Which Clinique mascaras are best?
The right mascara can take your lashes from barely there to full and flirty in an instant. If you have sensitive eyes or just prefer gentle, nonirritating makeup products, Clinique mascaras are definitely the way to go.
Clinique offers mascaras that can help lengthen, volumize, curl or define your lashes. The formulas are also allergy- and ophthalmologist-tested, so you can wear them without irritating your eyes. If you’re looking for a quality mascara that’s versatile enough to thicken, lengthen and define your lashes, the Clinique High Impact Mascara is a top choice.
What to know before you buy a Clinique mascara
Formula
Clinique offers several mascara formulas, each with different effects on your lashes.
- Clinique lengthening mascara helps your lashes look longer. It covers your lashes from root to tip to increase their length but doesn’t do much to boost their thickness. Lengthening formulas usually don’t have clumping issues, though.
- Clinique volumizing mascara helps your lashes look thicker and fuller. It’s usually a buildable formula, so you can add extra coats to get your lashes as thick as you want. However, volumizing mascara does tend to clump.
- Clinique curling mascara is formulated for straight lashes that aren’t easy to curl or people who don’t enjoy using a lash curler. It features polymers that contract when you apply the mascara, which lifts your lashes for a curled appearance. Curling mascara usually comes with a curved brush.
- Clinique defining mascara helps increase your lashes’ volume and length while separating them for a more defined, fluttery look. It works well for short, straight lashes or for people who prefer a more natural look for their lashes.
- Clinique mascara primer is applied before your mascara. It forms a base layer for the mascara to cling to and helps separate your lashes to prepare them for mascara application.
Wand shape
Clinique offers mascara wands in several shapes, which affect how your mascara is applied.
- Pinecone wands are the most common and work well for lengthening your lashes and grabbing corner lashes.
- Thick wands work well for volumizing your lashes.
- Thin, straight wands are excellent for definition because they can coat each lash.
- Curved wands are the perfect option to give your lashes a curled look.
- Bottom lash wands feature a smaller design that allows for more precision when applying mascara to your lower lashes.
Bristle type
Clinique mascaras have wands with both nylon wire and molded plastic bristles. Nylon wire bristles typically apply more mascara, so they work well if you prefer a bolder look for your lashes. On the other hand, molded plastic bristles work better for separating and lengthening your lashes. They don’t pick up as much mascara, though, so you may need several coats to get the coverage you want.
Ophthalmologist-tested
All Clinique mascaras are ophthalmologist-tested. They can safely be used without causing eye irritation, so they’re an ideal option if you wear contact lenses.
Allergy-tested
Some Clinique mascaras are also allergy-tested, so they’re unlikely to cause an allergic reaction if you have sensitive eyes.
What to look for in a quality Clinique mascara
Waterproof
Some Clinique mascaras are waterproof, so they feature water-repelling ingredients. That means they aren’t as likely to run when you cry, sweat or are exposed to other moisture. A waterproof formula also doesn’t smudge or flake, preventing dark circles under your eyes throughout the day.
However, waterproof formulas can be difficult to remove and may cause dry, brittle lashes if used too often.
Wear time
Like all mascaras, Clinique mascaras eventually break down throughout the day, causing flaking and smudging. Most formulas can usually last for eight to 10 hours before smudging, but some offer up to 24 hours of wear time without any smudging or flaking.
Color
Many Clinique mascaras come in only one shade — black — but some formulas are available in additional shades, such as black/brown or very black. Black is a classic option, but very black mascara can add drama for an evening out or other special occasions. If you prefer a more natural look, black/brown is your best bet.
How much you can expect to spend on Clinique mascara
Clinique mascaras usually range from $13 to $23. Bottom lash formulas are the most affordable, costing between $13 and $18. Basic lengthening, volumizing, defining and curling formulas generally range from $18 to $20, while high-end volumizing formulas typically cost $20-$23.
Clinique mascara FAQ
What’s the shelf life for a tube of mascara?
A. You generally shouldn’t use a tube of mascara for longer than three to six months. Because it’s a liquid product, it can grow bacteria very quickly. That can be dangerous around the eyes because it can cause infections and other irritations.
Can I use Clinique mascara if I wear contacts?
A. Clinique mascaras are actually some of the best for contact lens wearers. That’s because they’re ophthalmologist-tested, allergy-tested and fragrance-free, making them less likely to irritate your eyes.
What’s the best Clinique mascara to buy?
Top Clinique mascara
What you need to know: This versatile mascara can give you thicker, longer lashes for maximum impact that works for both everyday wear and special occasions.
What you’ll love: The formula lengthens, volumizes and defines your lashes. It provides a rich color that wears for hours. It’s easy to apply evenly without any clumps. It doesn’t flake or smudge throughout the day. It’s available in black and black/brown.
What you should consider: It can take several seconds to dry completely.
Top Clinique mascara for the money
What you need to know: This tubing mascara is an excellent long-wearing formula that can be worn for 24 hours without smudges or flakes. It’s ideal for lengthening and curling lashes, too.
What you’ll love: It wears extremely well, even through tears, sweat and humidity. It’s easy to take off with warm water. Its brush is designed to coat every lash. It lengthens the lashes well and even helps with curling.
What you should consider: It can smudge a bit if it hasn’t dried completely.
Worth checking out
Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara
What you need to know: A waterproof formula, this mascara has all the benefits of Clinique’s High Impact Mascara but wears even better in extreme conditions.
What you’ll love: It wears very well, even in moist conditions. It comes in a highly pigmented black shade that helps lengthen and volumize your lashes. It’s ideal for special occasions. It washes off easily with an oil-based makeup remover.
What you should consider: The brush can pick up too much mascara, making the application somewhat messy. The heavy formula can also drag down straight lashes.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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