TL; DR
Our favorite mascara is the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara thanks to the buildable formula that lifts, lengthens, and seriously volumizes the lashes. But if you're looking for a more affordable alternative, the Essence Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara only costs a few bucks and delivers gorgeous results, too.
Few beauty items are quite as personal as mascara and several factors come into play when finding one you can't put down. Lash type, desired look, and formulation all play a role in whether or not a mascara suits your wants and needs. However, according to makeup artist Nicole Bueno, all great mascaras should be buildable and resistant to flaking and smudging.
With a massive number of mascaras available, it can be challenging to find the very best options. So, we scoured the market to find the most popular and well-loved mascaras before selecting nearly 50 to put to the test. We evaluated each one based on its ease of application, wear, performance, overall look, and ease of removal. Those that impressed us the most appear on this list. Keep reading to discover which mascara is right for you.
Best Overall
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
Hourglass-shaped brush
Intense volume
No smudging or flaking
Easy to remove
Formula is a bit wet
Benefits: Volumizing, curling, lengthening | Shades: 2 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This mascara didn’t reach icon status by accident—it lives up to the hype. It promises to deliver intense black volume while lengthening, curling, and separating the lashes—and it delivers.
It builds up easily to create clump-free volume, and we loved that the hourglass-shaped brush helps to achieve separated lashes. It adds thickness without making them look overdone, and we were pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to remove. While we took no issue with it, some online reviews complained that the formula is a bit too wet; if you struggle with messy mascara application due to wet formulas, we recommend wiping the excess product off of the wand before applying it. Because of its impressive buildability, it's a great choice for everyday wear. It also makes for a solid option for creating a glam or event makeup look.
Read Full Review: This Too Faced Mascara Is My Secret to Curled, Defined Lashes
Best Drugstore
Maybelline Sky High Mascara
Adds length and volume
Separates lashes nicely
Doesn't smudge or flake
A bit tricky to remove
Benefits: Lengthening, volumizing, separating | Shades: 5 | Cruelty-Free: No
Out of all the drugstore mascaras we've tested, this one is our favorite. It has a long, narrow brush that makes coating each lash easy and has nicely dispersed bristles for separating and fanning them. The wet formula isn't heavy or goopy, but it helps to build up the formula and comb it through the lashes.
This one checks all the boxes—it makes the lashes look longer, fuller, lifted, and fanned out. It's great for minimal makeup days and can be built up to suit more dramatic looks. Plus, it doesn’t flake or smudge—even on the most humid days. It is slightly tough to remove because it comes off in small bits rather than dissolving with eye makeup remover, but it’s not so difficult that it requires scrubbing or tugging at your lashes.
Best Splurge
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara
Dual-sided brush
Clump-free
Wispy finish
Nice for targeting inner lashes
Can be tricky to get even application
Benefits: Volumizing, lengthening | Shades: 2 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk line is iconic and so is this mascara. Created to provide length and volume, it features a unique double-sided paddle brush that works to load and comb product onto the lashes while giving them a lift. It’s also smudge-proof and humidity-proof, making it a fitting choice if you’re traveling or live in a humid climate.
In addition to providing impressive length, it worked wonders for giving the lashes a curled and lifted finish. If you struggle to coat your inner lashes as one of our testers does, this could be just the mascara you need. She explained that while she usually struggles to lengthen the small lashes at her inner corners, this product eliminates that problem. She did say she wished the application was more even but admitted that the issue could be attributed to the shape of her eye, so everyone may not have the same experience.
Best Budget
Essence Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara
Buildable volume
Lightweight
Separates lashes well
Smudges a bit
Benefits: Volumizing, separating | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Despite only costing a few bucks, this mascara is a top performer. The larger-than-average brush does a great job of building the formula onto the lashes to create dramatic volume that isn’t clumpy or spidery. It helps pack on the formula fast (so you don't need to apply several coats) but despite its size, it still grips each lash and separates them effectively. One coat creates noticeable length and thickness, while a second coat yields more drama. And even after applying several coats, we never felt like our lashes were being weighed down.
The one con we experienced was a tiny bit of smudging near the outer corners of our eyes. It was far from the worst smudging we've experienced when testing mascaras, but if you’re prone to mascara bleeding or smearing, just keep this in mind.
