We pit four volumising mascaras against each other to find out which gives the most luscious lashes

THE search for the perfect mascara - does it ever end?

Even if you've got a firm favourite, beauty brands are always promising longer, thicker, more lustrous lashes with their latest products. But do they live up to their claims? Here, we put four new launches, all designed to deliver maximum lash volume, head-to-head to find out...

Ardell Double Up Volumising Mascara, £11.99, SallyBeauty

Abi's verdict: "I'm instantly impressed with the brush on this mascara - the short, taut bristles really help separate my lashes (so no clumping), and with just two quick coats, my barely-there lashes actually look quite long and curled - the dream! But the real test is its staying power: I have oily skin so mascara tends to 'run' onto my eyelids. However, a few mirror-checks during the day reveal this doesn't seem to be a problem - my mascara still looks freshly-applied after a day at the office."

Mark out of 10: 9

Best for: If you struggle with 'panda eyes'

Benefit Badgal Bang! Volumising Mascara, £21.50

Claire's verdict: "There has been a lot of hype about this new mascara, so I had high hopes. The rubbery wand really grabs the lashes and extends them, giving you plenty of length and volume. A week or so of use, however, and I'm finding it can get a bit clumpy, so you have to be careful how much you apply. And I have been wiping away dark smudges from underneath my eyes every time I wear it, which is a bit of a pain. I should add that this is something I have a problem with when wearing mascara generally, but this one does drop quite a bit. It does have good lasting power though, so you still look like you have mascara on, even at the end of a long, stressful day."

Mark out of 10: 7.5

Best for: If you want pigment that won't budge

Buxom Big Tease Plumping Mascara in Blackest Black, £18, Debenhams (available March 29)

Gemma's verdict: "This statement-making mascara not only left my lashes plumped and perfected, but it took me from day to night - even through a snow storm - in just two coats. The tapered brush makes for easy application, even on those pesky harder-to-reach spots, and for someone with abnormally long lower lashes, it lifted but left no transfer. Importantly, the non-weighty formula is creamy, as opposed to wet, and much to my delight, it's properly, properly black. It's only downfall; it can get a little clumpy should you go back for more hours later. My advice? Resist the urge to reapply."

Mark out of 10: 8

Best for: If you're blessed with super-long lashes

By Terry Lash-Expert Twist Brush Double Effect Mascara, £25, SpaceNK

Sarah's verdict: "As a person who's active, on the move and spends very little time in front of the mirror, make-up is usually a rushed made-do job. But I've met my match in this miracle mascara. A twist cap gives two application methods: one straight for lengthening lashes, and one spiralled for building volume. In a couple of swift flicks, lashes are fully coated - with the option to build colour without creating clump. The wand easily grabs those niggly corner lash bits and the staying power is remarkable - even crying with laughter all evening didn't cause the colour to budge."

Mark out of 10: 10

Best for: If you want major volume and perfect separation