What makes a mascara 'bad'?

A bad mascara can be clumpy, difficult to apply, flake off, smudge easily, irritate the eyes, have a bad smell, or have a formula that dries out quickly or is hard to remove.

How can I tell if a mascara is bad before I buy it?

You can read reviews, check the ingredients for potential irritants, and see if the brand has a return policy in case the product doesn't meet your expectations.

Can a mascara be bad for my eye health?

Yes, mascaras with harmful chemicals or allergens can cause eye irritation, infections, or allergic reactions. Always check the ingredients and patch test if possible.

What should I do if a mascara irritates my eyes?

If a mascara irritates your eyes, stop using it immediately. You can also rinse your eyes with water and consult an eye doctor if irritation persists.

Are there any ingredients in mascara I should avoid?

Try to avoid mascaras with parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and synthetic dyes, especially if you have sensitive eyes or skin.

Can expired mascara be harmful?

Yes, expired mascara can harbor bacteria that might lead to eye infections. Always check the expiration date and avoid using mascara beyond it.

How do I properly test a mascara?

When possible, test the mascara on your hand to see the consistency and color. Some stores offer testers, but be sure not to apply them directly to your eyes for hygiene reasons.

Is waterproof mascara bad for my lashes?

Waterproof mascara isn't necessarily bad, but it can be more challenging to remove and may lead to lash loss if not removed gently.

Why do some mascaras flake and how can I prevent this?

Mascaras can flake if they are old, dry, or of low quality. To prevent this, ensure your mascara is fresh and apply in thin, even layers.

How often should I replace my mascara?

It's recommended to replace your mascara every 3 to 6 months to prevent potential eye infections and maintain performance.

Can thick or clumpy mascara be fixed?

Sometimes adding a few drops of saline solution can help thin out the formula, but if the mascara is too clumpy, it might be best to replace it.

8 Worst Mascaras to Steer Clear of ...

We often hear about the latest and greatest mascaras but what about the worst mascaras that we should stay away from?! With the thousands of tubes of mascara out there, I think we deserve some kind of guidance as to what others have found to be ineffective. That way, we’ll know what to expect should we try bad mascaras out for ourselves. Girls should all help each other out, right?! With that said, here are 8 of the lowest-rated mascaras out there, see if your worst mascara made the list!

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Maybelline Great Lash

Maybelline Great Lash I know that seeing this mascara on the list of worst mascaras will be big shock for some of you ladies. I know it’s a classic and it has legions of fans but not everyone seems to agree. People have described this mascara as smudgy, flaky and difficult to remove. It’s also been faulted with drying out too quickly so if you’re new to Great Lash, keep these user's tips in mind before you buy!

UPD:

On the upside, if you do decide to give Great Lash a whirl, remember that it's a budget-friendly option that has been around since the '70s. It's often lauded for its classic pink-and-green packaging and its ability to provide a natural look for those not seeking dramatic volume. However, as some beauty aficionados point out, it may not live up to the current-day expectations set by newer, more advanced formulas. For a tried and true product, its place in the beauty hall of fame is secure, but it might not be the mascara for the modern makeup maven.

NYX Faux Lashes Boudoir

NYX Faux Lashes Boudoir Another popular brand that got the worst mascara award is NYX with their Faux Lashes Boudoir mascara. The product description says the formula is infused with fibers to lengthen lashes and is great for bottom lashes, too bad users don't agree! Ladies described this mascara as clumpy, runny and smudging very easily. NYX isn’t exactly famous for their mascaras, so if you’re new to the brand, head on over to their lip products and eye shadows, they are so much better!

Related: 8 Best Mascara Primers ...

Frequently asked questions

: Yes, mascaras with harmful chemicals or allergens can cause eye irritation, infections, or allergic reactions. Always check the ingredients and patch test if possible.
: Yes, expired mascara can harbor bacteria that might lead to eye infections. Always check the expiration date and avoid using mascara beyond it.
: A bad mascara can be clumpy, difficult to apply, flake off, smudge easily, irritate the eyes, have a bad smell, or have a formula that dries out quickly or is hard to remove.
: You can read reviews, check the ingredients for potential irritants, and see if the brand has a return policy in case the product doesn't meet your expectations.
: Waterproof mascara isn't necessarily bad, but it can be more challenging to remove and may lead to lash loss if not removed gently.
: It's recommended to replace your mascara every 3 to 6 months to prevent potential eye infections and maintain performance.
: Sometimes adding a few drops of saline solution can help thin out the formula, but if the mascara is too clumpy, it might be best to replace it.
: Mascaras can flake if they are old, dry, or of low quality. To prevent this, ensure your mascara is fresh and apply in thin, even layers.
: When possible, test the mascara on your hand to see the consistency and color. Some stores offer testers, but be sure not to apply them directly to your eyes for hygiene reasons.
: Try to avoid mascaras with parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and synthetic dyes, especially if you have sensitive eyes or skin.
: If a mascara irritates your eyes, stop using it immediately. You can also rinse your eyes with water and consult an eye doctor if irritation persists.

