For full eyelashes: help with brushes and ink
For the perfect look, many women – and more and more men too – use mascara: they want to use brushes and ink to accentuate their eyelashes and make them look fuller and longer. To check how well this works, Stiftung Warentest took a close look at 14 black volume mascaras – 11 non-waterproof and 3 waterproof.
This is what the mascara test by Stiftung Warentest offers
- Testergebnisse. The table shows ratings for 14 black volume mascaras: Stiftung Warentest examined 11 non-waterproof and 3 waterproof mascaras from conventional brands such as Maybelline, L’Oréal Paris and Manhattan. But products from Lavera Naturkosmetik, Sante Naturkosmetik and a luxury mascara from Chanel also had to prove themselves in the test.
- Kaufberatung. Big purse or small budget – there is something for everyone among the best mascaras in the test. A good mascara is available from 2.33 euros per 10 milliliters. Significantly more expensive products can also keep up – 10 grams of the most expensive good ink in the test costs almost 60 euros.
- tips and background. The mascara test shows that not all products are safe from customers opening and trying them out in the store. Only a few have an originality guarantee. We detected arsenic in two inks and naphthalene in two others – both substances that are banned in cosmetic products.
- Heftartikel. If you unlock the topic, you will get access to the PDF for the test report from 8/2021.
Seven mascaras in the test ensure a beautiful look
On the trail of the best mascara – 20 women applied each mascara to their eyelashes for a week and assessed the results together with our experts. In the laboratory, we also looked for germs and critical substances. The waterproof inks also had to withstand a spray mist and wipe test. We wanted to know: Which volume mascara is the best?
The result of our extensive tests: The seven good mascaras give volume and length, four of them ensure curl and a natural look of the eyelashes at the same time. There is no such thing as an absolute top product and thus a clear test winner. None of the waterproof inks achieved a good quality rating.
Four inks with forbidden substances
We found banned substances in four mascaras: Two mascaras, including a certified natural cosmetics product, contain the carcinogenic heavy metal arsenic. In two other mascaras we detected the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon naphthalene, which is believed to be carcinogenic. Both substances may get into the products via contaminated raw materials, such as black color pigments.
However, there is no health risk for users: only small amounts of mascara are applied to the eyelashes – the skin and eyes hardly come into direct contact with the critical substances. We therefore rate all four mascaras as sufficient.
In most cases, the guarantee of originality is missing
Because germs can cause inflammation, we tested the microbiological quality of the mascaras. She was fine throughout. That is not a matter of course. Often there is no guarantee of originality – such as a thin plastic film or a box that prevents customers from trying the mascaras in the store. Only four mascaras in the test are protected against it. For one product, however, the box is oversized – points are deducted for that.
Be careful with artificial eyelashes and growth serums!
Eyelashes and so-called growth serums are supposed to bring even more volume and length. Experts see dangers.
Foreign body. Artificial eyelashes are attached to the edge of the eyelashes with special glue. Ophthalmologists warn: The glue can cause allergic reactions, the artificial hairs can irritate or even injure the eyes.
Wachstumsschub. Eyelash serums are designed to promote growth. Some contain medicinal substances – so-called prostaglandin analogues. Possible side effects: The eyes become inflamed, the iris can become discolored. Doctors and cosmetic experts advise against using it.