When it comes to mascara, I’ve never found one that has won me over. I’ve tried super cheap mascaras from the likes of Natural Collection and even Aldi’s Lacura and not had the best experiences, but equally, I didn’t really get along with mid-to-high end mascaras either, with Sweed’s £22 mascara leaving me underwhelmed, and Benefit’s Bad Gal Bang being far to ‘wet’.
And just when I was about to lose all hope and probably never buy another mascara again, I saw that TV presenter Angellica Bell, swore by an affordable £4 mascara from a Boots own brand.
I figured that, if there’s anyone that knows where your money is best spent besides Martin Lewis himself, it’s got to be the co-host of The Money Show, right? The 47-year-old is a Boots Value Ambassador and, in an interview with The Mirror, said shoppers shouldn’t be afraid of trying lower-cost products - as you could be pleasantly surprised.
Read more: This Morning presenter Josie Gibson's 'stunning' lime green is now in the ASOS sale
She revealed that she swapped out her mascara for one from the drugstore brand 17, commenting: “Don’t be afraid to try own brand products, I think that’s really important. Be savvy and keep an eye out. Boots always has deals on big named brands too - like Fenty, MAC Cosmetics, Drunk Elephant, Anastasia Beverly Hills as you know. Also if you’re going to buy a blusher, that could double up as an eye shadow.
“Also, 17.’s Extreme Extension Lengthening Mascara. Let’s just talk about that mascara! Sometimes it’s worth trying new brands out and giving them a go because you might be pleasantly surprised.”
Some of you may well be thinking ‘didn’t Boots discontinue 17?’ - and yes they did, back when I was working for the retailer. I was devastated because I had adored their brand and their liquid liner saw me through high school. I used my staff discount to stock up before it vanished from the shelves for good.
However, the brand made a triumphant comeback in 2022, with the own-brand mascara being one of the launch products. It’s said to give your lashes definition and extreme length with an ecofiber formula, all for the price of a takeaway coffee.
Usually £4, those who have an Advantage Card can snap it up for £2.70 with the Boots Price Advantage scheme , making it even more of a bargain.
The vegan mascara is available in black, brown and navy and is without a doubt one of the best I’ve used, and I am fussy.
It has a comb style applicator, which I immediately gravitate towards over a bristly brush, and takes the notion of a ‘fine tooth comb’ rather literally, with little teeth that seem to grab every last lash with more precision than a lash tech with a pair of tweezers.
I must admit I’ve been using a new lash growth serum for the last two weeks, but have yet to see any real results from it, but after using this mascara from 17 , I don’t think I even need to use the serum - my lashes were nearly touching my eyebrows when I looked up.
Application was a dream. It’s a thick formula but the brush doesn’t hold too much excess product, and it means you’re much less likely to smudge when applying, too. It’s fragrance-free, and coated my lashes from root to tip with relative ease.
I decided to really go for it with this mascara in terms of layering it up to see when it would start to become clumpy, but it just kept building and building. Adding volume and length without going flakey or spidery, either.
The mascara is seemingly somewhat underrated. While MAC’s Stack Mascara has racked up 18,000 five star reviews in just over 12 months, the 17 mascara has 55, compared to four one star ratings.
Shoppers have praised it for its price, pigment and formula, saying it even rivals the likes of expensive brands. One wrote: “Really good inexpensive mascara. Lifts and colours eyelashes well, doesn’t clump, can be layered.”
Another added: “Well this was a good surprise! For the price I didn't expect much, but it's actually a very nice mascara and I will definitely buy it again. I used brown, it covers lashes well and doesn't smudge or flake.”
Whole a third wrote: “I got this as I'm tired of spending a fortune on lengthening mascaras that do nothing. Totally blown away. Definitely lifts and lengthens without clumps. My short non existent lashes look amazing!
“For 3 quid with my advantage card it's probably the best one I've used in a long time. Rate it even higher than my Benefit one. And I have had no irritation as my tired old 48 year eyes are very sensitive.”
Some weren’t quite as impressed, describing it as ‘claggy’ while one suggests you can use a ‘separate brush to go over it’ if you’re not happy with the results.
But for me, I was beyond thrilled with how this £4 mascara made my peepers pop - without breaking the bank. After applying it in the morning, it lasts all day long, and even survived an impromptu sweaty gym session.
I wouldn’t usually wear makeup to the gym, but it was a last minute decision to go and I expected to have black streaks running down my face after my run, but there was little more than a tiny bit of transfer - which also happened to be far less than my usual mascaras.
Transferring mascara (where you get black smudges under your eye throughout the day) is a real bugbear of mine, but since switching to the 17 mascara the problem has been dramatically reduced.
It's easy to think that you get what you pay for with makeup, but like Angellica says - shoppers need not be afraid of trying cheaper products. My favourite brow gel is £2.50 from Boots (Natural Collection), and at this rate, my whole makeup bag could end up as the retailer’s inexpensive own-brands.
You can shop 17.’s Extreme Extension Lengthening Mascara from £2.70 here.
READ NEXT:
There's a Secret Sales site where River Island, ASOS and Topshop dresses are going for £10
New Look shoppers loving the 'so flattering' £33 skirt worn by Emily Atack
My friends thought I had Botox - but it was a £10 anti-ageing cream from Boots’
Shoppers loving 'stylish' Marks and Spencer summer chairs that have been slashed in price to £56
