Mascara and False Lashes: How to Choose the Right Ones

To choose the right mascara and false lashes, start with the result you want: lengthening mascara for short lashes, volumizing mascara for sparse lashes, and waterproof mascara for heat and long events. For false lashes, strip lashes are the easiest start. Below: types, application, removal and hygiene, with picks from Maybelline New York, L'Oréal Paris and essence.

Quick answer

• Lengthening mascara separates and extends lashes, volumizing mascara thickens them, and many formulas do both.
• Waterproof mascara holds up to heat and humidity but needs a dedicated eye makeup remover.
• Strip lashes are the easiest for beginners; individual or cluster lashes look more natural but take more precision.
• The US FDA says mascara is usually discarded two to four months after purchase, and you should never add water or saliva to it.
• Eyelids are delicate, so check lash glue ingredients and never share mascara or lashes.

What types of mascara are there, and which suits your lashes?

Short lashes need length, sparse lashes need volume, and straight lashes need lift.

Volumizing mascara

Thickens each lash. Examples: the Maybelline Colossal Bubble Mascara, with dramatic volume in a clump-free formula, the L'Oréal Paris Panorama Volume Million Lashes Mascara, and the Maybelline Lash Sensational Firework 10ml for volume and lift.

Lengthening mascara

Separates and extends lashes, ideal if they are short. Examples: the Flormar Longer Than Ever Mascara from Flormar, and the L'Oréal Paris Telescopic Lift Washable Mascara, which lengthens and lifts and removes easily.

Volume and length together

Many formulas do both, such as the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High, with length and volume in deep black without clumping, the essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara with a conical fiber brush, the loca Volume & Length Mascara from Loca, and the travel-size Benefit Fan Fest Mascara Mini from Benefit Cosmetics.

How does the brush change the result?

• Dense fiber brush: holds more formula for volume.
• Rubber or silicone brush: spaced bristles separate lashes precisely and reach short ones, as in the essence Call Me Queen Mascara.
• Curved or conical brush: helps lift lashes and reach the corners.

All of these are in the mascara section.

What is the difference between waterproof and regular mascara?

Waterproof mascara resists water, sweat and tears, so it suits hot days and long events, but it needs a dedicated eye makeup remover.

• Rimmel Day to Night Waterproof Mascara from Rimmel London: a two-sided brush, one side for length and one for volume.
• Rimmel Scandalize Lycra Flex: jet black in a waterproof formula, according to its description.
• L'Oréal Paris Panorama All Night Black: intense black with up to 24-hour wear, according to its description.

Washable mascara comes off easily with cleanser or micellar water, so it suits daily wear and fragile lashes.

How do you apply mascara without clumps?

Apply to clean, dry lashes, start at the roots, wiggle toward the tips and stop at two coats.

1. For curl, use an eyelash curler before mascara, never after, pressing gently at the roots for a few seconds.
2. Wipe the wand on the tube opening; do not pump it, which pushes air in and dries the formula.
3. Place the wand at the upper lash roots and wiggle side to side as you pull up.
4. Add the second coat before the first dries; layering over dry mascara causes clumps.
5. Use the wand tip lightly on lower lashes, and separate any stuck lashes with a clean comb.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns against applying eye makeup in a moving vehicle, where a sudden stop could injure your eye, and against dyeing lashes or brows at home with permanent tints, which can seriously injure the eye.

What types of false lashes are there, and which suit beginners?

Strip lashes are the easiest for beginners; clusters look more natural but need precision.

Strip lashes

One band glued above your lash line. Examples: the Lovica Natural False Eyelashes No.006 from Lovica, lightweight and reusable with care, the Las Beauty Natural Good Lashes No.12 and Las Beauty Triple Eyelashes No.3 from Las Beauty, and the Benetty London Natural Hair Eyelashes 03 from Benetty.

Individual or cluster lashes

Small tufts placed between natural lashes, for example at the outer corner. Examples: the lightweight False Eyelashes 24 Pcs Model 08 and Model 07.

Self-adhesive and magnetic lashes

Self-adhesive lashes come with a ready adhesive strip, so no separate glue is needed, such as the Ousha Self-Adhesive Extension Lashes from Ousha. Magnetic lashes attach with tiny magnets or a magnetic eyeliner. The false eyelashes section has many styles and lengths.

How do you apply and remove false lashes safely?

Trim the strip to fit, add a thin line of glue, wait until tacky, then press it along your lash line.

