Earlier this year I wrote about the new Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in Burgundy Haze, £12.99 in our first 2024 budget glossy pick. I predicted that this reddish-brown mascara would disappear from stores even faster than classic black, which is already America’s best-selling mascara. And apparently I was right. I’d like to think it’s all due to my wise words, but I’m not naive enough to realize that the countless TikTok videos are likely responsible for the sell-out success. This post by professional makeup artist Amy @billieblonde has already racked up over 5 million views.
So why all the fuss about mascara shades? Scroll to find out why.
Who should wear burgundy mascara?
Of course, anyone can wear burgundy mascara, but it works best on green and blue eyes, and this is due to good old color theory. If the color wheel is fresh in your mind, remember your middle school art class where you studied the rainbow wheel and learned that opposite colors are complementary. Red and purple (also known as burgundy) are the opposite of green and blue, which explains why they work especially well for these eye colors. However, since there is a lot of purple in the formula, it will be noticeable on brown eyes and thick lashes. However, light eyelashes allow maximum contrast to make the color stand out.
It also has a really clever feature where if your eye product contains red, it automatically makes whites look whiter, which you might not expect naturally. If you need something to make your eyes a little more lively and sparkly, burgundy mascara is a great choice.
As someone who has naturally fair eyelashes, mascara is a daily necessity to add definition to my face. Black mascara is great for a night out or when you want a dramatic look, but it’s pretty harsh for a casual day look. Of course, there’s also brown mascara, which I love. My favorite is L’Oréal Paris Lash Paradise Dark Brown, £9.99. But if you have brown eyelashes, brown mascara won’t add much. This is where burgundy comes into play. Importantly, this is not his first burgundy mascara. Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Push Up Rush! The Dream Pop mascara, £26, is probably the most popular (so far), but the formula is powdery and I think the Maybelline He’s Burgundy Haze one is twice the price.
Burgundy Haze has a lot of red in it, which I think will have a big impact on lashes, especially fair-skinned lashes. One coat will give you the desired effect, two coats will be perfect. I put it on my desk and have been wearing it every day since. It lifts your eyelashes to give them volume and the color makes your eyes look even bluer. It’s the ultimate sweet spot. The only problem is that it’s currently sold out online, so you’ll have to go to a store (Boots, Superdrug, Supermarket) and scour the shelves. And if you find them, buy as many as you can!