So, we scoured the market to find the most popular and well-loved mascaras before selecting 33 to put to the test in our lab in NYC. We evaluated each one based on its ease of use, wear, performance, overall look, and ease of removal . Those that performed best across the attributes and impressed us the most appear on this list. Keep reading to discover which mascara is right for you.
Few beauty items are quite as personal as mascara. Why? Because several factors come into play when finding one you can't put down. Lash type, desired look, and formulation will play a role in dictating 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 on the market, it can be challenging to find the very best options.
Best Overall
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
Ulta
View On Sephora
$16
View On Ulta
$29
View On Target
$12
What We Like
Hourglass-shaped brush
Intense volume
No smudging or flaking
Easy to remove
What We Don’t Like
Formula is a bit wet
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 so 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, we found it to be a great choice for everyday wear if you like a bold lash look, and it also makes for a solid option if you’re creating a glam or event makeup look.
Benefits: Volumizing, Curling, Lengthening | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Byrdie / Khera Alexander
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Read Full Review: This Too Faced Mascara Is My Secret to Curled, Defined Lashes
Best Drugstore
CoverGirl Exhibitionist Uncensored Mascara
View On Amazon
$7
View On Ulta
$14
View On Target
$10
What We Like
Jet black color
Buildable volume
Transfer-resistant
Infused with moisturizing ingredients
What We Don't Like
Some online reviewers report a bit of flaking
If you’re looking for a drugstore mascara that delivers dramatic volume, this one is worth picking up. It can be layered up to create intense fullness on the lashes, and we appreciate that it’s infused with coconut and jojoba oils which can be helpful to prevent your lashes from drying out.
We used the Extreme Black shade and loved how jet-black it made the lashes look. The formula wore well without smudging, transferring, or clumping, making it an excellent drugstore buy. And while some online reviewers reported some flaking (we didn't experience this), we think the pros far outweigh the cons.
Benefits: Volumizing | Shades: 4 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Best Volumizing
CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara
Amazon
View On Amazon
$10
View On Ulta
$13
View On Target
What We Like
Provides clump-free volume
Buildable
Easy to remove
What We Don’t Like
Strong paint-like smell
Cruise the makeup aisle at any drugstore and you’re bound to see a display of this beloved mascara. For years, it’s been hailed a top-shelf volumizing mascara, and despite how many new formulations have hit the market since this one, it’s remained a fan favorite. It promises to add definition and thickness to each lash without clumping or smudging.
We can confirm: it delivers on its clump-free claim. It made our lashes look full and voluminous while maintaining a natural appearance, and because it isn’t an overly thick or goopy formula, it’s great for defining the lower lashes.
We wish it didn't have a strong paint-like smell, but if you’re not overly sensitive to fragrance, it shouldn’t be a deal-breaker.
Benefits: Volumizing | Shades: 4 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Best Lengthening
Tarte Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara
View On Sephora
$15
View On Ulta
$27
View On Target
$15
What We Like
Long-lasting and smudge-resistant
Narrow wand makes application easy
Easy to remove
What We Don’t Like
Could provide more volume
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, it’s the lengthening benefit that 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.
Benefits: Lengthening | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Best Splurge
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara
View On Sephora
$15
View On Nordstrom
$15
View On Charlottetilbury.com
What We Like
Dual-sided brush
Clump-free
Wispy finish
Nice for targeting inner lashes
What We Don’t Like
Uneven application
Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk line is iconic, and this mascara is too. 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 you live in a humid climate.
In addition to providing impressive length, it worked wonders in terms of 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 note that 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.
Benefits: Volumizing, Lengthening | Shades: 2 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Best 2-in-1
Honest Beauty Mascara + Lash Primer
Amazon
View On Amazon
$16
View On Ulta
$20
View On Target
$20
What We Like
Provides clean length and volume
Primer and mascara layer well
Transfer-resistant
What We Don’t Like
Grip on the primer side is short and awkward to hold
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 a bit 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 was that the grip on the primer side is very short, making it difficult to maneuver without smearing the formula on the skin near the eyes.
