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Why Black Mascara Isn’t Always Your Best Friend (and What to Try Instead)

All summer holiday, my daughter has been wearing a slick of blue mascara on her eyelashes. She found it in my make-up bag at the start of the holiday, and before I could stop her she had copied me and slicked some on her own lashes.

I gave her a quick lesson in how not to poke herself in the eye, and she’s been putting it on every morning since. She’s been completely transfixed by how it looks — and even had a comment from a balloon maker on the street about how cool it was.

(Disclaimer before I get any eye rolls: we aren’t wearing it in a “pretty, change-your-appearance” kind of way. It’s more about self-expression and having fun — she’s only eight!)

Anyway, the whole thing reminded me that when I first found out I was a Winter, I bought a blue mascara. I’d read somewhere about trying different mascara shades, and while you can’t really see it clearly on your lashes, it’s most noticeable in sunlight.

Then I promptly forgot about it — until this summer. And I realised… I’ve never actually talked about it here before.

So, when was the last time you even thought about your mascara colour?

For most of us, it’s an automatic reach for black: deep, dark, and dramatic. But as we now know, black can be a bit harsh for many of us — and just because it’s standard, doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the right choice for you.

In fact, for lots of us, black mascara can actually look harsh, make eyes appear smaller, and even drag your features down (similar to how black clothing can sometimes overpower us). The wrong depth or tone around your eyes can emphasise lines, redness, or shadows instead of making your eyes sparkle.

The solution? Of course mascara that works with your natural colouring — and your colour season.

How Your Colour Season Affects Mascara Choice

In seasonal colour analysis, your best shades are the ones that harmonise with your natural skin tone, hair, and eye colour. That principle doesn’t just apply to clothing — it applies to make-up too.

Here’s a quick guide:

Spring (Light, Warm, Clear)

Why not black? It can overwhelm your fresh, bright colouring.
Try: Soft brown, warm brown, or even auburn.
Why: These warmer, lighter tones will enhance your eyes without looking heavy.

Summer (Light, Cool, Soft)

Why not black? Jet black can look too stark against your softer, cooler palette.
Try: Charcoal grey, soft navy, or cool brown.
Why: Cooler tones keep your look fresh and let your natural eye colour shine.

Autumn (Warm, Rich, Muted)

Why not black? It can feel flat and cold on your warm complexion.
Try: Rich brown, bronze, or even deep olive.
Why: Warm earthy tones blend beautifully and make your eyes look bigger.

Winter (Cool, Deep, Bright)

Can I wear black? Yes, it’s part of your palette, but you can still switch it up.
Try: Plum, navy, or deep forest green.
Why: These shades still have depth but add an unexpected pop.

I’m not saying throw out your black mascara, it will always have a place in make-up bags, but it doesn’t have to be the automatic default. Choosing a mascara colour that suits your season is like wearing your best colours in clothes: it works with you, not against you. And once you see the difference, you might just wonder why you didn’t switch sooner.

Mascara Recommendations:

You will find that most browns for mascaras are neutral so will work for every season. Here are a few options: