Let’s talk mascara.
For years, I was devoted to Lancôme mascaras—specifically Definicils and Hypnôse Drama. I discovered them when department store counters offered those irresistible free gift bags with purchase. Performance-wise, they were top-tier. You’d walk away with a few travel-size treasures, and often, that included a mascara sample. That’s how I first fell in love. Both formulas delivered—no flaking, no clumping, and long-lasting definition. They made my lashes look amazing, plain and simple.
If we’re talking about performance, I’m still a fan. But once I started paying attention to the ingredients in my products, things changed.
I began using the Yuka app, which rates cosmetics and skincare products on a 0 to 100 scale based on their safety. When I scanned my beloved Hypnôse Drama, I was shocked to see a score of just 6 out of 100. The main concern? BHT, an ingredient flagged for its potential to disrupt hormones, particularly thyroid function. It’s considered hazardous in cosmetics. Definicils scored even lower—a zero—because it contains both BHT and propylparaben, another endocrine disruptor. That’s when I asked myself: why was I putting these things near my eyes every day?
Sure, it’s easy to dismiss the risk—after all, it’s just mascara, and it’s only on your lashes. But the skin around the eyes is delicate and absorbent. Even small doses of harmful ingredients can have an impact over time. And honestly, the bigger question is this: when there are safe, effective options out there, why settle for products with toxic components?
So, I began the hunt. I wanted a mascara that was clean and non-toxic, but still performed like the Lancôme classics I knew and loved.
The search wasn’t easy. I tested several popular options only to be repeatedly disappointed—either by the ingredient list or the formula itself. Diorshow, Maybelline Great Lash, and multiple versions of CoverGirl mascaras all scored rock-bottom zeros on Yuka. These are some of the most common mascaras in stores, yet their formulations were loaded with problematic ingredients.
A few newer or trendier formulas showed some promise, scoring in the 30 to 50 range, like Revlon Colorstay Full Time, Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions, and L’Oréal Telescopic Lift. But none of them quite hit the mark. The scores weren’t great, and for some, neither was the performance. I wanted clean ingredients and beautiful lashes—not one or the other.
Then I found e.l.f. Lash Xtndr, which scored an impressive 86. It was budget-friendly, and the ingredient list looked promising. I was excited to try it, but unfortunately, the formula was so clumpy that it was a dealbreaker. Even the cleanest mascara can’t win if it leaves you with lashes stuck together like spider legs.
Things turned around when I discovered L’Oréal Voluminous Noir Balm. This one scored a near-perfect 93 on Yuka and performed beautifully. It added volume and length without flaking or smudging, and it didn’t irritate my eyes. Best of all, it’s widely available at grocery stores and drugstores for around fifteen dollars. For a mascara this good, that felt like a steal.
But I didn’t stop there.
My final test was Ilia’s Limitless Lash Mascara, which scored a perfect 100. I’d heard rave reviews in clean beauty circles and was eager to see if it lived up to the hype. It did. The formula is lightweight but buildable, it lifts and defines, and it holds up throughout the day. It’s a mascara that doesn’t just feel clean—it looks incredible too. At around twenty-nine dollars, it’s definitely pricier than the L’Oréal option, but if you’re serious about clean beauty, it’s worth every penny.
So, here’s where I landed: if you’re ready to switch to a non-toxic mascara, you don’t have to sacrifice performance. There are effective, safe choices out there. Ilia is the cleanest of the clean and a top-tier performer. But if you’re looking for something a little more affordable that still delivers, L’Oréal Voluminous Noir Balm is a fantastic option.
After all, your eyes deserve products that are as safe as they are stunning.