Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D

To us, brushless mascaras always seemed a little freakish-looking, the hairless dogs of the makeup world; like, what's the point? But lately many of our favorite mascara brands have come out with their own bald wands, so we decided to give them a try.

Bare Escentuals Magic Wand Brushless Mascara ($15) looks like a long, skinny screw; it's so slim, you can reach your shortest inner lashes with it.

ModelCo Lashscara ($18), a tiny ice-pick-type thing, gives a precise application without leaving any smudges or speckles.

Rimmel Volum'Eyes ($7) resembles a wide-tooth comb; it's good for defining each lash.

All three darkened our lashes to create a lovely, natural look, without too much lengthening or fullness—perfect for when you're feeling discreet or sporty. But if you're going for lush, thick, dramatic lashes, go for a lush, thick brush.