I was in a rush and couldn’t lay hands on my go-to mascara, so I took a risk and lashed on a new one. By the end of the night, there was very little product on my lashes, but lots of it under my eyes and around my face. While I love the Charli XCX grunge look, this was not what I was going for.
I’m not sure why mascaras that give you panda eyes still exist, but they do — in spades. Some manufacturers will claim that mascara smudging is down to your skin’s oiliness or the products used around the eye, but the reality is that there are lots of products on the market that don’t migrate at all. Obviously, waterproof mascaras are going to withstand moisture around the eyes, but tubing mascaras (where polymers create tubes around individual lashes) are also excellent in this regard.
Some people don’t like these formulas because they’re harder to remove, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s a fair pay-off for mascara that will stay where you put it. A good eye make-up remover (I like Vichy’s Pureté Thermale Waterproof Eye Make-Up Remover, £9.95) or cleansing oil will have them off in a jiffy.
With that in mind, here are some of my favourites: (£31) — This is a waterproof mascara that simply does not budge. You can sweat, swim, rub, roll around in a dewy meadow, whatever you fancy yourself, and it will remain on your lashes, exactly where you put it. Aside from the staying factor, it lengthens and defines, as well as helping your lashes to hold a curl.
It can also be built without clumping, which is great for someone like me who wants to wear a minimum of five coats of mascara. (£12.99) — This is a beautiful mascara which lengthens without clumping, along with delivering beautiful volume which never looks spidery.
It also doesn’t smudge, but this goes for most Maybelline formulas. The brand seems to have mastered mascara, and is responsible for my all-time favourite, the original Lash Sensational formula. (£29) — This is an incredible mascara, and would be my number one were it not for the price.
If you like full, voluminous lashes, you’ll love this. One coat makes a dramatic difference, but you can build as much as you like without lashes becoming clumpy or heavy. Aside from that, it, you guessed it, doesn’t smudge! (£25) — If you have sensitive eyes or hay fever-induced eye watering, this formula was designed for you.
It won’t irritate, and if your eyes do water, the product will still stay in place. Additionally, it lengthens the lashes beautifully. Belfast brand is a real success story, both in Ireland and internationally.
The range originally caught people’s attention via its large, bright eyeshadow palettes, and thanks to consistently good products has expanded far beyond them now. Complexion products are tricky to get right, but it has managed to do it. (£19.
95) is ideal for those who truly want maximum coverage without the feeling of heaviness on the skin. The formula includes hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, which make it comfortable and prevent the matte finish from looking totally flat. Available in 36 shades, with many options on each end of the scale, this full-coverage product will work for all skin tones.
’s fragrances are world famous for their sophisticated scents and classic packaging, but boy are they pricey. Still, if you like to splash out on perfume, there’s no question that they are formulated with the best ingredients and deliver on ‘fancy lady/man’ feeling. (£220) is inspired by the warmth and beauty of the Amalfi coast.
Warm and citrusy, this fragrance includes notes of lemon, grapefruit, orange blossom and amber. It smells and feels expensive (as it should, for this price) and works on people of all genders. Its turquoise packaging is beautiful, meaning it adds a little something to a dressing table too.
is a brand which fully embraces its Britishness, so it makes sense that it has teamed up with a true British icon: Paddington. As you probably know, there’s nothing Paddington loves more than a marmalade sandwich, so that’s what the new scent is inspired by. blends notes of orange peel, orange bigarade and cashmere wood for a scent which is warm and zesty.
I think this is a fragrance perfectly suited to the autumn, but as you know, I’m a big believer in doing whatever you want, whenever you want, so if you want to wear it now, do! At £124, this is significantly less expensive than other options, so is a good choice for Paddington lovers and those who love a citrusy scent..
