Safer Beauty: Mascara Review

I like my lashes like I like my reality tv ~ with a lot of drama!  😉  But I also believe that beauty should be good for you, so I’m 100% down with safer beauty.  But if I’m being totally honest, finding a safer, non-toxic mascara that also delivers some serious lash drama has been pretty tough.  And many of you have shared that this has been an issue for you as well.  So I recently tried six popular clean beauty mascaras to share a review with you.

What Could Be Lurking in Your Mascara?

Why opt for a safer, cleaner, non-toxic mascara?  Many conventional mascaras contain Carbon Black, a dark black powder used as a pigment, which has been linked to cancer and organ toxicity.  Carbon Black goes by many names on an ingredient label:  D & C Black No. 2, Acetylene Black, Channel Black, Furnace Black, Lamp Black and Thermal Black.

But the good news is……there are plenty of safer alternatives!

While I am a Beautycounter consultant, I’m not the biggest fan of their mascaras.  They make two  different formulas – a lengthening and a volumizing.  Neither of which are favorites of mine.  But for the purpose of comparing and contrasting, I did include Beatycounter’s Volumizing Mascara in this review.

The chart below lists each mascara from most to least expensive.   And what I’ve discovered through this review is that a higher price doesn’t necessarily equate to better performance.  All six of the mascaras I reviewed rate in the green zone on the Environmental Working Group’s Healthy Living App, and three of them have been EWG verified.

I reviewed these mascaras over the past 6 weeks and snapped a selfie to show each brand in action. Selfies are so weird and extremely awkward, but for the sake of offering a real, true review I figured it would be helpful.  I must really like you guys to get this up close and personal with you all.  😉

Beautycounter’s Volumizing Mascara 

While Beautycounter’s Volumizing Mascara isn’t my favorite mascara, it’s not terrible.  I just don’t think it provides enough wow factor to garner its $29 price tag.

Positives:  No clumping, flaking or smudging.

Juice Beauty

Juice Beauty’s Mascara has not yet been rated by the EWG, however I didn’t see any red flags on the ingredient list.  And many of their other beauty products have rated in the green zone.  This mascara comes with a $24 price tag, and is another one that falls short on lash drama, in my opinion.  This picture below was taken after applying three coats.

Positives: No clumping, flaking or smudging.

W3ll People Expressionist

Going into this review, W3ll People’s Expressionist Mascara was what I thought was going to be the front runner.  It adds volume and length.  And I still think it’s a great overall mascara but in comparison it’s not as great.

Positives:  Has a full brush for easy application.  Can apply multiple coats without clumping or flaking.

Honest Beauty Extreme Length + Primer

Honest Beauty’s Extreme Length Mascara + Primer is definitely my favorite of these six.  The Primer works wonders for adding both length and fullness.

Positives:  Two-in-one product.  Can apply multiple coats with no clumping or flaking.

Application Tip: Allow lash primer to dry for 30 seconds before applying mascara to ensure maximum lash lift and volume.

Mineral Fusion Volumizing

Coming in second place is Mineral Fusion’s Volumizing Mascara.

Positives:  Can apply multiple coats without clumping, flaking or smudging.

*Mineral Fusion also makes a Waterproof Mascara that has a green rating from EWG, but I’ve not yet tried it.

Physicians Formula Organic Wear

Last but not least, I’m awarding Physicians Formula Organic Wear Mascara with the “best performance for the price” award.  It does a good job of both volumizing and lengthening and comes in around $10.  Plus it can be sourced almost anywhere.

Positives:  No clumping, flaking or smudging.

So there you have it!  I really hope this mascara review is helpful as you navigate switching to safer cosmetics!  I know first hand how tough it can be to find a toxic-free mascara that gives you volume, length and definition.   But it can be done!

*All six of these mascaras removed easily with this amazing stuff!

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Are there any other clean beauty products you’d like to see me review?  Let me know down in the comments section!