Finding a great mascara? That's my forte. If you’re all about bold, unapologetically dramatic lashes (the kind that warrant a double take) then consider me your go-to. Even on my more minimal make-up days, mascara is my beauty non-negotiable. I layer it up. And then I'll layer it up again.
All that to say, I hate clumpy lashes. Too many beauty brands promise length and lift, only to deliver formulas that look dry and overloaded - in their own campaign shots, no less. It's my personal beauty bête noire. And don't get me started on the other extreme. Those glossy ads where lashes appear suspiciously uniform and impossibly long? Call me cynical, but I'm saying lash extensions at best, and AI at worst.
My personal lash MO? Long, voluminous and defined. And obviously, never clumpy. The look of subtle, natural extensions without the upkeep. Lately, I’ve found a few mascaras that nail this brief - Prada's Pradascope Lash Extending Volume Mascara, £35 and Benefit's BADgal Bounce Volumising Mascara, £27, both delivered, earning their place in my well-stocked mascara drawer - yes, really.
But the latest one making waves on social media? Kosas’s Soul Gazer Mascara, £28. Not only is it a mascara, but it doubles up as a lash serum promising longer, stronger lashes over time. Naturally, I had to try it, and let’s just say, the before-and-after photos speak for themselves.
What does the Kosas Soul Gazer Mascara actually do?
Consider this one your ultimate lash-boosting hero. Not only does it build fuller, longer lashes with just a few coats, but it helps them grow in the long run too, thanks to a potent cocktail of peptides. That means more gluttery
Shop: Kosas Soul Gazer Mascara
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Rachael Martin beauty director says: If you're after a truly great mascara that nourishes lashes in the long run then look no further. The Kosas Soul Gazer grips from root to tip, lifting and stretching each lash for beautiful definition, volume and length. It's long-lasting (no clumping and no flaking) and kind to sensitive eyes. For a natural extension effect (that only gets better over time) then you'd be hard pressed to find something better. Would recommend.'
Pros
- Suited to sensitive eyes
- No flaking
- Long lasting
- Can have a natural or more dramatic finish
Cons
- Consistency is key - if you don't use it regularily, you won't reap the rewards
Our verdict
Rachael Martin, beauty director says:
'Now, I’ll admit that the brush isn’t my usual go-to as far as first impressions go. I typically prefer a more classic bristle wand (the bigger the better) but this curvilinear silicone brush has been cleverly designed to hug the lash line. It works by gripping lashes from root to tip, lifting and stretching each one from the base upwards. I love to add a little wiggle at the root before gently dragging the formula through to the tips - the 'oomph' is amazing. I find that about five to six sweeps through delivers impressive length and separation- sans clumps and flakes.
The formula itself is weightless yet buildable, making it easy to create the most beautiful fluttery, and defined lashes. If you prefer a more natural look (couldn't be me) a single coat will still create a pretty barely-there glaze of colour.
If you have sensitive eyes then this is a great option, too. I tear up at the first sign of irritation, but this formula is incredibly gentle. There's stinging, no smudging, and it lasts all day without flaking or falling.
Of course, I’d be remiss not to mention the long-term peptide-powered benefits. Think nourishment - and lots of it. While I can't weigh in with my own opinion on this just yet (I’ve not hit the six-week testing mark) the customer trials were seriously impressive - after eight weeks, 100% of users reported more defined, lifted, curled and separated lashes.
Final thoughts
A mascara that provides gorgeous, long, voluminous lashes and doubles up as a lash serum (meaning healthier lashes in the long-run, too?) Count me in.
Rachael Martin is Grazia’s Beauty Director. Originally from Northern Ireland, she studied English Literature at Queen’s University Belfast, before moving to London to pursue a career in magazine journalism