Benefits: Priming, Lengthening, Volumizing | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Best Smudge-Free
IT Cosmetics Volumizing Mascara
Amazon
View On Amazon
$27
View On Sephora
$27
View On Ulta
$27
What We Like
No smudging or flaking
Delivers intense volume
Can be built-up quickly
What We Don’t Like
Packaging is a bit bulky
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 of this mascara—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 were able to 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 to hold.
Benefits: Volumizing | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Best Clean
ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara
Sephora
View On Sephora
$13
View On Walmart
$25
View On Iliabeauty.com
$28
What We Like
Dual-sided brush
Rich black color
Easy to remove
What We Don’t Like
Minimal smudging
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 works to nourish the lashes while lengthening and lifting them. It has a unique dual-sided wand that contains 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 we were also incredibly impressed that the ultra-black pigment remained easy to remove. We did notice just a bit of smudging near the upper eyelid, so if you’re prone to smudging, keep that in mind.
Benefits: Lengthening, Lifting | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Byrdie / Khera Alexander
Read Full Review: Today in Mascara Reviews: ILIA Beauty's Limitless Lashes Mascara
Best False Lash Dupe
Milk Makeup High Volume Mascara
Milk Makeup
View On Amazon
View On Sephora
$15
View On Milkmakeup.com
$15
What We Like
Weighted packaging allows for controlled application
Easy to build intense volume
Easy to remove
Recyclable packaging
What We Don’t Like
Slightly clumpy
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.
If you have straight eyelashes, this mascara could be the perfect pick for you. One of our testers with extremely straight eyelashes explained that 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.
Benefits: Volumizing | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Best Wand
Benefit Cosmetics Lengthening Mascara
Ulta
View On Amazon
$24
View On Sephora
$16
View On Ulta
$29
What We Like
Flexible wand
Doesn’t smudge or transfer
Great for separating
What We Don’t Like
Slightly difficult to remove
The shape and size of a mascara wand can make or break the outcome of your 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 to effectively grip each lash, and we found that 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 to coat the lashes in hard-to-reach areas, making for a full, even application.
If we could change one thing about this mascara, it wouldn’t be anything having to do with the brush. Rather, we wish it was a bit easier to remove.
Benefits: Lengthening, Volumizing | Shades: 2 | Cruelty-Free: No
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Best Flake-Free
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Perfect Strokes Mascara
Sephora
View On Sephora
$11
View On Walmart
$32
View On Rarebeauty.com
$20
What We Like
Can be built up quickly
Holds a curl
No transferring or flaking
What We Don’t Like
Wand is a bit too big for the bottom lashes
Slightly clumpy
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 its condition throughout the day—and it does.
With this formula, less is more 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 this formula is 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.
Benefits: Volumizing, Curling, and Lengthening | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
When in doubt, go waterproof
Have naturally-teary eyes? Scibelli suggests switching over to a waterproof formula to ensure tears don't cause streaking throughout the day. "Or you can seal your lashes with a second coat of mascara with a waterproof formula," he says.
Dry-down time is key
If you just applied a coat of mascara, Scibelli recommends waiting until each coat is fully dry before applying another. "This ensures a clump-free, smoother finish," he says.
Technique
As Spongebob once said, it's all in the technique. Sure, he was talking about bubble-blowing, but according to Scibelli, following a proper technique applies to mascara, too. "I always like to comb the back of the lashes with the wand as well with any leftover formula on the brush to really work through any clumps and to separate the lashes more," he says. "This will also help smooth the formula out for less future flaking."
We always enlist a range of testers for any review, but mascaras are another story. While some can be used across different lash lengths, thicknesses, shape, colors, and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind. When reviewing tools, we also take into account testers’ experience. For instance, a new, innovative mascara may feature an industry-leading formula, but if the wand still needs some tweaking to prevent clumps and webbing, we have to consider this when determining whether it is worthy of a recommendation.
For our review of the best mascaras, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and experts you interviewed for the piece — who all have different lash concerns, desired outcome (i.e., want length over volume), and whether one product was tested across varying lash types. Testers considered performance across three primary categories: efficacy, ease of use, and value. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors — in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we can fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.