With so many options available these days, choosing the ideal mascara can be a bit overwhelming task. The optimal product should not only enhance the natural beauty of your lashes but also align with your personal style and specific needs.
“Celebrity makeup artist Anthony Nguyen, who works with stars like Adele, Sydney Sweeney, and Camila Cabello, expresses his fondness for mascara. He believes it accentuates the eyes and improves your eye shape. He considers it a must-have for a daily makeup routine, capable of creating both natural and intense looks.”
Whether you are looking for a mascara that offers dramatic volume, adds outstanding length, or promises a smudge-proof finish, we have combed through numerous options to bring you the finest the market has to offer. With a focus on wearability, simplicity of application, overall performance, and effortless removal, our thoughtfully selected array is made to fit various lash types and preferences.
Here, we offer a comprehensive guide to the top mascaras that have consistently impressed with their outstanding performance and demonstrated their worth.
So, say goodbye to mascara dilemmas, and let us help you discover the mascara that will truly elevate your beauty game.
OUR TOP PICKS
- Best Clean Mascara: ILIA Beauty Limitless Lash Mascara
- Best Viral Mascara: Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
- Best Volumizing Mascara: Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Mascara by Selena Gomez
- Best Lengthening Mascara: Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara
- Best Staple Mascara: Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Mascara
- Best Overall Mascara: Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
- Best Drugstore Mascara: Covergirl Exhibitionist Uncensored Mascara
- Best Wand Mascara: Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real Magnet Extreme Lengthening Mascara
- Best Waterproof Mascara: Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara
- Best False Lash Mascara: Milk Makeup, KUSH High Volumizing Mascara
Our Top Picks: Best Mascaras
01
What We Like:
- Dual-sided brush for versatile application
- Rich black color for enhanced visual impact
- Easy to remove, reducing the potential for skin irritation
Benefits:
- Lengthening: Makes lashes appear longer, adding to the overall eye appeal
- Lifting: Adds volume to lashes, creating a fuller look
- Cruelty-Free: The product is not tested on animals, aligning with ethical consumer preferences
Bottom Line
We’ve put ILIA Beauty After Midnight Limitless Lash Mascara to the test, and it checks all the boxes of exceptional mascara. As its name suggests, this mascara is indeed limitless in its ability to transform your lashes. The mascara makes use of organic bee and carnauba waxes, which condition the lashes, leaving them soft, flexible, and nourished.
The unique dual-sided brush ensures application to the hardest-to-reach lashes, from root to tip, while the light formula prevents the lashes from feeling weighed down. The result? Lashes that look naturally full and lengthy.
Plus, the mascara is easy to remove, reducing the potential for skin irritation. If you’re in the market for a mascara that offers conditioning benefits along with outstanding performance, ILIA Beauty After Midnight Limitless Lash Mascara is a must-try.
02
What We Like:
- Custom flex brush for every lash length
- Infused with bamboo extract and fibers for long, full lashes
- Allergy tested, ophthalmologist tested, suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers
- Washable, available in Very Black, Blackest Black, Waterproof Very Black, and Brownish Black
Benefits:
- Delivers full volume and limitless length
- Easily removable
Bottom Line
Our experience with the Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara Makeup has been nothing short of impressive. Its custom flex brush delicately captures every lash from root to tip, delivering full volume and limitless length, while the bamboo extract and fibers ensure long, full lashes.
The mascara is also allergy-tested and suitable even for sensitive eyes or if you wear contact lenses. Furthermore, it comes in a washable formula – a convenience that makes it a go-to product for any eye makeup lover. Try it, and we are sure you will love the sky-high lash impact it delivers!
03
What We Like:
- Quick build-up
- Holds a curl effectively
- No transferring or flaking
- Great for preventing smudging on the lower lash line
Benefits:
- Provides volumizing, curling, and lengthening effects
- Maintains the condition of the lashes throughout the day
- Remains completely flake-free during wear
Bottom Line
Our journey with the Flake-Free Perfect Strokes Mascara from Rare Beauty, curated by Selena Gomez and her team, was profoundly noteworthy. This mascara promises to volumize, lengthen, and curl your lashes while preserving their condition all day long—and it indeed delivers.
We were astonished to observe how swiftly it builds up, with less proving to be more in this case. Despite some minor clumping, which can be easily cleaned up, we admired how it made the lashes look well-defined and beautifully curled. What truly sets this mascara apart is its nourishing blend of castor oil, pro-vitamin B5, and biotinoyl tripeptide-1, which conditions your lashes while enhancing their appearance.
Best of all, this mascara stays completely flake-free as you wear it, a feature that truly sets it apart. Although the brush might be a tad large for the lower lashes, making application slightly tricky, the formula effectively prevents smudging in this area. This mascara is a remarkable product from the house of Rare Beauty that we can’t recommend enough.