Best Volumizing
Yves Saint Laurent Extreme Volume Mascara
Super buildable volume
Available in black, chocolate brown, and royal blue
Great for a false-lash effect
Isn't the best for holding a curl
Benefits: Volumizing | Shades: 3 | Cruelty-Free: No
This volumizing pick promises BIG lashes, and it delivers. It excels at thickening the lashes with a formula that builds from natural-looking volume after one swipe to false-looking lashes after five. It comes in three color options–black, brown, and electric blue– to complement numerous looks. If the matte black packaging wasn’t enough to signal that this is a luxe product, you can even get your mascara engraved.
We found this mascara easy to apply; two quick coats gave us full, voluminous lashes on the top and bottom–and no clumps. The formula dried quickly and stayed put all day without smudging or flaking, and came off fairly easily at the end of the day without tugging or pulling like some of the other options we tried. (Tip: use a reusable makeup eraser cloth instead of a wipe or washcloth). Our one con is that the curl we achieved with the initial application didn’t last the day, but that’s pretty common for volume-enhancing mascaras.
Best Lengthening
Tarte Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara
Long-lasting and smudge-resistant
Narrow wand makes application easy
Easy to remove
Could provide more volume
Benefits: Lengthening | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Tubing mascaras are excellent for creating elongated lashes—and this one delivers on that and more. The formula creates “tubes” that wrap around each lash to separate, define, and lengthen. While it also provides a bit of volume and curling action, the lengthening benefit truly stands out.
We appreciate the thin, plastic wand because it makes it easy to coat the lashes in hard-to-reach areas, like the inner corners. We also love the length that this mascara created, that it lasted all day with no smearing, and how simple it was to remove.
Best Waterproof
Mac Stack Waterproof Mascara
Buildable volume
Adds length and volume
Separates lashes well
Relatively easy to remove
Bristles are a bit sharp
Benefits: Lengthening, volumizing | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: No
If you live in a humid climate, have tons of weddings to attend, or simply can't find a mascara that doesn't smudge, investing in a waterproof mascara is key. This one is our favorite for several reasons. First, it lengthens and volumizes the lashes for a beautiful, defined look. One coat is natural-looking and suitable for every day, and additional coats can be added to build up more drama. Next, we love that the brush effectively combes and separates the lashes to ensure you achieve a fanned-out finish. The bristles are a bit sharp and spikey (so take your time applying this one), but we think they’re an ideal length and perfectly spaced to allow the brush to grip the lashes effectively.
Its impressive performance made it stand out even more. We didn’t experience any flaking or smudging when wearing it. Lastly, it was significantly easier to remove than most waterproof formulas we've tried. It takes a bit more effort to remove than your average washable formula, but a cleansing oil did the trick without too much rubbing required.
Best 2-in-1
Honest Beauty Mascara + Lash Primer
Provides clean length and volume
Primer and mascara layer well
Transfer-resistant
Grip on the primer side is short and awkward to hold
Benefits: Priming, lengthening, volumizing | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Mascara primers can be great for separating and thickening the lashes prior to applying mascara, but having to keep a separate tube in your makeup bag can feel excessive. This 2-in-1 product works to condition and prep the lashes, and create length and volume—without adding excess weight or clutter to your collection. The brush is narrow with short plastic bristles, making it easy to reach each lash, and the formula delivers natural-looking length and volume. It’s formulated with jojoba esters to nourish the lashes, and the primer formula helps to prolong the wear of the mascara in addition to conditioning.
We loved the lash look it created, but the one downside is the grip on the primer side is very short, making it difficult to maneuver without smearing the formula on the skin near the eyes.
Best Smudge-Free
IT Cosmetics Volumizing Mascara
No smudging or flaking
Delivers intense volume
Can be built-up quickly
Packaging is a bit bulky
Benefits: Volumizing | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
A mascara that can give the lashes volume and lift that resembles a salon blowout? Count us in. The brand nailed it with the name—it truly creates gorgeous volume and a lifting effect on the lashes.
Unlike many formulas that are too wet or thick or all too dry when you crack open the tube, we appreciated that this one had the perfect consistency right from the start. We loved that we could build up the intensity quickly—so much so that we could achieve a false-lash effect. But the best part is that despite how much we built it up, we experienced absolutely no smudging or flaking. One thing we would change about this one is the size of the packaging. While it adorably mimics a round brush, it’s a bit bulky and cumbersome.
Best Clean
ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara
Dual-sided brush
Rich black color
Easy to remove
Minimal smudging
Benefits: Lengthening, lifting | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you keep up with what’s popular in the clean beauty space, then chances are you’re familiar with this ultra-popular clean mascara. According to our test results, it deserves the high praise it receives. Formulated with a blend of conditioning waxes, it nourishes the lashes while lengthening and lifting them. It has a unique dual-sided wand with short bristles to curl and add subtle volume to the lashes and long bristles to lift, lengthen, and separate them.
