Cleaner and Safer Mascara Review

I can’t wait to hit publish on this blogpost but right now I’m sitting and staring at a blank page. I’ve worked hard on this post and I know you all have been waiting for it. It’s exciting because, as many of you know, I stepped back from a lot of things on my business plate lately and pushed pause on my podcast. But that gives me more time to release fun things like this.

As much as the blank screen of WordPress kind of freaks me out, I have to be honest. This is giving me the adrenaline rush I used to feel when I blogged many times a week and just was excited to put out new content. I feel that way now and goodness it feels good!!

I reviewed 8 different clean and safe (cleaner and safer because I don’t know all of the details of their formulations) for this review. I could have done more, but I thought I’d try these. They are the most recommended and popular ones on the market. And who knows, maybe I’ll add some as time goes on if I feel like I need to try another one.

I feel like we have to lay the groundwork for the reviews. What did I look for? How did I rate them? And what are the metrics of what you measured?

Well, it’s not a specific formula. But I purchased the most recommended brands by you guys. I rated them in my own opinion based on my own lashes and experience. I don’t think you all will have the same experiences, but, I’ve worn them quite a few times and have nailed down the positive and negatives to each and think it can be applied to the general public.

And to be honest, the negative parts of the mascara’s are what makes this the hardest for me. I hate critiquing a company’s product when they are putting out something good. But… that’s my problem and I won’t be unkind. Just reporting back on what I experienced. But I will share the positives too of every mascara… even my least favorite pick!

Beautycounter Think Big Mascara $30

Beautycounter has updated their mascaras and knocked this one out of the park. The Think Big mascara is a high performing mascara that is probably the cleanest our there. The formula isn’t dry (like Beautycounter’s previous mascaras) and performs so well. I started with this mascara to review because I believe this is the cleanest mascaras on the market. If you are more sensitive, I would start with Beautycounter.

Pros:

• Beautycounter reimagined mascara and took out lots of lots of questionable ingredients. They had to essentially reimagine the mascara taking out lots of popular ingredients used in mascara (even some clean ones) because they have a never list of 1800 ingredients. This is the cleanest of the clean mascaras.
• It lasts a long time and acts almost like a waterproof mascara. Maybe call it water resistant.
• Very buildable formula that gives great volume.
• Gives some of the best volume out of any of the mascaras I tried
• There is a 60-day return policy. If you don’t like it, then you can return it!

Cons:

• It can be a little wet and takes longer to dry (don’t blink too much)
• For some people it can smudge on the lower lashes. To prevent it, add a little magnifying powder or pressed powder below your lashes. This can stop the smudging.

Purchase the Think Big Mascara

Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara by Thrive Causemetics $24

I really have a lot to say about this mascara. It is actually the mascara I grab the most often now that I have a drawer full of mascaras to choose from. It performs really well and adds volume and thickness. But, it does have a few downsides too. But with that being said, this is still my favorite mascara.

This mascara uses a tube technology. It actually coats the lashes like a tube. It makes for such a nice look, but the trickiest part of this mascara is removing it. I have heard that it wears easier if you apply a coat of Beautycounter’s Volumizing mascara first and Thrive Causemetics second. And I agree, it’s a wonderful combination.

Pros:

• This formula is very unique. It is more of a wet formula and it goes on your lashes very easily.
• No flaking and no smudging. This mascara stays put!
• You can get a lot of volume with one coat which makes it very quick to apply

Cons:

• It is tricky to remove. I don’t always remove my eye makeup every night. And the tubes it creates around your lashes are almost sticky/ plastic like. It’s so hard to describe without you trying it. But if I don’t remove my eye makeup, I will wake up with mascara halfway on and off my lids the next day. And yes, I know I can solve all of this by actually washing my eye makeup off nightly, but, I just don’t all the time.
• If you fiddle with your lashes at all or pull on the mascara, your lashes can fall out with the mascara adhering to your lashes so much. This sounds weird, maybe I’m the only one who sometimes picks at my eyelashes. But don’t with this mascara or you’ll lose lashes 😉

Here is the link to shop Thrive Mascara

Dime Beauty Volumizing Mascara $18

People rave about the Dime eyelash serum and I wanted to try their mascara too. I was pleasantly surprised. It reminds me a bit of the Saie mascara. But it adds a little more volume.

