Now that awards season is in full swing we thought, what better product to test than the ultimate in long-lasting, lengthy-lash-giving mascaras for that special red carpet-style look. Handbag reader Marie Jupe, a 25 year old Account Executive from Southampton, is a self-confessed mascara junkie! 'I use mascara every day – and lashings of it. I have to with my stumpy lashes!' So we challenged her and her modest lashes to try five of our favourite brands' lengthening mascaras – read on to find out who came out trumps, creating the perfect lengthy lash that flirted with flutter…

Shu Uemura Fiber Xtension Lengthening Mascara
£16

'This is a really great mascara for a daytime look – created really nice, naturally pretty lashes. It doesn't clump, and whilst it definitely made my usually short lashes look longer, but I found it difficult to build up to a dramatic length. A really nice mascara, just not cut out for party eyes.'
Stockists: 20 7379 6627

Lancôme L'Extreme
£17

'Packaged in an adorable, curvy tube with a teeny black cap – very cute! This mascara was easy to use thanks to the curved handle and gave great length, although it didn't curl the lashes as much as I would have liked. It does, however, coat every lash in really intense colour and is also waterproof; even after my bath it hadn't budged – brilliant! But better for those of you with naturally very curly lashes.'
Available nationwide

Bourjois Coup de Theatre
£9

'I use Bourjois blusher and eyeshadows all the time and love them, so I've wanted to try this mascara for ages. Double ended, it offers an initial white coat for length, then black for volume. This has got to be the easiest of mascaras to use because of the curved handles and the brushes, which have tapered ends so you can get into the corners of the eye. It created great curl and very dramatic colour, but to be honest I wasn't all that impressed with the length. It did last all day and night though.'
Stockists: 0800 269 836

Maybelline XXL
£7.99

'The best 'value for money' buy ever! The cheapest mascara I tested, but I'm so impressed. Again, this mascara is double ended with white for length and black for volume. It wasn't the easiest to apply as the wand is quite big, but I loved the result. Striking length with a dramatic jet black colour, but still a natural look. Great.'
Available nationwide

YSL False Lash Effect
£22

'I love, love, love this mascara! Chic packaging, super-easy to apply and the best length-giver of all. Fab for separating lashes and creating volume that wasn't there. One or two coats create a natural look perfect for daytime, but you can further build up without clumping to create a seriously massive set of dramatic lashes for the evening. The perfect mascara for part season, Buy it!'
Stockists: www.ysl.com