5 high end mascaras you need in your life

Mascara is the one item of makeup I won’t leave the house without, and it’s safe to say that over the years I’ve tried a LOT. Out of hundreds that have worked their way through my makeup bag, these are the four that continually make the repeat purchase list, plus an exciting new launch that was too good not to include!

 Ciate Triple Shot* – for long, fluttery lashes, a couple of coats of Ciate’s best-selling mascara is a total winner. This reminds me a little of Benefit’s They’re Real, but without the pain in the bum removal process. I found this was at its best a week or two after opening as it’s quite wet when fresh, but overall it gives great length, good volume and minimal clumping. It also holds a fantastic curl in the lashes, even without using a lash curler beforehand. £19.50

Too Faced Better Than Sex – are those false lashes or are you just pleased to see me? All jokes aside, this mascara is the best one I’ve ever come across for getting huge, non-spidery lashes in just two coats. It packs on the volume, is ultra-black and doesn’t smudge in the hot weather. I’ve been asked several times about my lashes when I wear Better Than Sex, and it’s a constant feature in my makeup bag. It’s been so popular that stockists have trouble keeping up with the demand, so buy several at once if you fall in love to ensure a constant supply (this is my tactic anyhow…). £19

YSL False Lash Effect reformulated – this is another great mascara for adding volume and length and it allows you to build up coat upon coat without going all clumpy. The old formula used to be a nightmare at drying out 3-4 weeks after being opened, but they’ve recently reformulated it and it’s so much better! The lash effect is still the same, but your tube should now easily last you up to the 3 month window you’re meant to keep open mascaras (or less if you use it every day like me and manage to use it up!). £25

Daniel Sandler Intense Volume* - this mascara has been a long time in the making (Daniel is a bit of a perfectionist!), but oh my, was it worth the wait! This super black formula adds volume to lashes without no sign of clumps, even after multiple coats. I got to four before I gave up trying; it really is non-clumpy! While you don't get the instant, intense volume of say, Too Faced's Better Than Sex, what you do get is natural looking volume - like you've just got fantastically good lashes. It's also super soft to the touch once applied; there's no sign of hard, crispy lashes. In fact, it almost feels like you aren't wearing any mascara. Use the flat side of the brush at the base of the lashes to add volume and then comb through with the more traditional brush side of the wand to separate the lashes. £18.50

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes* – since Tarte launched into the UK a year or so ago, they’ve proved to be a massive hit. Lights, Camera, Lashes is a great all round mascara – it adds volume, a little length and works well as both a daytime and night out mascara as it’s easy to build up. The brush is on the smaller side of things, but for me this works really well at getting to the root of the lashes to add a bit of curl and also stops me poking myself in the eye with it, which usually happens with those jumbo wands. No lie. £21.50

Have you tried any of these mascaras before? What are your high end favourites?

*PR samples