04
What We Like:
- Exceptional lengthening effect
- Long-lasting, smudge-proof wear
- Easy to remove with just warm water
- Infused with nourishing Vitamin B5
- Cruelty-free, vegan product
Benefits:
- Creates defined, lifted, and volumized lashes
- Resistant to sweat, humidity, and tears
- Strengthens and conditions lashes with continued use
- Suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers
Bottom Line
We carefully tested the Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara and discovered its numerous benefits. This mascara not only creates an impressive lengthening effect but is long-lasting and smudge-resistant. Its thin, plastic wand ensures an easy application even to the inner corners of the eyes.
We particularly love the longevity this mascara offers, lasting all day without any smearing, and how easy it is to remove it at the end of the day. Additionally, being a cruelty-free product, it’s a purchase you can feel good about. The Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara is indeed a standout in its category.
05
What We Like:
- Provides exceptional volume, extension, and curl to lashes.
- Has a unique formula that creates a seamless coat on each lash.
- Equipped with a brush designed for optimal, even application.
Benefits:
- Enhances eye look by extending and thickening lashes.
- Delivers a dramatic, wide-eyed effect.
- Ensures long-lasting performance without smudging or clumping.
Bottom Line
Our testers had the opportunity to review the LE VOLUME DE CHANEL MASCARA and we were thoroughly impressed. The instant transformation it brings to your lashes is remarkable, offering outstanding volume, length, and curl. The unique formula glides effortlessly, coating each lash evenly for a look that’s both dramatic and elegant. The innovative brush makes application a breeze, ensuring no clumping or smudging. This mascara delivers on its promises, providing a long-lasting and captivating effect that truly enhances your eyes. Whether you’re aiming for a subtle daytime look or an intense evening glamour, this mascara won’t disappoint.
06
What We Like:
- Luxurious and dramatic finish.
- Hourglass-shaped brush for precise application.
- Long-lasting and smudge-proof.
Benefits:
- Volumizing
- Lengthening
- Curling
Bottom Line
The Better Than Sex Volumizing Mascara by Too Faced is a revolutionary product that transforms the lashes with its ultra-black, collagen-fueled formula. The product’s hourglass-shaped brush enables the user to coat each lash with precision, resulting in a dramatically volumized, longer, and more curled look.
This mascara is designed to be long-lasting and smudge-proof, providing a luxurious finish that lasts all day. The product’s high-performance formula and unique brush design make it a standout, contributing to its status as the number-one-selling prestige mascara in America
The best part? It’s vegan and cruelty-free, making it a guilt-free beauty choice. This mascara does not disappoint, performing exceptionally in terms of volume, definition, and longevity. It truly lives up to its name, giving you a lash experience that’s ‘Better Than Sex’.
07
What We Like:
- Jet black color
- Buildable volume
- Transfer-resistant
- Infused with moisturizing ingredients like coconut and jojoba oils
Benefits:
- Volumizing effect
- Available in 4 different shades
- Cruelty-free
Bottom Line
The CoverGirl Exhibitionist Uncensored Mascara is a standout drugstore product that offers dramatic volume. This mascara is praised for its jet-black color and the ability to be layered for intense fullness, adding incredible depth to your lashes.
One significant highlight of this product is its formulation with moisturizing ingredients, specifically coconut and jojoba oils. These natural ingredients provide much-needed moisture, preventing your lashes from drying out. We tested the Extreme Black shade and fell in love with how it intensified the look of our lashes.
Notably, the mascara wore superbly throughout the day without smudging, transferring, or clumping, proving itself an excellent drugstore find. While some online reviewers reported a bit of flaking, we didn’t experience this issue, affirming that the positives of this product surpass any minor caveats.
08
What We Like:
- Innovative Design: The wand and the formula are magnetically charged, enhancing the application.
- Impressive Results: Provides better payoff and evenly coats lashes, making them look longer.
- Expert Approval: Cosmetic chemist Ginger King endorses the product, praising the brand for getting it “just right”.
- User-friendly Packaging: The tube opening is purposefully made smaller to scrape away excess product on the brush.
Benefits:
- Volumizing: Delivers a volumized effect for a fuller look.
- Single Shade: Available in one shade to cater to a broad range of users.
- Non-Clumping: Perfect for anyone who despises clumpy lashes and desires length.
- Non-Waterproof: Easy to remove without causing stress to the lashes
Bottom Line
Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real Magnet Extreme Lengthening Mascara is a product that truly delivers on its promise. With a unique magnetically charged wand and formula, it ensures a more even application and longer-looking lashes.
The product has been tried and tested by our team, ensuring its credibility and efficiency. One standout feature we noticed was the smaller tube opening that conveniently removes excess product as the brush is pulled out, minimizing waste and ensuring a clump-free application. This mascara is perfect for anyone seeking volume and length without clumps, and it’s easy to remove, making it a great addition to your daily makeup routine.
09
What We Like:
- Long-lasting: This mascara is waterproof and is guaranteed to last all day without smudging or flaking.
- High-quality Brush: The applicator brush is designed in a way that it easily separates and defines each lash, providing a full and dramatic look.
