Ask a beauty editor, and they’ll tell you: The best mascaras are an honorary member of the “phone, wallet, keys” mantra you mumble before heading out the door. Our must-have formulas extend our natural lashes to the heavens, boost volume, and resist clumping, flaking, rain, sweat, and tears. The best mascaras include a range of hues beyond your basic (yet essential) jet black—we’re talking browns, blues, and even maroons. Whatever your lashes need, there’s a perfect match on the market. We spoke to Allure editors and makeup artists to get the skinny on their absolute favorite mascaras (including Best of Beauty winners), as well as a cosmetic chemist for the low-down on how to get the most magic out of every wave of your wand.
Our Top Mascaras
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: YSL Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara
Why it’s worth it: For our dramatic lash lovers, YSL Beauty’s Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara is the next best thing to falsies. Take it from deputy beauty director Elizabeth Siegel, who loves the formula’s buildability and oversized wand, which she says makes it super easy to maneuver. The Best of Beauty-winning mascara offers smudge-proof, long-lasting hold, powerful pigment with every swipe, and iris florentina root extract to condition lashes. New York City-based makeup artist Sara Talias also swears by this thickening formula. “The brush is great for building fluttery volume with extra coats of mascara and allows you to grab all the lashes,” she says. (We’ve found that the sweet spot is two to three coats.)
“Its thick, almost pasty texture adds so much volume and thickness it’s almost comical—I’ve been interrupted mid-conversation by people asking if my lashes are real while wearing this. The brush is giant, which makes it easy to coat every lash, and even though it’s not curved, it magically adds a lifting curl to my lashes that rivals the best eyelash curlers I’ve tried.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
- Benefits: curling, lengthening, volumizing
- Shades: Black, Brown, Blue
- Waterproof: no
- Who it’s for: people who want a highly pigmented option
Best Tubing: Tarte Tartelette XL Tubing Mascara
Why it’s worth it: We adore the original Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara, but the Tartelette XL really takes the cake as a two-time Allure Best of Beauty Award winner (2023 and 2024). Both iterations are made with conditioning shea butter, moisturizing castor oil, and carnauba wax to lengthen and volumize each little lash—but Tartelette XL adds in biotin, niacinamide, and panthenol for extra conditioning and shine. Gone are the days of tubing mascaras falling short against regular mascaras: Our testers agree this one gives off a false lash effect. Like all tubing formulas, the “tubes” (made of a temporary polymer coating instead of straight-up pigment) fend off smudging and slide off easily at the end of the day with warm water or a bit of makeup remover/micellar water—no harsh tugging or rubbing necessary.
“I usually steer clear of mascara because it always travels to my under eyes within hours, but the Tartelette Tubing Mascara has proven me wrong. This stuff stays put, and I love the mascara’s chocolately brown hue that keeps things looking natural. I will say, though, on days where I’m looking for a doe-eyed look, I go for a more traditional formula.” —Annie Blackman, contributing commerce writer
- Benefits: lengthening, no-smudge
- Shades: Black
- Waterproof: no
- Who it’s for: people who need their mascara and height to last all day long
Best Volumizing: Chanel Le Volume De Chanel Mascara
Why it’s worth it: Give your lashes a luxury treatment with Chanel’s Le Volume De Chanel Waterproof Mascara. Pros like New York City-based makeup artist Joseph Carrillo say this mascara is the absolute best for its volumizing, va-va-voom finish. “It’s like ‘Wow:’ thicker, fuller, drama, sexy, and sultry,” he explains. It goes on flexible and dries quickly thanks to curl-intensifying acacia gum. Carrillo suggests starting at the base of your lashes, wiggling the bristles, and lightly pressing the mascara against your lash line for an instantly fuller, gap-free look.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“My itty-bitty lashes always need ample help, and Chanel Le Volume delivers noticeable volume from the very first swipe—and, importantly, doesn’t make my lashes look overly spidery. I love that Chanel plays with non-black hues in its lineup because your girl can’t pass up a brown mascara (I might have to try the blue next!). My only qualm is that it dries out a little faster than I’d like, but that’s definitely not unique to this formula.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Benefits: volumizing, thickening
- Shades: Noir, Écorces (brown), Blue Night
- Waterproof: yes
- Who it’s for: anyone who wants a dramatic boost of volume and thickness
Best Lengthening: Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara
Why it’s worth it: Ilia’s Limitless Lash Mascara is a three-time Allure Readers’ Choice Award winner that treats your lashes to a volumizing, thickening, deep black formula fortified with keratin, shea butter, and beeswax—rivaling many a “non-clean” formula. This flutter-sparking mascara has a unique, double-sided wand—one softer to curl and create volume and the other longer to lengthen and separate and brush out clumps. “I’m so serious about my lashes that I’ll even layer two to three different mascaras to get my desired look,” Allure tester Kat Suico previously said. “With Ilia’s brush, I don’t have to go through all those extra steps.”