Application steps

1. Apply mascara and eyeliner first if you like.
2. Measure the strip and trim excess from the outer end, not the inner.
3. Run a thin line of glue along the band and wait about 30 seconds.
4. Place the center first, then the corners, with tweezers or fingertips.
5. Press gently so the band bonds to your lashes, not your skin.

Choosing a lash glue

The FDA treats false lashes and their adhesives as cosmetics and advises checking adhesive ingredients before use, because an allergic reaction or irritation on the delicate eyelids is especially troublesome. Patch-test new glue on a small area of skin first. Options include the Loox Eyelash Glue Clear Tone 7g from Loox for strong, invisible hold, the brush-on DUO Clear Korean Lash Adhesive from DUO, the Ousha Clear Eyelash Glue, and the Ousha Waterproof Dark Black Adhesive, which blends into black eyeliner.

Removal

1. Hold a pad soaked in eye makeup remover on the lid for a few seconds to soften the glue.
2. Peel the strip slowly from the outer corner inward without tugging.
3. Clear glue and mascara residue with a fresh pad, then cleanse.

Find makeup remover cotton pads here, and see our makeup remover guide.

When should you replace mascara, and how do you keep your eyes safe?

Replace mascara about three months after opening, and immediately if it dries out, smells off or you get an eye infection.

• The FDA says manufacturers usually recommend discarding mascara two to four months after purchase; the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says three months.
• Never add water or saliva to dried mascara; it introduces bacteria and dilutes the preservative.
• Do not share mascara or false lashes, and only try store testers with a new single-use applicator, as the FDA page on cosmetic shelf life explains.
• Keep eye products away from heat, such as a hot car, which breaks down preservatives.
• If you get an eye infection, stop eye makeup, discard products you were using and see a doctor.

Comparison of the best lash products available

How to choose mascara and lashes: a practical checklist

1. Name your lash need: short means length, sparse means volume, straight means curler plus a lifting mascara.
2. Match the occasion: waterproof for heat and events, washable for every day.
3. For false lashes: start with light, natural strips.
4. Check glue ingredients and patch-test first.
5. Write the opening date on your mascara.
6. Buy from a trusted source: all Care Outlet products are original and come from the brands' official agents inside and outside Saudi Arabia.

Common mascara and false lash mistakes

• Pumping the wand: air dries the mascara faster.
• Curling after mascara: can break or stick lashes together.
• Gluing to the skin: raises the chance of irritation.
• Pulling lashes off dry: can take natural lashes with them.
• Sleeping in mascara or lashes: remove eye makeup every night; our makeup basics guide covers a full routine.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best mascara?

The best mascara suits your lashes: for volume, try Maybelline Colossal Bubble or L'Oréal Panorama Volume Million Lashes; for length and volume together, Maybelline Sky High or essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect; for heat and events, Rimmel Day to Night Waterproof. Pick the brush for the result you want.

Is waterproof mascara bad for your lashes?

Waterproof mascara is not harmful in itself, but it needs a dedicated eye makeup remover, and harsh rubbing to remove it can weaken lashes. Save it for heat and events, use a washable mascara day to day, and remove it with a soaked pad held on the eye for a few seconds before wiping.

How do I apply false lashes for the first time?

Start with light strip lashes. Measure them against your eye and trim from the outer end, run a thin line of glue along the band and wait about 30 seconds until tacky. Place the center first, then the corners, right above your lash line, and press gently so it bonds to your lashes.

Can false lashes be reused?

Yes, many strip lashes can be reused if you remove them gently, clean off glue and mascara residue and store them in their case, as the Lovica Natural Lashes description notes. Do not share them, and throw them away if they lose their shape or your eyes become irritated after wearing them.

How often should you replace mascara?

The FDA says manufacturers usually recommend discarding mascara two to four months after purchase, and the AAD says three months. Replace it immediately if it dries out or smells different, or if you used it during an eye infection, and write the opening date on the tube to keep track.

What is the best glue for false lashes?

The right glue holds your lashes without irritating your lids. Clear glue suits most looks, such as Loox or DUO, while black glue blends into eyeliner, such as the Ousha waterproof adhesive. Check the ingredients first, and stop and see a doctor if you notice redness, itching or swelling.

Shop original mascara and lashes

The mascara and false eyelashes sections at Care Outlet carry Maybelline, L'Oréal Paris, essence and Rimmel mascaras, plus lashes and glue from Ousha, Loox and Lovica, online or at our branches across Saudi Arabia. Also browse eyeshadow.

Sources

• US Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Eye Cosmetic Safety
• US Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Shelf Life and Expiration Dating of Cosmetics
• American Academy of Dermatology (AAD): When to toss your makeup and sunscreen