The Best Clear Mascaras That Will Have Everyone Asking If Those Are Your Real Lashes

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As Best Products' beauty editor, I've tried my fair share of mascaras, but on days when I want to subtly enhance my lashes I opt for clear mascara. It is the ultimate no-makeup makeup product that's handy for a low-key 5-minute beauty routine — though I think everyone will enjoy using it as a mascara primer and brow gel in the evening, too.

Best Clear Mascaras

Why Use Clear Mascara

“Clear mascara is a universal product that any skin color, skin type, and age can use,” says Brooklyn-based makeup artist Danielle Clarke-Fisher. “Having really healthy, long, lush lashes and brows is in right now. Clear mascara coats lashes and brows, making them appear fuller without mattifying or creating a rough surface, so they look sleek, strong, and shiny.”

There are also several clear mascara brands enriched with conditioners and peptides that strengthen and hydrate the eyelashes and eyebrows. A few common ingredients I found during my research are biotin and vitamins B-5 and E.

Clear Mascara Versus Regular Mascara

Unlike traditional black and brown mascaras, clear mascara doesn't weigh down the lashes with globs of dark, heavy product. Instead, it adds natural definition, separation, and a trendy glossy effect to bare lashes, explains celebrity makeup artist Jenny Patinkin.

Application

Users can coat their lashes with clear mascara like they would apply their favorite traditional mascara. Patinkin is partial to concentrating it at the root of the eyelashes to support a curl and adding a bit on the tips to add a little sheen. Our experts say we can swipe on clear mascara before or after regular mascara. Both methods give beautiful results, but the choice depends on the kind of effect someone wants.

• Applying clear mascara before is ideal when someone wants a primer for their tinted mascara.“It gives added volume and extra length to your lashes,” says Clarke-Fisher. Swipe on a coat and let it dry before applying regular mascara: It’ll help keep the lashes looking full and lush.

• Coating lashes after is best when someone wants to a false eyelash effect or want a pretty sheen. “Applying clear mascara after your colored mascara gives added definition and shine,” adds Clarke-Fisher. If you follow this order, be sure to carefully wipe off excess clear mascara from the applicator to avoid clumps.

Clear Mascara for Your Eyebrows

Another reason to incorporate clear mascara into your routine? It saves you money in the long-run. Not only does it replace traditional mascara and lash primer, but it is an excellent brow gel. “Clear mascara gives you a soap brow effect without the added weight,” says Clarke-Fisher. The soap brow trend will help smooth your eyebrow hairs and impart a natural sheen.

Plus, clear mascara is safe for eyebrows, but brow gel shouldn't be applied to eyelashes because they typically contain brow-enhancing fibers, according to both makeup artists. Clear mascara keeps your brows soft and plush, while eyebrow gel can leave them stiff,” adds Clarke-Fisher.

How We Chose

Ready to scoop up a clear mascara? Here are seven of our editor- and expert-approved favorite clear mascara brands worth using.

• Loved by experts: Some have been a staple in my makeup bag for years, while others earned snaps from Clarke-Fisher and Patinkin. I've been covering beauty for national publications and news networks since 2016.

• Formulation: Many of these clear mascaras are considered natural makeup because they're made with clean ingredients, like aloe vera found in the Ere Perez and Zuzu Luxe options.

• Affordability: As a self-proclaimed budget-conscious shopper, all of these clear mascaras cost $28 or less, making them an affordable addition to someone's beauty routine. Three picks — e.l.f. Cosmetics, Essence, and CoverGirl — cost $7 and under, so dance moms can stock up on backup options for their favorite ballerina.

• Reviews: For added comfort, I read hundreds of online reviews to ensure every clear mascara on this list lives up to its brand promises.

Great Lash Clear Mascara (2-Pack)

When it comes to clear mascara, it doesn’t get any more iconic than Maybelline’s Great Lash. It’s the first clear mascara I’ve used, and honestly, you couldn’t get a better deal for the price and performance. To keep everything clean and sanitary, I opt for the two-pack and keep one tube for my brows and another for my lashes.

This clear version features a hypoallergenic formula and lash-doubling brush that separates, volumizes, and lengthens. It's a no-fail clear mascara that's cost-effective and adored by makeup artists like Patinkin and beauty enthusiasts like actress Jenna Dewan, who uses it to groom her eyebrows.

After Dewan fills in her brows with a dark brown pencil, she likes to brush her hairs in an upward motion to help lock them in place. "I love this stuff," she says on her YouTube channel. "This stuff stays all day."

More: Best Tested: $5 TikTok-Famous Essence Lash Princess Mascara Review

Great Lash Clear Mascara

When it comes to clear mascara, it doesn’t get any more iconic than Maybelline’s Great Lash. This clear version features a hypoallergenic formula and lash-doubling brush that separates, volumizes, and lengthens.

It's a no-fail clear mascara that's both cost-effective and adored by makeup artists like Patinkin and beauty enthusiasts like actress Jenna Dewan, who uses it to groom her eyebrows. After Dewan fills in her brows with a dark brown pencil, she likes to brush her hairs in an upward motion to help lock them in place. "I love this stuff," she says on her YouTube channel. "This stuff stays all day."

