller look. Infused with hydrating aloe and vitamin B5, this mascara not only defines but also nourishes your lashes.

BEST EYESHADOW FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

TWENTY/TWENTY BEAUTY VISIONARY EYE SHADOW STICK

Twenty/Twenty Beauty offers creamy eye shadow sticks designed specifically for sensitive eyes. Created by an ophthalmologist, these sticks glide on smoothly without tugging, delivering rich pigment without irritating fallout. The hydrating formula ensures a comfortable wear, while the range of matte and shimmer shades caters to diverse preferences.

NATASHA DENONA BRONZE EYE SHADOW PALETTE

This eyeshadow palette boasts a perfect score on SkinSafe’s wellness marker search engine, indicating it’s free from common allergens, fragrance, and parabens. While on the pricier end, users often rave about its exceptional pigment and long-lasting wear.

PHYSICIANS FORMULA CREAM EYESHADOW

Elevate your eye makeup with these dazzling liquid shadows. Featuring a mesmerizing blend of metallic shine and vibrant colors, these versatile gems are perfect for creating dramatic looks. The unique liquid-jelly formula is infused with mineral water and vitamin E to hydrate the delicate eye area, while providing long-lasting wear without creasing or fading.

MOB BEAUTY CREAM CLAY EYE SHADOW

Mob Beauty’s Cream Clay Eye Shadow is a rare find for those with sensitive skin. Unlike many bright, bold eyeshadows, this product uses gentle clays for pigmentation without irritating the eyes. It boasts a surprising range of vibrant shades, including uncommon hues like turquoise, green, and yellow, making it a standout option for those seeking high-quality, hypoallergenic makeup. The biodegradable compact is an added eco-friendly bonus.

BEST EYELINER FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

VICTORIA BECKHAM BEAUTY SATIN KAJAL EYELINER

Whether you’re aiming for a classic cat eye or a bold, rock-and-roll look, this eyeliner is your go-to. Renowned for its high performance, this versatile liner offers 16 stunning shades in matte, shimmer, and jewel finishes. Create endless eye looks with this must-have product.

ILIA CLEAN LINE GEL LINER

Ilia’s long-wearing eyeliner effortlessly glides on with the rich color and smooth finish of a gel liner, but in the convenient pencil form. Its staying power is impressive, and it’s gentle enough to use on even the most sensitive waterline.

BEST FOUNDATION FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

BAREMINERALS BAREPRO PERFORMANCE WEAR LIQUID FOUNDATION SPF 20

BareMinerals is dedicated to merging makeup and skincare, creating minimalist formulas that benefit your skin. Their mineral-based products are suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. While their loose powder foundation enjoys a cult-like following, the brand’s liquid foundation is a particular favorite, praised for its non-comedogenic, vegan formula and flawless, full-coverage finish.

COLORESCIENCE TINT DU SOLEIL WHIPPED FOUNDATION SPF 30

When choosing makeup for sensitive skin, opt for gentle formulas that feel more like skincare. Look for foundations packed with nourishing ingredients like peptides, ceramides, and vitamins, similar to the Colorscience pick recommended by Dr. Yadav. This foundation not only provides coverage but also helps firm, rejuvenate, and protect your skin with its gentle, non-pore-clogging formula and built-in sunscreen.

TOWER 28 SUNNYDAYS SPF 30 TINTED SUNSCREEN FOUNDATION

Our top foundation picks for sensitive skin often double as skincare, offering both coverage and soothing benefits. Tower28’s foundation is a prime example, boasting 100% mineral sunscreen and the coveted National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. This noncomedogenic SPF 30 formula provides light-to-medium buildable coverage, effectively evening out redness and discoloration while maintaining a natural, skin-like finish.

JANE IREDALE AMAZING BASE LOOSE MINERAL POWDER FOUNDATION SPF 20

Achieving a sheer base requires a powder foundation, and Jane Iredale’s loose mineral powder is a top choice for Yadav. She praises the brand’s clean, hypoallergenic formula and the powder’s buildable coverage. Plus, with SPF 20, it offers added sun protection, making it a versatile option for a flawless complexion.

BEST CONCEALER FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

ALMAY AGELESS HYDRATING CONCEALER

Concealers have evolved beyond simple coverage. Almay’s formula boasts impressive hydration benefits, rivaling some moisturizers. Packed with hyaluronic acid, vitamins C and E, it offers full coverage while being gentle on the skin. Its affordable price point makes it an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin seeking both coverage and skincare benefits.

