I’m A Beauty Editor & I Always Come Back To This £13 Mascara
If you ask me to recommend one makeup product, just one, the answer is always the same. It’s not the sexiest, trendiest, or most viral. It doesn’t come with a silver-plated dinky wand or a TikTok fanbase. But it’s iconic in its own quiet way. For me, the ultimate mascara, the one that’s earned a permanent place in my makeup bag, my heart, and honestly, half the dinner parties I’ve attended, is Max Factor Masterpiece Volumising Mascara.
I’ve tried them all. Tubing, curling, volumising, lash-lifting, mega-watt drama, clean girl minimalism, you name it, I’ve given it a go. But I always come back to this one. Because no matter what trends come and go, this mascara just works.
It’s all in the wand
There’s something undeniably clever about the iFX brush—the wand that comes with Max Factor Masterpiece Volumising Mascara. It’s short-bristled, flexible, and not too fat. It gives you precision and control, which is essential when you’re working with lashes that are, let’s just say, not naturally blessed.
My lashes are short, a bit stubby, and basically invisible without makeup. I’m talking borderline non-existent (a bit like my eyebrows, but that’s a whole ‘nother feature!). I’ve tried lash growth serums, curlers, and even DIY extensions at one point. But what I actually needed was a formula and wand duo that would find every lash, coat it evenly, and then gently build volume without clumping, flaking, or turning me into a panda by 3p.m.
It gives me definition, polish, and a slight feline lift, but still looks like my lashes.
And that’s exactly what this wand does, it grabs every lash (even the inner corners), separates beautifully, and builds quietly impressive length with zero fuss. It gives me definition, polish, and a slight feline lift, but still looks like my lashes—just the best version.
Day Vs night
I know people love a rich, jet-black mascara, and I do too, but here’s my secret sauce: I wear by Black/Brown during the day. It gives me the definition I need, but it’s softer, more flattering, and doesn’t overwhelm my face when I’m bare-skinned or just wearing concealer and brows. Plus, it makes my eyes look bright and awake.
Then, when the occasion calls for it, work events, dinner, date night, or just because I feel like dressing up my face a little, I switch to the Black version. It’s still the same magic wand and formula, but the deeper tone adds drama without being clumpy or fake-looking.
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After
Affordable & accessible
Let’s be honest, great mascara shouldn’t cost £30+. One of the many reasons I love Max Factor Masterpiece is that it’s affordable at around £12–13, and even better, it’s frequently on offer. It gives you the payoff of a premium mascara at a high-street price, and the quality is genuinely up there with some of the luxury names I’ve tried and shelved. It really is that good.
It gives you the payoff of a premium mascara at a high-street price, and the quality is genuinely up there with some of the luxury names I’ve tried and shelved.
Other mascaras I love
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