5 amazing new mascaras

Best for short, straight lashes

Formula: Created in a deep inky black, this lash-conditioning formula is flexible with 12 hours of staying power. Bonus: It's still easy to remove. Brush: Strategically placed hooks on this patent-pending brush catch, lift and curl lashes. Results: Wiggling the brush ever so slightly at the roots bestows lashes with a fluttery, defined and curled appearance. Benefit Roller Lash Super-Curling & Lifting Mascara, $29, benefitcosmetics.com.

Best for light-coloured lashes

Formula: This multitasking blend of cream and wax is laced with active ingredients that strengthen lashes and help them grow. Available in black, brown and purple. Brush: The tri-tufted brush coats lashes with lots more mascara per swipe and gets at them from a variety of angles. Results: It takes some time to master the technique: Try a wiggle-and-rake motion, starting at the roots. Those with patience will be rewarded with full, curled and lengthened lashes. Givenchy Noir Couture 4 in 1 Mascara in Violet Etonnant, $44, sephora.ca.

Best for fine, sparse lashes

Formula: Creamy and buildable, this formula contains neo-black pigments, delivering a rich, shiny and dark finish. Brush: It's 360-degree flexible, with a narrow tip that allows you to reach all of those fine inner and outer lashes. Results: One coat does the job, depositing a nice amount of product with minimal effort. Two coats are even better, leaving lashes thick, long and spiky. L'Oréal Paris Miss Manga Black Angel by Voluminous, $11, lorealparis.ca.

Best for brittle lashes

Formula: Nourishing argan oil adheres to lashes, drying quickly and leaving them conditioned, soft and flexible. Brush: Tiny rows of flexible plastic bristles grab onto each eyelash, smoothly applying mascara from root to tip. Results: The itty-bitty bristles catch hard-to-reach areas. This mascara delivers on length and separation but falls short on volume. Rimmel London Wonder'Lash Mascara, $8.50, shoppersdrugmart.ca.

Best for short, thick lashes

Formula: This creamy, velvety, lightweight formula is waterproof and sweeps on effortlessly, coating eyelashes in one swoop. Brush: This large bristled brush as a duo-wiper system (two openings, small and big) which allows you to choose soft, defined or dramatically full lashes. Results: The innovative tube design lets you achieve dramatically different results with the same brush. The small opening (the blue end) cleans off the brush, leaving lashes separated and natural. The larger opening (the pink one) leaves more product on the brush, thickening and lengthening lashes. For more beauty talk, visit our Style Desk blog. M.A.C Cosmetics Shockproof Haute & Naughty Waterproof Mascara, $26, maccosmetics.com.