The 12 Best Mascaras, Tested and Reviewed by Editors
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Searching for the best mascaras for your lash needs can feel like a never-ending puzzle. It’s a complicated answer to a simple ask: a product that augments, defines, and darkens the lashes beyond their natural appearance. But once you discover your holy grail, you’ll never look back. Our team of editors and testers took care of all the trial and error for you, testing dozens of mascaras to pinpoint the crème de la crème. Whether you want added curl, volume, or length to your lashes — or all of the above — we’ve rounded up the 12 best mascaras on the market that shine for their staying power, rich pigment, conditioning properties, and eye-opening results.
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You’ll find plenty of formulas with sky-high promises, but few of them actually deliver. And, whether you’re shopping for the best mascaras at Sephora or the best drugstore mascaras, there are plenty of options to sift through. Mascaras generally vary on the drama factor: Tubing mascaras are designed to mimic send your lashes soaring, while nourishing lash serum-infused formulas softly coat each strand for a your-lash-but-better effect. Mascaras also perform differently against a variety of factors such as skin type, lash type, and hair texture. There stellar options created for different needs, too, whether it’s the best hypoallergenic mascaras, mascaras for sensitive eyes, or super clean mascara formulas that are vegan and cruelty-free. It’s all personal preference upon application, but eyelash trends can play a part in new product releases or inspire intended effects.
“For the last couple years, mascara’s job has changed,” says Patrick Ta, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Patrick Ta Beauty. “Before, we opted for a heavy, darker lash. In recent years, we’ve seen a lighter lash approach.” According to Ta, recent mascara innovations focus on creating definition and volume to emphasize your natural lash, “without drowning out your features.” While soft-sculpted complexions and feathery lashes from the best natural mascaras continue to inform popular TikTok beauty products, we’re also seeing trends spike in edgier eyelash styles. Bold, dark, and defined #SpiderLashes is an unlikely beauty trend to come from TikTok in 2024. The term has garnered over 92 million views on the app and even crawled across the eyelids of trendsetters like Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, and Iris Law.
No matter your lash style, there are plenty of formulas to play with and find your perfect match. Just ask our WWD Shop editors, who put 37 mascara formulas to the test. In order to track down the winners, we assessed each product through careful evaluation periods. We reviewed beauty retailer bestsellers and revisited old favorites, and also conducted extensive research on the best mascara ingredients and formulations for different lash goals.
Top Mascaras of 2024
Best Curling: Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara
Best Tubing: Maybelline The Falsies Surreal Extensions Mascara
Best Clean: Kosas The Big Clean Longwear Volumizing + Lash Care Mascara
Best Non-Clumping: Nars Climax Mascara
Best Drugstore: Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
Best for Short Lashes: Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara
Best for Volume: Lancôme Monsieur Big Volumizing Mascara
Best for Length: Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Lengthening Mascara
Best for Length and Volume: It Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara
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Testing Verdict: Top 3 Drugstore Mascaras of 2024
Mascara formulas can vary in performance on different eyelashes, and formulas cater to a variety of lash goals. Whether your lash type begs for fuller volume, extended length, lifted curl, is extra sensitive to harsh ingredients, or grows straight and short, it’s important to keep in mind that no single mascara is a one size fits all. That’s why our editors and testers selected the three best formulas of our lineup that offer different results. Without further ado, the gold medals go to:
Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara: If you’d describe your mascara goals as all or nothing, this Dior mascara is a must-have — its superb curling, lengthening, and volumizing capabilities are simply unparalleled. The formula’s slight sheen imparts a healthy look to your lashes, and that satin finish doesn’t result in any smudging or transferring throughout eight-plus hours of wear, according to our testers.
Maybelline The Falsies Surreal Extensions Mascara: Leave it to the lash experts at Maybelline to create a budget-friendly mascara that outperforms prestige competitors. This top tubing formula provides an ultra lightweight, feathery feel, while seamlessly lengthening the lashes with undetectable extension fibers. It’s our top option for those seeking out a tubing formula that lengthens and thickens.
Kosas The Big Clean Mascara: Clean mascaras have come a long way; they now deliver results that rival (or beat, in this case) their conventional counterparts. Kosas’ The Big Clean Mascara is a non-irritating option that’s hypoallergenic, ophthalmologist-tested, and complete with conditioning ingredients. But most importantly, this formula brings the drama — our testers experienced noticeably fuller, longer lashes with just two coats.
Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara
Best Curling Mascara
Formula type: Curling
Shade range: Black, brown, deep blue, deep green, and red
Special features: Infused with cornflower extract, jojoba esters, and cotton nectar; free of parabens, formaldehydes, phthalates, and mineral oil
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
If you’re in the market for a mascara that makes your lashes look healthier on contact and in the long run, our testers are partial to the Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara. The formula stands out from the fray for its shiny finish, which is due to its infusion of hydrating cotton nectar. This Dior mascara also coats the lashes with cornflower extract and jojoba extracts to boost flexibility and create a super soft flutter. Its curved wand successfully curls the lash line without the need for an eyelash curler, while also satisfying on thick volume. If you’re looking for the best brown mascara, this is also available in a gorgeous chocolate hue for subtle definition.
Editor testing and review notes: “Dior’s Diorshow Overcurl Mascara works wonders on any lash length or texture. Where some mascaras I tested only achieve one or two lash benefits, this one delivers the big three: It curls, lengthens, and adds volume to my fringe with two quick coats. And although it imparts hard-to-beat volume, that doesn’t come at the cost of clumps — instead, you’ll get soft, separated lashes that look more far more defined. I have oily eyelids, so many mascara tends to smudge on my skin, but this one doesn’t.” — Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor Claire Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $32
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Maybelline The Falsies Surreal Extensions Mascara
Best Tubing Mascara
Formula type: Lengthening, volumizing
Shade range: Blackest Black, Very Black, Brownish Black, Very Black Waterproof
Special features: Extension fibers
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
CVS Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Target Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
Maybelline is beloved for its high-quality mascaras at a low cost, and their newest release lives up to popular predecessors. The Falsies Surreal Extensions Mascara launched in early 2024, and we’re already prepared to call it one of the best mascaras from Maybelline. It’s also one of the best drugstore tubing mascaras, due to its engineered Hybrid Fiber technology that employs extensions of all different lengths and sizes for thick drama. Formulated with plant-based oils that condition the lashes, this mascara lends a soft, never stiff, feel.
Editor testing and review notes: “I’m a longtime fan the Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies Mascara, but the Surreal Extensions Mascara blows the OG out of the water. The large bristles evenly coat lashes in the same ultra-black formula the brand is known for, while evenly extending them to eye-popping lengths. Some tubing mascaras apply extension fibers jaggedly, but this mascara smoothly fuses them to the natural lash for seamless lengthening. I found this mascara to be very buildable, as three coats applied beautifully to amp up volume and length. The finished product appears wispy, feels lightweight, and aptly holds a curl.” — Commerce Writer and Producer Olivia Cigliano
Price upon publish date of this article: $9.99
$12.99
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Kosas The Big Clean Longwear Volumizing + Lash Care Mascara
Best Clean Mascara
Formula type: Volumizing
Shade range: Black
Special features: Cruelty-free and infused with conditioning ingredients including castor oil, panthenol pro vitamin B5, and biotinyl tripeptide-1
Revolve Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Kohl’s Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
Kosas is a leading brand in skin care-infused makeup and sensitive skin-friendly beauty, but their products don’t neglect the glam factor. The Big Clean Longwear Volumizing + Lash Care Mascara is no different. It’s infused with the same ingredients you’d trust to nourish and stimulate growth in your hair, like castor oil, vitamin B5, and peptides, and its formula includes plant-based sugars, rather than typical microplastics, to create drama that’s healthy for both your eyes and the planet. The wand is curved to lift the lash lash line from root to tip for full and fluffy volume.
Editor testing and review notes: “My lash type responds best to dry or thick formulations, and this mascara was an instant winner. I always go in with an eyelash curler before applying mascara, but I’ve found it’s not needed with its curling wand. The bristles fit snug under my lashes and lift each individual hair, which results in long, thick, fluttery lashes. Throughout the day, I noticed that my lashes felt soft and didn’t have that crunchy feeling I’ve grown accustomed to with traditional mascaras. This tells me that the formula’s conditioning ingredients are working their magic; something that’s especially evident when the product washes away to reveal soft super lashes.” — Cigliano
Price upon publish date of this article: $26
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Nars Climax Mascara
Best Non-Clumping Mascara
Formula type: Volumizing, curling
Shade range: Black
Special features: Free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Nordstrom Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Nars Climax Mascara offers a bold two-in-one lash effect. Its formula includes a creamy hydrating complex that allows you to build intense thickness in multiple coats, because it doesn’t dry on the lashes a stiff or brittle shell. (Note that this feature may cause the formula to transfer to your eyelids, so opt for powder eyeshadow if you have oily eyelids.) As you swipe, its tapered hourglass wand pushes lashes upward into a long-lasting lift. Thanks to its flexible hold, you don’t have to worry about excessive flaking, stains, or smudging throughout a long day.
