Mascaras put to the test: Which is the best?

Why it's unique: Flirt It! Curl Mascara promises to curl your lashes while giving terrific coverage.Tester's take: I could not believe how long-wearing this mascara is! I fell asleep in it by mistake and when I woke up, it hadn't smudged a bit. I am a huge fan.SHOP NOW: Flirt It! Curl Mascara, $15

Why it's unique: This formula from Bare Escentuals lengthens and thickens without a lot of iffy ingredients (there are no parabens, sulfates, no artificial colors or fragrances).Tester's take: This mascara has a fat applicator with long rubbery fibers; the makeup itself is thick but creamy—no clumps. It's a great volumizing mascara. It took me a few coats to cover my very light lashes, but they turned out very va-va voom!SHOP NOW: Bare Escentuals Buxom Mascara, $19

Why it's unique: YBF Beauty mascara is a cleverly packaged two-part system that includes a lengthening and thickening primer and a darkening mascara.Tester's take: I definitely noticed the difference the primer made when putting it on before the mascara. I was able to coat lashes evenly, which made them appear longer and thicker. I think the curved wand helped with that, too.SHOP NOW: YBF Mascara and Lash Primer Duo (sold with eyelash curler), $25

Why it's unique: The By Terry Terrybly Growth Booster Mascara promises to improve lash health and length while imparting color and volume.Tester's take: By Terry has a dense bristle brush that is uniformly thick throughout. This mascara made my lashes look thicker and darker, and removal was a breeze.SHOP NOW: By Terry Terrybly Growth Booster Mascara, $46

Why it's unique: Urban Decay has recently given its beloved mascara a makeover. Big Fatty harnesses the power of nature, including hemp-seed, vitamin E and jojoba oil in its formula. Tester's take: It added plenty of density and volume, living up to its Big Fatty name!SHOP NOW: Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara, $20

Why it's unique: The oversize MaxDensity brush that comes with Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Mascara deposits more color onto lashes and is designed to prevent clumping. The formula also includes collagen and keratin to condition delicate lashes. Tester's take: It went on very smooth with the right amount of thickness and the extreme black color added drama to my eyes. SHOP NOW: Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Mascara, $7

Why it's unique: TIGI Lash Love Mascara is pH balanced, which its maker claims helps maintain lash health. Unexpected ingredients like palm and rice bran are meant to lengthen and add volume.Tester's take: TIGI had a different type of applicator—it was like a straight comb. The brush made the mascara easy to apply, but I had to do a few swipes to get good coverage.SHOP NOW: TIGI Lash Love Mascara, $20

Why it's unique: Maybelline has long been makeup artists' go-to drugstore mascara. The brand's latest offering, Volum' Express with Mega Plush, features a new gel-mousse formula and a flexible applicator wand.Tester's take: This is great for everyday wear. It darkened and lengthened, but not too much.SHOP NOW: Maybelline Volum' Express with Mega Plush Mascara, $6

Why it's unique: Smashbox Hyperlash Mascara offers a unique applicator that has the qualities of both a brush and a comb. Tester's take: I have very blond eyelashes, and I loved this one because with the applicator I could get right to the lash line and provided excellent separation and coverage.SHOP NOW: Smashbox Hyperlash Mascara, $22

Why it's unique: L'Oréal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes, as the name implies, incorporates free-floating fibers in its formula. When stroked onto the lashes, they adhere and give the appearance of greater length.Tester's take: The L'Oréal formula was smooth, soft and velvety. It definitely lengthened my lashes in a nonclumpy way.SHOP NOW: L'Oréal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes, $9

Why it's unique: This formula claims to offer 20 times the volume of regular lashes, while smaller bristles at the brush’s tip are designed to coat tiny lashes. Tester's take: Mark's wand is plastic with stiff, nonbristle bristles. The formula is very smooth and wet, it glided on and gave my lashes a very sleek, lengthened look.SHOP NOW: Mark Lash All You Want, $10