'I ditched my designer mascara for under-£20 formula that makes my lashes look so long'

Thank to their instantly transformative effects – especially on someone with pale lashes such as myself – mascaras are probably one of the beauty products I test out the most. I've got a list of my favourites, including the best bargain ones, and now I've just discovered a new one to add to the list.

I was recently sent Lash Focus Mascara from Glow For It to try out and, not knowing much about this brand and it not being one of my go-to mascara makers like L'Oréal or Dior, I admit I didn't have especially high expectations – however, it quickly impressed me, and is now a firm favourite.

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Inspired, I think, by Glow For It's lash serum, the Lash Focus Mascara, £19.99, contains tripeptides and provitamin B5 to condition lashes as well as enhancing and defining them, helping them to grow stronger and healthier. It was apparently a fan favourite, reformulated and brought back due to popular demand.

One thing that liked about it from the offset is how dry yet 'sticky' the formula is; it's quite tight to drag the wand out of the tube, meaning that there isn't loads of excess of the brush, so no overloading lashes with clumps, or smudging. The product then seems to cling to the lash hairs, allowing you to easily coat every millimetre. This makes it especially good on the lower lashes, and it also layers well.

If you love full-on, false lash-effect volume, this isn't the mascara for you (instead try something like DIOR Diorshow Overvolume Mascara, £35); instead this Glow For It one gives excellent length and precise definition – it made my lashes look really long and really pretty, in quite a natural way.

Thanks to its conditioning ingredients it also doesn't flake much throughout the day or, I found, smudge. For me, it's not one for glam events or when I'm wearing a lot of other eye make-up, but it's the perfect everyday mascara. In fact, I've even swapped from using a designer one almost double the price.

I haven't used it for long enough yet to comment on if it really does make your lashes stronger and healthier, but mine are already in pretty good condition – and long – thanks to diligent use of lash serum every night. My favourite will always be RevitaLash Advanced Eyelash Serum, from £59, but Sweed Eyelash Growth Serum, £42, and OLAPLEXLashbond Building and Enhancing Serum, currently reduced to £44.75 from £64, are also great options; the key is to use them every single night, and for at least three months.