BEAUTY
Lash-extending mascara :
MYTH OR MARVEL ?
FALSE LASHES , AS FABULOUS AS THEY MAY LOOK ON THE KIND OF WONDERWOMEN WHO CAN STICK THEM ON SEAMLESSLY WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY FRENCH PLAITING THEIR OWN HAIR , ARE A MYSTERY TO ME . I have never found a pair that is either easy to apply or flattering , so lash-extending mascara has become my fixation . But , does it work ? And if so , why ? I tried and tested a few mascaras that promise thicker and fuller lashes in just a few weeks and this is my pick of the bunch . BY POLLY HUMPHRIS
The theory
Basic mascara is a tried and tested blend of pigments for colouring , various waxes for coating , and preservatives , which then simply coats the lashes to make them stand out ; different formulas and brushes yield different results . Water-resistant mascaras differ slightly in that they also include solvents to keep your mascara from running in case of contact with water , sweat or heartbreak . In most cases , a mascara that promises to lengthen or extend lashes mixes all of the usual ingredients , but with short synthetic fibres added . Made of nylon or rayon , the fibres stick to your natural lashes from the root to the tip when applied , helping to make your lashes look longer . The more you apply , the longer your lashes will appear .
Tried and tested
Benefit they ’ re Real ! Lengthening Mascara , £ 19.50 , www . benefitcosmetics . com
Jet black in colour and really long wearing , so immune to smudging or drying out , this mascara – as promised on the packaging – really does lengthen , curl , volumise , and lift . It ’ s superpower however lies in its seemingly magic wand that separates you newly lengthened lashes like a dream , so they appear fluttery and full with not one unsightly clump ruining the look .
Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Lashes , £ 25 , www . charlottetilbury . com
Created using a unique lash-enhancing formula that stretches out your lashes like a piece of elastic and holds them there building up length with each stroke , Charlotte Tilbury ' s Legendary Lashes promises 13 times more volume in just three coats . Carbon black for a deep colour intensity , the innovative , multi-bristle brush has a collection of bristles of differing sizes , which ensures that even the most fine and short lashes are caught and coated , for separated , elongated lashes .
And the winner is ...
A Class Act Mascara from Joan Collins Timeless Beauty , £ 20 , www . joancollinsbeauty . com
The Joan Collins Timeless Beauty range continues to delight and surprise in equal measure with this outstanding mascara that Joan herself has stated gives her lashes “ real presence ”; a statement with which I concur . The gold packaging oozes glamour and looks far more expensive than the product is , and the mascara itself is a smooth , creamy , no-clump , no-shed formula , which coats each lash evenly to define , enlarge and shape lashes into a flattering curl . Although the lengthening and thickening effect is apparent from the first application , the overall look manages to be subtle and striking at the same time , giving the impact of false lashes , but with a definite ‘ natural ’ appearance . A month-long trial showed incredible results with lashes measuring in at 169 per cent longer and 13 per cent thicker in just 30 days . A must-buy mascara that works .
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