Editor testing and review notes: “I love to build up my mascara on my lashes for more volume and length. If you’re in the same boat, you know that not all mascaras layer well. Nars’ Climax Mascara feels slightly damper than other mascaras when you apply it, but that allows you to pile on as many coats as you’d like without it clumping. The textured bristles help catch any built-up pigment, too, while also wiggling into every crevice of your lash line for uniform definition. I’ll do one to two coats for a casual look, and four (yes, four) for a statement lash look ahead of a special event.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $25
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Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
Best Drugstore Mascara
Formula type: Lengthening, volumizing
Shade range: Black
Special features: PETA-certified cruelty-free
Amazon #1 Bestseller in Mascara
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Walmart Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
The Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara is the best mascara under $10, according to our testers. Not only is it the number one bestselling mascara on Amazon, with over 240,000 five-star ratings, but it’s also been searched and viewed on TikTok by nearly 50 million users. This low-cost mascara features a conic fiber brush that resists clumping and builds up dark pigment for intense volume. Lash Princess is no doubt one of the best mascaras at Ulta — and it’s guaranteed to cut both your lash routine and mascara budget in half.
Editor testing and review notes: “This mascara is my favorite Amazon beauty product find. This Essence mascara’s great for its super dark, dramatic color payoff and instant thickening effect. You really only need a maximum of two coats with this mascara to achieve big volume, unless you prefer a chunkier lash look. As the product name suggests, the tapered wand aptly reaches each corner of the eye to fan out the lashes and create a cat-eye, false lash effect. — Cigliano
Price upon publish date of this article: $4.99
$4.99
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$7.21
Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara
Formula type: Lengthening, thickening
Shade range: Black
Special features: Extension fibers
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Bluemercury Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.7/5 stars
“A lot of tubing mascaras are thin and don’t give you a big, full lash,” explains celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles, but our testers conclude that this one delivers on serious thickness and length. Kevyn Aucoin’s The Volume Mascara features an innovative tubing mascara formulation that extends the length of lashes with feathery fibers. Its small wand grips each hair at the base, making this one of the best mascaras for short, straight lashes, and it lends itself to small eyes or lower lash application, too.
Editor testing and review notes: “A cult-favorite among beauty editors like myself, Kevyn Aucoin’s The Volume Mascara tops the charts for tubing formulas. Because this mascara wraps every individual lash in pigments, it inherently adds volume, but it also lengthens the lashes similar to a fiber mascara. Although the mascara isn’t technically waterproof, you won’t experience smudging (even through happy tears; I can attest). The bristles are short and dense, which helps coat the lashes without too many passes required. But the real genius of this mascara lies in its simple removal — all you have to do is rinse with warm water, and the pigments fall away without raccoon eyes left behind.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $32
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L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara
Formula type: Volumizing, thickening
Shade range: Blackest Black, Black, Black/Brown, Cobalt Blue, Deep Burgundy, Deep Violet, Deep Green
Special features: Formulated with panthenol and ceramides
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
CVS Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
If you ask our editors, the Voluminous Original Mascara is the best L’Oréal Mascara, hands-down. This same formula has graced the makeup aisle since 1991, and continues to live in the makeup bags of celebrities and esteemed artists like Mario Dedivanovic. Thanks to its buildable, volumizing formula and pitch-black pigment, this mascara harnesses the unique ability to create a soft daytime look with one coat, and high-drama density with two to three passes. Not only is the Voluminous Original Mascara one of the best volumizing mascaras at the drugstore, but it also comes with the added benefit of conditioning ingredients like panthenol and ceramides.
