The Best Mascaras And Application Hacks, Recommended By Team NET-A-PORTER

“I love a fluttery look with an emphasis on the outer corners to create a feline shape and accentuate my almond eyes. I apply my mascara mostly on the corner lashes and love a formula that holds a curl and adds a lift. I don’t like clumpy, spidery lashes but do like length, so I am constantly on a quest to find the winning combo. As someone who prefers a natural look, I often wear brown mascara and tend to avoid my bottom lashes.”

“I like dramatic, voluminous black lashes, as I don’t wear much other eye makeup on a daily basis. I have long lashes but they’re super-straight, so the only way to make them hold a curl is to use the Hourglass Eyelash Curler first and then apply many coats of waterproof mascara to set the shape. If, like me, you have straight lashes, a waterproof or water-resistant mascara is key, because the formula tends to be quick-drying, which means you can set added curl in place before lashes drop – a setback with using more pliable, non-waterproof formulas.”

“If I have an event or a vacation coming up, I’ll start using a lash serum the month before and then go for an LVL [length, volume, lift] treatment about a week beforehand. With the length and curl in order, all I need is a great volumizing mascara to mimic the look of false lashes without the hassle of application and removal. I have very fair lashes, so even with the tint from the lash lift, I still like to add an ultra-black mascara for definition.”

“I wouldn’t even dream of applying mascara without curling my eyelashes first. For extra-fluttery lashes that will survive all the feels, I start by holding my trusty Kevyn Aucoin curlers under the hairdryer for about 10 seconds. I like my eyelashes feathery, so I’ll use a curved mascara wand with fine bristles, such as Charlotte Tilbury’s Exagger-Eyes in a deep black shade – and no less than three layers.”

“While my teenage years and early twenties were spent wearing thick coats of jet-black mascara (whether I was in a university lecture or on a night out), swapping mascara shades is now one of the quickest steps in changing my makeup from day to night. For a more pared-back look during the day, I find a deep brown gives a fresher, more subtle lift. And then in the evenings, I prefer a glossy black for amped-up impact – Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara is a favorite. For a really special occasion, some individual false lashes (ideally applied by an expert) beneath a couple of coats of mascara and a lick of eyeliner give the volume I want for an extra flourish.”

“I have long eyelashes – you might think that means I don’t need mascara, but without support, they’re quite straight and don’t really frame my eyes. My Shu Uemura eyelash curler and a mascara do the heavy lifting – quite literally. To create a natural-looking curl, I don’t bother heating the curler and I don’t go too close to the lash line either. As for the mascara, thick brushes offer more control – I wipe excess formula on the side of the tube if I want a lighter look for daytime. My top application tip is to wiggle the wand side to side, as if I’m sawing, as I apply from root to tip – it creates wide-eyed definition.”