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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara Black versus Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Jet .

Last updated on October 16, 2023. Published on March 03, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe mascaras. They have a total of 20 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Mascara American Brand United States
Mascara American Brand United States

Mascara

Mascara is used to elongate, darken, or define the eyelashes.

Mascara

Mascara is used to elongate, darken, or define the eyelashes.

Price

Shop

Buy Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara

Starts at $20.00
Shop

Buy MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara

Starts at $20.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E
Exfoliators

Benefits

Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (3)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Irritating
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara Black contains this as ingredient number 1.

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Jet contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does:
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Copernicia Cerifera Wax comes from a palm tree native to Brazil. This wax is added to help give a thicker texture. It also helps create a film when applied.

Copernicia Cerifera Wax contains aliphatic esters, diesters of cinnamic acid, myricyl cerotate, and small quantities of cerotic acid and myricyl alcohol.

Copernicia Cerifera Wax has the highest melting point of all natural waxes and low solubility.

Copernicia Cerifera Wax has commonly been used in Brazilian Folk medicine.

Learn more about Copernicia Cerifera Wax

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara Black contains this as ingredient number 2.

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Jet contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying
Community Rating: Disliked

Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.

Glyceryl Stearate is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.

As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.

In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced. The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.

Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara Black contains this as ingredient number 3.

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Jet contains this as ingredient number 3.

4
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Disliked

Hydrogenated Olive Oil Stearyl Esters is an oil.

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara Black contains this as ingredient number 4.

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Jet contains this as ingredient number 4.

5
What it does: Abrasive, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Synthetic Wax is created from fossil fuels such as natural gas. It is used to enhance texture, adjust pH, and as an occlusive.

It may also be used as an abrasive ingredient to exfoliate the skin.

Synthetic Wax may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Synthetic Wax

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara Black contains this as ingredient number 5.

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Jet contains this as ingredient number 5.

6
What it does: Cleansing, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.

As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.

Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.

Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.

This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about Stearic Acid

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara Black contains this as ingredient number 6.

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Jet contains this as ingredient number 7.

7
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax is created from the common sunflower.

Sunflower seed wax is made up of long chain non-glyceride esters, a small amount of fatty alcohols, and fatty acids.

This ingredient is often used to enhance the texture of products. The fatty acid properties also help hydrate the skin.

Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara Black contains this as ingredient number 7.

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Jet contains this as ingredient number 8.

8
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Palmitic Acid is a fatty acid found in our skin. In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It is a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.

As an emollient, it helps hydrate the skin. The emulsifying properties keep ingredients together in a product.

Palmitic Acid may not be fungal-acne safe. It can worsen oily skin and cause breakouts due to its emollient nature.

Learn more about Palmitic Acid

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara Black contains this as ingredient number 8.

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Jet contains this as ingredient number 9.

9
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara Black contains this as ingredient number 9.

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Jet contains this as ingredient number 10.

10
What it does: Skin Conditioning

Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara Black contains this as ingredient number 11.

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Jet contains this as ingredient number 11.

11
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Liked

Aminomethyl Propanol is used to adjust the pH of products. It is also used as a base to create other organic compounds. Having a balanced pH is important for protecting your skin.

Aminomethyl propanol is safe to use in cosmetics up to 1%. It is soluble in water.

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara Black contains this as ingredient number 12.

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Jet contains this as ingredient number 12.

12
What it does: Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Ricinus Communis Seed Oil is the INCI name for castor oil.

Castor Oil helps moisturize the skin. It is rich in a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid. This fatty acid helps prevent moisture loss on the skin. This helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. Ricinoleic acid also has anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties.

Besides hydrating the skin, castor oil is also used to hydrate hair. By keeping the hair shaft moisturized, breakage is decreased. More studies are needed to show castor oil's effective on stimulating hair growth.

Castor oil is created by cold-pressing castor seeds and then purifying the oil with heat. It was used in Ancient Egypt as fuel in lamps and to help treat eye irritation.

The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.

Learn more about Ricinus Communis Seed Oil

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara Black contains this as ingredient number 13.

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Jet contains this as ingredient number 13.

13
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara Black contains this as ingredient number 16.

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Jet contains this as ingredient number 15.

14
What it does:

We don't have a description for Galactoarabinan.

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara Black contains this as ingredient number 17.

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Jet contains this as ingredient number 17.

We don't have a description for Rhus Succedanea Fruit Wax.

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara Black contains this as ingredient number 18.

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Jet contains this as ingredient number 18.

16
What it does: Tonic

We don't have a description for Shorea Robusta Resin.

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara Black contains this as ingredient number 19.

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Jet contains this as ingredient number 19.

17
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Loved

This ingredient is a preservative with antimicrobial properties. It is the sodium salt of dehydroacetic acid.

It is especially effective at preventing bacterial and fungal growth in low concentrations.

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara Black contains this as ingredient number 21.

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Jet contains this as ingredient number 20.

18
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara Black contains this as ingredient number 27.

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Jet contains this as ingredient number 22.

19
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Mixed

Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.

Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara Black contains this as ingredient number 28.

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Jet contains this as ingredient number 25.

20
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant

This pigment is called Ultramarine blue lazurite. It gives a saturated blue color, but can be used to create other colors as well.

According to the manufacturer, it is usually made from kaolin, sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate, sulfur, and charcoal.

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara Black contains this as ingredient number 29.

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara Jet contains this as ingredient number 26.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

21% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
41% are disliked or very disliked
24% have no rating yet
19% are loved or liked
12% have mixed ratings
42% are disliked or very disliked
27% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara 29 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Buildable (1) Good Color (1) Long Lasting (1)
Melissa1234's avatar

Melissa1234

2 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

Best mascara I've ever used! Doesn't clump, doesn't run even though it's not waterproof, and stays on forever.

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara 26 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 rating

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