What’s up everyone? How is August going for you so far? I don’t know about you all, but when I think of August all I can think about is the Taylor Swift song (honestly one of my favorites). I’ve been spending the summer playing with blush trends and finding so many great new makeup and skincare products, but one thing I haven’t talked much about is mascara; which is crazy because I realized the other day I have so much of it.
The mascara tubes have been piling up because I have a couple favs I can’t live without, but also because I keep getting them in Tik Tok promotions and in my Ipsy boxes. I thought it would be a good time to recap some of my favorites:
Best Overall Mascara:
MAC STACK Mascara from MAC Cosmetics
$29 on maccosmetics.com
This is without a doubt my favorite mascara. They also have a brown shade that I am very eager to try (brown mascara is trending, did ya know?). It does not flake, it lasts all night, and makes me look like I am wearing falsies. I wear this for nights out and on the weekends. I usually go for a different option during the work week depending on what’s going on. If you are not on a budget and want a buildable, no clump mascara definitely go to MAC or order this. Ulta also carries it. I wish MAC was at Sephora but we can’t always get what we want in the beauty world.
P.S. MAC’s Lash Dry Shampoo Mascara Refresher, linked here, is also a wonder product. I use this if I have been out all day and don’t want to completely take off my makeup for something in the evening. It totally refreshes the lashes and looks like you just put a fresh coat of mascara on!
Best Tubing Mascara:
Come Hell or High Water Volumizing & Lengthening Tubing Mascara from Caliray Beauty
$24 at Sephora
To be honest, I didn’t know what the hell a tubing mascara was until I got more into beauty. A tubing mascara contains polymers that wrap around each lash like a tube. It is a little more gentle on the lashes. I have tried a couple different tubing mascaras and I actually prefer regular mascara, BUT I love this one from Caliray Beauty. Caliray is a smaller, clean makeup brand based out of California. This mascara also provides amazing volume and doesn’t flake. Some of the other tubing mascaras I have tried tend to flake more for me (am I the only one with this issue?). I would say give this brand a try if you are interested in a solid tubing mascara!
Best Workout Mascara
Black Card Mascara from IL MAKIAGE
$29 at ilmakiage.com
I got this mascara through my Ipsy box and honestly if I hadn’t I would have never heard of this brand! I love this mascara and also got some eye shadow from them that is also amazing! This mascara is so lightweight and I have proven it’s sweat proof LOL. The applicator is perfect because it is only on one side, almost like a comb for your lashes. It doesn’t clump and also works great on the lower lashes. Definitely explore this brand if you have not already.
Best Budget Mascara
Lash Paradise Mascara from LO’real Paris
$12..99 on Amazon, Ulta or your local drug store
There are a few drug store mascaras that would be at the top of my list. Anything Maybeline is always a good idea too. This mascara, in my opinion, has a similar effect as any of the higher end options. It is super volumizing and long lasting. It also comes in a couple different colors, which I LOVE. It gives the perfect about of length and volume, without getting clumpy, and it lasts all day.
Best Color Mascara
BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara from Benefit Cosmetics
$29 at Sephora
One of my OG fav mascaras. The black color is great but they recently came out with a brown and a burgundy mascara which are sooo pretty. The pigment is stunning. I love a subtle color mascara. The length on this mascara is not quite as good as MAC’s for the price but it still provides amazing volume.
Wrapping it up….
Mascara is one of those makeup products you can never have too much of. The MAC STACK mascara is a standout to me but obviously there are so many other brands out there. What are your fav mascaras? What brands should I be trying? I am always open to feedback and product recommendations! Happy shopping!
Martinis & Mascara 
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