More: The Best At-Home Waxing Kits for Better-Groomed Arches

Brow & Lash Gel

Out of the seven clear mascaras on our list, Dr. Hauschka's product offers the most flexibility — it can be used as a clear mascara, brow gel, or conditioning mascara primer. It can even help tame frizzy hair in a pinch. We love that it's formulated with botanical ingredients like neem and eyebright extracts that nourish both the eyebrows and lashes.

“I also use this on my lashes to give a little volume for quick trips out when I don’t want to wear makeup. It is good for separating and adding a bit of shape to my lashes,” says one satisfied Amazon reviewer.

Professional Natural Lash Mascara

CoverGirl’s answer to clear mascara is a new classic. It can applied for a sheer wash over the lashes to keep them looking natural and in place, or groom brows before going to the gym or beach.

It’s not just the formula that’s a hit — the wand's shape is also on point. CoverGirl’s clear mascara is the sole option on our list that sports a curved mascara wand, making it super practical for separating lashes and eliminating pesky clumps.

“A curved wand is great for coating lashes from root to tip,” says Clarke-Fisher. “It’s perfect for professional makeup artists and beginners alike because it’s affordable and accessible.”

The hypoallergenic mascara will last up to 12 hours without flaking, according to the brand.

Lash + Brow Mascara

Prefer a clean mascara that's safe and gentle enough for lash extensions? Ere Perez makes a great option that's enriched with aloe vera, glycerin, and panthenol to help condition lashes.

Given its clean formula, Patinkin suggests that anyone with sensitive eyes can use this clear mascara to add a “really pretty shine” to lashes.

This clear mascara is also water- and sweatproof, making it especially handy to enhance eyelashes or groom brows before exercise.

One Amazon reviewer tried nearly 10 clean clear mascaras but swears this one is superior. Others say the non-irritating formula does an excellent job of preventing their real and false eyelashes from drooping.

Lash & Brow Gel Mascara

As one of the most affordable clear mascaras on our list, this option works well as a starter lash and brow product for those new to the makeup world.

It features a tapered brush to coat hard-to-reach inner and bottom lashes without accidentally poking yourself. It also boasts a relatively short ingredient list made with vegan and cruelty-free components, including panthenol, which is regarded for making skin feel softer and hair shinier and fuller.

Online reviewers love using this clear mascara for their no-makeup makeup days. “I like the subtle hold of this. It’s definitely not going to give you freeze or soap brows, but I love how workable this gel is,” says one 5-star review. “This dries clear and doesn’t look like bad hair gel throughout the day.”

Clear Brow & Lash Mascara

If someone prefers to keep the wands they use for their eyebrows and eyelashes separate, Patinkin recommends e.l.f's cleverly designed clear mascara. It features two wand applicators — one with a flat tip for your eyebrows and another with a tapered tip for your eyelashes.

It's also infused with multiple polymers, which help to thicken the look of someone's lashes and eyebrow hairs without any messy pigments. Plus, like all e.l.f. products, this vegan and cruelty-free clear mascara doesn't contain parabens or phthalates.

And don’t let its cheap price fool you. To quote one 5-star review, “I use this every day for my eyebrows and eyelashes! I don’t see myself ever living without it again.”

Mascara in Clear

For those with sensitive eyes, this non-irritating clear mascara is made with all-natural ingredients, including spring water, herbs, and vitamins. Notably, it also contains aloe vera and sea fennel extracts to help soothe and condition your lashes.

We also like that this clear mascara sports a spoolie brush that’s designed to add natural-looking volume, length, and curl to lashes without creating clumps.

“I have very hooded eyes, and this helped hold the mascara in place/stay on very well! And didn’t irritate my sensitive eyes,” says one 5-star online review.

Mascara in Clear

For those with sensitive eyes, this non-irritating clear mascara is made with all-natural ingredients, including spring water, herbs, and vitamins. Notably, it also contains aloe vera and sea fennel extracts to help soothe and condition your lashes.

We also like that this clear mascara sports a spoolie brush that’s designed to add natural-looking volume, length, and curl to lashes without creating clumps.

“I have very hooded eyes, and this helped hold the mascara in place/stay on very well! And didn’t irritate my sensitive eyes,” says one 5-star online review.

Other Ways to Use Clear Mascara

We also researched four other ways to use clear mascara, ranging from hairstyling to summer festival makeup.

• Locked-in false eyelashes: After applying a pair of falsies, apply clear mascara to lock them in without worrying about the visible clumps that other tinted tubes can bring.

• Glitter application: Want to make a festival-style statement? Use clear mascara to help loose glitter stay put. Just dot it on where you want to apply it, tap on the glitter with a finger or a sponge, and let it dry. Instant glam!

• Tamed flyaways: One of Clarke-Fisher's favorite clear mascara hacks is to use the mascara wand to brush down flyaways and use her hands to help smooth product into the rest of the hairstyle.

• Beach day makeup: Waterproof mascara isn't the only beauty option for poolside and beach activities. Swipe on a couple of coats of clear formula for a fail-safe way to prevent black marks from appearing under the eyes.

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