Beauty trends can be something of a fad at times, but the ones with the potential to stand the test of time are often the ones we see on the runway first. Take the ribbon-mania for example, which was first given life at Sandy Liang’s fall/winter 2023 show early last year. Fast forward almost a year later—it’s arrived at its zenith, with everyone donning the hair adornment like an emblem of girlhood. It stands to reason then, that we, the beauty team at Vogue Singapore, kept our eyes trained on the past few seasons, to predict what would capture the hearts of the zeitgeist in the coming months.
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According to the runway trend reports of two seasons past, coloured mascaras have been all the rage. The one that’s left the beauty set obsessed as of late? That two-tone fantasy at Anna Sui’s fall/winter 2023, executed to perfection by Pat McGrath. And between Prada’s delivery from the same season, the electric blue lashes seen at AZ Factory, and Casablanca’s magical swathe of glittering purple from lashes to lids last season, the Internet has been left just as inspired—with coloured mascaras now making its rounds on the all-knowing FYP. It’s a definitive way to lean into the fun of it all, which is really the reason why any of us even do full glam make-up these days.
To really make those eyes pop, consider applying some similar-toned liner and eyeshadow for a complementary match, and opt for a minimal base all throughout so that your peepers remain the sole point of focus. A bonus tip? “Start with a clear or black mascara, and use a small brush to paint and build the colours on if you have time. Avoid a white mascara base—they’re not beginner-friendly and can be unkind to any mistakes made,” offers professional make-up artist Kenneth Chia. Below, a select curation of some of the best coloured mascaras to suit every whim, all of which come with highly-pigmented formulas; extremely user-friendly wands; and a range of technicolour hues that will be sure to brighten your day.
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3INA The Colour Mascara
With a formidable shade range of vivacious brights, 3INA’s The Colour Mascara will lend your peepers an instant pop of colour in just one swipe. Apart from its solid pigment, its silicone applicator is also one that makes for easy lengthening. Alongside the brand’s cruelty-free ethos, is there really more you could ask for?
3INA The Colour Mascara, $17, available at 3INA.
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Byredo Mascara in Eroded Echo
Coloured mascara doesn’t necessarily have to be bright. To give your lashes mysterious allure, opt for Byredo’s offering in Eroded Echo: a dark greenish-blue tint. With its curved applicator, this particular pick will allow you to dig closer to the roots of your lashes and fan upwards and outwards simultaneously, to achieve more natural, separated lashes.
Byredo Mascara in Eroded Echo, $59, available at Selfridges.
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ColourPop BFF Mascara
We’d be hard-pressed to leave cult brand ColourPop out of this list. Indeed, the BFF mascara is everyone’s best friend—especially when you consider the number of varied hues in its line-up. There’s one to match every skin tone and eye colour, and the end-result is also one that’s extremely rewarding on the colour front. A favourite of ours. That captivating crimson in Left on Red.
ColourPop BFF Mascara, $12, available at ColourPop.
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Diorshow Iconic Overcurl
Dior knows the power of a good classic. Updated with corn floral flower water, the Diorshow Iconic Overcurl proves to be soothing and comfortable to apply. Expect voluminous, lengthened lashes, achieved through a creamy, budge-proof formulation that is meant to stand the test of time.
Diorshow Iconic Overcurl, $66, available at Dior.
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Pat McGrath Labs Dark Stat Mascara Star Wars™ Edition
Its namesake make-up queen herself throned this a star in her books: “It delivers multidimensional, voluminous lashes in an instant! It’s my best-kept backstage secret for when time is of essence,” says McGrath. Think retro pops of futuristic neon, each one set to give a brilliant blitz of colour that glides on like a dream.
Pat McGrath Labs Dark Stat Mascara Star Wars™ Edition, $43, available at Pat McGrath Labs.
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Shiseido ControlledChaos MascaraInk
A buildable, bold formulation, Shiseido’s ControlledChaos MascaraInk is a volumising number that lends to heavily-pigmented volume and deep colour—achieved with a precise, effective wand that’s concave on two sides with flat planes on the other, all to give its wielder exceptional control.
Shiseido ControlledChaos MascaraInk, $44, available at Zalora.