- Nourishing Formula: It is formulated with hydrophobic ingredients that keep the mascara from running or fading, even in damp conditions.
Benefits:
- Volume-boosting: The mascara thickens and lengthens the lashes, giving them a voluminous look.
- Conditioning: It has a conditioning formula that is gentle on the lashes.
- Waterproof: It provides unbeatable waterproof performance.
Bottom Line
Experience a dramatic transformation with Dior’s Diorshow Waterproof Mascara. This amazing mascara has proven to provide long-lasting, smudge-proof wear. The unique brush effortlessly separates and thickens each lash for a full, dramatic look.
What’s more, its waterproof formula is gentle, conditioning, and nourishing, so it’s perfect for everyday use or your next big event. With Diorshow Waterproof Mascara, you can enjoy unbeatable, long-lasting performance without compromising on style or lash health.
10
What We Like:
- Weighted packaging allows for controlled application.
- Easy to build intense volume.
- Easily removable.
- Comes in recyclable packaging
Benefits:
- The volumizing formula packed with hemp-derived cannabis seed oil works to coat the lashes in dramatic volume while conditioning them and maintaining a soft feel.
- Ideal for those with straight eyelashes as it adds drama without weighing them down.
- Despite the slight clumpiness, it can create a false lash effect.
Bottom Line
The MILK MAKEUP KUSH High Volumizing Mascara has proven to be a great alternative to applying time-consuming false lashes. This mascara, laden with hemp-derived cannabis seed oil, impressively enhances lash volume while keeping them conditioned and soft.
Our trial revealed that this product could be the perfect pick for those with straight eyelashes. One of the users reported that the mascara added dramatic flair to her lashes, but the formula didn’t weigh them down. Although the mascara can get slightly clumpy, the result is so akin to a falsies effect that it might not be an issue.
For optimal application, we recommend gently combing your lashes after applying the mascara to remove excess product. This mascara combines volume and conditioning, housed in recyclable packaging, making it a valuable asset in your makeup kit.
Parameters You Should Keep In Mind While Choosing a Mascara
Type of Brush/Wand:
The type of brush used in a mascara can significantly impact the final look. The wand in Benefit Cosmetics’ They’re Real! Lengthening Mascara, for instance, is noted for its ability to lengthen lashes effectively.
Lengthening Capabilities
A mascara’s ability to add length to lashes without clumping or smudging is another critical factor.
Curling Effect:
A desirable mascara should enhance the natural curl of the lashes. Some mascaras are specifically designed with this in mind.
Longevity:
The mascara should last throughout the day without fading or smearing.
Price:
While it’s not the sole deciding factor, the cost of mascara plays a significant role in the purchasing decision. It’s important to find a product that delivers the desired results within one’s budget.
Safety/Allergens:
Mascara ingredients should be safe for the skin and eyes, and hypoallergenic products are preferable for individuals with sensitivities.
By considering these parameters, one can make an informed decision when choosing a mascara that suits their needs and preferences.
How We Tested
In selecting mascaras for testing, we adhere to a rigorous set of parameters to ensure the comprehensive evaluation of each product. We consider factors such as the formula’s consistency and adherence, the wand’s design and application effectiveness, and the product’s overall performance in terms of lengthening, volumizing, and curling.
Furthermore, we assess its smudge-proof and water-resistant qualities, the ease of removal, and its impact on lash health over time.
Reviews from trusted beauty industry sources and consumer experiences also provide valuable insights into product efficacy, which we factor into our selection process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, each mascara provides unique benefits and caters to different needs based on various factors including brush design, lengthening capabilities, curling effect, longevity, price, and allergens.
Notably, these mascaras aren’t just about enhancing your eyelashes’ appearance, they also prioritize lash health with nourishing ingredients. Coupled with ethical considerations such as cruelty-free testing, these mascaras are more than worth the investment.
No matter what your specific lash needs are – whether it’s length, volume, or curl – there’s a mascara in our list that is a perfect match for you, but the best choice depends on the specific needs and preferences of the user!
Enhance your eye makeup with the perfect pairing of the best eyeliners and mascaras, creating a captivating and alluring look that defines and accentuates your eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What type of mascara brush is best?
Q. Which mascara is best for lengthening?
Q. Is there a mascara that can curl my lashes?
Q. How long should a mascara last?
Q. What should I consider in terms of safety and allergens when choosing a mascara?
Q. How important is the price when choosing a mascara?
Sources
Glozine avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Glozine, you can read more about the editorial process here.
- ANTHONY H. NGUYEN - https://www.thewallgroup.com/artist/anthony-h-nguyen
- Effects of Candelilla and Carnauba Wax Incorporation on the Functional Properties of Edible Sodium Caseinate Films - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7764186/
- Biotinoyl tripeptide-1 - https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Biotinoyl-tripeptide-1#section=Structures
- The eyelash follicle features and anomalies: A review - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6147748/
