Beauty Editors Swear by These Tried-and-True Mascaras
Beauty Editors Swear by These Tried-and-True Mascaras
Searching for the best mascara? Whether you want to darken, lift, lengthen, curl, or all of the above, there's a formula that can do it. Here, we've put together a list of tried-and-true mascaras, from prestige brands to drugstore buys, that our editors trust on their own lashes! Read on to see our favorites and why we swear by them.
1) L'Oréal Voluminous Volume Building Curved Brush Mascara
L'Oreal Paris
amazon.com
$5.84
Pump up the volume with this L'Oréal mascara! The curved brush and formula are designed to make lashes up to five times thicker and longer for a dramatic difference that you can still rock for daytime.
"I love the curved brush and velvety finish of this L’Oréal mascara. It covers my lashes with minimal clumping, stays on for the day, and washes off easily with just a cleanser. The curved wand makes it fairly easy to maneuver around my lower lashes without smearing my nose or under eye, too!" - Bridget Clegg, photo manager
"Mascara is one of the beauty products that I typically don’t splurge on, but I still want great results. I get this L’Oréal one at a drugstore for under $10 and still get long, volumized lashes. I always put on two coats to really make my eyes pop!" - Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, associate editor
2) Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
Maybelline New York
amazon.com
$6.69
If you live for length, then don't miss this mascara. The brush is designed with 10 layers of bristles to capture every row of lashes on your lid.
"I'm a drugstore makeup junkie, and I used to be the queen of using two mascaras at once because I couldn't find one that truly gave me volume and length in equal measure. A few years ago, I tried this mascara on a whim because it had good reviews, and it's my holy grail now. The brush is a game changer because it separates and lengthens as you apply it, so you get volume and length - no spider lashes or clumps in sight! I'm hooked!" - Kayla Ramsey, photo editor
3) Covergirl LashBlast Volume Mascara
amazon.com
$5.89
Sometimes you just can't beat a classic. This Covergirl favorite delivers serious volume, and makes natural lashes up to 10 times longer! Plus, it comes in regular and waterproof versions to suit all of your makeup needs.
"I’ve been using Covergirl’s LashBlast mascara for probably 10 years. Every now and then I try something new from Sephora, and I’m never happy with it, so I always go back to Covergirl. It’s a great price, the tube lasts a long time, and I absolutely love the brush. It really separates my lashes without making them look clumpy and does a good job of lengthening, too. I have both regular and waterproof - I love it so much!" - Erica Murphy, associate director, SEO
4) Lanc?me Hypn?se Drama Instant Full Volume Mascara
Lanc?me
ulta.com
$27.50
All about the drama? This mascara with an intense black formula features a unique S-shaped brush with a concave and convex side that when used together give lashes a voluminous, fanned-out look.
"Yes, the drugstore has its fair share of great mascaras, but every time I try something new, I always end up going back to this volumizing and lengthening formula from Lanc?me. Just one look at its curvy S-shaped brush, and you know it’ll do the hard work for you.
"In fact, after years of curling my lashes, I discovered that just a few swipes of this mascara gave me the same effect without the added step in my routine." - Zarah Kavarana, contributing editor
5) Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
Too Faced
ulta.com
$24.00
When you want a falsie effect, you need Too Faced's cult-favorite Better Than Sex mascara. The hourglass-shaped spoolie thickens and lengthens for lashes with a glamorous, over-the-top look.
"I like a big, full lash but HATE to put on false eyelashes. This is the next best bet. It coats, lengthens, and separates to the point where people compliment my lashes constantly. One coat is great for daily use, and two coats is va-va-voom for night. I’ve been using it for 8 years straight and there’s no turning back." - Christine Anderson, executive director
6) Milk Makeup KUSH High Volume Mascara
Milk Makeup
amazon.com
$30.26
Your lashes will get so high with this innovative mascara by Milk Makeup. Infused with nourishing hemp-derived cannabis oil, this formula conditions as unique heart-shaped fibers cling to your lashes, providing a double dose of volume.
"I initially bought Milk Makeup’s Kush Mascara because I had a gift card and was looking to splurge a little more than I normally do on mascara, but of course, I ended up loving it. This mascara is the closest thing to wearing false lashes that I’ve found. Its unique packaging makes it really fun to use - it’s a weighty metal tube that feels like holding a relay baton - and its thick, fluffy brush swipes through all of my lashes cleanly.
"The vegan and cruelty-free jet-black formula contains tiny fibers that add buildable, dramatic length to my eyelashes, and though this mascara isn’t advertised as being waterproof, I’ve found it holds up well against my hay-fever allergy tears!" - Melanie Yates, senior home decor editor
7) L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara
L'Oreal Paris
amazon.com
$7.49
This mascara had us at Millionizer brush! The collagen-infused formula adds definition and length, while the plastic wand sweeps over even the shortest of your lashes.
"I’ve tried several kinds of mascaras in the hope of getting my tiny eyelashes to look like they actually exist and nothing does the trick like this L'Oréal mascara. The brush has so many bristles, fanning out my lashes with a few swipes. This is super buildable and produces a clump-free look that is super easy to achieve on the go. I also love the under-$10 price point!" - Sanah Faroke, contributing editor
8) MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara
MAC
ulta.com
$19.00
While other mascaras have fluffy wands, this one uses a scaled-down spoolie so you can cover every single lash with ease. The longwear formula lasts up to 16 hours, and also it's sweat- and humidity-resistant, making it perfect for when you need a mascara that stays put.
"I love this MAC Extended Play Mascara because of the petite, slim brush which is super easy to maneuver. This smaller sized brush basically acts like a comb, making it easy to catch both my top and bottom corner lashes to create volume, definition, and length. Plus, it’s waterproof - which means no raccoon eyes!" - Danielle St. Pierre, senior food and drink editor
9) Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara
Benefit Cosmetics
amazon.com
$25.00
Wondering where the name Roller Lash comes from? It's inspired by the retro hair rollers of the 1960s and '80s! This mascara uses provitamin B-5 and serine to condition lashes, while adding serious curl and length.
I'm a die-hard fan of all Benefit mascaras, but this is the one that doesn't leave my makeup bag. While the brand's Bad Gal and They're Real! mascaras are also amazing, Roller Lash continues to be my go-to because it doesn't clump, makes my lashes look almost too long to be real, and most importantly, it doesn't dry out, which is my number-one complaint with other formulas.
See our go-to tubes for enviable lashes.