Editor testing and review notes: “L’Oréal’s Original Voluminous Mascara formula is richly pigmented, and requires minimal product to achieve a dramatic lash look. I particularly adore its ultra-soft, densely packed bristles that grab lashes without too much handiwork required. Because the bristles are so tight, I recommend wiggling the wand close to the lash line for an even, fully-fanned out result. After eight hours of wear, this mascara doesn’t flake or smudge, and removes cleanly with a cleansing balm and makeup remover.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $7.26
$7.26 $10.99 34% off
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$10.99
Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara
Best Mascara for Short Lashes
Formula type: Curling, lifting
Shade range: Black
Special features: Infused with provitamin B5 and serine
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
This Benefit mascara is a mainstay in Alix Earle’s makeup routine, who just so happens to be one of Ta’s most viral clients. In her #LashRoutine TikTok video, which has racked up over 10 million views, Earle revealed her best mascara combination: Several pumps of eyelash curler, a coat of Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara, and a transformative, lifting coat of Benefit’s Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara to bump up her lashes to “a more exaggerated look.” Roller Lash makes the most of short lashes with its curling brush and thickening formula, as it extends hairs upward for a bright-eyed effect. “This does a really good job at lengthening and separating my lashes,” says Earle in the video. “All the way from the root to the tip.”
Editor testing and review notes: “I always replenish my stock of this mascara as soon as I’m running low. I’ve tried dozens of mascaras with high claims, but this one does it all. It adds volume, separates my lashes, and enhances curl. I also love that the rubber lid is textured, which adds a helpful grip during application. This mascara is also super easy to remove with a cleansing balm or makeup remover, and doesn’t leave raccoon-eye residue under my eyes the next day.” — Style Commerce Editor Nikki Chwatt
Price upon publish date of this article: $28
$28
$28
Lancôme Monsieur Big Volumizing Mascara
Best Mascara for Volume
Formula type: Volumizing, lengthening
Shade range: Black
Special features: Free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Looking for drama? Lancôme’s Monsieur Big Volumizing Mascara has it in spades. In our top list, this is the best mascara for false lash look. Its oversized tube mirrors its hyperbolic effect, which is made possible by a thick wand that applies dense pigments in one swipe. That may sound like a recipe for clumps, but wavy gaps between the bristles allow for effective combing and separation for fanned-out volume.
Editor testing and review notes: “High-drama mascaras have a common caveat: They usually come with clumps. While testing Lancôme’s Monsieur Big Mascara with two, three, and four coats, I didn’t experience any wads of built-up formula — each layer glides on like butter for thicker-looking, well-separated lashes. Don’t expect much added length from this mascara, but the high volume payoff lends noticeable definition, no matter how long or short your natural lashes are.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $21
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Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Lengthening Mascara
Best Mascara for Length
Formula type: Lengthening
Shade range: Black
Special features: Free of sulfates, formaldehydes, mineral oil, triclosan, parabens, and phthalates
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Nordstrom Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
While our testers have discovered several great lengthening mascaras, we feel confident crowning this one from Hourglass as the crown jewel. It has a super clean formula, making it a top mascara for sensitive eyes, and features special film-forming technology that envelops each lash in long-wearing fibers. The wand’s short rubber bristles hug tight to the lash line to smoothly meld the extensions for a jaw-dropping mascara before and after result.
Editor testing and review notes: “Hourglass’ Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara wowed me with its ability to extend the look of my natural lashes — out of all the formulas I tested, this one gave me the most noticeable lengthening results. Some fiber mascaras are off the table for those, like myself, who struggle with sensitive eyes, but this mascara’s formulation never feels itchy, heavy, or irritating on the lashes and eyes. Instead, you get far-reaching, feather-light fringe. The formula doesn’t budge in humid conditions or when you break a sweat, but at the end of the day, it glides right off the lashes with warm water (no dark spots left behind). — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $32
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Patrick Ta Beauty Major Volume Mascara
Best Glossy Mascara
Formula type: Volumizing
Shade range: Black
Special features: Infused with peptides and glycerin; vegan and free of parabens, formaldehydes, phthalates, and mineral oil
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Kohl’s Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
“I’m so proud of this mascara,” says Ta of his Major Volume Mascara. “It has everything I was looking for and leaves behind the perfect winged lash.” Ta’s magic formula achieves dramatic volume with a custom double-cut brush that designed to eliminates clumps. It’s also blended with nourishing peptides and glycerin to keep lashes looking soft and healthy, while ultra-black pigments leave behind a glossy, inky finish. While it’s marketed as a volumizing mascara, it stuns with its impressive lengthening abilities, too.
