I have bought numerous high end mascaras but unlike 90% of other cosmetics I haven't found anything so wonderful that it was worth paying the high price. I always end up going back to Maybelline which I have used since high school.
What has worked for me lately (I can't recall where I read the tip) is to layer two different types of mascara. First I put one coat of Maybelline Full and Soft mascara, I wait until my eyelashes are dry and then curl them using my Shu Uemura eyelash curler, (I know it's suppose to be a sin to curl your lashes after putting on mascara but as long as your eyelashes are dry, they will not break off), then I put on one coat of Maybelline Lash Stylist Mascara which has a comb applicator. I find the combination of these two different mascaras gives me long, thick, lashes with no clumps.
I always use waterproof mascara since it rains alot up here in Seattle. I take my mascara off each night using a tiny bit of plain baby oil. Peggy