Benefit BADgal Lash

Benefit BADgal Lash It might be a shocker to see Benefit’s BADgal Lash on this list of worst mascaras but it is! While BADgal Lash has a lot of fans, there are plenty of critics out there as well. BADgal Lash has been described as being too wet, smudgy, too natural-looking and clumpy. BADgal has its fair share of admirers so this one might be worth a try, but since it’s on the pricier side at $19.00, proceed with caution!

UPD:

Benefit BADgal Lash is a mascara that has gained a lot of attention for its high price tag of $19.00. However, many customers have reported that the mascara is too wet, smudgy, and clumpy, making it difficult to apply. Additionally, some customers have found the results to be too natural looking for their preference. Despite its popularity, Benefit BADgal Lash has earned a spot on the list of worst mascaras to steer clear of. Before making a purchase, it is important to read customer reviews and take into consideration the potential drawbacks of this expensive mascara.

Wet N Wild MegaPlump

Wet N Wild MegaPlump A mascara that promises to provide up to 5x volume can’t be a low-rated mascara, right? Wet n Wild’s MegaPlump seemed like a promising product for under $5.00, but based on the product's poor reviews, it’s hardly even worth the low price! MegaPlump was called clumpy, thin, flaky and drying, none of which we want in a mascara! No one really had any good things to say about this mascara so it’s probably safe to say you’re not missing out on anything if you pass on this one!

Revlon DoubleTwist

Revlon DoubleTwist Revlon’s DoubleTwist is unfortunately another bad mascara. This mascara received some positive comments for its lengthening and separating qualities. But, there was an overwhelming number of bad reviews that placed it on this mascara hit list! Smudging, flaking and a bad brush design were all to blame for its lackluster performance.

Famous Quotes

Meaning is not what you start with but what you end up with.

Peter Elbow

Stila Forever Your Curl Memory

Stila Forever Your Curl Memory Stila might the queen of the crème blush and lip glazes, but Forever Your Curl ended up being one of the worst mascaras. Forever Your Curl said that it would be long-wearing and instantly curl lashes, but the lack of rave reviews says otherwise! Some ladies had some good things to say about it, like how it defined and lengthened, but it was also called runny, smudgy and flaky.

Rimmel Glam Eyes Day2Night

Rimmel Glam Eyes Day2Night Rimmel is responsible for this next low-rated mascara. The Glam Eyes Day2Night mascara features these two cool caps for lengthening and volume. While the tube looks like it can do some serious double duty action, users called this mascara thin, messy and said that it didn't provide any fullness or length. Rimmel makes pretty decent mascaras, too bad this one wasn’t very useful!

Maybelline Define-a-Lash Waterproof

Maybelline Define-a-Lash Waterproof We had to include a waterproof formula of bad mascara on this list, and Define-a-lash was the unlucky one! This mascara actually won Allure’s Beauty Editors’ Choice award but surprisingly, got bad reviews. Mascara lovers said that the formula was dry, hard to remove and clumped soon after applying it. Maybelline makes tons of other winning formulas so don’t be discouraged if this one let you down!

Have you ever used any of these worst mascaras? I’m pretty obsessed with mascara so unfortunately I have used some of these bad guys, but I’ve also used plenty of amazing ones too! What’s the worst mascara you’ve ever tried? Is there any feature about a mascara that’s a deal breaker for you?

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Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

One question, how is "too natural-looking" a bad thing?

I use Covergirl's clump crusher and it works perfect! no clumps, easy to get off, but effective so I recommend it!

I'd hav to agree with some of these but day2night is my favorite mascara since I hav short blonde lashes

I used to like L'Oreal Voluminous mascara; but, they must have changed the formula or something, because it tends to flake and clump more. My new favourite go-to is Avon Super Shock Mascara. - and I'm not a big Avon cosmetics fan by any stretch of the imagination!

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