A Complete Guide to the Confusing World of Mascara Wands
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Imaxtree
For reasons that should be glaringly clear, most women would choose mascara as their desert-island product: Not only does it define your eyes which are supposed to be the window to your soul all all, but a good mascara can make you look like you actually slept well last night, even if you’ve been up all night Googling flu-like symptoms (just me?).
And while we’ve long been told that the formula—waterproof, lengthening, volumizing—is what matters most, it’s really all in the brush. “In my years of mascara testing, I’ve found 100% that the mascara wand is the most important for getting the lash look you want,” says NYC-based makeup artist Ashleigh Ciucci, who’s responsible for this gorgeous look. “It really doesn’t matter the formula: Every brush shape, size, and material will deposit product differently.”
And of course, using a mascara wand that was made for volume when you really want length won’t be a total buzzkill on your look, but you’re cutting yourself off at the knees if you totally ignore the brush. Ahead, a primer on which mascara wand you should choose—and options to shop at every price point.
Ball-Tipped
A ball-tipped brush—one that has a spiked sphere on the end of the wand—helps coat both tiny inner lashes and longer outer lashes. Just be careful you don’t overdo it on the first shot: “A ball-tipped brush deposits loads of product quickly,” says Ciucci.
It Cosmetics Hello Lashes Extensions Mascara, $24; at Ulta
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Ulta
Ball-Tipped
e.l.f. 3-in-1 Mascara, $3; at Target
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Target
Ball-Tipped
Benefit They're Real! Lengthening Mascara, $24; at Ulta
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Ulta
Ball-Tipped
Givenchy Beauty Phenomen'Eyes Mascara, $31; at Barneys
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Barneys
Curved
While a curved wand won’t completely replace your lash curler, the arched row of bristles helps coax your lashes upward, especially if you wiggle it mid-stroke.
Urban Decay Mascara Resurrection, $16; at Urban Decay
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Urban Decay
Curved
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Bloomingdale's
Curved
Maybelline Volum' Express The Colossal Chaotic Lash Mascara, $5.69; at Target
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Target
Curved
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Credo Beauty
Thin
“A thin, comb-like wand will allow you to coat each lash individually while separating at the same time,” says Ciucci. “I find that a thin brush give the most natural look.”
L'Oréal Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara, $9.99; at Ulta
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Ulta
Thin
e.l.f. Lash Tiny Mascara, $4; at Target
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Target
Thin
Estée Lauder Double Wear Zero-Smudge Lengthening Mascara, $26; at Sephora
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Sephora
Pine Cone
Just as the shape suggests, a tapered pine-cone brush is perfect for a cat-eye look—the longer bristles at the end grip the outer lashes while still managing to lightly coat the inner and middle lashes.
Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant Mascara, $24; at Sephora
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Sephora
Pine Cone
BeYu Magic Eyes Long Lasting Volume Mascara, $12.99; at Target
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Target
Pine Cone
Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara, $22; at Ulta
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Ulta
Bottom Lashes
Both Ciucci and I are big proponents of mascara on the bottom lashes, but with one caveat: “Apply mascara only on the outer corners if you have smaller eyes,” says Ciucci, who recommends pressing the brush into the lashes, rather than swiping it on. “But if your lashes are a little sparser, hold the brush vertical and use the tip to swish product on back and forth.”
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara, $11.50; at Sephora
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Sephora
Bottom Lashes
Pixi Lower Lash Mascara, $11; at Target
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Target
Bottom Lashes
Ulta Twice as Nice Mascara, $5.97; at Ulta
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Ulta
Expandable
A newer type of mascara brush, an expandable wand’s bristles can space out and distribute the product to coat each individual lash to define them. When the bristles more tightly or densely spaced, they force lashes to clump together—in a good way.
Buxom Amplified Lash Mascara, $22; at bareMinerals
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bareMinerals
Expandable
Too Cool for School Dinoblatz Mascara, $25; at Sephora
Corkscrew
The helix of bristles helps define each lash; try using this brush on either side of your lashes for a dramatic look.
Dior Diorshow 360 Mascara, $35; at Amazon
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Amazon
Corkscrew
Too Faced Size Queen Mascara, $21; at Sephora
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Sephora
Corkscrew
Milk Makeup Ubame Mascara, $24; at Sephora
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Sephora
Rubber-Bristled
“Rubber bristles grip onto the hair and deposit product better than traditional bristles,” says Ciucci, who recommends this mascara brush for more defined, separated lashes. They also “maintain their shape so you are able to really get the desired effect of the wand structure and the formula of the mascara,” says Sephora Pro Lead Artist Julie Taing, who says rubber-bristled wands don’t clump or flake as easily, either.
W3LL PEOPLE Expressionist Pro Mascara, $21.99; at Target
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Target
Rubber-Bristled
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Ilia Beauty
Rubber-Bristled
NARS Audacious Mascara, $26; at Sephora
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Sephora
Super Bushy
This type of wand was probably the one you reached for as a teen—or whenever you started wearing mascara. A classic plush brush helps lengthen lashes at the tip for a wide-eyed look.
Chantecaille 'Faux Cils' Longest Lash Mascara, $72; at Nordstrom
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Nordstrom
Super Bushy
Dior Diorshow Lash-Extension Effect Volume Mascara, $28.50; at Nordstrom
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Nordstrom
Super Bushy
Revlon Ultra Volume Mascara, $5.99; at Target
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Target
U-Shaped
A U-shaped brush is great for reaching the outer corners and pulling them up and out in one fell swipe. The result is equal parts voluminous and eye-opening.
Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara, $23; at Ulta
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Ulta
U-Shaped
Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara, $26; at Sephora
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Sephora
U-Shaped
COVERGIRL Flamed Out Mascara, $4.99; at Target
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Target
