We heard great things about this formula that lengthens and lightly tints lashes, so our team, who are very picky about their lashes, tried Merit’s Clean Lash mascara. Here are our honest opinions and final thoughts on the popular purchase…
As a beauty team, we know a lot about the best mascaras because we’ve tried hundreds of them, from waterproof and volumising formulas to trendy burgundy ones. That being said, we all have different types and lengths of lashes, so what one coworker likes might not work for another. We all agree on the finish we want, but our exact formula needs may be different. We want our lashes to look natural (no clumps) and last, and we want them to be long, fanned, and lifted. So, when one team member suggested Merit Clean Lash because it met all of the above and had the saying “no smudging and transferring,” we couldn’t pass up the chance to try it out as a group.
We had high hopes because we liked a lot of Merit Beauty’s other products (for example, Digital Beauty Writer Naomi Jamieson swears by the Minimalist Complexion Stick) and a lot of the best tubing mascaras. So, how did it do when it had to deal with a lot of different lash lengths and checklists?
The rest of the article is below. You might like: An image of a hand holding The Ordinary Lash Curl Finisher open with its wand on a white marble background with a pink “tried and tested” banner. A circular photo of Sennen’s lashes after using The Ordinary Lash Curl Finisher, with pink swirls. It really is like a lash lift in a tube, even though I didn’t think it would work. Our whole beauty team has switched to this £9 lash serum instead of mascara.
We did the research, and these 9 mascaras will lift, lengthen, and define even the shortest eyelashes.
This guide has a collage of four of the best natural-looking mascaras from Perricone MD, 19/99, Glossier, and e.l.f. The collage is on a grey and white background with two stock images of mascara brush swatches.
When we wear these six subtly defining and lifting mascaras, people always say nice things about our long, “natural” lashes.
Our whole beauty team gives an honest review of Merit’s Clean Lash mascara.
Merit is a brand that is all about simplicity. Their products are meant to be everyday favourites that are versatile and make things look better, not very dramatic or high-coverage. We would call the line the “capsule wardrobe of beauty” because each item promises to fill a necessary role (and sometimes more than one). The same goes for their mascara. It’s a popular tubing formula that lifts and lengthens without smudging or transferring. This is a great buy for people who like mascara that looks natural.
A picture of MERIT Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara, which is one of the best mascaras for people with sensitive eyes.
Merit Beauty Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara is available at Merit for £24.
This tubing mascara wraps around your lashes, defining each one and adding length and lift. It has conditioning fatty acids and olive oil, as well as vitamin B5, which makes your lashes shine. You can build it up, and it won’t smudge or flake. It’s also easy to take off; all you need is warm water.
Fiona McKim, our Digital Beauty Editor, was already a fan of the formula. After reading her glowing review, we decided to see if we all had a good experience as well. So far, we’ve all chosen different options. For instance, our Beauty Shopping & eCommerce team, Aleesha Badkar and Sennen Prickett, both of whom have quite long lashes, adore Glossier’s Lash Slick. Naomi Jamieson, another beauty writer, likes Dior’s Diorshow Pump N Volume Mascara better for giving her short, straight lashes more volume.
If you’ve been thinking about getting Merit mascara but aren’t sure if it will work for you, here’s what each of our coworkers thought of it. Of course, there are pictures of the before and after.
Aleesha Badkar, Editor of Beauty Shopping and eCommerce: “I wouldn’t say I’m a mascara snob, but I do know what I like,” says Aleesha Badkar, our Beauty Shopping & eCommerce Editor. Even though I secretly liked the sleek, elegant design of this tube, I didn’t have high hopes when I pulled out the bristled mascara wand, which looked like it was pretty wet. Fortunately, my favourite makeup brand proved me wrong.
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To the left is a picture of Aleesha Badkar, the Digital Beauty Ecom Editor, with no mascara on. To the right is a close-up of her eye to show the mascara and her lashes in more detail.
(Image credit: Future) The strong bristles in a cone shape did what my usual comb-like wands do: they slid through my lashes, lifting and curling them, and made a fanned-out shape that just bounced into place. And that wet formula I thought would make them fall right away? It somehow dried into place almost right away, keeping the lashes in place all day. No dropping. No peeling. No smudging or moving. “I am completely sold.”
