No matter how many I accumulate, I've yet to find a holy-grail mascara. That is, until Kirbie Johnson from the Gloss Angeles podcast suggested this mascara of my dreams.
TLDR: It did not disappoint.
But first, here's what I look for in a mascara:
Non-waterproof: Removing waterproof mascara requires a level of effort I only reserve for things like self-tanner fails and "well-intentioned" f*ck boys. I refuse to subject the delicate skin around my eyes to this unnecessary torture.
Tubing formulas: Unlike oil-based mascaras that always seem to transfer and make me look tired by 12P, tubing formulas create a protective polymer barrier. This coating seems to minimize the risk of mascara debris, for me at least.
Wand thickness: Because the best lashes are wasted on boys, I try to make the most of every one. Medium-skinny wands offer the kind of precision thicker wands can't.
So when self-proclaimed mascara connoisseur Kirbie suggested a brand launched in 2019 by Urban Decay founder, Wende Zomnir, I hit "add to cart." Caliray Beauty is a "clean" performance-first makeup brand that's all about natural beauty and wellness...if you're rolling your eyes, bear with me.
"Clean beauty" is undoubtedly one of the biggest culprits in fear-mongering marketing. Here's a great article from Dr. Michelle Wong AKA @labmuffin or I suggest following Charlotte Palermino of Dieux Skin (skincare review to come!) for skin-care skeptic realness.
All of that being said, Caliray's Come Hell or High Water mascara is truly amazing, and it being "clean" is far from the reason why.
Come Hell or High Water is $24 direct-to-consumer. It's a super pigmented, black tubing formula that gives Dior Show-worthy drama, polish, and volume for day and night—only slightly cheaper and without any of the transfer to your under eye or lids. One coat lasts me all day and has survived activities like a 104-degree yoga class, showers, and an ocean plunge. I never need to reapply so the tube is going on 3 months with no signs of drying out. It also comes off super easy with just a normal cleanser.
Again, this is obviously just my experience so no guarantees of the exact same results but I've tried many a mascara and this one is definitely worth trying.