Women say the one cosmetic they can't do without is mascara, more specifically, but finding the right one for you is a more complex task than you'd think. As CTV's Chris Olsen explains, the real eye opener is a good one doesn't have to cost a lot.

"Some women want longer, some women want thicker, others more voluminous. Some want curved lashes, "said Silvia Pensato, a beauty advisor with London Drugs.

That's why there is so much selection.

In Vancouver, for example, waterproof is the big seller

"A lot of women get the little flaking underneath the eye lash and they are going why do I have raccoon eyes,'' said Pensato. "And it's because in our type of climate the non-waterproof mascara actually breaks down and starts to fall. So waterproof in Vancouver is very important."

The book titled "Don't go to the cosmetics counter without me" recommends several waterproof mascaras, from the $27 Lanc�me, to a real bargain, the Cover girl Professional, which costs less than $6

You need an oil-based makeup remover to get waterproof mascara off.

Some women can't use the stronger formula of waterproof mascara. So Consumer Reports had staffers try 16 regular mascaras, ranging from the more expensive Estee Lauder, to cheaper ones like Maybelline to see if price matters.

"We had staffers use each of the mascaras two days in a row,'' said Sue Perry of CR ShopSmart.

"They rated how each one looked at the beginning and the end of the day, as well as how easy it was to put on and remove and how well the brush worked,'' Perry said.

Labels were covered so no-one knew which mascara they were using.

A lot of these mascaras did the job very well, but some of the wands were too long and they were hard to control.

Lanc�me Definicils got top marks for being easy to apply and testers thought it looked better than most.

Maybelline's top-selling Great Lash Washable rated very good as well.

But overall, does price really matter?

"We found you don't have to spend a lot to get a great mascara,'' said Perry.

So paying more, won't necessarily leave you more satisfied.

Pick whatever you like better

Even if you've got some left, you'll want to get rid of your mascara every three months.

It's because that moist environment inside the tube is an ideal place to grow bacteria.

It's another reason why you don't want to share your mascara with anybody else.

With a report by CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen