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Coloured mascara is making a comeback, but forget the garish shades of old. Kosas has added three surprisingly wearable colours to its Soulgazer range, and they could tempt even devoted black mascara fans.

Kosas has launched three new shades of its bestselling Soulgazer Mascara just as coloured lashes are having a major beauty moment – and I predict they're going to fly.

Forget the electric blue you might remember from the 80s. The latest trend is altogether more grown-up, with deeper, more wearable shades offering a subtle alternative to traditional black.

So Kosas' timing couldn't be more perfect. The beauty brand has expanded its Soulgazer Lengthening + Lifting Peptide Mascara with three new shades: Enigma, a deep midnight navy; Bewitch, a rich violet; and Allure, an espresso brown. They join Hypnotize, the original intense black.

These are not colours designed to make your lashes shout from across the room. Kosas says the shades have been created using colour theory to enhance rather than overpower the eyes, taking inspiration from its existing Soulgazer eyeliners.

Kosas Soulgazer Mascara in Bewitch brings a rich violet twist to the coloured mascara trend. | Kosas

What I love about the new Soulgazer Lengthening + Lifting Peptide Mascara shades

There’s much to love. Firstly, Soulgazer, £27, is effectively mascara and lash serum rolled into one. The formula contains Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, a peptide which Kosas says supports the hair's natural growth cycle, with lashes appearing longer and fuller in six to eight weeks of regular use. The formula itself is almost creamy, making it a joy to apply.

There's also a curved moulded brush designed to grab, separate and coat individual lashes while adding lift and definition. The formula is buildable and long-wearing, and I found it didn't smudge or flake. Even after a couple of layers, my lashes stayed nicely separated rather than clumping together into that dreaded spidery effect.

For me, the clever bit is how wearable the colours are. Allure is an easy swap if you find black mascara a little harsh, while Enigma and Bewitch offer something more interesting without veering into fancy-dress territory.

And a small thing, but I love the sleek purple casing. It makes a nice change from the sea of black mascara tubes in my make-up bag.

Finally, it’s easy to remove. There’s nothing worse than stubborn mascara that takes half your lashes with it at the end of the day.

The Kosas Soulgazer Mascara line-up spans classic black alongside the new navy, violet and espresso brown shades. | Kosas

What I don’t like about the new Soulgazer Lengthening + Lifting Peptide Mascara shades

If you want huge, false-lash-style volume, Soulgazer's emphasis on length, lift and separation might not deliver enough drama in a single coat. I’ve spotted several online comments from shoppers who felt one coat was not enough.

And those lash-boosting benefits require a little patience. Kosas says visibly longer and fuller lashes can take six to eight weeks, so this isn't an overnight transformation. I’ve not tested mine long enough to vouch for the claim.

At £27, it isn't cheap, but the price feels reasonable for a premium mascara, particularly given the generous 10.5ml size and the added lash-care benefits. For comparison, Charlotte Tilbury's Exagger-Eyes Volume Mascara is £28, but for 10ml.

Verdict

Coloured mascara is back, but thankfully it's grown up since the last time around. Kosas has tapped into the trend with three shades that feel genuinely wearable rather than gimmicky. Nobody wants to look like they’ve wandered off the set of a Cyndi Lauper video.

Allure is probably the easiest everyday alternative to black, while Enigma and Bewitch give you just enough colour to make your eyes look different without your mascara becoming the whole story. They’re subtle enough to wear during the day, but still give you that little flash of something different when the light catches your lashes.

My favourite is Bewitch, which surprised me as violet mascara wouldn’t normally be something I’d reach for. But that’s rather the point of this collection: Kosas has made coloured mascara feel surprisingly easy to wear. I can see myself using all three.