(Photo: Erik Putz. Styling: Stephanie Han Kim)
Snow, sleet and bitter cold—not to mention a souped-up skincare routine—can wreak havoc on your mascara. Here are three steps to winter-proofing your application for high-impact lashes that won’t smudge, flake, clump or break.
1. Take it all off
Starting with a clean slate ensures the mascara will adhere properly. The eye area is notoriously delicate, so use a gentle cleanser or makeup remover that will wash away long-lasting pigment without damaging lashes. For a lusher fringe, makeup artist Sophie Hsin suggests incorporating a lash serum into your routine.
2. Create a dry canvas
Oils—whether naturally occurring or found in your face and eye creams—can cause mascara to smudge. To prevent this, apply a light dusting of translucent powder under the eyes, on the lids and on the brow bone. Follow with a few dabs of blotting paper throughout the day. If you still experience smudging, consider switching to an oil-free moisturizer, says Hsin.
3. Cocktail your formulas
For falsie-like lashes that won’t budge, try layering multiple formulas and topping them off with a coat of waterproof mascara. Hsin recommends applying the waterproof coat from the middle of the lashes to the tip. “It seals the look while allowing the makeup remover to seep in and dissolve the product more easily,” she says.
Below, we’ve rounded up must-have mascara formulas for every concern.
Conditioning mascara
Formulated with a plant-based lash serum infused with strengthening peptides, this mascara helps keep lashes hydrated and healthy.
BareMinerals Strength & Length Serum-Infused Mascara, $29, sephora.com
Lengthening mascara
A viral sensation on TikTok, L’Oréal’s Telescopic Lift mascara gives lashes falsies-like length—without the fuss.
L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Lift Mascara, $20, shoppersdrugmart.ca
Volumizing mascara
Formulated with conditioning cannabis seed oil and a vegan beeswax alternative, this mascara features a large brush that delivers lush lashes with just a few swipes.
Milk Makeup Kush Volumizing Mascara, $35, sephora.com
Curling mascara
This cult favourite boosts volume and holds a curl better than many of its pricier counterparts.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara, $14, shoppersdrugmart.ca
Waterproof mascara
This mineral mascara boasts a long-lasting inky black formula infused with coconut oil, kelp extract and vitamin B to nourish lashes.
Pacifica Beauty Aquarian Gaze Water-Resistant Long Lash Mineral Mascara, $20, shoppersdrugmart.ca
Colourful mascara
Want to make an impression? A few coats of purple, blue or yellow mascara make peepers pop.
Quo Beauty Pump Up the Volume Mascara, $10, shoppersdrugmart.ca
