How to Find the Best Mascara
Few beauty products can make as much of a difference as mascara. But finding the best mascara for you takes a little experimentation.
A mascara that works for you should deliver the results you want—be it length, volume or separating. And it should look natural rather than clumpy or flaky.
Lengthening
When it comes to a long-wearing mascara that adds length without flaking or smudging, look no further than this cult-favorite from Japanese makeup brand Koh Gen Do. The formula features tubing technology that wraps each and every lash for a fuller, longer finish. The mascara also nourishes each and every lash with a blend of nourishing shea butter, argan oil, and jojoba seed oil to leave them soft and supple throughout the day. Plus, it comes in a ruby red tube that’s as pretty as it is versatile.
During our mascara lab tests, this lash-lengthening formula was one of the best. It’s formulated with heart-shaped fibers that latch onto each and every lash for an instant ‘your lashes but longer’ effect. Plus, it’s loaded with hydrating and strengthening ingredients like pro-Vitamin B5, jojoba seed oil, and coconut oil to nourish your lashes and prevent them from feeling dry. And the smudge-proof mascara is easy to remove with warm water at the end of the day.
Another top lengthening mascara we love is this offering from New York City makeup artist Laura Geller. The waterproof formula delivers a fuller, longer look that won’t smudge or flake all day long. The mascara is enriched with shea butter and jojoba seed oil to nourish your lashes, and it’s also infused with arginine to help them grow strong and long. Plus, the brush has tapered bristles that reach even your smallest lashes for an eye-opening look.
And for those who want to give their lashes a major growth boost, we highly recommend this offering from ForChics. The lash-lengthening mascara is formulated with plant-based conditioners and vitamin E to nourish and strengthen each and every lash for longer, healthier-looking lashes that don’t clump or flake. And the best part is that it works on any lashes, whether they’re straight or curly and even for contact wearers. Just make sure your lashes are completely dry and free of any eye cream or other residue before you apply the mascara. The mascara also comes in a variety of shades to match any outfit or occasion.
Volumizing
As its name suggests, a volumizing mascara focuses on thickening lashes to create a bolder look. It’s a must for makeup lovers who want their lashes to have a fuller appearance, which can be especially helpful for those with sparse lashes or whose lash density has thinned out over time. “Volumizing mascaras typically have a heavier feel to them, which is due to the presence of lash-enhancing ingredients like fibers, waxes and polymers,” says celebrity makeup artist Lisa Aharon. “These ingredients give lashes that bolder, heavier look that we all desire.”
If you’re looking for a volumizing mascara with a little bit of length, check out one of the best-selling drugstore products on TikTok: the Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara, which has been featured more than 47 million times on the app and is currently the number two bestseller on Amazon. It has a tapered wand that expertly separates and coats each lash to add dimension and drama, without overcrowding your lashes or causing them to look clumped together. The formula is made with natural ingredients, including shea butter and castor oil to condition lashes.
Another clean mascara option is the Ilia Limitless Lash, which boasts a nonirritating formula that includes conditioning shea butter and conditioning beeswax for healthy, nourished lashes. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free and designed with recycled packaging, which makes it a great option for intentional beauty shoppers.
Finally, the Kosas Extreme Volumizing Mascara is an ultimate volumizing product that lifts and lengthens lashes for a bold look. Its formula is infused with hair care actives such as shea butter and provitamin B5 to leave lashes feeling healthy and full. Its oversized spiraled brush is perfect for coating each lash with the weightless formula, which won’t flake or smudge and removes easily with a cleanser.
No matter which type of mascara you go with, remember to use it sparingly and make sure to apply it with a firm, even coat, and comb your lashes between coats to avoid over-applying. Also, don’t wear the same mascara for three months, as this can introduce air into the product and cause it to dry out.
Separating
As the name suggests, this mascara separates each individual lash for a clean, precise finish. It’s also rich in nourishing ingredients, such as shea butter and castor oil to keep your lashes nourished and healthy over time. It’s also waterproof, smudge-proof, and flake-proof—making it a great option for those with sensitive eyes or who prefer not to wear a full face of makeup.
It’s no secret that thicker, voluminous lashes instantly make your eyes pop and can even give the illusion of larger peepers. However, many mascaras that claim to volumize often end up clumping your lashes together and can create a thick, unnatural-looking look. The best volumizing mascaras have a finely-tuned formula that delivers the appearance of bold, voluminous lashes without causing any unwanted texture or smudging.
This is a top-rated volumizing mascara that has received high marks from beauty experts and testers alike. Its finely-tuned brush is designed to separate lashes while layering on the formula, and it works to deliver a natural, subtle look that’s perfect for everyday wear. It also features nourishing ingredients, like shea butter and avocado peptides, to keep your lashes hydrated.
Another favorite volumizing mascara from our testers is this one from KEVYN AUCOIN, which was praised by testers for its ability to deliver the “ultimate false lash effect.” It has an impressively long list of benefits, including a rich, long-wearing pigment that’s smudge-proof and waterproof. It also contains a blend of waxes to add shine and amp up the volume.
A top-rated mascara that’s a little more pricey, but it also receives the highest marks from our testers for its lengthening and volumizing properties. Its wide-angle brush has evenly-spaced bristles that comb through lashes to separate and define them, while delivering the appearance of full, long lashes.
It may come with a steeper price tag than most other mascaras, but this volumizing mascara has won the hearts of beauty pros and consumers alike. This product is formulated with a unique blend of waxes, and its wand is shaped to help separate each and every lash for an extremely natural-looking, beautiful finish. It also dries to a jet black color that won’t flake or smudge all day.
Curling
Curling mascaras sculpt your eyelashes into full-fluttery fringes, bringing alluring definition and wide-eyed allure. These innovative formulas are designed to address specific lash concerns and deliver nourishing benefits with a smudge-proof, long-wearing finish that never flakes or smudges throughout the day. These best curling mascaras use cutting-edge ingredients and innovative brush designs to create an impressive impact on your lashes.
This best curling mascara gives lashes an effortless allure that defies gravity and captures the beauty of natural eyelashes. With a unique curved brush design, it lifts and separates each lash to add volume without looking overdone. The gentle formula is infused with soothing botanicals to nourish the lashes for a healthy, beautiful look that lasts all day.
Infused with nourishing biotin, this lash-enhancing mascara offers a smooth and lightweight application that provides buildable volume for your lashes. The nourishing formula is free from parabens, phthalates and mineral oil, making it gentle enough for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. This smudge-proof mascara also has a long-wearing, water-resistant finish that won’t flake or smudge even during prolonged wear.
The ultimate lash volumizing mascara, this award-winning formula delivers a dramatic and long-lasting result. It’s formulated with conditioning biotin, licorice root extract and chamomile flower extract to prevent breakage and increase the strength of your lashes. Its innovative curved brush has staggered bristles to help you really load up your lashes and fine-toothed comb bristles to easily crush and sweep away clumps.
This smudge-proof and waterproof mascara has an exclusive wand with multiple bristle lengths to create an eyelash-lengthening, curling and separating effect. The patented, self-heating technology warms the mascara to its optimal viscosity, so it glides smoothly and effortlessly onto lashes to produce a full, luxurious, and stunning appearance. It also features a lightweight fiber formula that effortlessly holds the lashes’ natural-looking curl and is smudge-proof all day. This mascara is gentle enough for sensitive eyes and is dermatologist tested to be hypoallergenic. This best volumizing mascara is a must-have for every makeup bag.