Editor testing and review notes: “I love picking up new tricks from Patrick Ta’s content on TikTok, so I was excited to give his mascara a whirl. This mascara definitely classifies as a wetter formula, which tends to bode well for thin or naturally long lashes. It’s easy to pump up the volume with each coat and it leaves the lashes feeling soft. The wand is a classic mascara shape, with slight tapering at the tip to catch little lashes on the corners of the eye, and distributes product cleanly. This mascara’s black color is very rich and deep, which provides instant drama and definition with just a small amount of product. The chic gold tube is an added aesthetic bonus.” — Cigliano
Price upon publish date of this article: $29
$29
It Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara
Best Mascara for Length and Volume
Formula type: Volumizing, lengthening
Shade range: Black
Special features: Infused with biotin, collagen, and peptides; free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
No matter your lash woes, you can count on the It Cosmetics Superhero Mascara to save the day. Its wand is long and narrow, which allows you to address the entire lashline in one pass. The formula is on the dryer side, so it’s most effective in thickening and separating the lashes. Plus, it’s infused with biotin, collagen, and peptides, which support healthy lashes and nourish the surrounding skin.
Editor testing and review notes: “This mascara is a staple in my makeup bag. My mom got me hooked on it years ago and I repurchase it every few months like clockwork. The formula isn’t slick-wet, but just damp enough to separate and lift my lashes while building impressive thickness and length. It’s the best mascara for a false lash look — I haven’t touched my stock of falsies in ages because just one or two coats of the pitch-black formula packs a powerful punch. I like to focus the product on my outer lashes for a fanned-out look, which are easy to access with the narrow brush applicator. The name says it all — this mascara should wear a cape.” — Cigliano
Price upon publish date of this article: $28
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How to Apply Mascara
When applying mascara, it’s important to keep in mind that the wide variety of wand types and formulations require slightly different techniques to achieve a successful application. But with these key tricks and tips, your eyes will do all the talking.
Curl your lashes: For an eye-opening effect, curl your natural lashes before applying any product. A favorite among makeup artists is the Shiseido Eyelash Curler because it comfortably curls from the base of the root and leaves behind a long-lasting effect.
Consider lash primer: After curling, but before you apply your mascara, consider going in with the best mascara primers for added grip, length, and volume. These white or clear formulas set down a base layer for your mascara to hold to and build on. While some swear by them, others say they’re not necessary. Both Ta and Stiles don’t include lash primer in their typical application, since they already get superlative results from their favorite mascara formulations. But if you’re firmly in the primer camp or looking to revamp your mascara routine, Milk Makeup makes a great one with a spiral brush that gets deep in between each lash.
Wipe the wand: Once you pick your preferred mascara, gently wipe the wand to get rid of excess product before you apply. “It’s an old trick but truly is the best one,” says Stiles. “Wipe the wand with a tissue or paper towel before applying. You may have to apply more coats, but it will be more even going on.”
Swipe and repeat: Ready to apply the star of the show? “My process is simple,” Ta says. “Start at the base of the lashes, grip them, and move upward.” He recommends positioning the mascara wand at the base of the lash line and sweeping it in an upward and outward motion. For more drama, build on more coats for darker lashes. “Allow time in between coats,” says Ta. “This will help keep your lashes from getting weighed down or clumping together.”
Detail the lower lashes: Lower lashes are notoriously difficult to coat with mascara without a specially designed wand. Stiles has a brilliant tip on how to apply mascara on lower lashes. “I prefer to use a tiny, stiff fan brush to apply mascara to the bottom lashes,” she says. “I can get right up to the roots and distribute the mascara evenly, but without a hint of clumpiness. It’s a technique that’s best for a very natural look.”
Add falsies, if you wish: If your preferred level of drama doesn’t stop there, the next step would be to apply a band of false lashes or magnetic lashes. You may be wondering, “do you use mascara with false lashes?” That question is up for debate, and there are pros and cons. By applying a coat of mascara before false lashes, you have a better chance of getting a seamless result, as the natural and faux hairs will blend into a flutter of the same color. However, mascara may damage or gunk up a delicate false eyelash. It’s best to apply mascara first, wait for it to dry, and then go in with your falsies.
