How To Choose The Best Mascara Wand For Your Lashes

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When it comes to mascara, everyone has an opinion. It’s one of those beauty products that we could deliberate over for hours; which one gives the best length, volume, thickness, and overall sexy AF lashes.

But the secret to finding the best mascara doesn’t depend on the brand or the formula – although that does, of course, factor in – it lies in the magic of the wand (no pun intended). Finding the right wand for your lashes will maximize your results massively. For instance, if you have sparse lashes, an hourglass brush will help build both volume and length far greater than a thin brush, which could fan out the lashes further and make them look spidery.

To help you find the ultimate mascara, we’ve broken it down each lash type and paired it with the perfect wand. Of course, we’ve included our fave mascaras for each lash type. Consider us your fairy Godmother… But for lashes, not princes!

Short Lashes

If you have short lashes, you want to look for a long, thin brush to reach from the root to the tip without smudging. It will also help separate and coat each lash for maximum coverage and added volume.

Our top mascaras: The Lancôme Defincils High Definition Mascara, $28, is ideal as it not only lengthens but it adds a nice curl without clumping. The Benefit BADGal BANG Voluminizing Mascara, $25, is another classic and might be one of our all-time fave mascaras. However, if you’re looking for a drugstore option, the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Carbon Mascara, $11, is a great dupe, although it can smudge so remember to bake your under eyes.

Curly Lashes

For the record, curly lashes are a blessing, so if you fall into this category, we envy you! To accentuate the curl, opt for a large, fluffy brush; it’ll hug your lashes, adding volume and length. When you’re applying the mascara, get right into the base and then twist your wrist. You’ll be thanking us when you see how wispy and sexy your lashes look.

Our top mascaras: The Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara, $25, is perfect; the oversized brush allows you to load up on pigment while the bristles separate each lash to prevent clumping.

The only downside to a large brush is it does leave room for smudging so have a Q-tip and some micellar water to hand. Alternatively, you could use Emma Watson’s fave hack: Emma dips a cotton ball into her foundation and wipes her lids, which removes and conceals the mascara simultaneously. For more celeb beauty hacks, read this.

Sparse Lashes

Sparse lashes? You’re in serious need of an hourglass-shaped brush. Lucky for you, one of the most famous mascaras of all time (and it’s drugstore dupe) has an hourglass wand. The womanly shape helps the product reach from the base of the lashes to the tip, plus, the dense feathered bristles help build volume and length taking your lashes from sparse to sexy in three seconds flat.

Our top mascaras: We love the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, $25, and the L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara, $11, which btw is Beyonce’s go-to.

Straight Lashes

It goes without saying that the most important beauty accessory for straight lashes is a pair of eyelash curlers. Celeb MUA and makeup God, Patrick Ta agree. He told Elle, “Curling your eyelashes is a non-negotiable step for me” saying his fave lash curler is the Kevyn Aucoin The Eyelash Curler, “because it has the perfect curve even on the roundest of eyes.”

Once you’ve curled your lashes, use a waterproof mascara with a plastic bristle brush. Firstly, as it’s waterproof, it’ll help your lashes hold the curl. Plus, the plastic bristles will be able to separate and comb through the lash for maximum impact.

Our top mascaras: We’re currently obsessing over the Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof Mascara, $10, it’s also one of Meghan Markle’s faves – read our full review here.

Thin Lashes

Don’t worry if you have thin lashes, all you need is a thick bristled brush and you’ll instantly add drama. The bristles will separate the lash and add definition. Although, cocktailing two mascaras will work best for thin lashes; it’s our fave mascara hack.

Our top mascaras: First, apply a thickening mascara like the L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Volume Building Mascara, $9, then finish with a lengthening wand like the Maybelline Lash Sensational, $5. For more deets on how to layer mascaras, read this.

Last but not least, here’s how to apply mascara according to J.Lo’s MUA Scott Barnes… “I don’t think people realize how much mascara can actually transform your overall look, but I see a lot of problems with how people are applying it. It’s best to get down to the root of the lashes and almost scrub the mascara wand back and forth at the root so that you’re creating a more distinct line in that area before you move to the top of the lashes. Don’t be scared or timid, get assertive at the root so you can create a rich look.”

For more makeup tips, check out 9 eye makeup tips to make your eyes look bigger.