This Double-Ended Mascara Perfectly Elongates My Top AND Bottom Lashes
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I take my mascara choices very seriously. While some people consider full eyebrows their pride and joy and spend more time styling them than their actual hair, I treat my eyelashes that way (my mom really came through with those lash genetics, OK?). Therefore, I don't waste my money on just any mascara and have been known to stick with the same one for 10 years straight. I guess you could call me a mascara monogamist.
When Beauty by POPSUGAR launched and I excitedly perused the collection online (yes, I work here, but I couldn't wait to see the products in action), I admit I was skeptical about the mascara. The black mascara I swipe on every day needs to create long, voluminous, and thick but not too thick lashes — and absolutely no clumping. I'm not totally averse to trying new ones, but I definitely suss them out first.
The Beauty by POPSUGAR Thick + Thin Mascara ($25) has a unique design that I wouldn't normally opt for: a double-ended tube that includes a thick brush and a much thinner one, each pooling from the same mascara but on different sides. I typically only apply mascara to my top lashes, mostly because a coat on my bottom layer looks too spidery. I was really intrigued about how much of a difference the delicate brush would make (it's for top-line definition and bottom application), so I chose the mascara and the Be Sweet Tinted Lip Balm ($20) as my first purchases.
And you know what? Color me surprised, but I love this mascara. After a week of wearing it, I've decided this is fantastic for an everyday look. It doesn't give me va-va-voom lashes that I look for when going out, but it doesn't create a minimal look, either — it's somewhere in between. Take a look at the mascara in action, and you'll see what I mean.
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The Double-Punch Brush
Here's a full look at the Beauty by POPSUGAR Thick + Thin Mascara ($25). The cool thing about the double-ended tube is not only the brushes with different functions but also the distribution of the mascara itself. Since each brush pulls from its own supply of the same mascara, you can use the opposite end of the tube when you run out one side.
For example, if you use the thicker side a lot more often, you can still apply mascara with the thick brush by dipping it into the thin brush's side. Watch this Ulta video to get a full visual.
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The Flake-Free Formula
Dip the brush in for your first application, and you'll notice the product is rather liquidy. But that's not a bad thing! The hydrating formula includes carnauba wax that keeps lashes soft as well as antioxidant-rich vitamins E and C. I find my lashes are quite wet after the first coat, and I like to let it dry for about 20 seconds before applying a second, more lengthening coat.
You won't find parabens, mineral oils, phthalates, triclosan, sodium laurel sulfate, or gluten in the ingredients list. Without any of the bad stuff, the soft mascara leaves your lashes malleable with no clumps in sight. That means there's also zero flaking, even after a full day of wear. (And yes, it's vegan and cruelty-free, too).
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The Results
Hello, that's me. I'm wearing two coats of Thick + Thin Mascara on my top lashes and one light coat on the bottom. I love that the mascara defines each lash and creates a clear difference in length, but it doesn't look heavy at all. I'll admit that I totally love dramatic, look-at-me lashes much of the time, but this sleek mascara is ideal for a more casual, everyday look for work.
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The Close-Up
Hello again — please enjoy this creepily close-up photo of my eyeballs. The lashes on my right (your left) are bare, and the ones on my left are fully done (two coats on top, one light coat on the bottom). The before-and-after reveal speaks for itself, don't you think? I might not allow many mascaras to crowd my vanity, but Beauty by POPSUGAR's mascara ($25) has definitely earned its spot.
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