The Different Types of Mascara
Lengthening mascara: The best lengthening mascara formulas are popular for long and short lashes alike, since they deliver a subtler effect that’s perfect for daily wear. These formulas tend to give a fluttery, defined finish that varies from just a touch of added length to lash extension-status looks.
Volumizing mascara: Volumizing mascaras pump up the drama by adding bulk and thickness to your natural lashes, making them instantly stand out. The best volumizing mascaras get this done without causing any clumping or stiffness, giving you a finish that’s the next best thing to false lashes.
Curling mascara: All mascaras work their eye-opening powers best on a curled lash. You’ll need one of the best lash curlers to get this done, but a curling mascara builds on that effect with a lightweight formula that locks your lashes in place and keeps them lifted all day. These formulas are often coupled with a curved, C-shaped wand that follows the natural shape of the lash line to lift each hair from the root. Curling formulas are the best mascaras for straight lashes or short lashes, because they create an illusion of longer length.
Tubing mascara: Tubing or fiber mascaras are unique to other formulations because they contain tiny, hair-like fibers. These microfibers are often made of nylon, rayon, or silk, and act as tiny eye lash extensions that wash away at the end of the day. Tubing formulas are great for mascaras for short lashes because they physically extend the length of each lash.
How We Chose the Best Mascaras
To narrow down the best mascaras on the market, WWD Shop editors conducted extensive product testing based on comprehensive beauty market research. We also considered insight from industry professionals and celebrity makeup artists for product recommendations and tips for applying the best mascara formulas.
We tested bestselling and top-rated mascaras, TikTok-popular formulations, and included our own tried-and-true favorites. Our editors also compared hundreds of customer review quotes to select the most impressive mascara formulations to add to your makeup bag. Out of the 37 formulas tested, we curated the top 12 best mascaras to buy. However, the below runner-ups are worth considering, too:
Tower28 MakeWaves Mascara: This cleanly-formulated mascara is an amazing option for sensitive eyes, and we also appreciate the brand’s commitment to using 78 percent recycled materials in the packaging. Although the formula is amazing for length, it took a handful of coats to achieve the desired volume our testers were after.
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara: This mascara features a unique, diamond-shaped, and double-sided wand that effectively combs and coats lashes with a hydrating formula you can feel. But, if you have an eye shape that’s prone to eyelid transfer during application, this mascara can pose problems. The formula fails to completely dry on the skin in a reasonable time frame, likely due to its inclusion of carnauba and microcrystalline waxes, which causes thick smudging that’s difficult to wipe away.
Milk Makeup Waterproof Rise Lifting + Lengthening Mascara: One tester fell in love with everything about this Milk Makeup mascara — until it smudged under her eyes in just a few hours of wear, which is a no-go for a waterproof formula. For what it’s worth, its small, curved brush is exceptional at gripping each lash, while its dry formula builds dark volume in just a few passes.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara: Our tester loved how this mascara’s brush has two bristle lengths: the inner curve reaches the roots of the lash and the outer curve with longer bristles helps fan out every hair. The wand deposits formula all around each lash, which is great for those who prefer just one quick coat of mascara. However, our tester did experience some flakes with wear, and the formula results in a heavier lash feel.
Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara: Better Than Sex is an iconic Too Faced mascara for good reason. It’s a great options for those who love to pump up the length and volume, and it’s comparable to the L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara for its intense thickening power and chunky hourglass wand. The downside is that it has a tendency to smudge under the eyes. However, the waterproof version is one of the best waterproof mascaras on the market, according to one tester.
Benefit They’re Real! Lengthening Mascara: This popular Benefit mascara successfully defines, separates, and elongates the lashline. It shines for its spiky ball tip that allows you to hone in on fine hairs, along with its dark, glossy pigment. However, the hard plastic wand won’t work for those with sensitive eyes.
E.l.f. Lash It Loud Waterproof: This E.l.f. mascara is a standout. Its silicone brush is successful at combing each lash in the small corners of the eye. The wet formula builds clean, defined volume and works to extend the length of each lash. This is a great mascara for sensitive eyes or a lower lash mascara, considering its impressive staying power as one of the best drugstore waterproof mascaras.
