Why Mac MacStack Mascara Is My Ride-or-Die Formula

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As a beauty editor who tests makeup products for a living, it’s safe to say that I’ve tried some of the best mascaras on the market. From high-street mascaras to luxury formulas, tubing mascaras, mascaras for sensitive eyes and even brown mascaras, I’ve put my fair share of formulas to the test, and there are only a handful that I would purchase again and again.

Everyone knows my love for L’Oréal mascaras by now, but another favourite that I definitely don’t shout about enough is the Mac MacStack Mascara. Released back in 2022, this mascara quickly went viral on TikTok, and for good reason. As the name suggests, this innovative formula has been designed to be continuously buildable, so that you can amp up the drama as much as your heart desires. I didn’t believe the claims at first, but having been wearing it solidly for three years (and receiving countless compliments on my lashes every single day as a result), I can confirm this mascara is very much worth the hype. Below, I’ve included some pretty impressive before-and-after pictures, and included all the info that this beauty editor (me) wants you to know about one of her favourite formulas of all time.

Mac MacStack Mascara Review

The Brush and Formula

It’s worth noting that there are a few different variations of this viral mascara. You can purchase the micro brush, the mega brush, a waterproof version and also a brown version. As someone with incredibly oily eyelids, I always opt for the waterproof mascara version with the mega brush, which has been designed with upper lashes in mind (I tend to only apply mascara to my upper lashes).

As mentioned above, the innovative formula is stackable, hence the name. The brand describes it as “endlessly buildable” thanks to the clump-resistant formula. It has been designed to deliver both volume and length, so it’s ideal if you like to make a little more impact with your eye makeup.

The Application

I don’t have the biggest of eyes, so when I first tried this product back in 2022, I was a little worried that the micro brush would be too big for me, but surprisingly enough, application is quick and easy. In fact, whenever I wear this mascara, I don’t need to clean up any accidental smudges (which is normally the case for me).

The formula itself coats each lash nicely. Sometimes I find it a little tricky to get into those hard-to-reach corners at the inner and outer edges of my eye, but it’s nothing major. The before and after results are always so impressive that I don’t mind overlooking this small detail.

Before

Junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay, before testing the Mac MacStack Mascara

After

One Coat of Mac MacStack Mascara

Junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay, after one coat of the Mac MacStack Mascara

Two Coats of Mac MacStack Mascara

Junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay, after two coats of the Mac MacStack Mascara

Three Coats of Mac MacStack Mascara

Junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay, after three coats of the Mac MacStack Mascara

The Verdict

As you can see, this mascara is seriously stackable. I applied three coats in the pictures above, and it gave me a false-lash effect that I can usually only dream of. If I had to pinpoint one slight negative (and it’s really nothing that notable), the claims that any mascara, not just this one, can be totally clump-resistant are always going to let you down. I find that three coats in the sweet spot before I start getting slight clumping. (Although it’s still very minimal compared to other formulas.)

Beyond the frankly jaw-dropping, lengthening and volumising results, the one thing I really love about this mascara is how long-lasting it is. Normally, when I opt for a more high-impact formula, I am left with black smudges under my eyes in a matter of hours. However, this formula stays in place all day long and keeps my lashes looking long and lifted. If you’re going to invest in one new makeup product this month, I highly suggest giving the Mac MacStack Mascara a go.