Pros:

• Easy to apply
• Buildable
• No smudging or flaking
• Easy to remove

Cons:

• Not a ton of volume (my thin lashes want a little more)
• The brush could be a bit better, but overall a great formula

Purchase Dime Volumizing Mascara

Saie Mascara 101 $24

I purchased this mascara because a lot of you said to give it a try and I’m so glad I did! I feel like it is a combination of the Thrive Mascara and Beautycounter’s Lengthening Mascara. This one is in the top 3 of my mascara choices. It has both volumizing and lengthening properties to it and the brush is one of my favorites too. I’ve learned from our makeup artist at Beautycounter to love a good brush over the years!

Pros:

• I love this brush. It makes applying the mascara so easy and effortless. Although it is a little more difficult for the lower lashes.
• Gives good volume
• Goes on smooth
• Can build volume with more than one coat, but you can be ready to rock with just one coat

Cons:

• This mascara flakes a bit. Not too much. I wish it didn’t, but it does. I think it is the biggest negative. Because it really is a great performing mascara.
• I wore this and it caused my eyes to water once. It didn’t any other time. I don’t know if it was a fluke, but I thought I’d put it here.

Here is the link to shop Saie Mascara

Crunchi Shattered Mascara $28

This was another one that was recommended to me a lot. I really wanted to like it and it has some good pros, but I can’t get over the fact that it flakes like crazy. By 10 am I have tons of flakes under my eyes. It is actually a little embarrassing because it is so messy. I don’t know if this is for everyone, but I rarely wear this mascara and will probably use it as a base and top it with the Thrive Mascara just to use up the product.

Pros:

• It is a little dryer formula like the Beautycounter Volumizing Mascara

Cons:

• The wand is very basic and not very versatile
• It doesn’t create a lot of volume but it will build with the second coat
• As I apply, it clumps my lashes together and the wand isn’t unique enough to get them to separate. So the most clumpy mascara.

Shop Crunchi Mascara here

Young Living Volumizing Mascara $43.75 ($33.25 wholesale)

I tried the Young Living mascara when it first came out and I didn’t like it at all. This was their reformulation I tried this time. And, although it is better, it still is one of my least favorites.

Pros:

• You get a discount on purchasing this if you are already a Young Living member.
• It is an improvement on their last formula

Cons:

• I am not a huge fan of this mascara. It smudges and there isn’t anything that is super high performing about it.
• Harder to purchase because you have to be a Young Living Member
• The most expensive mascara I reviewed. And it is a lot more expensive if you aren’t a Young Living member.

Honest Beauty Extreme Lash Mascara + Lash Primer $16.99

I will say, this is a great place to start if you’re purchasing a cleaner mascara. It is the most cost-effective and it really does work and perform well. It also has a lash primer built-in on the other side of the tube. I personally don’t use lash primers, but, it’s a great duo product and is amazing for the price!

Pros:

• Cost Effective
• Performs well. I am very impressed
• Easy to find and purchase
• Has a primer and mascara in one tube
• Easy to remove with eye makeup remover

Cons:

• The biggest con is that this formula burns my eyes a bit. So if it is hot our or my eyes water, the mascara will burn if it gets in my eyes at all
• If you cry or your eyes water, this runs the most of the mascaras. But isn’t a huge issue. I’d take a little running over flaking mascara

Shop Honest Beauty

IlIA Limitless Lash Mascara $28

I want to preface this review first. I wouldn’t buy this again, but I think that is a personal preference over the performance of this mascara. I actually have a lot of great things to say about it. The only negative is that it just wasn’t enough volume for my lashes and that’s just personal. Because one thing I know about mascara is that it’s a personal thing! If you have more lashes naturally, this may be a great option for you.

Pros:

• I’m going to talk about brushes again because this has a unique 2-in-1 brush that has a curved side and then a straight and longer bristles side on the other part of it. It makes it so easy to get mascara on your lashes and smooth any clumps.
• Easy to apply, nice formula
• Gives definition to your lashes (I wish it had more volume too)

Cons:

• You definitely need 2 coats. It is buildable but not a super thick mascara.
• Can smudge a bit

Purchase Ilia Mascara

Top 4 Mascaras (I couldn’t just say top 3)

• Thrive
• Beautycounter Think Big
• Dime Beauty
• Same