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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.