How We Tested & Reviewed the Best Mascaras
Three WWD editors and product testers trialed a whopping total of 37 mascaras in order to pinpoint the best formulations on the market. Each product was worn for a duration of eight to 18 hours per day across a three-week testing period to examine key factors and features, such as lash effect, overall formulation, wear time, pigment intensity, ease of application, wand function, packaging, and clean removal. Our testers also assessed special features in tubing, curling, and lifting mascaras, to hold brands accountable to lash effect claims and usability. The mascaras included in our top picks were tested across a variety of eye lash types, occasions, and functions, as well as sensitive eye types, in order to assure readers of reliable wear and luscious lashes.
Our editors considered the following criteria while testing each mascara formula:
Packaging: We asses mascara tubes by weight, grip comfortability, wand length, and wand flexibility to determine its function efficiency and overall application experience. Additionally, our testers paid attention to the amount of product each wand deposits, whether product builds up on the neck of the tube, and if the formula is prone to leaking out of its packaging.
Application: The application score of each mascara was based on its ability to live up to its lash effect claims with ease. We counted the number of coats necessary to deliver on its effect, took note if the wand fit comfortably under the lash line, and analyzed the ability of its bristles to comb and grip each individual lash. We also took note of any clumping, smudging, flaking, or drooping that occurred during application.
Wear time: A mascara’s wear time refers to how long it holds the desired shape of your lashes and whether it runs or smudges on the skin. We tested mascaras in eight 8 to 18 hour time frames throughout of variety of likely settings and occasions, including while traveling in different climates, getting sweaty during outdoor activities, and for regular days at the office. Each product was tested against different types of face serums, moisturizers, and concealers regularly worn by our editors to determine their tendency toward smudging, flaking, or transferring.
Ease of removal: Our team of testers removed mascaras with makeup remover wipes, microfiber makeup removing cloths, face wash for oily skin and dry skin, and micellar water to determine the best washable mascaras. Any formulas that required more than one wash, extra scrubbing, or left pesky smudging or residue behind were not included in our list of the best mascaras.
Why Trust WWD?
Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Testers
Claire Sullivan is the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for WWD and Footwear News. She’s spent over five years researching, reporting on, and writing about the beauty industry for publications like Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She’s tested hundreds of products during her time as a beauty editor, so she’s well-versed in selecting makeup products, like the best mascaras, that make a meaningful difference in your beauty routine.
Nikki Chwatt is the Style Commerce Editor for WWD and Footwear News, where she both writes and edits stories on the latest clothing, accessory, and shoe must-haves. As a New York City resident, she’s garnered a love for handbags, shoes, and garments as well as beauty and skincare products that will keep her skin protected during the changing seasons. As a result, she has tested many beauty products, including different mascaras, to see which ones work agree for her beauty goals, and which may work better for others with different needs.
Meet the Experts
Patrick Ta is a celebrity makeup artist and the founder of Patrick Ta Beauty. His loyal clients include Gigi Hadid, Ariana Grande, Emily Ratajkowski, Camila Cabello, The Kardashians, Alix Earle, and more. Known for his innate talent to make women look and feel their best, he channeled that same philosophy into his namesake brand in 2019. Today, he continues to create products that are perfect for his celebrity clientele and anyone else looking to recreate his signature glow.
Fiona Stiles is a celebrity makeup artist whose client roster includes Jennifer Garner, Gwyneth Paltrow, Natalie Portman, Jessica Chastain, Elizabeth Banks, Lily Collins and Gabrielle Union. Based in LA, she has worked with numerous entertainment, music and fashion icons, and she regularly creates looks for leading brands such as Victoria’s Secret, Levis, Calvin Klein, Gap, L’Oréal, Ralph Lauren and Revlon. Some of the world’s most recognizable faces trust her implicitly, as do a roster of internationally celebrated photographers and directors. Her work is characterized by her emphasis on natural skin and show-stopping eyes and lips. She’s also the founder of Reed Clarke, which stocks all her best beauty discoveries from around the world.
Meet the Author
Olivia Cigliano is the Commerce Writer and Producer at WWD and Footwear News. She is a New York City-based fashion and lifestyle writer, riding the pulse of trends and digital culture. Her previous bylines can be found on CR Fashion Book and Elite Daily. When she’s not writing shopping content at WWD and FN, she can be found searching for a holy grail in a Brooklyn thrift store, surveilling newsstands for fashion magazines, or searching for her favorite beauty retailers for her next holy grail mascara.
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