If you're into beauty, there a few things more satisfying in this life than landing upon the p-e-r-f-e-c-t mascara.
And it's a very personal decision. Some like volumising their lashes, some like lengthening their lashes, some can't resist a dupe, and and some prioritise clean credentials over all else.
One method of finding your OTM (one true mascara) is to take on the advice of the celebrities and the beauty pros that surround them. After all, if anyone knows how to get a long-lasting dramatic lash, it's the people who spend their lives in front of the camera and their trusted glam teams.
We've had recommendations from Kylie Jenner to Camilla Cabello, Dua Lipa to Sofia Richie and beyond. Even Meghan Markle has weighed in to share her fave (also a drug store number).
But one of my favourite recommendations this year comes from the almighty Sir John, an incredible makeup artist in his own right, who's also known for his hand in creating some of Beyoncé’s most iconic beats (remember that scintillating Coachella glitter-eye? You've got Sir John to thank for that).
In an IGTV tutorial with Tata Harper last night, Sir John talked viewers through his ultimate speedy 15-minute makeup (a technique he says he developed while working in strip clubs), and shared some of his own tips and tricks - including his favourite mascara, Air Volume Mega Mascara, by L'Oréal Paris.
Here's what he had to say:
"Look at this guy, look at this brush. This brush has so much product on it, like, I can't even describe to you... if you know makeup like I know makeup, this is the brush to have."
l'oreal L'Oreal Paris Air Volume Mega Mascara, Black, whipped texture, up to 24hr hold, smudge proof, clump proof
If it's good enough for Queen Bey, it's good enough for me.
The 10 best vegan and cruelty-free mascaras to curl, lengthen and volumise your lashes
Beyoncé's make up artist's go-to mascara for faking falsies, Kush has earned a cult status within the beauty community thanks to its clever, heart shaped fibres that fix onto and boost each lash. As the name suggests, one of the core ingredients is cannabis oil, something that gives the formula its wondrous slick.
Super cute name aside, Wrap Star wraps (soz) every lash in its glossy, smudge-proof colour for ‘locked and loaded’ lengths.
And thanks to its clever tubing formula you can expect each lick to coat and define every single individual hair. No, I'm not exaggerating.
There is nothing worse (read: first world problems) than mascara that transfers. But thanks to Selena and her lab team, one need not worry with Perfect Strokes.
The thick bristle brush coats each individual lash making for extra voluminous lengths.
If you're not already familiar with this award winning mascara, then, like where have you been?! This really does everything and more: curls, lengthens, volumises, thickens. Not to mention it has the blackest formula around and is also full of collagen and fibres to fluff up your flutter.
Inspired by traditional Ayurvedic ingredients and Japanese charcoal, this luxe lash builder is a serious treat. Organic beeswax, sweet almond oil and castor oil make the formula thick but easily malleable, so you can wave goodbye to clumps for good.
Short, brittle lashes need this fortifying formula, ASAP. Enriched with vitamin B5, candelilla wax and antioxidant kakadu plum, it helps keeps lashes healthy and conditioned with each and every use.
Wear one layer of this glossy mascara or build it up for a bolder look-at-me lash. Sunflower oil and vitamin E protect and strengthen, whilst the blacker-than-black pigment means you're guaranteed definition every time.
With over 4,000 5-star reviews, there's a reason this mascara has been heralded the best vegan mascara EVER. The stellar line up of lash loving ingredients include vitamins B5 and C, olive esters and rice bran wax to moisturise while they magnify each lash. Dreamy.
If you're looking to stretch and lengthen your lashes, give this one a go. It contains rose wax that not only conditions each lash but also delivers an impressive volumising effect. Plus, the formula is made with super dark black pigment to make lashes appear thicker, too. Win, win.
As well as its vegan and cruelty-free credentials, this Eyeko mascara is waterproof. Its soft bristles swoop lashes up into a fluttery curl while also coating even the tiniest lashes without a risk of clumping.
Cosmopolitan UK's November issue is out now and you can SUBSCRIBE HERE.
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