Hi Lykkers! My lashes are naturally short and stick straight, so getting them to actually hold a curl is a whole project. I can curl them, apply mascara, admire them for five minutes… and then suddenly they’re pointing downward again.

Waterproof mascara has honestly worked much better for me when I want the curl to stay put. I’ve been comparing two formulas lately, and both impressed me, although I have a slight favorite.

<h3>1. YSL Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara — $32</h3>

This is the one I reach for when I really want my lashes to look noticeable. My lashes are extremely short, so even a little extra length feels dramatic to me. This mascara gives me both volume and length without making me feel like I need several coats. The biggest win is the curl. Once I curl my lashes and apply this, they stay lifted for basically the entire day. I get a little smudging underneath my eyes if I skip setting my under-eye area with powder, but it’s pretty minimal.

<h3>2. L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara — $11</h3>

If you want something more budget-friendly, I think this one is a really solid alternative. It gives me the volume and length I’m looking for, and my lashes stay curled throughout the day. I do notice slightly more smudging compared with YSL, especially underneath my eyes when I don't set the area. It isn't a massive difference, though, and the performance is still impressive for a drugstore mascara.

I’d give YSL the win for my lashes. The curl lasts, the volume is noticeable, and I experience a little less smudging throughout the day. Still, L'Oréal deserves plenty of credit. If you're dealing with stubborn straight lashes and want a more affordable option, it’s definitely worth trying. And honestly, waterproof mascara has become my secret. For my lashes, keeping the curl matters just as much as getting volume and length.