There is nothing that quite compares to High Impact Mascara. It gives you plush, dramatic lashes—while being safe for even the most sensitive eyes. Drama without the drama. For those who wear contacts, it’s a desert island must-have.

Launched: 2003
Beauty breakthrough: For way too long, people with sensitive eyes (and there are a lot of you) had to risk irritation if they wanted to max-out their eyelashes. Safe mascara formulas that delivered the look didn’t exist, so getting big time lashes without using falsies simply wasn’t an option. Where’s the fun in that? Enter High Impact Mascara, an ophthalmologist-tested formula that finally gave you all of the drama with none of the irritation. It creates long, bold, voluminous lashes that are never spikey or spidery—and can last from day to night. And it bears repeating: safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. When it launched, it quickly amassed a devoted following; people don’t mess around when it comes to their eyes.

Pioneering Allergy Science
“Who says safe can’t be sexy too?,” says Janet Pardo, Senior Vice President Product Development, who developed this cult classic. “It was our mission to create this gorgeous, high drama lash look, while keeping our standards of being safe for anyone with sensitive eyes or wears contacts,” she says. High Impact Mascara not only passed the test of Clinique’s rigorous Allergy Science Protocol, it was also tested specifically for eye sensitivity, including a “sting test,” in which volunteers wore the mascara for a month while being closely monitored along the way by a dermatologist and an ophthalmologist. If there was one reaction, it was back to the drawing board to reformulate.  Yes, it’s that black and white. “There’s a reason why moms send their daughters to Clinique when they want to start wearing mascara—all of our formulas are safe, non-irritating, and look great,” says Janet. Also noteworthy: Everything from Clinique is free of parabens, phthalates and fragrance.

Strokes of genius.
High Impact Mascara's wand is pretty perfect, too: it’s full, but still small enough to get every little lash, including bottom lashes. Dense bristles feather out lashes in a gorgeous, lengthening way; no clumps. 

Rave review: “The Clinique High Impact Mascara is a cult product for a reason. It glided onto my lashes smoothly, delivering just the right amount of length and volume for lush, everyday lashes—which is perfect as I can't stand that 'fake' beauty look.” - Katia at Beauty Heaven

Must-know application tip: Wiggle the wand into the base of your lashes, then roll it outward as you pull it up and through. You’ll only need a couple of wand strokes to get bold, plush lashes.

Meet the family: You can customize your look, without irritation. High Impact Mascara also comes in Waterproof, Extreme Volume, Lash Elevating, Curling, and as a Mascara-Primer Duo.

Words: Alix Light Perez | Photos from top to bottom: erin & erica, advertising photography courtesy of the Irving Penn Foundation, Anairam