While it originated in Egypt, about 4000 B.C., and was made of charcoal and crocodile poop, mascara as we know it today, didn’t happen until Queen Victoria hired Eugene Rimmel, a French Perfumer living in London (who originated many of today’s make-up products and toiletries), to create it for her. It is said: ” His most innovative invention may well be the first commercial non-toxic mascara, which became so popular that “rimmel” is to this day the word for “mascara” in several languages including French, Italian, Portuguese, Persian, Romanian, Spanish, Turkish and Arabic.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eug%C3%A8ne_Rimmel#:~:text=Eug%C3%A8ne%20Rimmel%20(c.,division%20of%20Coty%20Inc.).

If you’re like me and have looked at your mascara stash with disappointment, but continually buy new tubes in search of a holy grail mascara, than this review is for you. Tonight, I feel a need to go through and try them all, in the hopes of discarding and never buying those losers again. The truth is I’m fed up with mascaras that don’t work, especially for my aging eyes and tighter budget in retirement. Mascara is the one product, along with a good lipstick, that can really change and improve one’s appearance, which as we age, kinda matters more than before.

But it’s not easy. Finding one that works for aging eyes (and lashes) is so much more complicated than when I was in my 20’s getting primed to go hang out and meet boys in NYC in the 90’s. Back then, when I was putting my make-up on in my friend Maura’s apartment, the decision was simple – – I always just grabbed one of two: The iconic Maybelline (Pink/Green) Tube of “Great Lash,” (used by models world-wide then and now), or L’Oreal’s “Lash Out” in that lovely long red tube that made navigating around the whole eye so easy. The Great Lash wand was curved and could take you from a thin, lengthy, separated lash style, to thick and clumpy with multiple coats. My favorite, Lash Out, had a straight wand, with thick fibers and offered a much more dreamy, thick, smudged look, made popular by those of us who tended to dress in black and wear red lips day and night.

What Rimmel created and sold to the public in the 1800’s has constantly undergone redevelopment and redesign. It can be really confusing and off-putting, like a too many paged menu, or too many possible shows/movies to stream. For me, I just want that one mascara that works all the time consistently, doesn’t smell too chemically and nourishes my lashes.

Here’s my analysis of my stash, what’s worked, what hasn’t:

1). Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara – This one seems to always sell out. At $29, it’s not cheap and that’s why I’m surprised that the last ones I bought either don’t seem to have as much product as before, or seem too be old or dry out easily. But, when it’s a fresh mascara and new, it’s still one of my favs. It’s a modern day holy grail for me, despite the company maybe skimping on the product. And, heh, its considered to be one of the most non-toxic mascaras out there today….it’s just a shame companies can’t put mascara in clear tubes, so we really see what we are getting!

I love that it has 99% natural ingredients that help to nourish my lashes. The smell is slightly medicinal (though not unpleasant to me). I was also glad to see that it now comes in brown too. (Often, older women benefit from less jet black products on the eyes, which can be aging.) Admittedly, I’ll probably keep trying to buy it again and again, because when you get a good tube, it can’t be beat. Adding a good, third-party tested lavender essential oil may help the product to flow better.

2). Maybelline Surreal The Falsies – I had hopes for this one, because the wand looks a bit like that old goody “Great Lash,” but the formula is dryish and clumpy. I’m throwing this one out today! It’s on my don’t buy again list.

3). Clinique High Impact Mascara – The wand is thick, but narrows at tip to get at your inner lashes near the nose. But, I found the formula is clumpy and thick from the get go, i.e., not good for older consumers. Actually, I don’t usually buy this one on my own, but it is frequently a give away in gift with purchase collections. It does offer good lengthening with repeated applications and has no detectable unpleasant smell, which surprised me, but I’m not sure I’d buy it on my own, due to the thickness of the product, which can be hard to remove and pulls on the lashes during application and removal. Best used by younger consumers, I think.

4). L’Oreal Voluminous Original – Still the workhorse it was 25 years ago. It’s one that I always seem to buy, because – in theory – it reminds me of “Lash Out,” now discontinued, unfortunately. But, the wand is shorter and thicker than Lash Out. I dunno…..when you get to a certain age, lashes become more sparse and more fragile. It’s better to have a product that has strong lengthening and separating capabilities, which usually results from a less gummy formula. The last thing you want is to tug on your lashes and lose some! Best used by younger eyes.

