As a magnificence author, my beat is to find trending make-up and skincare merchandise earlier than they go viral. Naturally, certainly one of my most trusted sources for brand spanking new and noteworthy merchandise but to succeed in the American plenty is TikTok’s Okay-Magnificence scene. A couple of scrolls a day launched me to COSRX’s celeb-secret snail mucin moisturizer, AHC’s Eye Cream for Face, and The Crème Store’s highly-coveted Hello Kitty Blotting Papers to call just a few.
Most not too long ago, the newest product #KBeautyTok made me add to cart is Neogen Dermalogy’s Metal Mascara, a hypoallergenic waterproof mascara with a bristle-free steel mascara wand that has—no exaggeration—eternally modified the way in which I take into consideration mascara software. With over 31.6 billion views on the platform, it is clear the Okay-Magnificence development is one thing value taking note of.
Reality be informed, earlier than I began testing steel mascaras for this story I by no means thought twice about what the mascara wands I used to be utilizing have been made from. However after researching how wasteful beauty product packaging is and the Petri dish of bacteria proven to develop inside it, I started overthinking each swipe.
What’s steel mascara?
Earlier than we dive in, let’s get one factor straight: When TikTokers discuss with steel mascaras, what they’re actually referring to are steel mascara wands. The steel half has nothing to do with the formulation of the mascara itself, however with its software methodology. As a substitute of the comb-like plastic or silicone bristles you are accustomed to, Neogen’s steel mascara includes a slim, coil-like chrome steel wand that is mind-blowingly bristle-free.
Whereas most standard mascara wands are unattainable to wash, steel mascara wands will be sanitized between every use—or at the least between every tube. As a result of, in contrast to your common mascara applicator, the Neogen steel mascara wand is designed to be reused with wand-less refill pots that assist decrease waste.
How do you employ a steel mascara wand?
Whilst an skilled make-up wearer, it took me just a few tries to discover ways to use a steel mascara wand accurately. Sometimes, I wiggle the fluffy brush of my beloved Milk Makeup KUSH Mascara a bit as I swipe. Nonetheless, even with out bristles, Neogen’s steel wand might attain the very base of my lashes with none side-to-side swipe movement required.
The trick to making use of mascara with a steel wand is to align your lashes with the tiny ridges and swipe straight upwards and outwards, serving to to separate every lash and completely coat it in a single swipe. Whereas some reviewers gained extra quantity and fullness by including a second coat, one coat was loads for me (the second left my lashes wanting too clumped for my liking).
Does Neogen steel mascara really work?
I will admit that as an avid mascara person, I used to be skeptical of Neogen’s Metal Mascara earlier than I attempted it for myself. However now that I’ve gotten the cling of the applying, it is develop into certainly one of my go-to mascaras for on a regular basis put on. I discover that the coil-like steel applicator lifts and elongates my lashes with out making them look too dramatic for a “no-makeup” make-up look.
Whereas most mascara manufacturers declare their merchandise supply 12- to 24-hour protection, Neogen boasts its waterproof method supplies as much as 33 hours of steady put on—they usually weren’t kidding. Even my trusty Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm was no match for its long-wear magic. Fortunately, the leftovers look extra akin to a refined lash tint than the pesky smudges and flakes you are used to.
The Ultimate Verdict
All in all, the Neogen metal mascara is nicely value including to your cart. Its slim steel applicator makes it straightforward to succeed in the tiny lashes of my inside corners with out stabbing myself within the eye, and the waterproof method can survive scorching, humid New York days that will usually soften my mascara. With that mentioned, I nonetheless choose a extra conventional volumizing mascara (like the brand new Fenty Beauty Hella Thicc Mascara I’ve additionally been wear-testing) on an evening out as a result of I do know I can nonetheless efficiently take away it after just a few martinis.
Although Neogen is at present the trade chief within the steel mascara wand house, different magnificence manufacturers are starting to catch on. Surratt’s Noir Lash Tint and Hourglass Cosmetics’ Curator Lash Instrument are actually just the start. Maybe in the future, we People will ditch our wasteful plastic applicators and undertake a extra sustainable, extra sanitary means of making use of our make-up. Till then, I will be hoarding each number of Okay-Magnificence steel mascara on the market, and I counsel you to do the identical.
Take a look at Firstfinds to buy extra of TikTok’s newest and biggest magnificence merchandise.