Time for a new series! I have quite a few of those on the blog (Brand Spotlight, Subscription Service Overviews, and as of recently Empties as well) but I personally like reading posts like these and believe I’m not alone. So starting today, I will be sharing my Top 5 Favorites once a month in different categories. I will be starting out with mascaras because out of all beauty – my favorite product to try out is always mascara. You know how some people will ask if there’s one make up item you can’t leave the house without, what would it be? My answer will always be mascara.

There is a good mix of drug store and high end on my list so I think there’ll be something for everyone. So let’s get into it…

The Winners…

Before starting with my first favorite, I have to give another product a major shout out. The DiorShow Maximizer mascara primer has been my step one to putting on mascara for years. I do not put on mascara without this product. It is a white primer that goes on before mascara and improves thickness, curl and just the overall look of your lashes. It is pretty pricey (almost $30) but I think it’s so worth the investment. A tube generally lasts me 4-5 months and that’s with me literally using it once-twice daily. It can also be used as a deep conditioner for lashes at night time but I generally don’t use it for that purpose.

Anyway. Let’s actually talk about my top 5 mascaras now:

Benefit They’re Real – If I had to pick an absolute favorite out of the 5 mascaras I am talking about today, this would be it. This mascara lengthens, volumizes and creates the biggest, blackest lashes. This is always the mascara I reach for when I’m going out or for any events or night looks. I am not a falsie wearer (I am a chronic “squinter” as it is and falsies make it even worse) and I don’t even need them when I have this mascara on. It also comes in brown and blue if you’re into that. My one complaint is that it does dry out quicker than most mascaras and I feel like I have to replace it more often than others which definitely hits you in the pocket more, as it is a pricey mascara.

Price: $24

Where can you find it? Sephora, Ulta, Benefit’s website.

Tarte Tarteist Lash Paint Mascara – This one is a more recent discovery but one that has proven itself in many ways. This is my second go-to for volume and length and sometimes can even outdo the Benefit mascara when it comes to vavavoom lashes. I love the packaging and I think gold and black look very sleek together and the formula lasts longer than the Benefit one. The brushes on the two are actually pretty similar. They are both plastic and thick. This one is in the same price range as the Benefit mascara, so definitely on the higher end.

Price: $23

Where can you find it? Sephora, Ulta, Tarte’s website.

Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara – This one is an oldie but a goodie. I have replaced this mascara at least 10 times now because I’ve been using it for so many years. It is the perfect every day mascara as it creates enough length and volume to be noticeable but doesn’t overdo it like the Benefit and Tarte mascaras. It never clumps, it creates great length and is just an overall great mascara to have in your arsenal. The price is a bit lower than the previously mentioned mascaras but it’s definitely not drug store pricing yet.

Price: $18

Where can you find it? Sephora, Ulta, Macy’s, Dillards, Clinique’s website.

L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise – Now on to the mascara that has swept the beauty world in the last year. This mascara made headlines for months as it was everyone’s new favorite mascara. It was always getting compared to the Better than Sex mascara which I never understood because personally, I did not see any similarities. I am not a fan of the Better than Sex mascara and the Lash Paradise one was a huge winner in my book. This mascara creates great volume, doesn’t clump and makes your lash look so black. It’s also from the drug store which is great because the price is right on this one. This one has a fiber brush that is thicker on the outside and thins out in the middle. Also available in the waterproof version.

Price: Ranges from $8-10 depending where you go

Where can you find it? Walgreens, Ulta, or anywhere that sells L’oreal products.

L’oreal Telescopic Mascara – Another winner by L’oreal. This is my favorite mascara for length. The brush is a thin and plastic with many little ridges which prevents any clumping and brings amazing results. The tube looks like a telescope which gets an A+ for me for packaging and just like the Lash Paradise, you can’t beat the price.

Price:Ranges from $8-10 depending where you go

Where can you find it? Walgreens, Ulta, or anywhere that sells L’oreal products.

That wraps up my five favorites. I also have to give an honorary mention to the Urban Decay Perversion mascara and the It Cosmetics Superhero. While they didn’t quite make my top 5, they’re both great mascaras as well. Also, anyone else strongly dislike the “legendary” Maybelline Great Lash mascara? You know, the pink tube with the green lid? I will never ever understand why that’s one of the most sold mascaras of all time and why people like that one. Even back in the day when little Yuliya who barely knew anything about make up would try it out, the clumpy mess that resulted never seemed appealing. Just me?

Anyway, let me know what your favorite mascaras are as I am always looking for new ones to try and love taking recommendations! Thanks for reading! Happy Sunday!

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