Some are blessed with long, thick lashes that curl upward, but the vast majority of us are not.
There are hundreds of mascara variations to choose from, but I have sorted through the lot to pick only the cream of the crop -- of course with a budget in mind.

Eyelash Primer
Flaky lashes? Mascara not working as well as you think it should? Try an eyelash primer first. They moisturize lashes and make your favorite mascara work to its fullest capabilities.

Splurge: Urban Decay Lingerie and Galoshes for Lashes ($17 at Sephora) is just as amazing as its packaging job (it's in a shiny, pink tube). It has two wands; one side of the tube is a primer (lingerie) that moisturizes lashes and the other side is a waterproof layer (galoshes) that seals the deal for your favorite mascara.

Save: The Body Shop Brow and Lash Gel ($10 at the Body Shop) not only conditions lashes when applied, but also can be used to hold brows styled and in place.

Lengthening Mascara
Try looking for mascara that has fibers; they latch onto your already existing lashes, taking them to new lengths.

Splurge: Imju Fiberwig ($22 at Sephora) has a fiber complex formula that makes lashes freakishly long. Currently the top-selling mascara in Japan, it's also water-resistant and smudge-proof so your eyelashes will maintain their newly achieved length all day and night.

Save: Maybelline XXL Volume + Length Microfiber Mascara ($7.19 at drugstores) is a two-step mascara that starts with a white, microfiber base coat which is closely followed by a microfiber top coat that works wonders.

Curling Mascara
If you don't feel like using an eyelash curler and suffer from stick-straight lashes, try some lash-bending mascara formulas.

Try looking for mascara wands that are curled or bent to earn new angles.

Splurge: Lancôme Courbe Virtuose Divine Lasting Curves Mascara ($23 at department stores and Sephora) is a new product from the beloved Lancôme mascara line. A curved applicator and lash curling formula adds new dimensions to eyelashes without smudging or losing curl for the entire day.

Save: L'Oreal Panoramic Curl Extreme and Separating Mascara ($8.19 at drugstores) features a curved wand for extra curled lashes that are extremely defined, minus the clumps.

Volumizing Mascara
Nothing looks better than a batch of full, thick lashes.

Splurge: Givenchy Captiv'Eyes Mascara ($23 at Sephora) just hit stores and is already causing a stir. The wand's bristles pump up the volume to unseen precedents and not to mention that lashes are left glossy thanks to light-reflecting technology.

Save: Cover Girl Fantastic Lash ($5.99 at drugstores ) adds loads of volume and separates, thanks to the mascara wand's flexible bristles.

Fun, Colored Mascara
Eye shadow doesn't have to be your only source of color.

Colored mascaras are fun for going out or just for a change of pace in your daily makeup routine.

Splurge: Benefit BADgal Blue ($19 at Sephora) is a royal blue colored mascara formulated to bring out the best in all eye colors. It also has that ultra-large wand applicator that is so loved in BADgal lash original formula.

Save: Rimmel Lash Bling Mascara ($7.19 at drugstores) is glitter mascara that can be worn alone or over your favorite mascara. It also comes in three shades, Gold-Digger (gold glitter), It Girl (blue glitter) and Diva (purple glitter) that are as bold on lashes as their names are.

All-Around All-Star Mascara
Some of us just want it all in one package: volume, curl and length.

Splurge: Dior Diorshow Mascara ($23 at department stores and Sephora) is mascara that is worth every dollar you pay for it. Recently winner of the 2007 Best of Sephora Award for mascara, the ultra-large application wand volumizes, curls and lengthens lashes to an incomparable degree.

Save: Maybelline Great Lash Mascara ($4.59 at drugstores) is the pink and green tube that every girl should own. The formula conditions as it adds volume, length and separates lashes.

Totally Waterproof Mascara
New formulas are proving to be just as water resistant as past formulas, but not as damaging to lashes during removal.

Splurge: i.d. Weather Everything Waterproof Mascara ($15 at Sephora and Ulta) will get you through rain, weddings or any bad day. Lashes look natural and separated, and you won't be stressed over smeared eye makeup.

Save: N.Y.C New York Color Waterproof Mascara ($1.99 at drugstores) is grossly cheap and will only come off with makeup remover. Vitamins B and E also fortify lashes, diminishing some of the wear and tear from using a waterproof formula.

Best False Lashes
Sometimes, you just have to fake it.

"Falsies" are easy to apply and are eye-catchingly dramatic.

Just remember that a little application glue goes a long way.

Splurge: Make Up Forever Eyelashes Strip ($12-$14 at Sephora) are amazingly easy to apply and are the stickiest fake eyelashes I've ever witnessed. The line has more than 25 variations of lashes, varying from criss-cross flares with glitter to swooping, black rounded feathers.

Save: Ardell Fashion Lashes Strip Lash ($3.70 at drugstores) are as cheap as they are believable. They come in a variation of lengths and styles and are easy to apply with adhesive.