By Kimberly Webber

(COSMO) - I remember when I was a little girl looking at my mother’s eyelashes, clumped together like fat spider legs and thinking I never wanted my eyelashes to look like that. Fast forward and I’m struggling everyday to live out that promise. Hundreds of mascaras on the market, and I still somehow have trouble finding one that gives me the look of long, luscious lashes without clumping, bleeding, or just not doing the job. I just couldn’t help it…How do you find a mascara THAT WORKS?

So I decided, once and for all, to make a list. 

With the help of several reviewers and make-up artists, we compiled the FIVE best mascaras worth trying in 2023. These are the best of the best… so listen up!

Effectiveness: 95%

Safety: 90%

Price: $$

Overall: A

This is by far the best mascara on the market today. Liaison’s Mascara Bond evenly spreads, with a flake-free fiber solution that keeps your lashes looking amazing all day. But that’s not the BEST PART… Liaison’s Mascara Bond comes with a patented Growth Bond formula that actually conditions and reactivates root growth for longer, healthier lashes. Within 4 weeks, your lashes will actually become longer and fuller, meaning the more you use it the less you need it. The Growth Bond complex is filled with nutrients and peptides that clean the hair follicles, hydrates them, and triggers maximum lash growth. We discovered Liaison after they offered us a secret 50% off discount SECRET50 (shh.. Don’t tell them we’re giving you the code) and we’ve been fans ever since. 

Effectiveness: 89%

Safety: 70%

Price: $$$$

Overall Value: B+

Neogen's Extra Volume Curl Metal Mascara brings a fresh perspective to eye makeup with its innovative metal wand, allowing for precise and clump-free application that enhances every lash. This $38 mascara stands out for its impressive 33-hour wear, resistance to water, sebum, and sweat, and a formula that glides on smoothly to curl, lengthen, and volumize lashes. The ease of cleaning the wand ensures hygiene and comfort with every use. However, its unique metal applicator may require a period of adjustment, and the price may prompt consideration for those mindful of their beauty budget. While it offers a unique application experience and lasting performance, it's essential to consider these factors alongside personal mascara preferences.

Effectiveness: 51%

Safety: 98%

Price: $$$

Overall Value: B-

The Saem's Saemmul Perfect Curling Mascara is a noteworthy choice for those seeking to enhance their lashes with natural curl, length, and thickness. Its uniquely designed curved brush effortlessly lifts and separates lashes, while its highly praised formula ensures a clump-free application. Despite its many accolades for performance and affordability, a notable drawback is its challenging removal process, which may necessitate a more robust makeup remover. This minor inconvenience aside, it remains a valued option for achieving beautifully curled lashes that last all day.

Effectiveness: 80%

Safety: 90%

Price: $

Overall Value: B-

While the Mizon Collagen Curling Fix Mascara promises to boost your lashes with its collagen-infused formula and innovative C-curl brush for a lasting lift, it doesn't quite hit the mark of perfection. Its rich black color and conditioning benefits do enhance the look and health of your lashes, creating a captivating effect. However, its lack of water resistance may leave you looking for more, especially when compared to other mascaras that offer both stunning aesthetics and unbeatable durability. In a beauty showdown, it holds its own, but there's room for improvement to truly stand out.

Effectiveness: 80%

Safety: 95%

Price: $$

Overall: B+

If you're searching for a mascara that offers both extension and curl, Cezanne Airy Curl Black Mascara might catch your eye with its promise of thick and long lashes. However, while it boasts special fibers for added length and resistance to moisture, some users have found its formula prone to clumping and its longevity questionable. Despite its Japanese origin and inclusion of nourishing oils like jojoba and camellia, it falls short in comparison to other options on the market, lacking the finesse and reliability that discerning customers seek in their mascara choices.

That said, if you’re TRULY looking for the best… we cannot recommend Liaison Mascara Bond enough…

While we feel we recommended some great mascaras for fuller eyelashes, we believe Liaison's product was the top choice. We wanted to talk further with our investigative reporter Stephanie Marianne, the first of our reviewers to discover Liaison Mascara Bond  and how it worked for her. Stephanie tells the story.

Personally, I never believed in the effectiveness of eyebrow serums. There’s a lot of brands out there claiming they work, but most don’t. I’ve had too many friends tricked into buying serums just to find out it’s a waste of money. So I’ve avoided it at all costs. 

But then my best friend, who I trust with my life, swore by Liaison’s Mascara Bond. She said it was her favorite mascara she’s ever used. The mascara distributed evenly throughout her lashes and stayed on all day. Best of all, she said she started using less because her lashes were growing and gaining volume because of the Growth Bond complex inside the mascara. 

 I, of course, didn’t believe her. But then she showed me her before and afters and I was stunned. Week by week, I could see her eyelashes getting healthier and longer. I begged her to let me borrow her Mascara Bond. Instead, she gave me the secret discount code for 50% off, SECRET50 and I ordered two bottles immediately.

I received the package within two days and started using it that evening for a night out. The application is like any other mascara. It glides on smoothly and doesn’t clump! I was so excited to see the Growth Complex start working and the next morning I, of course, expected a miracle… but alas, it takes longer than that to see results.

So while I waited, I looked into the science of Liaison. I wanted to know how it worked, and what it was aiming to do with my lashes…

Step 1: When you apply Liaison, a fresh supply of oxygen and citric acid work away at lash waste, releasing it through your pores to be washed away and clearing the way for nutrients.

Step 2: Our specialized mixture, including purified water and hyaluronic acid, activates internal peptides and gains access to follicles to prepare for bold growth.

Step 3: Polypeptides travel deep into your roots, supplying follicles with essential proteins throughout your day and while you sleep.

Step 4: Refreshed lash follicles continue to receive the optimal oxygen, blood flow, and dose of nutrients needed to keep lashes healthy and strong.

After about 3 weeks is when I began to notice the color of my lashes getting darker. 4 weeks and I noticed I didn’t have to apply as much mascara. By week 6, it was as if I was a totally different woman. 

Since then, I’ve continued to apply Mascara Bond and my lashes have only grown thicker and healthier.