5). Maybelline Sky High – Bought this one in dark plum to make my hazel eyes pop. I like that it’s pretty inexpensive ($13.99), comes in 8 different colors. The various hues can really compliment a variety of eye colors. One thing that I think is a true advancement for older eyes is the “Flex Tower Brush”. It’s unique. The wand has 250 tiny bristles to get the smallest hairs, that prevent aggressive tugging and loss of lashes. Also, the formula has bamboo extract to help strengthen lashes. That being said, the smell is strong and unpleasant, which would keep me from buying it again.

6). L’Oreal Lash Paradise (Latte Brown) – It has a strong smell (I think from the castor oil, rose oil and cornflower extract), with a thick wand, thick formula. If you want something fragance free, pass on this one. I didn’t mind the smell, though. For me, I found this one to have a nice medium thickness formula, so you don’t have to take forever tugging on your lashes during application. It is less gummy than L’Oreal’s Voluminous Original. Plus, it comes in 5 colors (3 of which are shades of black, the other two are browns) and sells for $13.99. Upon researching this one, I found out it’s supposed to be fragrance free, so I better I throw this one out. I don’t know why I don’t date my mascaras upon opening. That would make it so much easier to figure out if they’ve gone bad. I would buy this one again, just be more careful with how long I keep it.

7). Too Faced Better Than Sex – Come on, people love it for the name! It’s not better than sex though and comes in only black and brown. I chose brown, of course. The wands hour glass shape is interesting, but better for people with bigger eyes than me. In theory, the larger bristles at the ends are, I think, supposed to take your baby/shorter lashes at the corners and lengthen them to make all your lashes uniform in length. The formula is clumpy though (so if you like long, skinny and defined, this ones not for you, or me). It smells very strong to me too. Chemically, ya know? Reports indicate that the smell is due to the acacia gum, beeswax and parrafin. At $29.00, I don’t think I’d buy this one again, regardless how beautiful the packaging is, which is very pretty. One thing you have to say about Too Faced, they know how to market, but performance is paramount when you need to not waste money in retirement.

8). L’Oreal Panorama – This one has 8 shades, has a multi-level length brush that makes getting in the corners easy. The wand is semi-flexible (good to prevent tugging). I found it to be smudge, clump and flake resistant and at a good price at around $13, but it too has a strong chemical smell. It’s supposed to be fragrance free and other reviews indicate that if a smell appears, the product is likely expired. Once again, I will throw this one out too, I think. (Note to self: Date your mascara). Overall, I like this one’s wand and formula thickness, which is medium, i.e., not to clumpy. Really good for older eyes.

MY CONCLUSION: My number one in 2026 is still Ilia “Limitless Lash”. When you get a good tube of it, it’s primo, though expensive. My second pick from my stash is L’Oreal Panorama, because it’s the one that is closest to my former holy grail “Lash Out” mascara. I also like that L’Oreal has sworn of PFAS (forever chemicals) in their products. Since this mascara may be old (due to the smell), this tube will go bye bye, however. But, I know I’ve bought it, in the past, and was really impressed by the performance and lack of a strong smell. Ah well, it’s time to stop wasting money on too many products and throw out the ones that have gone bad. No reason to keep them and risk an eye infection Cleopatra. That’s my plan for tonight, anyway. Smell and chuck.

But, in the future, thanks to this review and just finally sitting down and going through my stash, the irony is, I think I’m going to go back to Maybelline’s “Great Lash,” which is still in production today and really, really cheap in comparison! It’s been around since 1971 and was the first water-based, conditioning mascara. Let’s face it. It’s an oldy, but a goody and I think I stopped using it because these companies are such masters of marketing and, admittedly, I fell for it. Beautiful packaging and beautiful promises that, generally, don’t pan out will not be my future. Also, there’s something so nostalgic and iconic about the pink and green design, which was inspired by Lily Pulitzer and thanks to the show, Palm Beach Royale, Lily’s back in style. Thank you mascara stash for reminding me of her and that, sometimes, new is not always better. And, you can’t beat the price considering mascara expires in 3-6 months, dependent on use. For ageing beauties, preserving our pocket books has to be a part of the equation for deciding on what we buy, right? If I forget to date it when opened and it starts to smell funny, throwing it out won’t be such a hardship at $6-$7 bucks a tube!

For now, I’m off to smell and chuck my stash! Happy future make-up hauls, with an eye to price and functionality! I hope this inspires you to get rid of anything that isn’t working for you, or you don’t love. As we age, life should be curated and joy-filled:

“Be a curator of your life. Slowly cut things out until you’re left only with what you love, with what’s necessary, with what makes you happy.” — Leo Babauta

Love,

Ms. Sassy Pants