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Beauty box: 10 waterproof mascaras put to the test

The eyes have it – except when they’re smudged and have that black-around-the-eye raccoon look. And, of course, winter’s the time when your otherwise perfect mascara smudges and runs in the rain and wind, leaving you feeling slightly less than sexy. iVillage staff took several of the most popular brands of waterproof mascara and tested them to see which best withstood the rigours of the season. Here’s what we discovered.

1. Boots’ No. 17 Waterproof Mascara, brown/black – £3.99. This colour was a bit too light for me, as I’m used to buying black mascara. It was also quite thin, so when I blinked soon after applying, it came off on my cheek. It also didn’t thicken up my lashes as much as I usually like. However, the mascara came off easily – a real plus, as most waterproof ones are difficult to remove.

2. Bobbi Brown Essentials Waterproof Mascara, brown – £12.50. ‘Lush but smudgy’ sums up this product. I didn’t like the shape of the applicator because it didn’t allow for enough definition, although the colour was a nice subtle brown – perfect for daytime and with matt eyeshadow. Although it stayed on forever, it smeared a lot. While high-maintenance, it was great looking and made my lashes look thick and sexy. I liked this product, but it’s too hard to use when rushing to get ready in the morning. It might be better for night when you have more time to prepare and want to feel a little more made up.

3. Body Shop Colourings, aubergine – £4.50. The wand and brush were mini-sized, so it was difficult to apply (I thought it might be mascara for children to be honest). I loved the colour – a very soft plum, nice for daytime. It didn’t clump or smudge, probably because it didn’t go on thick. It stayed on all day once I put on about three coats and it made my lashes look so subtle that I forgot I was wearing it. I liked this product a lot, but you do have to apply several coats. Once it’s on, though, it’s comfortable and pretty and it doesn’t flake or get in your eyes.

4. Clinique Gentle Waterproof Mascara Long-Wear Lash Intensifier, black – £11.50. Fairly easy to apply, although it seemed quite dry and I had to put on two coats to see a difference. It didn’t clump or smear and stayed on all day. I liked how it made my lashes look, although the difference was subtle rather than dramatic, which was a little disappointing.

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