KOSAS REVEALER SUPER-CREAMY AND BRIGHTENING CONCEALER

Kosas was born from the founder’s personal struggle to find makeup that wouldn’t irritate sensitive skin. The brand has since garnered a massive following, including from Yadav and Sewell, who appreciate the concealer’s skin-loving ingredients like caffeine, hyaluronic acid, and arnica. With a comprehensive 38-shade range, Kosas empowers people to embrace their natural complexion while enjoying flawless coverage.

BEST FACE POWDER FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

NEUTROGENA SHINE CONTROL MATTIFYING FACE POWDER

Say goodbye to shiny skin without sacrificing your skin’s health. This innovative powder harnesses the power of rice protein technology to absorb excess oil, leaving a soft, matte finish. Unlike traditional talc-based powders, this formula is gentle on the skin, won’t clog pores, and keeps you shine-free all day long. Gene swears by it for quick touch-ups, making it an essential for on-the-go beauty routines.

RMS BEAUTY UNPOWDER

This setting powder is a makeup artist favorite for its talc-free formula. The Untinted shade boasts a clean ingredient list, containing only silica and mica. This means you can confidently apply it to your skin knowing exactly what you’re using.

BEST BLUSH FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

JANE IREDALE PUREPRESSED BLUSH

This silky powder blush defies expectations. It starts as a powder but transforms into a creamy, natural flush thanks to hydrating ingredients like shea butter, pomegranate extract, and jojoba seed oil. With 14 buildable shades, there’s a perfect hue for every skin tone, delivering a lit-from-within glow that’s both buildable and beautiful.

SAIE DEW BLUSH

This dewy blush delivers flawless color without any patchiness or streaks. Its buildable formula allows for customizable intensity, melting into the skin for a natural flush. Packed with hydrating glycerin and antioxidant-rich elderberry extract, this blush not only enhances your complexion but also nourishes and protects it. For a rosy glow, try Chilly; for a warmer tone, opt for Spicy.

BEST LIPSTICK FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

ILIA COLOR BLOCK HIGH-IMPACT LIPSTICK

Ilia’s botanical-infused lipstick offers a perfect blend of skincare and color. Packed with nourishing seed oils and butters, this clean beauty formula delivers all-day hydration while providing a vibrant, long-lasting pigment. Gene praises the lipstick’s gorgeous color payoff and its ability to keep lips soft and comfortable.

BURT’S BEES GLOSSY LIQUID LIPSTICK

While Burt’s Bees is renowned for its lip balms, the brand also offers a standout liquid lipstick. This often-overlooked product boasts a completely natural formula enriched with nourishing plant oils, providing impressive coverage without drying out lips. With its 18 vibrant shades and long-lasting glossy finish, it’s no wonder Burt’s Bees remains a trusted name in natural beauty.

BEST LIP BALMS AND LIP GLOSSES FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

HONEST BEAUTY TINTED LIP BALM

This tinted lip balm is a lifesaver for dry, cracked lips. Packed with hydrating avocado oil, it locks in moisture for a full eight hours. Lin loves that it’s vegan, clean, and affordable. Perfect for those days when you want a hint of color without the full commitment of lipstick, this balm is a must-have for your purse.

TOWER 28 SHINEON LIP JELLY NONSTICKY GLOSS

Sticky glosses have the tendency to clog pores and don’t actually boost lips’ moisture retention. This buttery gloss from Tower 28 is an enigma and feels more like a balm that just so happens to have a high-shine finish. Yadav appreciates that it combines a blend of nourishing, plant-based ingredients like apricot kernel oil, raspberry seed oil and rose hip oil to heal lips and give them a “juicy shine.”

KOSAS WET LIP OIL GLOSS

Think twice before opting for lip plumpers that tingle and burn. These irritating formulas can actually damage your lips. Instead, Gene recommends a hydrating lip oil enriched with hyaluronic acid and peptides. This gentle approach not only plumps your lips but also keeps them moisturized for hours. Enjoy a fuller pout without the discomfort.

THE PERFECT MAKEUP ROUTINE FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

Discover our 10-step makeup routine designed to pamper sensitive skin:

ALWAYS START BY CLEANSING YOUR SKIN

Daily cleansing removes dirt, grime, and impurities, preventing irritation and allowing your skin to breathe. Opt for a gentle cleanser formulated for sensitive skin, using it both morning and evening. For a deeper clean, incorporate a gentle exfoliator once a week to smooth and purify your skin.

