A guide to Mascara: Ingredients to avoid and Mascaras to try.

Mascara is a beauty staple. It’s undeniable. Longer, thicker lashes and brightened eyes in one (or maybe a few) coats? It’s no wonder we can’t get enough.

However, despite the many perks of mascara, there are also negatives. It is important to note that mascaras can contain a number of toxic ingredients. Borreli, a writer for Medical Daily draws attention to the following ingredients, commonly found in commercial mascaras: parabens, aluminium powder, propylene glycol, and retinyl acetate. A list of more ingredients to look out for can be found here.

Now, before you dispose of every single mascara you own, take a deep breath (or at least wait until you’ve read this article in its entirety).

Ensuring that you reap the beautiful rewards of mascara and treat your eyelashes with care boils down to a few simple steps:

1. Find the right formula

When it comes to mascara, the formula is important. Although waterproof mascaras are helpful, their formulas are not the best option for a number of reasons. Firstly, long-lasting mascaras are a pain to remove. Frequent and vigorous rubbing at your eyes to remove waterproof mascara can impact the overall look of the eye area in the long run. Not only this, your eyelashes may break or fall off in the make-up removal process.

2. Be mindful of ingredients

With the awareness that certain mascaras can contain toxic ingredients, it is important to be cautious about which mascaras you have right now or those you may purchase in the future. This is to avoid irritation as well as damage to your eyelashes in the long-run. This is particularly relevant if you have sensitive skin and even if you don’t, there is no harm in being more cognisant of the types of mascara you use. Ingredients to look out for are those mentioned above. For extra safety, you can also check the ingredients in your mascara by entering the product name into the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG’s) Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. Simply searching the product will provide the EWG’s rating of the product’s safety out of 10, as well as a breakdown of the ingredients included.

3. Remove your mascara properly

This step is essential if you want to keep your lashes on your eyelids. It is crucial to be gentle when removing mascara to avoid eyelash breakage. Cotton rounds and a makeup remover of your choice plus gentle pressure can be used as an additional step after make-up wipes; which are not 100% effective when it comes to makeup removal.

So, what next?

With all this information in mind, what are some mascaras that are gentle on the lashes without compromising durability?

Considering all the things we have to get up to on busy days, whether that’s a yoga or gym session in the morning before work or even a day at the pool if you’re on holiday somewhere nice, smudge-proof mascara is desirable.

Check out the suggested mascaras below:

Glossier Lash Slick, £14

This mascara by Glossier works to provide a natural looking length that lasts all day without clumping lashes together. It is also water-resistant as opposed to waterproof which makes removal convenient. Glossier’s Lash Slick is also paraben and fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and suitable for sensitive eyes. Vegan Biotin, one of the key ingredients provides conditioning and strengthening benefits to the lashes.

Shop here: www.glossier.com/products/lash-slick

RMS Beauty Volumising Mascara, £26.00

This mascara provides definition and fullness to your lashes whilst being 100% natural and smudge-resistant.

Shop here: www.beautybay.com/p/rms-beauty/volumizing-mascara/

PHB All in One Natural Mascara, £15.95

Available in two shades (black and brown), this award-winning, all natural and cruelty-free mascara lengthens, thickens and volumizes. The formula is also water-resistant and will last all day without smudging or flaking. It also strengthens and nourishes lashes and is great for sensitive eyes.

Shop here: www.feelunique.com/p/PHB-Ethical-Beauty-All-in-One-Natural-Mascara-9g

Lush Eyes Right Mascara, £15.50

This mascara by Lush lengthens and conditions the lashes. It is infused with vitamins A, C, and E and conditioning wheatgrass. It provides a glossy and luscious finish to the lashes and is appropriate for sensitive eyes.