Current Mascara Rotation

I'm envious of girls with naturally long, thick and curled lashes who need only a single coat of mascara to look instantly glamorous. I've got short lashes, made even shorter by the fact they're almost engulfed by my eyelid. I almost never wear false eyelashes, though they do make a huge difference. On a day-to-day basis, at least my Shiseido eyelash curler and a good mascara help to add some much-needed length and volume. Here are 5 mascaras I'm currently rotating (and yes, I realise that's probably about 3 too many).

L'Oréal Lash Architect 4D in Noir 

I use this one the most, along with Define-A-Lash. This is the only brush I've tried with a triangular tapered shape and it's a good all-rounder. The more pointed and narrow tip helps to separate and curl the lashes and the wider end helps to add volume. The downside is that it can get a little clumpy, especially when you first use it. A lot of mascara gets on the brush and you need to go over the lashes a few times to even out the application.

Australis Lash Me Mousse Mascara in Dark Chocolate

I adore this mascara. The brush is relatively stiff and the bristles are very defined, which creates amazing clump-free separation. It's like you're combing through your lashes with mascara. My one is near its end and has dried out a little, which I actually prefer because it means less smudging and excess product on the wand. Instead of black, I use the shade Dark Chocolate on my lower lashes for softer, more natural definition. I previously used Pitch Black for my upper lashes but for whatever bizarre reason all shades of this mascara except Crystal Clear have been discontinued. I could only find Dark Chocolate and some unusual blue shade left in bargain bins at Priceline.

Maybelline Define-A-Lash in Very Black

I picked this up with little to no expectations because it was something like $2 from Chemist Warehouse. I wish ardently I had bought about 3 more, because it's gone on to become a favourite. A warning: the wand is VERY floppy. To the point it's almost a challenge to stick it back into the tube because of how wobbly it can get. I had a little mishap when I first used it which resulted in walking to work wearing a mascara-flecked, light coloured top. The slightly curved wand really helps to curl and extend lashes. The pointed and somewhat spiky bristles also separate and thicken lashes well. It just seems to work for me. I'll miss it when I run out, which is soon.

Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express Cat Eyes in Wild Black

The formula is quite wet, which minimises clumping but annoyingly smudges and transfers to my lids. The super curved wand is useful to curl the lashes, but I don't think it makes that much of a difference compared with other mascaras (and it's really my eyelash curler that does the job, rather than a particular mascara). The small, thin wand separates lashes decently but doesn't create a whole lot of volume.

CoverGirl LashBlast Volume in Very Black

This is one fat wand which has its pros and cons. I wouldn't use this mascara as part of my morning routine because it requires a little more time and patience and I'm always in a rush. The sheer size makes it very hard to get to the base of the lashes (if you haven't poked your eye or smudged mascara onto your eyelid in the process). As a result, it doesn't curl and lengthen as well, but true to its name, it does thicken and add volume. This would better suit someone who is blessed with already good lashes to really take them to the next level.