MOISTURISE BEFORE APPLYING MAKEUP

Proper cleansing and moisturizing prepare your skin for an even, luminous finish. For sensitive skin, choose a moisturizer tailored to your specific needs: opt for TOLERIANE Sensitive for general sensitivity, TOLERIANE Ultra for allergies, ROSALIAC for redness, EFFACLAR for oily and blemish-prone skin, NUTRIC for dryness, or REDERMIC/HYALU B5 for anti-aging concerns.

CORRECT WITH A CONCEALER

Tinted concealers can effectively target specific skin concerns. Green concealer neutralizes redness, while yellow corrects under-eye circles. Beige concealers offer broader coverage for imperfections. For a quick and natural look, BB creams provide light coverage and even skin tone, perfect for minimal makeup days.

EVEN OUT THE COMPLEXION WITH A FOUNDATION FORMULATED FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

Start by placing five dots of foundation on your forehead, both cheekbones, nose, and chin. Gently blend the product outward using a brush and finish with a sponge or your fingertips for a natural, seamless look. This application technique works for cream, fluid, or compact foundations.

SET YOUR MAKEUP WITH MATTIFYING POWDER

To lock your foundation and concealer in place and control shine, dust a mattifying powder over your entire face. Focus on areas prone to oiliness, such as the forehead, chin, and sides of the nose, for a longer-lasting, shine-free complexion.

SCULPT YOUR FACE WITH BLUSH

A touch of blush on the apples of your cheeks can instantly brighten your complexion and create a healthy glow. 

GLORIFY YOUR EYES WITH SENSITIVE EYE MAKEUP

Given the delicate nature of the eyelid skin and its susceptibility to allergies, it’s crucial to select eye makeup products that have undergone dermatological testing and are free from allergens. Such choices not only benefit those with sensitive skin but also offer comfort and safety for contact lens wearers.

ENHANCE YOUR SMILE

To achieve a polished lip look, begin by outlining your lips with a lip liner that closely matches your lipstick shade. This step defines your lip shape, prevents lipstick from feathering, and significantly enhances its staying power. Once the outline is complete, fill in your lips with the lipstick, starting from the center and working your way outwards to the corners for a seamless application.

PERFECT YOUR MAKEUP AND PROTECT YOUR SKIN WITH THERMAL SPRING WATER

Refresh and protect your makeup with a spritz of La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water. Enriched with soothing minerals and antioxidants, this unique water hydrates, softens, and supports sensitive skin health. Its prebiotic properties help balance skin’s natural microbiome, ensuring a longer-lasting, flawless finish.

USE A MAKEUP REMOVER FORMULATED FOR SENSITIVE SKIN AND EYES

Thorough nightly cleansing is paramount for maintaining healthy skin. Removing dirt, allergens, and impurities is crucial to prevent irritation and allow your skin to breathe. Neglecting this essential step can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, and other skin issues.

CONCLUSION

Makeup for sensitive skin requires patience and careful selection to avoid skin irritation. However, with the right products and gentle makeup techniques, you can absolutely have beautiful and radiant makeup. Always listen to your body and pay attention to how your skin feels to adjust your makeup accordingly. Wishing you always have healthy, beautiful skin and radiant makeup!

12 best mascaras for sensitive eyes 2023: Get a Flawless Look Instantly!

Mascara is one of the most popular beauty products, and for a good reason — it can instantly transform your look by adding length, volume, and definition to your lashes. With so many options available on the market, it can be challenging to find the right one that meets your specific needs. Some lengthen, volumize, separate, and curl. Some of them are tear-proof and can even add an unknown depth of blackness to your lashes, while others claim to give you the featheriness of false eyelashes. The enormous selection of mascaras can be both exciting and overwhelming when it comes to choosing. To simplify this process, we’ve rounded up the 12 best mascaras for length and volume of 2023 that will help you achieve a flawless look instantly. Whether you are in search of a mascara that provides a natural look, a drugstore alternative to a luxury brand, or a formula that is gentle on sensitive eyes, we’ve got you covered. Regardless of what kind of lashes you have, there’s something here for you.

