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Mascara is one of those products that’s essential to any beauty arsenal. It can instantly transform your eyes with minimal effort and make you look more put together, whether you’re wearing next to no makeup or full glam.

We consulted pro makeup artists for their top mascara picks that lengthen, volumize, curl, separate, and are smudge-proof. Keep scrolling to find your new go-to.

Length

The right mascara can help you achieve eye-popping length that adds a lot to your overall look. “Some lengthening formulas contain properties that lift your lashes and extend their tips to make them appear longer, while others may use tiny fibers that latch onto each lash to add length,” says Ulta Beauty makeup artist Deney Adam. The soft bristles on this wand—which look like an hourglass spoolie with a narrow brush end—help plump and separate your lashes for an overall fluttery effect without clumping or smudging. It also contains jojoba oil and shea butter to nourish and condition your lashes as you add volume and length.

Another go-to mascara for the Byrdie team, this pick from makeup icon Bobbi Brown bulks up puny lashes with a lightweight, buildable, and super comfortable formula. Its slim Precision Brush has one side that works like a fine-toothed comb to gently separate and bust clumps, while the other helps you apply product with precision. This hydrating mascara also has an infusion of peptides, shea butter, and jojoba oil to give your lashes an extra boost of nourishment.

The skinny:

Leal is a lifestyle and beauty journalist who specializes in all things hair and makeup. She has been testing and reviewing products for 13 years, with a particular focus on mascara (it’s her favorite beauty product). She’s particularly fond of full, voluminous lashes.

While this minimalist mascara has a slew of five-star reviews, Leal warns that it’s best for a natural finish that might even border on undetectable. If you’re looking for a full-on va-va-voom, she recommends something with more hefty ingredients that can really pump up the volume. It’s dermatologist and ophthalmologist-tested and made with good stuff (like sunflower seed oil) that’s easy to wash off when it starts to smudge or flake.

Volume

As any makeup lover knows, mascara isn’t a one-size-fits-all product. Some will lengthen, others volumize, and some offer all of the above — which can make deciding which is best for you tricky. “Working out what formula you need primarily comes down to your eye shape,” explains Bobbi Brown Senior Pro Artist, Warren Dowdall. “If you have a round face and want to create a more angular, defined look, go for a lengthening mascara with a ‘no flaking’ finish.”

If you’re after fuller-looking lashes, on the other hand, choose a volumizing mascara. “This will make your lashes appear thicker and denser,” says Byrdie Contributing Editor, Catherine Hufton. She recommends using a wand that grabs and coats each individual lash. “As you brush, it should leave a smooth, plumped finish without any clumping.”

For a high-end pick, try Chanel Le Volume Stretch. Featuring a chic black matte tube, this luxe formula delivers weightless length and boldness. Its slim wand features tiered bristles that separate each lash at the root for a fanned-out finish. Makeup artists who use it for clients like Zazie Beetz and Karlie Kloss adore the formula’s ability to deliver a full but lightweight effect.

If you’re looking for a drugstore option, try Covergirl’s Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara. It’s formulated to be as gentle as possible and omits concerning ingredients (like sulfates) that can irritate sensitive eyes or aggravate contact lens wearers. It’s also infused with lash serum-inspired argan and marula oil that help keep your lashes healthy.

Curl

Whether you want to give your eyes a dramatic flair, full-volume, or a natural-looking flutter, there’s a mascara for every eye-catching look. And the best part is that these remarkable formulas aren’t only smudge-proof, long-wearing, and lash-enhancing — they’re also cruelty-free and made with natural ingredients for a healthy beauty routine.

The best mascaras come in all shapes and sizes, but what’s crucial is the way they shape and hold a curl on your lashes. If you have thin or straight lashes, you’ll need a mascara that will lift and define them, while a volumizing mascara is great for thicker lashes. Likewise, a waterproof mascara is ideal for smudging-proof wear, while one with a separating brush will help you achieve the sought-after falsies effect.

We’ve found the best mascaras for every type of lash, and they all deliver the perfect curl with ease and precision. Whether you’re looking for something that’s vegan and ophthalmologist tested, dermatologist approved, or contains provitamin B5, peptides, and amino acids for a nourishing boost, these remarkable picks will make your lashes appear fuller, longer, and incredibly captivating.

A cult-favorite, this mascara offers a gorgeously rich, carbon black finish that delivers drama and fullness to the lash fringe. The brush’s spiky bristles are designed to separate lashes and deliver a fluttery, sexy, and natural-looking effect. The formula is enriched with argan oil, mango seed oil, and panthenol to condition your lashes for a healthy-looking appearance.

One of our testers noted that this mascara is a good choice for those with droopy or straight lashes as it has a ‘fluffy hourglass’ brush that effortlessly coats each and every lash. Another noted that it’s easy to apply with a single swipe and provides impressive length, while also holding a perfect curl all day long.

This mascara has a cult-following and boasts a “wonderful, long-lasting curl,” as described by one of our testers. Its waterproof formula is ophthalmologist and dermatologist tested for safety, while the defining factor is its ‘Curl 24HR technology’ that sculpts and keeps your eyelashes lifted all day long. Another tester lauded it for its ability to resist sweat and tears, and the fact that it’s easy to remove with makeup wipes at the end of the day.

Smudge-proof

A good mascara can do so much: add length, volumize, elongate the lashes, and even give your eyes a wide-eyed effect. But the perfect mascara is one that doesn’t smudge, flake, or clump throughout the day. There are countless factors that affect how a mascara performs, including your eyelash type and skin laxity (which changes over time), the makeup products you use near your eyes, what you’re wearing and how it interacts with your other beauty products, and the weather (which can include sweat).

It may take some trial and error to find a formula that doesn’t smudge, but there are a few tricks and tips to help you achieve smudge-proof results. First, avoid oil-based makeup removers and go for a clean mascara that won’t budge or smudge no matter what you do. Also, opt for a waterproof mascara to ensure your look stands up to showers, pools, and the summer heat.

Another way to reduce smudging is to invest in a smudge-proof mascara with nourishing ingredients that protect the lashes and promote their health and strength. This clean option from popular brand Ilia is formulated with shea butter, mango seed oil, and panthenol to nourish the lashes and is free from the common nasties found in many conventional mascaras, like petroleum, mineral oil, and coal tar. It’s also ophthalmologist tested and safe for contact wearers.

The wand on this mascara is designed to separate, lift, and define the lashes for a natural, fluttery look. And thanks to its tubular formula, this mascara is waterproof, smudge-proof, and will stay on all day — even through sweat, tears, and humidity. Plus, it’s cruelty-free and vegan and contains no talc, carmine, or parabens.

It’s no secret that there are a lot of clean mascara options on the market, but this one is especially raved about by reviewers. With a blend of conditioning waxes and a dual-sided brush, this mascara adds volume to the top and bottom lashes for a dramatic look that won’t budge or flake all day long. The brush has a side with short bristles for curling and a side with long bristles to separate and define the lashes.