The best mascara for redheads: how to pick the right shade
Fair, ginger or almost-invisible lashes are part of the natural redhead package. Some of us love them bare. Others feel slightly startled-looking without a lick of mascara. If you’re in the second camp, the big question is which shade to go for. Here’s how to choose.
Should redheads wear black mascara?
There’s no rule, but black is a higher contrast shade, particularly against fair skin and light lashes. As a rule, the bigger the jump between your natural lash colour and your mascara, the more “done” the look will be. That’s perfect for a night out, but maybe for a workday you’d like to go for something softer.
Brown mascara: the everyday hero
For most redheads, a warm brown is the sweet spot. It defines and lengthens lashes so your eyes look more awake, but it stays soft enough to look natural next to freckles and copper hair.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High – True Brown: Maybelline’s own brown mascara range also includes Snapscara in Bold Brown and several formulas (including Great Lash and The Falsies) in Brownish Black, a good halfway house if pure brown feels too soft. Lots of other highstreet options come in brown or brown-black too, so check the shade list of your current favourite before you buy a new one.
Ginger and auburn mascara: the redhead secret
If you want lashes that look like yours, only more so, try a mascara tinted to match red hair. Redhead Revolution’s Gingerlash Mascara is made specifically for redheads and comes in two shades:
- Genuine Ginger: lighter and softer, best for strawberry blonde, light copper or a natural look.
- Honest Auburn: richer and deeper, best for auburn, deeper copper or more definition.
It’s vegan, cruelty-free and water-resistant. Redhead Revolution is a US brand, and its site offers free US shipping on orders over $60. You can also find it in the Ginger Parrot store in shade Honest Auburn.
Black mascara: save it for the drama
Black has its place. And if you’ve chosen for a softer, auburn/brown shade for daytime, you can save your black mascara for evenings, parties or a smoky eye, for maximum impact. Our smoky eye tutorial for gingers shows how to make it work with red hair.
Quick tips for pale lashes
- Get right up to the roots. Pale lashes are often fair right at the base, so wiggle the wand at the roots first. Otherwise you’ll get a “floating lashes” effect.
- Don’t forget the lower lashes, but go lightly. A single coat of brown on the bottom lashes balances the look.
- Match your brows. Mascara and brows that are wildly different shades can look a bit odd. Our guide to the best eyebrow products for redheads can help.
Whichever shade you pick, the goal is the same: lashes that frame your eyes without stealing the show from that glorious hair.