Best Overall Mascara: Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

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The Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara has earned its reputation as an iconic product, delivering on its promises of intense black volume while lengthening, curling, and separating lashes. Many buyers found it easy to layer on clump-free volume and appreciated the hourglass-shaped brush for achieving separation. It provided thickness without looking overdone and was easy to remove. While some online reviews criticized the wet formula, we believe it is an excellent choice for daily use and for creating a glamorous makeup look. This mascara is perfect for those seeking bold and dramatic lashes, with its smudge-proof and long-lasting formula. Furthermore, it is cruelty-free and vegan, making it a guilt-free choice. Investing in the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara will give you stunning lashes that you will love. So why wait? Buy it now and fall in love with your lashes all over again!

Best Clean Mascara: COVERGIRL Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara

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COVERGIRL Lash Blast mascara is a popular drugstore choice that delivers impressive results. It is vegan and free of harmful ingredients like parabens, sulfates, talc, and mineral oil, making it safe for those with sensitive eyes. Its fiber stretch pigments and jumbo brush with tiny bristles ensure every lash is coated for extensions-like length.

The COVERGIRL Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara is an excellent option for those who desire long-lasting and smudge-proof lashes. This volumizing mascara adds both length and volume to your lashes without irritating your eyes. It’s waterproof and sweat-resistant, so your lashes stay perfect throughout the day. If you’re looking for a trustworthy and safe waterproof mascara without sacrificing quality, the COVERGIRL Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara is an excellent choice.

Best Drugstore Mascara: L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara

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According to many reviewers we consulted, L’Oreal’s Voluminous Mascara is a perennial favorite. It’s suitable for even the most sensitive eyes and provides clump-free lashes that don’t run and are easy to manage. For a high-quality mascara that delivers remarkable volume and length to your lashes, look no further than L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara. The brush is designed to coat every lash with a smooth, creamy formula that dries quickly without clumping. Additionally, it’s smudge-proof and flake-resistant, ensuring your lashes stay in place all day. You can also choose from a variety of shades to match your style. The L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara is an excellent option for those looking for a great mascara.

Best Mascara for Length: COVERGIRL Exhibitionist Stretch & Strengthen Mascara

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The ideal choice for those with short lashes, this mascara is a lengthening powerhouse that received a perfect score in our tests for not irritating the eyes. Clients were impressed with its ability to lengthen lashes, and raved about the deep, inky pigment, calling it “one of the deepest blacks” they’ve tried. The brush was also highly praised for its abundant and well-spaced bristles, which made it easy to apply evenly. However, it scored average in curling and volumizing and some users found it difficult to remove.

Best Mascara for Sensitive Eyes: Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara

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Looking for long and voluminous lashes? Look no further than Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara. With a buildable formula, you can customize your lash look, whether you want natural or bold lashes. The brush design is perfect for coating each lash, providing a full and defined look. This mascara is also smudge-proof, long-lasting, and easy to remove with makeup remover. It’s an excellent option for those who want high-quality mascara that delivers impressive results.

For a gentle, non-irritating formula that won’t break the bank, try this ophthalmologist-tested drugstore mascara. Infused with bamboo extract, it promotes strong and long lashes, and it’s safe for contact lens wearers. It’s also super easy to remove, so your lashes stay intact.

Best Mascara for Volume: Benefit Bad Gal Bang Volumizing Mascara

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Bad gal bang mascara has been a top pick among many for years and can be found in drugstore makeup aisles. It promises to add thickness and definition to each lash without clumping or smudging. Despite newer formulations on the market, this mascara has remained a fan favorite.

Customers found that it gave their lashes a full and voluminous appearance while maintaining a natural look. The formula wasn’t too thick, making it great for defining the lower lashes. But, some reviewers did note that it is difficult to remove.

Best Natural-Looking Mascara: Maybelline New York Total Temptation Washable Mascara

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Maybelline’s Total Temptation Mascara has received high praise from customers for its ability to separate lashes and provide a natural, subtle look that’s perfect for daily wear. Although the large brush may take some getting used to, it allows for a smooth application that doesn’t clump, even with many coats.

Although it received low consumer scores for volumizing, one user noted that it provided thick and lush eyelashes and was highly buildable. With just one coat, you’ll have long and separated lashes, but with two to three coats, you can achieve dramatic results.

