Popsugar Beauty Beauty Shopping The Best Mascaras in the UK, According to Makeup Artists These Are the Absolute Best 18 Mascaras, According to Pro Makeup Artists 29 November 2019 by Tori Crowther Image Source: spacenk.com As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work. If you ask someone what their number one must-have makeup item is, they will often say mascara. It has the ability to totally transform a look with just a few simple swipes. But considering how many people wear it on a daily basis (and for some makeup artists I've spoken to on a nightly basis, too, although we don't recommend that!), it can be a total maze in the quest to finding the perfect one. Despite each mascara doing the same job as one another and essentially having the same components, there is still a lot to consider. Do you want a fat wand or a superthin wand? Do you want a wet or drier formula? Do you want it to lengthen or add volume? It can be pretty confusing — not to mention expensive — if you aren't exactly sure what you're looking for. That's where we come in. We've called in the advice of the top global makeup artists including Vincent Oquendo, Nikki Wolff, and Neil Young, plus nine others, to share which mascaras — including Chanel, Benefit, and Kevyn Aucoin, to name a few — last through their client's busy lives, earning a spot in their coveted kit staples, as well as their personal favourites, too. To save you the stress of trying mascaras that don't live up to the hype, read on to see the 18 best mascaras that do live up to the hype, according to the pros. Related: These Are the 18 Best Foundations For Dry Skin, According to Makeup Artists Maybelline New York Mascara Lash Sensational Very Black Mascara Image Source: lookfantastic.com Both Lucinda Worth and Vincent Oquendo recommend the superaffordable Maybelline New York Mascara Lash Sensational Very Black Mascara (£9). "It's my number one choice for anyone with oily skin. It doesn't budge at all, so no panda eyes at the end of the day!" says Worth. But not only that, it also makes lashes look incredibly long, perfect if you're looking specifically for length in a mascara. Maybelline New York Mascara Lash Sensational Very Black Mascara £9 from lookfantastic.com Buy Now Wander Beauty Mile High Club Volume and Length Mascara Image Source: Net-a-Porter For Grace Ahn the Wander Beauty Mile High Club Volume and Length Mascara (£24) "does it all. It's lengthening, volumising, and holds a curl without any flaking." Wander Beauty Mile High Club Volume and Length Mascara £24 from net-a-porter.com Buy Now Nars Cosmetics Climax Mascara Image Source: spacenk.com Not one, not two, but three professional makeup artists sang the praises of the Nars Cosmetics Climax Mascara (£21). "It's smudge-proof and creates a false lash effect with long, fluffy lashes," says Worth. Georgina Graham said it was responsible for giving BLE — big lash energy. We certainly can't argue with that. Nars Cosmetics Climax Mascara £21 from spacenk.com Buy Now IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara Image Source: cultbeauty.co.uk The IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara (£21) is a favourite of London-based makeup artist Pauline Briscoe thanks to its long wand and wet, jet-black consistency, which is "perfect for a dramatic effect." IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara £21 from cultbeauty.co.uk Buy Now Giorgio Armani Black Ecstasy Mascara Image Source: harrods.com In Quinn Murphy's opinion (he works with Dakota Fanning, Kate Hudson, and Sophie Turner), the Giorgio Armani Black Ecstasy Mascara (£30) "is a monster", and I don't know about you, but that's enough to sell it for me. "It gives incredible volume for a major lash," he adds. Giorgio Armani Black Ecstasy Mascara £30 from harrods.com Buy Now Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Image Source: selfridges.com The Chanel Le Volume De Mascara (£28) gives you "mega plumped lashes," according to Graham. And Sandy Linter agrees: "inimitable volume, length, and curl separation — you get it all, this one delivers." Chanel Le Volume De Mascara £28 from selfridges.com Buy Now Clarins Supra Volume Mascara Image Source: boots.com It can sometimes be difficult to work with a mascara that gives a dramatic effect as it can result in clumps, which we're guessing isn't the look you're going for on a Monday morning. But you're guaranteed not to get that with the Clarins Supra Volume Mascara (£19, originally £22) according to Murphy. "It's dramatic and buildable but isn't clumpy." Clarins Supra Volume Mascara £19 from boots.com Buy Now Hourglass Cosmetics Caution Extreme Lash Mascara Image Source: Net-a-Porter The Hourglass Cosmetics Caution Extreme Lash Mascara (£25) gives you "lashes full of volume," says makeup artist Hannah Martin. "The brush grabs every lash and feels like Velcro as you pull it through, and it has fantastic lash coverage in very few strokes." Hourglass Cosmetics Caution Extreme Lash Mascara £25 from net-a-porter.com Buy Now Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara Image Source: cultbeauty.co.uk Sometimes the classic mascaras are simply the best, like the Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara (£22.50). "It doesn't smudge, flake, or drop, and you can remove it really easily with warm water," says makeup artist Lucy Wearing. Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara £22.50 from cultbeauty.co.uk Buy Now Lancôme Grandiôse Wide-Angle Fan Effect Mascara Image Source: boots.com The Lancôme Grandiôse Wide-Angle Fan Effect Mascara (£23) "is one of my go-to mascaras," says makeup artist Neil Young. "I love the brush size and its buildable formula. It dries quickly to keep a curl in the lashes without any flaking." Lancôme Grandiôse Wide-Angle Fan Effect Mascara £23 from boots.com Buy Now Sensai 38°C Volumising Mascara Image Source: harrods.com Want a mascara to actually last the entire day? Nikki Wolff's favourite is the Sensai 38°C Volumising Mascara (£26). "It creates superlong lashes and adds volume with incredibly black definition. It does not budge throughout the day; it's true to its name and can only be removed with warm water at 38 degrees or above." Sensai 38°C Volumising Mascara £26 from harrods.com Buy Now L'Oréal Paris Paradise Castor Oil-Enriched Volumising Mascara Image Source: boots.com For volume without a clump or crumble in sight, Martin always turns to L'Oréal Paris Paradise Castor Oil-Enriched Volumising Mascara (£12). "It's the perfect brush size. I use one coat for an extremely subtle look, or three to four for full volume with zero clumping," she explains. L'Oréal Paris Paradise Castor Oil-Enriched Volumising Mascara £12 from boots.com Buy Now Make Up For Ever Stretch Mascara Image Source: strawberrynet.com Daniel Martin is a big fan of the Make Up For Ever Stretch Mascara (£25.50), all thanks to the incredible brush. "It builds out the lashes while giving a bit of length, too. It's a kit staple of mine for sure," he says. Make Up For Ever Stretch Mascara £25.50 from strawberrynet.com Buy Now Max Factor Masterpiece Max Mascara Image Source: boots.com If you prefer a no makeup-makeup look when it comes to your eyelashes, Hannah Martin recommends Max Factor Masterpiece Max Mascara (£11). "The comb separates lashes for an even, groomed finish. I'm able to fan the eyelashes with accuracy and precision for a neat finish." Max Factor Masterpiece Max Mascara £11 from boots.com Buy Now Benefit Roller Lash Mascara Image Source: lookfantastic.com Benefit Roller Lash Mascara (£19) needs no introduction. It's a fan favourite for adding length and curl to the lashes. This mascara "does it all," says Ahn. Benefit Roller Lash Mascara £19 from lookfantastic.com Buy Now Maybelline Lash Discovery Image Source: amazon.co.uk If you're already devoted to a mascara but want something a little extra to pump up the volume on occasion, Oquendo recommends Maybelline Lash Discovery (£5) to "layer over other mascaras." Maybelline Lash Discovery £5 from amazon.co.uk Buy Now Pat McGrath Labs FetishEyes Mascara Image Source: selfridges.com For wispy lashes that take barely any effort, Wolff loved the Pat McGrath Labs FetishEyes Mascara (£26). "It really catches every eyelash and coats it evenly, making lashes look full and fluffy." Ahn is also a fan of this mascara. "It does everything you want in a mascara, just on steroids." Pat McGrath Labs FetishEyes Mascara £26 from selfridges.com Buy Now L'Oreal Paris Air Volume Mega Mascara Image Source: spacenk.com L'Oreal Paris Air Volume Mega Mascara (£11) is a great affordable option for people with sparse lashes. Briscoe recommends it to help separate, lengthen, and thicken lashes, plus it really holds them in place. Givenchy Volume Disturbia Volume & Curve Mascara Image Source: feelunique.com A recent discovery — which has since become a kit staple — for Young is the Givenchy Volume Disturbia Volume & Curve Mascara (£23.50). "I love the moulded brush because it gives superb, buildable volume and separation to the lashes." Givenchy Volume Disturbia Volume & Curve Mascara £23.50 from feelunique.com Buy Now Shiseido Controlled Chaos Mascara Ink Image Source: lookfantastic.com Another of Oquendo's go-to mascaras is the Shiseido Controlled Chaos Mascara Ink (£25). This mascara adds serious drama from root to tip thanks to its chunky and curved wand, which will both lift and curl lashes. And if you're looking for an easy way to spice up your routine, this mascara comes in a variety of shades, including purple, green, and blue. Shiseido Controlled Chaos Mascara Ink £25 from lookfantastic.com Buy Now ShoppingBeauty ShoppingMakeup ArtistMascara