My lashes might not be as beautiful as my husband's or even my brother Richard's. While we're on the topic, why do guys get long, luscious lashes? Enquiring minds want to know.

Alas.

When it's time to go shopping for a mascara, here's what I look for:

Won't break the bank
Panda bear-free
Removes easily
Lasts the day
Finally, gives me length

The formula I can always count on to accomplish all these things is tubing mascara. Kevyn Aucoin's The Mascara Volume sucked me in with its petite wand and lash hugging ways. Tubing mascara is hands down the jam to my peanut butter. Now that I know what I like, I'm on the hunt to find the best performing tubing mascara out there.

Clinique, good start with your pretty little wand

Clinique's Lash Power Mascara in Black Onyx ticks almost all my boxes. The Aussie price tag is a major drawback, if mascara only lasted longer and didn't have the potential to give you pink eye. Second, it sometimes clumps my lashes together which creates more work for me after application -- I just want to swipe and go. The trick to avoid clumping is to remove excess product from the bristles prior to applying.

It's also worth mentioning that Lash Power Mascara loves to be layered...