We Found The Best Mascaras On The Market
In the quest for the ultimate mascara it quickly becomes clear that not all wands or formulas are created equal. The perfect mascara is more than just pigment on lashes it transforms your look and can elevate a simple routine into something effortlessly polished and distinctly you. Choosing the right one requires attention to detail. Do you want sky-high volume, sculpted length, or a natural feathered finish? Is your priority long-lasting drama or subtle elegance that lasts from morning coffee to evening cocktails? The shape of the brush, the density of the bristles, and even the weight of the formula can all change the final effect.
Finding a mascara that checks all the boxes is not just luck. The standout formulas combine thoughtful design with flawless performance. Curved or multi-pronged wands allow for precision and layering without clumps. Lash-loving ingredients strengthen and condition each strand while giving you volume and length. Colour is just as important. Black provides instant impact, brown softens the gaze, clear gives a natural polish, and unexpected shades like violet or navy add a playful pop.
How do we choose the best mascaras? We test them on real lashes looking at how the wand distributes the formula, how the lashes are lifted and separated, and how long the look lasts. Layering and buildability are essential because you want intensity without clumps. Longevity is tested in real-life conditions from humidity to long days of wear. A top mascara also needs versatility. It should translate effortlessly from a subtle daytime look to an eye-catching evening finish and work with all lash lengths and eye shapes.
The mascaras that make our list combine innovation, performance, and a touch of glamour. They let every reader find their ideal lash whether it is bold impact, natural refinement, or a hint of colour. Here is our guide to the best mascaras on the market right now.
Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara
Skip the eyelash curler and let Dior do the work. The oversized curved brush lifts and curls while adding volume. Press the wand to the lashes as you comb through to set the curl. The formula lasts all day but comes at a premium price, although cheaper refills are available.
Lash effect: lifting, curling, volumizing
Vegan: no
Shades: black, brown, blue
Giorgio Armani Beauty Vertigo Lift Mascara
Armani Beauty’s latest mascara effortlessly lifts, lengthens, and volumizes without clumping. The curved silicone wand reaches every lash from root to tip for an eye-awakening effect. One or two coats deliver a natural day look, while extra layers intensify the drama without smudging. The formula sets quickly so it stays put all day. The only caveat is that you need to work fast before it dries.
Lash effect: lifting, lengthening, natural volumizing
Vegan: no
Shades: black only
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
If dramatic volume is your goal, this mascara still delivers the most impressive false-lash effect. Its hourglass-shaped brush sculpts each lash, creating thick, curled, and separated lashes. Up to three layers build maximum impact while avoiding clumping. Oversized brushes can smudge on hooded eyes, so a cotton bud is helpful for precision.
Lash effect: dramatic volume and curl
Vegan: yes
Shades: black, brown
Lancôme Lash Idôle Flutter Extension Mascara
Lancôme has mastered the art of fanned-out, fluttery lashes. Lash Idôle stretches every lash naturally thanks to its skinny brush and 480 micro bristles. Short lashes get a precise coating from root to tip, creating a soft yet striking effect. The formula stays in place all day and layers without clumping. The only drawback is the rose gold packaging, which feels less luxurious than classic black.
Lash effect: lengthening
Vegan: no
Shades: black only
Westman Atelier Eye Want You Mascara
Plant-powered and gentle, this mascara glides onto lashes without clumping. Its hourglass brush reaches every lash while the buildable formula allows one coat for daytime and multiple layers for evening drama. Carnauba and candelilla waxes create glossy volume while shea butter nourishes the lashes. Perfect for sensitive eyes, it is available in black and chocolate brown.
Lash effect: buildable volume, lengthening, flake-resistant
Waterproof: no
Lancôme Lash Idôle Lash-Lifting & Volumizing Mascara
A gel formula that lifts, separates, and conditions the lashes. Even shorter lashes appear fluffier and more defined. The mascara dries quickly, giving a feathery, silky finish that lasts all day. Professionals love it for creating impactful looks without heavy layering.
Lash effect: lifting, volumizing
Waterproof: no
Shades: Glossy Black
Makeup by Mario Master Mascara Volumizing & Lift
Mario Dedivanovic’s latest mascara manages to volumize, lift, and lengthen while pampering the lashes. Infused with ProVitamin B5 and castor oil, the formula nourishes while building fluttery volume. A blend of vegan waxes derived from sunflower seeds, olives, and rice keeps lashes soft and clump-free. The tapered wand is designed to reach every lash, with the smaller tip perfect for lower lashes or precise application.
Vegan: yes
Shades: Super Black
Benefits: flake-resistant, sweat-proof, humidity-proof
Refy lash sculpt mascara
Refy’s Lash Sculpt Mascara lives up to its name. The single-sided, crescent-shaped spoolie may look counterintuitive at first, curving in the opposite direction of your lashes, but it delivers impressive results. The outer edge grips those tricky outer lashes, while the petite tapered tip reaches even the smallest inner-corner hairs. The formula coats evenly without clumping, leaving lashes lifted, defined, and perfectly sculpted for a polished, eye-opening effect.
Lash effect: sculpted, lifted, defined
Vegan: yes
Shades: black
Benefits: clump-free, precision application, buildable