Page Six staffers swear this is the ‘Goldilocks of mascara’: ‘Just the right amount of length and lift’

Here at Page Six Style, we get the scoop on plenty of buzzy beauty products — but we don’t believe the hype until we see it with our own eyes.

So when one writer happened to mention Merit Clean Lash Mascara in our group Slack channel, prompting raves from several other staffers, the rest of us knew we had to try it.

“Merit is the Goldilocks of mascara for me,” says Page Six Style writer Avery Matera. “It’s pigmented enough to frame my eyes, but not so heavy that it gets clumpy, which is a pet peeve of mine.”

Merit Clean Lash Mascara

Merit

While she describes herself as “low-maintenance” when it comes to beauty, Matera says this formula has been her “one and only” since 2021.

“My lashes are decently long, but they’re not very thick,” she adds. “One pass with this mascara, and they are ready to take on the day.”

Page Six Style contributor Drew Elovitz has also counted it as a “mainstay” for years, saying it doesn’t irritate her eyes throughout the day — a problem she’s faced with other mascaras “at every price point.”

“The clean tubing formula glides onto my lashes and is buildable with a few strokes, getting the job done for a casual day or more dramatic evening look,” she raves.

Even the tube is gorgeous. Page Six

Page Six Style & Shopping Director Elana Fishman without mascara (on the left) and wearing Merit Clean Lash (on the right). Elana Fishman

Meanwhile, Page Six Style & Shopping Director Elana Fishman gave it a try last month — and “absolutely loves it” already.

“A lot of formulas billed as ‘everyday’ or ‘natural-looking’ tend to make me look like I’m not wearing mascara at all, but with a few coats, Clean Lash adds just the right among of length, lift and overall definition to make an impact,” she explains.

She also noted that it’s easy to remove at the end of the day with some warm water and cleanser, which is somewhat rare for a tubing mascara. (Plus, the sleek, aesthetically pleasing packaging is square-shaped, meaning it’s unlikely to roll off your countertop or vanity.)

I also gave the mascara a try after hearing my co-workers’ glowing reviews, and I’m so glad I did. I’ve raved about Merit’s Flush Balm and Bronzing Balm to just about anyone who will listen, so it was no surprise that I enjoyed the mascara’s subtle lifting effect, too.

Page Six editors aren’t the only ones reaching for Clean Lash; Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae and Reese Witherspoon have all worn it on red carpets, while Martha Stewart incorporated the product into her “under five-minute” makeup routine video with the brand last year.

Whether you’re snapping internet-breaking selfies like Stewart or just commuting to office like us, it might be time to start the new year with a new favorite mascara.

Why Trust Page Six Style Shopping

This article was written by Hannah Southwick, Commerce Associate Editor for Page Six. Hannah spies deals on actually affordable celebrity-worn styles, puts Hollywood’s favorite labels to the test and finds the beauty products that keep stars red carpet-ready. She consults stylists and industry pros — including celebs themselves — for firsthand product recommendations, trend predictions and more. In addition to writing for Page Six since 2020, her work has been featured in USA Today and Parade.