The Beauty Ed®’s Note: At The Beauty Ed®’s THE LAB, the mission is to give younger readers a trusted destination, where almost three decades of authority meets the fresh, unfiltered perspectives of the next generation. And through the mentorship program, writers like Faylynn are committed to upholding the highest standards of beauty journalism while exploring the trends currently dominating their feeds and their high school bathrooms! And today, Faylynn tackles the viral 'Brown vs. Black Mascara' debate. From dissecting the performance of heritage brands like Clinique to the viral staying power of Maybelline Sky High, she examines the differences in pigment and the emotional ritual of teen beauty✨
My whole TikTok #foryou page is people saying brown mascara is better than black mascara and vice versa. But what makes them different? Apart from their color of course?
The High School Bathroom: Why Fitting In Starts with Mascara
As a fifteen-year-old girl, fitting in is a need. If a group of people start a trend, everyone has a feeling that they need to do the same thing, so they aren’t the odd one out. And you almost never see any girl in high school who doesn’t wear mascara.
I see girls fixing their makeup and re-curling their lashes in the bathroom, while they talk about their terrible schedule for the day and what homework they haven’t finished. Meanwhile, I’m standing there staring at myself. Bare.
I remember that exact feeling whenI started doing my mascara when I was thirteen.
The first coat made me feel like I was putting on a security blanket. It made me feel confident and part of the gang, and I’ve never gone back.
When I started wearing mascara, I used a cheap, Walgreens one that destroyed my lashes. I wanted to fit in so bad. My eyes became red and very itchy, so in the end, all it did was hurt me.
Now, I never leave the house without doing my lashes; feeling confident in my own skin makes a huge difference in my mood.
After that poor experience, I asked my friends for their recommendations - I clearly needed something reliable and safe as my eyes are so sensitive and now I never leave the house without doing my lashes.
Brown vs. Black Mascara: What’s The Real Difference for Your Eyes?
Personally, I think they both suit me well. While the brown brings a softer look to my eyes, the black makes my eyes look very bold.
I usually wear brown mascara during the winter. This is because most of my cooler toned outfits are worn during the winter, and it brings a sense of warmth.
Finding the Right Formula: My Top Pick for Sensitive Eyes
My all-time favorite is Clinique High Impact Mascara. I was gifted this by my mom for Christmas, and I’m so grateful that I was given it. I feel like it is a lesser-known brand in my age group, but it works very well for me because it is formulated for sensitive eyes. It makes my lashes look long and full, while separating them and, even though my eyes are strikingly brown, they still need to be defined.
Why Maybelline Sky High is My Black Mascara Holy Grail
When it comes to black mascara, the Maybelline Sky High Mascara is my favorite. When I started really getting into mascara, I asked my friends for recommendations, and this was everyone’s top pick. I’m all about affordable makeup, and this mascara is never more than $11 at Target. Even though it’s cheap, it works well for my sensitive eyes, while still doing the job a good mascara needs to do.
How I Choose Between the Two
Some of my friends ONLY wear black mascara because they just want it to make their lashes look longer. Those who choose brown mascara prefer a more natural look.
Unsure of which one you prefer? I decide on the ‘vibe’ I am going for! Is it full on dramatic or less is more? This helps me determine which color to choose.
How Mascara Reflects My Daily Mood
I’ve come to understand that choosing between black and brown mascara isn’t just a beauty decision - it’s a mood decision. It’s less about how the pigment looks on my lashes and more about the way I feel about myself when I look in the mirror. Whether I want a bold or softer look, my mascara is a way to express exactly who I am ♡
Faylynn Messer is a freshman, competitive swimmer and THE LAB mentee focusing on skin-positive storytelling. As well as Maybelline Sky High Mascara, you’ll also find Byoma, Summer Friday’s, e.l.f and Laniege in her beauty stash.
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