Here at Milk Makeup, a lot goes into creating our best mascaras. From our award-winning volumizing KUSH Mascara, to our lash-lifting RISE Mascara, to our clean tubing KUSH High Roll Mascara, we spend plenty of time playing with brush shapes, formulas, and even tube finishes to make sure you're getting the ultimate lash effect.
Recently, we've been getting a lot of questions about how to choose the best mascara for you, so we're breaking it down here (and giving you some expert-approved application tips to maximize each formula's targeted benefits). Whether you like a dramatic look, 24-hour wear, or a "your lashes but better" finish, read on for everything you need to know about our best mascaras.
Volume vs. length vs. tubing mascara: What's your vibe?
Let's start with results. When it comes to your best mascara, think about the factors that are most important. If volume is at the top of your checklist, grab Milk KUSH Mascara, our best volumizing mascara. This nourishing formula instantly gives you super thick, high volume lashes, is intense from the first coat, and stays easily buildable if you want to add even more drama.
"Ditching the false lashes and moving towards an easier lash is always my go-to," says Sara Wren, our Director of Artistry. Whether on set or on the go, Sara reaches for this tube whenever she wants to add extra impact to a look.
For days when you want to keep it more chill with a natural-looking mascara, that's where RISE Mascara comes in. We designed our best lengthening mascara to weightlessly lift, lengthen, and add subtle volume to give you the most natural-looking lashes possible. It’s your lashes but better.
As a bonus, you also get a curl from its lightweight formula and its specially designed Lash Lift Brush. "It gives crazy curl with the curved brush and these cool wavy bespoke bristles," says Sara.
Don't just take her word for it, though. RISE is such a game-changer, Glamour magazine named it The Best Clean Mascara of 2022, and PS said it's "perfect for everyday wear" (particularly if you're big on the "soft look" trend that's having a moment all over TikTok.)
If you’re sick of smudges and wear time is your top priority, you’re going to love KUSH High Roll Mascara, a clean tubing mascara that wraps every single lash to get you 24-hour natural volume, high definition, and length all rolled into one formula. “Tubing formulas are water-resistant and amazing at holding a curl,” says Sarah. “Typically, they give a more natural effect but this formula makes your lashes as bad as they wanna be!”
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How else are our mascaras different?Because we're Milk and we're nothing if not overachievers, it wasn't enough to make good mascaras that deliver intense volume and natural definition. KUSH, RISE, and KUSH High Roll all needed to be totally clean, vegan, and cruelty-free mascaras. We also wanted to make sure the formulas went above and beyond to ensure your lashes feel amazing on application and even after removal. Here's the breakdown on how we made that happen: KUSH Mascara was our first-ever product to use hemp-derived cannabis seed oil in its formula. This hero ingredient has a conditioning effect, so your lashes look and feel healthier with every application. It's blended with heart-shaped fibers to give you the signature soft, full volume that's won over our Milk Fam and beauty experts alike. (That's why it's gotten dozens of rave reviews and landed on numerous best mascara round-ups.) Unlike traditional fibers that lay on top of lashes, these ones wrap your lashes to trap in the conditioning formula while providing mega volume. RISE also features our proprietary Vegan Lash-Wrap Technology, the trick to getting that truly weightless, stay-all-day hold and curl. |
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"It delivers similar benefits to a tubing formula—long-lasting hold, longer-looking length, precise definition—but with a vegan formula," says Milk Makeup Co-Founder and COO Dianna Ruth. "Instead of using polymers that create physical 'tubes' on your lashes, it uses four types of vegan waxes—sunflower seed wax, carnauba wax, tree berry wax, and candelilla wax—that bind together to wrap each lash in a weightless coat to keep your lashes lifted, curled, and clump-free."
With KUSH High Roll, our team cracked the code on an alcohol-free tubing formula that’s highly conditioning and doesn’t dry out your lashes, but still stays all day. It’s formulated with the same hemp seed extract as our OG KUSH Mascara, plus next-gen clean tubing technology that keeps your lashes smudge-proof and flake-free all day.
