No. 92: No More Gatekeeping: Curling Mascara

Hot tip: It’s not about the brush

Welcome to No More Gatekeeping, a new monthly series that sings (and I mean really sings) the praises of a product I can’t get enough of.

I’ve been a beauty editor for over a decade and I’m just now learning what makes a good curling mascara. As a straight-lashed girlie, I can confidently say that the brush is not going to be the thing that lifts your lashes. It’s the formula. Not just any formula, but one that is best described as sticky.

Let me explain. First of all, sticky doesn’t mean clumpy. I’m also not referring to a formula that will give you a spidery effect. I’m talking curled, defined, lifted, lengthened, and separated. When you apply your mascara, you’ll feel a sort of tackiness as you layer the formula on your lashes. It’s not a tactile feeling you can manipulate between your fingers. It’s a brush-to-lash sensation.

So why am I just learning this now? Because after trying hundreds of mascaras, it was in October 2024, just before my sister’s wedding, that I discovered the mascara that forever changed my lashes: the Ettusais Eye Edition Mascara Base. But you won’t be able to pop into your local Ulta or Sephora for this. You’ll have to order it from Yami, an online Asian marketplace.

My lashes on Ettusais Eye Edition Mascara Base

I love a long lash, but I’m not a falsies or lash extension type of girl. I’m here for a lash lift (for the unfamiliar, it’s basically an eyelash perm) because the curl helps to elongate. And just because you use a lash curler doesn’t mean they will stay lifted. You need a tacky formula that will help keep them in place. And that’s exactly what Ettusais does.

You better believe that if you have long lashes, I will ask if they’re real. Although truth be told, I usually know the answer. But I’m always on a mission to find something that will enhance my lashes. To that end, here are a slew of mascaras I love that are easier to find than Ettusais and help lengthen and lift the lashes with a minimally tacky-like texture:

Tower 28 Make Waves Mascara: This mascara lengthens and gives my lashes an almost doe-like appearance. Think a wide-eyed, fluttery, fanned-out effect. The wand has three flexible suspended bands that lengthen and define every single lash.

Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara: This is a tubing mascara, meaning it has tubes that wrap around each lash to create a lengthening effect. And lengthening it absolutely does. Lashes will look a mile long. It’s a pretty dramatic difference, so I like to use this mascara mostly for events or in the evening.

Glossier Lash Slick: In my opinion, this is one of the most underrated mascaras. It reminds me of Serge Lutens’ Mascara for less than half the price. It also defines and separates the lashes and is such a great everyday mascara when you want to look pared down, but still need to amp it up just a little.