The 10 Best Mascaras to Level Up Your Lashes Like a Star
Maybe she’s born with it—well, at least that’s what people will say upon one look at your leveled-up lashes. After all, even when our entire morning routine is devoted to skincare, can we at least all agree our lashes never miss? A few swipes of this daily eye makeup essential can make your eyes look bigger and wide awake. Yes, the magic lash effect is real. With the right lash look, we can ditch the eyeliner but keep the glam. If you play your cards right, you may even be able to drop the curler and still end up with a false-lash flair. At the end of the day, falsies are expensive, so why not invest in a high-end or high-quality mascara that turns your natural lashes into even longer lashes?
When it comes to mascaras, there’s one for every budget, from drugstore mascaras (like the iconic MAYBELLINE Great Lash Mascara) to cult favorite best sellers (like DIOR Diorshow Mascara). There’s also a mascara for every lash type and beauty goal. Do you want one that volumizes, lengthens, curls, or all of the above? Do you have straight lashes that call for a curling mascara? Are you on the hunt for a formula that won't leave you with raccoon eyes after a dip in the pool? Are you looking for the blackest pigment, or something more subtle, like brown?
With literally thousands of options to choose from, it can be hard to narrow down the search. Luckily, as the lash princesses we are, we've done the hard work for you—thanks to a lot of trial, error, and of course, a little TikTok. Below are 10 best of the best mascaras for all different types of lashes and makeup looks.
1. Best Volumizing Mascara:
ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Lash Sculpt Mascara
When it comes to anything near the eyes, we can always depend on our trusty ABH to come through clutch. And the brand certainly doesn’t miss with this product, which offers extreme volume and drama (the only kind we like!). Formulated with biotin, collagen, and peptides, it not only sculpts and lengthens but also nourishes.
Don’t believe us? Let’s turn to our community. IPSY member MRoa, who has sensitive eyes, raves that “I have tried many brands in search of a product that defines and lengthens my lashes without causing irritation. This has been a great product. It provides long wear without flaking or smearing. The brush is a contoured shape that perfectly reaches every little lash.”
2. Best Tubing Mascara:
THRIVE CAUSEMETICS Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara
Tubing mascaras have become the way to go over the last few years. We love how easy it is to remove tubing product from the lashes. This volumizing fiber formula wraps lashes to thicken, lift, and define them for a look that mimics lash extensions more closely than most tubing mascaras we’ve tried.
IPSY member cdonahue18 says, “THIS IS MY NEW MASCARA! Lasts soo long and makes my eyelashes magically seem like they can just easily touch my eyebrows. The tubing technology makes it so easy to take off, but it honestly will last you overnight if you need to wake up looking good!”
The praise makes sense, because we’ve found that this mascara’s proprietary Orchid Stem Complex helps nourish the lashes and encourage growth, and it lasts all day with no flaking.
3. Best Waterproof Mascara:
TOO FACED COSMETICS Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara
Maybe we should have filed this under “ultimate cult-favorite mascara”—but even though this checks all the boxes, its waterproof power is one of its biggest flexes.
"Makes my lashes look full and thick almost like I'm wearing fake lashes, amazing product," says IPSY community member amtaylor3.
This version gives the iconic formula a waterproof upgrade that takes the brand's legendary formula one step further to make it extra long-lasting. With its famous hourglass-shaped brush, this mascara dramatically lengthens, curls, and volumizes for lashes that are truly show-stopping.
4. Best Mascara for Sensitive Eyes:
CALIRAY Come Hell or High Water Mascara
Not only does this buzzy product use the tubing technology we know and love, but this argan oil–infused formula is easy to take off, and—most importantly—is a dream for easily irritated eyes.
“My eyes are very sensitive and I received this mascara in an IPSY box a few months ago, and I’m happy to say since then I have had NO bad reactions with it,” raved one of our members. “This is the ONLY mascara I can use. I snatched this as an upgrade. I was happy it was available and a great price.”