We loved the defined look it gave the lashes and were incredibly impressed that the ultra-black pigment remained easy to remove. We did notice a bit of smudging near the upper eyelid, so if you’re prone to smudging, keep that in mind.
Read Full Review: Today in Mascara Reviews: ILIA Beauty's Limitless Lashes Mascara
Best False Lash Dupe
Milk Makeup High Volume Mascara
Weighted packaging allows for controlled application
Easy to build intense volume
Easy to remove
Recyclable packaging
Slightly clumpy
Benefits: Volumizing | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Applying false lashes can be tricky and time-consuming, so finding a mascara that provides a false lash effect is a great alternative. This 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. One of our testers with extremely straight eyelashes said it added so much drama to her lashes that they almost looked fake. And, although she was able to achieve a bold look, the formula didn’t weigh them down.
Our one con with this mascara is that it can get slightly clumpy. But if you’re looking for a falsies effect this might not bother you. To remove clumps, we suggest taking an eyelash comb and gently combing your lashes after applying the mascara to remove excess product.
Best Wand
Benefit Cosmetics Lengthening Mascara
Flexible wand
Doesn’t smudge or transfer
Great for separating
Slightly difficult to remove
Benefits: Lengthening, volumizing | Shades: 2 | Cruelty-Free: No
The shape and size of a mascara wand can make or break your resulting look, not to mention significantly impact your experience using the product. While there are tons of different types of wands and varying opinions on which kind is best, the truth is that it’s very personal. However, tons of consumer reviews and our tester agree that the wand on this mascara is fantastic.
The formula and brush work together to lengthen and volumize the lashes while giving them a lifted effect. The wand contains staggered bristles that effectively grip each lash, and we found the bristles did a great job of separating lashes for a more wide-eyed look. The bristles on the tip of the brush also helped coat the lashes in hard-to-reach areas, making for a full, even application. If we could change one thing about this mascara, we wish it was a bit easier to remove.
Best Flake-Free
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Perfect Strokes Mascara
Can be built up quickly
Holds a curl
No transferring or flaking
Wand is a bit too big for the bottom lashes
Slightly clumpy
Benefits: Volumizing, curling, lengthening | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Selena Gomez and the Rare Beauty team have created some incredible products, and this is one of them. It promises to volumize, lengthen, and curl the lashes while maintaining their condition throughout the day—and it does. Less is more with this formula as it builds up very quickly and can create some minor clumping. However, after cleaning it up a bit, we love that it makes the lashes look defined and curled. And best of all, it remains totally flake-free as you wear it.
While it's a great option if you experience flaking or smudging on your lower lash line, the brush is a bit big for the area which can make application tricky.
What to Look for When Buying Mascara
- Benefits: If you already have long, curled lashes, then perhaps reaching for a volumizing mascara makes the most sense. If you’re looking to fake the appearance of longer lashes, seek out formulas that focus primarily on lengthening benefits. For those with straight lashes, makeup artist Dominique Della Maggiore suggests opting for a tubing mascara since they help to add length and hold a curl. Bueno adds that mascaras with dryer formulas are ideal since wet formulas can weigh the lashes down.
- Wand: The formula and the wand are the most important aspects of a mascara. A formula might be lightweight, silky, and nourishing, but if the wand can’t apply it to your lashes effectively then it won’t matter. Some wands feature spoolie-like bristles that tend to be long and densely packed, while others have plastic or rubber bristles that make for a more uniform application. For example, if you have long, curled lashes, a big mascara wand will give you dramatic, fluttery lashes. But if you’re working with short lashes, a long, skinny rubber wand will allow you to easily grip and coat your lashes. It may take some trial and error to find which type of wand is right for you, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
- Shade: Black mascara is classic, but there are other color options. If you’re looking to create a no-makeup, makeup look, opting for brown mascara will give your look a more subtle finish. And if you like to get creative with your looks or enhance your eye color, try reaching for a colored mascara to change things up.
Why Trust Byrdie
Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She has tested dozens of mascaras—including several on this list. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.
Alyssa also spoke to experts to discuss important things to consider when purchasing mascara. Those experts included:
- Dominique Della Maggiore, a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with clients like Shay Mitchell, Liza Koshy, and more.
- Nicole Bueno, a New York-based makeup artist who has worked with clients like La La Anthony, Leyna Bloom, and more.