Mascara is the most important product in most of our makeup bags.  It can transform sleepy eyes, add eyelashes where they seemed not to exist before, and create instant drama.  It's also one product that can be worn alone and still make a big impact.  That's probably why we're willing to shell out any price if we find one that out performs.  

As you may have guessed, the notion of rubbing dark substances on our lashes came from the Egyptians thousands of years ago.  They used kohl to darken their lashes and rim their eyes -- and in some cases, Alligator $#*% was part of the recipe!  In the 1800s women used petroleum jelly or extracts of walnuts or burnt almonds because they considered light lashes to be a birth defect.  1920s movie stars including Greta Garbo made mascara a must have for the masses.  Today's mascaras are often packed with conditioning and strengthening ingredients such as Pro-Vitamin B5 to help keep those tiny hairs healthy and strong.  It has certainly come a long way from Alligator poo, no?

There are currently 95 mascaras reviewed on ChickAdvisor by you.  The most popular ones vary in price and features.  Here's a closer look at your Top 5, er, 6:

5.  DiorShow Mascara

Though this mascara is at least 3 times the cost of an average mascara, y'all can't get enough of it.

What you love:  Dramatic volume and the illusion of false lashes.
What you don't: The price and short shelf life.

5. L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara

This mascara is tied with DiorShow and though it is a fraction of the price (we've spotted it for as little as $5), it gets very similar praise.

What you love: Volume, lengthening and ability to hold curl.
What you don't: Some found it too clumpy.

4. Kiss Me Mascara

The revolutionary mascara that wraps your lashes in tiny tubes for a smudge free experience.

What you love: Zero smudging and washes off easily.
What you don't: Lack of length and volume.

3. Maybelline New York LashStiletto

The newest mascara from Maybelline is just hitting store shelves now, but thanks to our popular Product Review Club, 50 of you have had a chance to try it early.  So how does the mascara that is designed to do for your lashes what stilettos do for your legs stack up?

What you love: Clump free, great separation and length.
What you don't:  The scent and some wish for more volume.

2. CoverGirl LashBlast

This runaway hit is the first of several chubby and cheerful mascaras designed to beef up lashes dramatically for less.

What you love: The drama, the price.
What you don't: The big brush

1. Maybelline New York Colossal Volum' Express

Another Product Review Club favourite, this mascara quickly became the most popular one on the site.

What you love: Big lashes without the clumps.
What you don't: The scent bothers some.

To read more about the history of mascara, check out this great article from Fashion Magazine.

Which is your favourite mascara and why?