TRIED & TESTED

We pitted three volumising mascaras against each other to find out which gives the most luscious lashes

Ardell Double Up volumising mascara £11.99, SallyBeauty. co.uk

Verdict: I’m instantly impressed with the brush on this mascara – the short, taut bristles really help separate my lashes, and with just two quick coats, my barely-there lashes actually look quite long and curled. But the real test is its staying power: I have oily skin so mascara tends to ‘run’ onto my eyelids. However, a few mirror-checks during the day reveal this doesn’t seem to be a problem – my mascara still looks freshly-applied, even after a day at the office.

Buxom Big Tease plumping mascara in blackest black £18, Debenhams (from March 29)

Verdict: This not only left my lashes plumped and perfected, but it took me from day to night – even through a snow storm – in just two coats. The tapered brush makes for easy application, even on those pesky harder-to-reach spots, and for someone with abnormally long lower lashes, it lifted but left no transfer. Importantly, the nonweighty formula is creamy, as opposed to wet, and much to my delight, it’s properly, properly black. It’s only downfall; it can get a little clumpy.

By Terry Lash-Expert Twist Brush double effect mascara £25, SpaceNK

Verdict: For me, make-up is usually a rushed make-do job. But I’ve met my match in this miracle mascara. A twist cap gives two application methods: one straight for lengthening lashes, and one spiralled for building volume. In a couple of swift flicks, lashes are fully coated – with the option to build colour without creating clump. The wand easily grabs those niggly corner lash bits and the staying power is remarkable.