Best Waterproof Mascara: Maybelline The Falsies Lash Lift Waterproof Mascara

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The Maybelline The Falsies Lash Lift Waterproof Mascara is a fantastic option for those looking for a waterproof mascara that delivers long, full, and defined lashes. The brush design is unique, featuring ten layers of bristles that coat every lash, giving you a fan-like effect. The formula is waterproof, sweat-proof, and smudge-proof, ensuring that your lashes look great throughout the day. It’s easy to apply and doesn’t clump or flake, making it an ideal choice for people with sensitive eyes.

Best 2-in-1 Mascara: Honest Beauty 2-in-1 Extreme Length Clean Mascara

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The lengthening mascara we’re about to introduce is amazing. It’s enriched with hydrating jojoba oil, making it a clean, nourishing choice. But what sets it apart is the addition of the enhancing primer. This primer does double duty, preparing your lashes for maximum length and thickness while also protecting dry eyes by acting as a barrier between the mascara and eyelid. Applying the primer is simple: just brush it on and wait about 20 seconds before applying the mascara in a zigzag motion. You won’t believe the results. The unique brush design features bristles of different sizes that coat each lash individually, providing a natural, effortless look.

Most Popular Mascara: essence | Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara

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The Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara is a highly-rated and affordable mascara that promises to give you voluminous and long lashes. It has a large bristle brush that separates and coats each lash without clumping. Reviewers love how it adds length and volume without smudging or flaking throughout the day. However, some reviewers noted that the formula can be a bit wet and may take a few minutes to dry. Overall, it’s a great budget-friendly mascara option that delivers amazing results.

Best Non-Smudging Mascara: Mascara by Revlon, So Fierce Eye Makeup

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Break the rules with the new So Fierce Mascara, with unapologetic length and clump-free, smudge-proof volume. Get lashes that push the limit for hours.

The Revlon So Fierce Mascara in Blackest Black is a popular choice among customers who want a smudge-proof mascara that lasts all day. Many reviewers have found that the mascara lives up to its claim of being smudge-proof, even after a long day of wear. Additionally, the mascara is appreciated for its ability to provide volume and length without clumping. Yet, some users have found that the mascara can be difficult to remove, and may not be suitable for those with sensitive eyes.

Best Curling Mascara: Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Super Curling & Lifting Mascara

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Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Mascara received positive reviews from customers who praised its ability to curl, lift, and separate lashes. The curved wand was described as easy to use and provided natural-looking results without clumping or flaking. Designed with staggered bristles, this brush reaches the roots and boosts length and volume significantly. Bonus: it can curl even the tiniest of lashes. The glossy, jet-black formula promotes lush, silky lashes that are long-lasting and won’t clump, smudge, or fade. Some reviewers noted that it held up well throughout the day and was easy to remove

How to Choose the Best Mascara

Here’s what you should consider when choosing mascara:

Start by looking at the formula type

Decide what benefits you want from your mascara — volumizing, thickening, curling, or lengthening. While some products offer multiple benefits, most mascaras fall into one of these categories. The amount of pigment or wax in the formula is the main difference between them, but the most important factor in achieving the desired results is the brush. So, the next step is to consider the brush size and shape.

Pay attention to the brush size and shape

Even if a formula is excellent, a worthless brush will not give you the look you desire. The wand applicator is crucial in creating lengthened, curled, or voluminous lashes. Mascara brushes come in various sizes, shapes, bristle lengths, and materials, and each design helps you achieve a different result. The size of the brush will mirror the effect it has on your lashes. For example, a fat and fluffy applicator will give you voluminous, fat, and fluffy lashes, while a long, skinny, more precise wand will give you long, skinny, clump-free lashes.

Consider its wearability

The formula you choose will determine how long your mascara lasts and how well it wears throughout the day. If you know you’ll be sweating, swimming, or shedding tears, waterproof mascara is your best option. However, these formulas can be stubborn to remove. If you need budge-proof or smudge-proof mascara without the lasting power of a waterproof formula, opt for a tubing mascara. Tubing mascaras coat your lashes in polymers and come off like little tubes with your fingers and water. Lastly, regular mascara is the most flexible on your lashes, comfortable to wear, and easy to remove, but they are also the most likely to flake, run, and smear.

Find your ideal color

While black is a classic choice, don’t be afraid to experiment with colored mascara to amplify and enhance your eye makeup look. Trying midnight blue or deep plum mascara next time you do a smokey eye to elevate your look and make your eyes pop.