The Eyes Have It: MECCA HQ’s Favourite Mascaras

Be it full glam for a night out or simply your everyday look, mascara, for most, is the cherry on top of any makeup look. It can make you look more awake and your eyes *pop*. 

But not all mascaras are created equal and packed in those tiny wands are a range of magic tricks for all types of lashes. We asked MECCA HQ to share their favourite mascaras right now and tell us how they like to use them for the very best results. Here’s what they had to say. 

If your lashes are needing a bit of a lift, our digital marketing lead Angie loves the ILIA Beauty Limitless Lash Mascara. “It feels so lengthening, so light and fluffy. It’s perfect for every day,” she says. 

Part of that daily appeal is in the mascara’s powerful ingredients list. With strengthening biotin and fibre-softening shea butter, Limitless Lash delivers on a gentle, non-irritating formulation that will benefit your lashes in the long run. In the shorter term, the award-winning mascara lengthens, lifts and separates, largely thanks to its nifty, dual-sided wand. With a short-bristled side for definition and a longer side for elongating, it’s a two-in-one wonder. 

One reaction you do want when applying your mascara is surprise and delight. That was our content director Romy’s response when trying the Westman Atelier Eye Want You Mascara. “I tried the Westman Atelier today and I was shocked. It builds and builds and builds, and made my lashes look long but without any clumps.” 

The buildable nature is a signature of Westman Atelier products, which are designed to amplify and enhance your natural features, to your personal preference. In a few swipes of the plant-powered formulation you can easily go from natural to bold lashes that feel just as good as they look. 

Have you ever put mascara on your bottom lashes first? Neither, but don’t knock it until you try it. It’s what the experts at Too Faced suggest for their Ribbon Wrapped Lash Extreme Lengthening Mascara. The thinking is that by applying to your lower lashes initially, you’ll minimise the amount of product on your top lashes and avoid the dreaded transfer to your top eyelid. Whatever way you choose to brush it, Ribbon Wrapped’s tubing formula will deliver long and defined eyelashes, no matter your lash type. If you’re new to the tube, the innovative formula wraps each lash in tiny cylinders instead of regular pigment. The result is a stay-all-day lash, zero panda eyes and an easy removal with just warm water. 

MECCA’s senior creative strategy manager Dom gave Ribbon Wrapped a whirl, and experienced the lengthening, defining formula for herself. “I really love how fluttery it makes my lashes look,” she says. The drama makes it perfect for date night – “it’s basically a lash lift and tint in a bottle,” says Dom. 

Kevyn Aucoin changed the game when his eponymous brand released its innovative The Volume Mascara. It was one of the first to bring the wonders of tubing mascara to the market, and our lashes are better for it. The Volume Mascara helps you to build both volume and length easily, with a formulation that stays put. 

Our Distribution Centre team member Khadija found it held the curl of her lashes, as well as being “very lengthening.” When it’s the end of the day, she’s quick to compliment how easy it is to remove – all you need is water: no scrubbing required! 

Sometimes, you need lashes with a little oomph. Lucky for us, Charlotte Tilbury is a master in showstopping red carpet looks, mascara included. The Exaggereyes Mascara is everything you would expect it to be – lengthening, curling and full of va-va-voom. 

Store operations specialist Amanda loves it for the volume it creates, and “adding a bit of drama to my lashes.” That drama is thanks to the grippy, curved brush, which separates each lash for the perfect wide-eyed effect.

Clumping? Never heard of it. The MECCA MAX Whip Lash Tubing Mascara is all about separating your lashes for a defined look that feels elevated but natural. That’s thanks to the unique bubble wand. "The beautiful brush gets into the fine lashes really easily,” explains Amanda, who tried this mascara as well. Combined with the lengthening tubing formula, it’s a recipe for seriously sculpted lashes. And it’s always a bonus when it’s so easy to remove at the end of the day.