READER RATED: Mascara

Welcome to our very first Reader Rated! This post is all about what you think of a certain product, and to kick us off in style, we went with that most Holy Grail-ish of cosmetics, mascara. So, what do the readers of Beaut.ie rate? Take it away, ladies:

Yves Saint Laurent Everlong Mascara

Don’t try YSL infinite Curl. For god’s sake don’t try YSL Faux Cils. Just Everlong. Now, be careful when shopping- they look similar and you can be misled by the excitement of a shiny gold tube.

Take it home. Unwrap. Undo. Extract brush.  Apply Everlong to mweh eyelashes. Gasp in astonishment. Stand back from mirror and flutter. Call housemates/ family and do some more fluttering. Maybe apply another coat, although you’ll need to be careful with this one, as the buzz may make you wobble.

Check all mirrors before leaving the house, and grin. Prepare to lap up the compliments.
Fiona McLaughlin, Belfast

Maybelline Sky High Curves Mascara

I've been around the block with them, tried everything from the cheaper brands like Rimmel up to Diorshow and Lancome Hypnose. However I keep on coming back to Maybelline Sky High Curves mascara. Been using it for about 3 years and it's hard to fault! The brush is a great size and shape - easy to use, giving even application. It curls, lengthens and separates lashes and all for only approx €9! The result is a glossy black framed eye. I'm a huge fan!
Aoife, Templeogue, Dublin

Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara

Beautiful minimal mascara, for natural / less-unnatural lashes: shiny, soft, supple, even feathery and fluttery. Nearly Maybelline Full & Soft (maybe better?).

Smooth formula, thin but not over-dry. Easy to apply, no clumps (using a metal lash-comb anyway), good definition and separation. Gets mascara on upper lashes' topside right down to the roots. Combined with tightlining: no pale roots but maximum length. Lasts (with Clarins Fix'Mascara on top), doesn't flake or smudge, great with contacts, and doesn't hurt eyes.

A (gorgeous) tube lasts ages, even used daily - forcibly binned after 4 months – so the €19 is a bargain.
Juliet O'Brien, Dublin

Benefit Bad Gal Lash Mascara

I wear contact lenses so a mascara that doesn't irritate my eyes is a must!

BeneFit's 'Bad Gal' mascara – wore this to see a movie w ith friends.  Cried at said movie, a friend said I looked like Captain Jack Sparrow!
Beckymonster, UK

Maybelline Volum' Express Turbo Boost Mascara

When I read on Fashionista.com that The Colossal (by Maybelline of course) was every bit as good as Dior Show Blackout, I screamed a little bit, and vowed to buy it straight after work.

I like it when I blink and my lashes almost reach my eyebrows. I went through a very brief phase of wearing false eyelashes but it was too much hassle everyday. So if a mascara can give me the look and feel of falsies, I'm sold.

Unfortunately The Colossal WAS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND *sob* so I settled on what seemed to be the next best thing: Maybelline Volum' Express Turbo Boost.

But is it though??? Well it's all right. It doesn't work miracles and it doesn't live up to its '5 times the volume' promise. My lashes didn't suddenly transform into the Shu Uemura-like ones I was hoping for. It's certainly no where as good as
Benefit's Bad Gal but it doesn't give you the spidery look of XXL. It's … grand.
Lyndsay, Kerry 

Blinc Mascara

I find the Blinc tubing mascara, great for daily wear. I sit at a computer all day and rub my eyes a lot. With all other mascaras I end up with black eyes. I also find it so easy to remove. A little warm water and the tubes are sliding down my face like spider legs! No need for greasy eye makeup removers. There are no black marks under my eyes after showering, sleeping or daily wear and tear. I also find the L'Oreal cheaper version very good.
Aoife Murphy, Borris

Rimmel Extra Super Lash Mascara

Rimmel's 'Extra Super Lash Mascara' in brown-black has to be a favourite of mine. It's as basic as you get, been around for ages, cheap as chips and does the job. I have straight, short, blonde eyelashes and it curls, separates and, most importantly, holds! The curl lasts all day and I don't end up with smudges under my eyes. And it's the perfect colour to go with my staple MAC Teddy eyeliner.
Lindsay, Dublin 3