As fans of Merit Beauty's original Clean Lash Mascara, our beauty team knew they had to get their hands on the brand's all-new volumising sister mascara.
The best mascara means something different to everyone, depending on your lash type, length and personal preferences. While those with short lashes might opt for a lengthening formula, the best volumising mascara will add drama, definition and make your lashes appear fuller.
As for the latter, minimalist makeup brand, Merit Beauty has just added their take on a volumising formula to their bestselling mascara lineup – and it's one of the best new beauty launches in June. With the launch having amassed lots of anticipation amongst our very own beauty team and beyond, it was only natural that we got our hands on the all-new buys to see what they're like for ourselves. Here's our beauty quad's honest thoughts...
RRP: £24 | Colours: Brown and black | Formula: Tubing
Joining Merit's Clean Lash Mascara, the all-new Clean Volume Mascara boasts a lightweight tubing formula that lifts and separates the lashes. Its tiny brush allows for a precise application that delivers buildable, long-lasting volume for up to 16 hours of wear – without clumping. Not to mention, it also resists the likes of sweat, humidity and water.
Fiona's thoughts on Merit's Clean Volume Mascara
Already being a big fan of Merit's OG mascara, Beauty Editor, Fiona McKim, was slightly apprehensive to try the new formula. "I’ve written before about my love of Clean Lash - Merit's tubing mascara that gives a perfect everyday look that’s completely smudge-proof. Despite this new iteration having one of those tiny comb-like wands I adore above all else, I approached it with some scepticism."
"I presumed that, like most volumising mascaras, it would look a bit ‘much’ for my tastes and transfer onto my hooded lids in a hot second. But I’m not too proud to admit I was wrong." As for how the mascara in question actually stood up, Fiona notes: "This isn’t actually a drama-maxxer; it still looks chilled-out and natural in line with the brand's ethos, but simply adds a bit more curl and flutter vs Clean Lash."
If you were also wondering what the lasting power of this best tubing mascara is, Fiona reveals: "Also, as my testing day unfolded and my lids remained mysteriously transfer-free, I realised this formula is also impervious to smudging because it’s also a tubing mascara. Heavenly! You have to respect a brand that sticks to its guns with formulations - and it's nice to have a slightly more glam, nighttime-y version of the OG."
Aleesha's thoughts on Merit's Clean Volume Mascara
Lift and curl are the main priorities for Beauty eCommerce Editor, Aleesha Badkar, when it comes to a mascara – but definition comes swiftly in third place. Upon first impressions, Aleesha says: "I was so surprised at the size and composition of the brush - it's much smaller and finer than I'd expect from a volume mascara - but boy did it win me over."
"Lift is usually my main issue and this allowed me to get right to the roots for an immediate boost, and meant that the cleanup afterwards (which usually requires at least a few cotton buds) was minimal. I usually stick to lightweight formulas that give a bit of lift while holding my curl, then sweep on a bit of a volumising mascara over the top if I'm after more drama," she notes.
Despite having high expectations for mascaras, this formula went above and beyond in Aleesha's eyes: "This mascara did it all in a single swipe - lift, volume, definition and a gorgeous fanned-out finish, without dropping or weighing my lashes down, even in a heatwave. I loved the formula, too; it dried quickly and moved through my lashes brilliantly, gummy rather than wet, so it grips and builds without clumping. Consider me converted."
Naomi's thoughts on Merit's Clean Volume Mascara
We have another fan of Merit's Clean Lash Mascara in the house. Yes, Digital Beauty Writer, Naomi Jamieson, reaches for this formula every single day: "Merit's Clean Lash is already my go-to, everyday mascara, so you can imagine how excited I was to try the brand's new volumising option, and I'm pleased to report that I love it just as much as the original lengthening formula."
Getting into the nitty gritty of the application, Naomi reveals: "I'm a big fan of how thin the brush is, as it delivers easy precision and really helps you coat every lash, root to tip, without any messiness or risk of a rogue bristle stabbing you in the eye (I tend to steer clear of chunky brushes for this very reason)."
In fact, the results speak for themselves. As Naomi notes: "From the very first coat, my lashes looked immediately lifted and elongated, but crucially, not clumpy. I also tend to prefer black over brown mascaras, but the tint of this one looks so natural and really affords that subtle, 'your-lashes-but-better' effect."
Sennen's thoughts on Merit's Clean Volume Mascara
For context, Digital Beauty Writer, Sennen Prickett, doesn't typically opt for volumising mascaras – instead, preferring lengthening and curling buys. "I typically choose the best mascaras for straight lashes that will add long-lasting length and curl, so you can imagine my surprise when I actually loved this all-new volumising mascara from Merit Beauty upon first application," she says.
The dainty brush also caught Sennen's eye upon first inspection: "Immediately after pulling the wand out of the tube, I noticed its teeny tiny bristled brush. Despite being sceptical, I found it really gets in there at the roots and thoroughly coats every lash."
As for the effect it had on Sennen's lashes, she says: "It instantly saw a boost in volume, without leaving the lashes looking spidery or clumpy. Instead, it gives the lashes a fuller, fanned out appearance, whilst remaining natural-looking. I also tested out the brown shade, which only aided the soft and subtle results."