5. Best Lengthening Mascara:
IT COSMETICS Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara
Packed with powerful, lash-boosting ingredients like biotin, peptides, polymers, and collagen, it makes sense this ranks as our best lengthening mascara. Thanks to its formula, this bad boy lifts, lengthens, and plumps the lashes. On top of that, this mascara stays put for hours without flaking, so your lashes remain strong and long all day.
And our community agrees, with one of our members writing, "This has been the absolute best mascara I have ever used. My eyes have become sensitive to makeup products over the last year, but this mascara not only gives me tons of volume, but it doesn't cause any irritation to them whatsoever!"
6. Best Vegan Mascara:
PACIFICA BEAUTY Vegan Collagen Fluffy Lash Mascara
PACIFICA BEAUTY has been a leader in the vegan game for longer than some of us have been alive, so it’s no surprise they’ve nailed this vegan mascara. In addition to boasting a plant-based formula, this formula is ophthalmologist tested, is safe for contact wearers and sensitive eyes, and helps fluff up flat or sparse lashes with instant length, volume, and lift. Oh, and leave it to one of our IPSY member to remind us what we left out: “Can we just scream some praise over here for the recyclable glass container??????” they wrote. “The weight feels luxury, and you can toss it in with the glass, I love it! I’ll absolutely be buying this.”
Sustainable, chic, and effective? Consider this one a steal.
7. Best Thickening Mascara:
BENEFIT COSMETICS They're Real! Magnet Mascara
Even if you already have full lashes, this mascara can still make it look like you have extensions. “I liked how separated my lashes were instead of being clumped together. Absolutely love the brush,” says one IPSY member. Our editors can attest to this—we’ve found that the brush is amazing for evenly applying the formula and fanning out your lashes. And come on, it’s BENEFIT COSMETICS, after all—who does lashes better?
8. Best Nourishing Mascara:
WANDER BEAUTY Mile High Club Length and Define Mascara in Jet Black
Dare we say this water-resistant mascara from WANDER BEAUTY is so nourishing that it almost acts like a mask for your lashes? Don’t believe us? Our IPSY community agrees that this is the it mascara: “I've been a Maybelline sky-high mascara girl for years, but this may be taking its place,” one person said. “Great lengthening and lash definition, plus I love mascaras that don't run when it gets wet but almost peels off. Prevents the dreaded raccoon eyes and I love it!”
In addition to everything else, the formula’s castor seed oil, trehalose (known to help lengthen), and fortifying peach leaf extract help extend and lift lashes while contributing to their growth.
9. Best Brown Mascara:
LAVAA BEAUTY No Chill Mascara in Brown
If you’re new to LAVAA BEAUTY, it’s time to get acquainted—because the brand makes our favorite mascara for the natural girlies (or the ones who want their blue eyes to pop). One of our users praised it for being “a dark chocolatey brown, lengthening mascara,” saying, “packaging is sturdy and feels expensive. It's more of a natural, understated lash, but that's what I like. The formula isn't that wet, so it's not messy.”
What partially contributes to this ultra-lengthening and volumizing mascara’s efficacy is its cone-shaped brush that coats each lash as it separates them. Its non-flaking formula is also effortlessly buildable, creating thick, full lashes in just a few swipes.
10. Best Statement Mascara:
BOBBI BROWN COSMETICS Smokey Eye Mascara
If you’re looking for a no-makeup makeup kind of look, you’ve come to the wrong place. This luxury buy brings all the drama (in the best way). If volume, separation, and lift are what you’re after, say no more. Unlike some mascaras, this bad boy coats each lash individually in rich, kohl pigments to build volume without any clumping—and the tapered tip reaches even the teeniest corner lashes. It’s the perfect finishing touch for all your smoky eye looks, but it’s also versatile enough for everyday use. If you’re short on time, reach for this baby and you’ll feel pulled together in a flash.
"It really worked like a dream," wrote one IPSY member. "It separated my lashes really well, no transfer, and no clumping at all—literally my favorite mascara I’ve ever used so far."
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