Naomi Jamieson, a writer for Digital Beauty: Digital Beauty Writer Naomi Jamieson says, “As someone who likes makeup that looks more natural and subtle, I want my mascara to make my lashes stand out and lift them without looking clumpy and obvious.” “I have lashes that are pretty short and straight, so I think that sometimes very volumising and pigmented mascaras can look too heavy and dramatic on me.” I also don’t like clumpy lashes, as you can probably tell from the fact that I’ve already said the word twice. So, more than anything else, I just want my everyday mascara to colour and lift my lashes. Luckily, that’s something that Merit’s mascara does very well.
The first picture on the left shows Naomi Jamieson, a Digital Beauty Writer, without mascara. The second picture shows her with Merit Mascara on, and the third picture is a close-up of her eye to show the mascara on her eyelashes in detail.
The formula looks very wet on the brush, but it is actually very buildable. The conical, bristly brush catches and fans out each lash, giving them a very flattering, splayed look that lasts. It dries quickly, so you can add more layers if you want to without worrying about your lashes drooping or smudging all over the place. But after I curl my lashes, I find that one coat is enough for a subtle but elevated look.
What to read next: A picture of L’Oreal Extensionist Mascara on a wooden desk, next to a picture of beauty editor Fiona McKim smiling with blonde hair on a marble background. I think you should try this new L’Oreal mascara this week. It makes your lashes look the most grown-up and elegant.
A collage of the best waterproof mascaras on a light-colored watercolour background, with mascara swatches.
A woman is taking off her eye makeup with a cotton pad while wearing a hairband. The background is white and grey with stock images of mascara streaks and a mascara wand. Do you hate how long it takes to take off mascara? Instead, makeup artists want you to try a tubing formula. Another good thing about it is that it doesn’t transfer during the day, which is something I’ve had trouble with in the past because I like creamy makeup products that don’t help with smudged mascara. Because it’s a tubing formula, it’s also very easy to take off. It’s safe to say that it’s my new daily go-to.
Fiona McKim, Digital Beauty Editor: “I wear tubing mascara most days,” says Digital Beauty Editor Fiona McKim. “I’ve always had deep-set eyes, and now my eyelids are getting more and more hooded, so smudging is a big problem for me. This means I know my onions when it comes to smear-proof formulas, and I’m happy to say this one absolutely nails the brief and lasts all day without any mess.”
The first picture on the left shows Fiona McKim, the Digital Beauty Editor, without mascara. The second picture shows her with Merit Mascara on, and the third picture is a close-up of her eye to show the mascara on her eyelashes in detail.
It’s important to note that no tubing formula will ever be very volumising or dramatic because that’s not how they’re made. This is better for daily life instead. My eyelashes look a little darker, longer, and more lifted, which makes my eyes look more awake and fresh. It’s just a personal choice, but most days I don’t want my lashes to be too dramatic anyway. Clean Lash makes your lashes look better while still looking pretty natural, which fits with the brand’s philosophy.
Digital Beauty Writer Sennen Prickett: Digital Beauty Writer Sennen Prickett says, “I’m very picky about my go-to mascaras, so it’s a big deal that the Merit formula impressed me.” First, I love how thin and delicate the wand is. It easily glides through the lashes and coats each one. The formula wasn’t too wet, which made it easy to apply without making the lashes heavy.
The first picture on the left is of Sennen Prickett, a Digital Beauty Writer, without mascara. The second picture shows her with Merit Mascara on, and the third picture is a close-up of her eye to show the mascara on her eyelashes in detail. Even though its eyelashes were very straight (they almost pointed down), it could still add length and a little curl for a natural fluttery look. That being said, I think it’s especially great for people who like lashes that look soft and natural.
What our team thinks of Merit’s mascara: Overall, it’s a great choice for people who like a natural lash look that doesn’t droop, especially if you’re looking for a good, everyday mascara. Everyone on the team was impressed by how well it held up and how long it lasted. They were even more impressed that it didn’t transfer, flake, or smudge, even after a full day of wear.
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Also, as I said before, it’s a tubing formula, so it’s easy to take off at the end of the day. If this is something you don’t like about your current mascara, we strongly suggest you try this tubing buy.