“It’s an alcohol-free formula that stays on without the damaging effect some waterproof mascaras can have,” says Sara. “AND it’s super easy to remove at the end of the day.” Thanks to our tubing tech, you can remove KUSH High Roll with just a splash of warm water and a little massage. Work it in, then slide the tubes off—no tugging required.
Are KUSH, RISE, and KUSH High Roll mascaras waterproof?
If you’re looking for our best waterproof mascara, you’ve got options. KUSH Waterproof Mascara and RISE Waterproof Mascara both take what you love about the OG formulas, but make them waterproof so they last through sweat, rain, or tears without a makeup meltdown. For 24-hour wear that’s also water-resistant, KUSH High Roll is always a great option. So if you’re at the beach, at a wedding, or just a really long shift, rest assured that our waterproof and water-resistant mascaras are sweat-proof, tear-proof, and life-proof. They’ll still be on at the end of the day.
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How to Apply KUSH Mascara
How is KUSH able to deliver such intense volume? The mascara’s tapered tree-shaped Volume Boost Brush has criss-cross, medium-firm bristles that catch and coat every lash in intense black mineral pigment. It effortlessly loads up your lashes with a single coat for a defined, clump-free effect. The tube also brings the drama with its sleek gunmetal finish.
If you tend to smudge or smear your mascara on your eyelids while applying, Sara recommends changing your application approach. Instead of looking straight into a mirror at eye level, look downward while you apply. "It's life changing," she says. "It gives you space to move the brush up your lash without touching your lids. I also love this trick when applying liquid eyeliner.”
To get a similarly clean finish on your lower lashes, Sara recommends holding the tapered brush tip vertically to lightly coat them.
How to apply RISEmascara
RISE has its own unique brush. The Lash Lift Brush features wavy bristles designed to deposit product onto your lashes evenly for natural, weightless definition with every swipe. Notice the curve of the brush? It easily hugs your lash line to give a lifted effect, enhancing length, volume, and curl with no flaking. No matter if you have short lashes, straight lashes, or long lashes, the design ensures that each lash is equally coated. The tube is inspired by a high-performance sneaker and ergonomically designed for easy grip and an even smoother, mess-free application.
To get the best results with this formula, simply sweep the brush upward and outward. You don't need to concentrate the product at the root, since the brush takes care of that for you. "The bristles recreate the classic mascara wand wiggle we all do by grabbing every single lash and lifting from the root," says Sara. For a super curled finish, she likes to prep clean lashes with an eyelash curler to lock in the look.
For a similarly lifted and defined effect on the lower lashes, position your brush horizontally, not vertically. "With RISE Mascara, it’s all about having the curve of the wand match the curve of your bottom lash and gently pulling it through," says Sara.
How to apply KUSH high roll mascaraThe one thing you should know about applying KUSH High Roll Mascara is that you need to work fast. “Because this formula dries quickly to form the tubes, you need to layer it quickly,” says Sara. Prep your lashes by curling them just as you would with KUSH and RISE. The brush does the rest of the work for you. KUSH High Roll’s High-Def Lash Brush has a mix of short and long staggered bristles that comb and separate every lash for highly defined volume and length. Start by positioning it as close to your waterline as possible and wiggle it through “3-5 times,” says Sara. Build it up while it’s still wet since once it’s dry, you can no longer add new layers. “Work one eye at a time for best results,” she says. Repeat the process on your bottom lashes and BOOM—you’ve got instant definition that lasts all day and night. Pick your preferred vibe, and proceed accordingly. Better yet, grab one of each to pair with any makeup mood you're feeling. |
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Meet the Expert:
Sara Wren (she/her) is the Director of Artistry at Milk Makeup. In her role, she does all the makeup artistry and direction for our Milk Makeup global campaigns, educates the staff and field team on application methods, stars in the brand’s social media videos, and travels to different markets spreading Milk Makeup’s good vibes. When she’s not on set, Sara loves experimenting with DIY hair colors, eating tacos, watching basketball, and scouring for vintage cosmetics to add to her impressive collection.
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