Tester feedback from senior director of audience development Lexi Herrick
“This elite and long-lasting mascara can extend the length and volume of my lashes so well. Application is a breeze; it doesn’t clump, and it doesn’t bleed. One of my all-time favorites.” —Lexi Herrick, senior director of audience development
- Benefits: conditioning and lengthening
- Shades: After Midnight (soft black)
- Waterproof: no
- Who it’s for: people who love a clean formula
Best for Sensitive Eyes: Tower 28 MakeWaves Mascara
Why it’s worth it: There’s a lot to love about the paraben-free Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Mascara, like the triple-wave wand that coats and separates every lash, the humidity-resistant Aquaflex Technology, and the conditioning castor oil blend imparted with each sweep of product. Of the wand, former beauty and wellness editor Taylore Glynn told Allure, “Its short bristles almost grip my lashes so I can fan them up and out, and it allows me to apply the inky-black formula to the hard-to-coat lashes on my inner corners without smearing my nose with the tip.” It’s easy on sensitive eyes, fends off flaking, and looks good all day.
“The hold on this mascara is incredible. I have short, dense, and straight lashes that are just so stubborn—but this coaxes some length and curl out of them! This is one of the few mascaras I can actually use without any kind of irritation. While it’s not the most lengthening or curling formula you can get your hands on, it’s so comfortable and doesn’t flake or smudge. I love that it provides the perfect amount of natural-looking weight to my eyelashes so you can actually see them.” —Shanna Shipin, shopping director
- Benefits: volumizing, lengthening
- Shades: Jet (black), Espresso
- Waterproof: yes
- Who it’s for: people with sensitive eyes
Best Waterproof: Lancôme Lash Idôle Waterproof Mascara
Why it’s worth it: When you want a weightless, waterproof mascara that conditions just as well as it tints, Lancôme’s Lash Idôle Waterproof Mascara is your girl. The 360-degree bristles grab every last lash (even the teeny-tiny ones), while its white tea extract-infused formula nourishes to keep your flutter soft and strong. “As someone with hooded eyes and lashes so short, straight, and stubby they might as well be invisible, the Lancôme Lash Idôle Waterproof Mascara is nothing short of a miracle worker,” says Allure contributor Christa Lee. The outer curve of the wand lifts while the inner curve volumizes, making for a compounding classic.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
“The curved brush makes it simple for me to grab every last lash, which might explain why this mascara delivers ah-ma-zing lift and separation. One coat makes me look wide awake—a major plus if you, like me, have a very active toddler on your hands.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
- Benefits: volumizing, lengthening
- Shades: Black, Brown
- Waterproof: yes
- Who it’s for: people who want separation, people who want a waterproof formula
Best for Short Lashes: Kulfi Beauty Badi Lash Mascara
Why it’s worth it: Kulfi’s Badi Lash Mascara is a dream for the stubbier-lashed among us. Thanks to its tubing formula, you won’t have to worry about smudging, flaking, or running—just good old-fashioned length with none of the clumpy crustiness. The flared-tip applicator (shaped a bit like your lashes themselves) makes it easy to reach stubborn inner corners, gently separating for an elongated, fanned-out effect. Nourishing castor seed oil, rambutan extract, and a tripeptide complex help soften and strengthen lashes over time, so your flutter only gets better with every wear. And when the day’s done? It comes off so flipping easily, which is always a win.
“The worst part of wearing mascara is taking it off, which is why I am forever in favor of easier-to-remove tubing formulas. Kulfi’s version adds the perfect amount of volume for everyday looks and doesn’t leave flecks on your face come lunchtime. I love the spiky tip at the end of the brush that helps coat lashes at the inner and outer corners.” —Kara McGrath, content director
- Benefits: conditioning, lengthening, easy removal
- Shades: Black
- Waterproof: no
- Who it’s for: people with stubby and/or heavy lashes
Best Clump-Resistant: Too Faced Ribbon Wrapped Lash
Why it’s worth it: Few things in life are more frustrating than a clumpy lash—luckily, Too Faced agrees. Enter Ribbon Wrapped Lash Mascara, a separating, clump-free, flake-resistant formula that keeps lashes lifted for up to 24 hours. The grippy bristles and fanned tip ensure every last lash gets its moment, while the tubing formula means it washes away effortlessly with warm water—no tugging, no yanking, no drama. Happy lash, happy life.
“Too Faced’s first-ever tubing mascara is different than others on the market because of how lightweight it feels on the lashes, which also means lashes stay lifted and not weighed down. I also love the spiky tip on the wand that gets to all the corner baby lashes with ease.” —Angela Trakoshis, shopping market editor
- Benefits: lengthening, non-clumping, easy removal, long-lasting
- Shades: Deep Black
- Waterproof: no
- Who it’s for: people who want long-wear with no clumps
More to consider
- If you’re after a wispy, doe-eyed look, the MAC MacStack Mascara became a Best of Beauty Award winner for its max-strength hold that curls, lifts, and volumizes with each swipe. “Even with my oily eyelids, plus a day spent commuting to and from the office, I saw no flakes or markings around my eyes,” said former editor Talia Gutierrez. It also comes in two brush styles—the Mega Brush (for long lashes) and the Micro Brush (for shorter lashes).
- If your lashes resemble stubble more than full fringe, Prada’s Pradascope Lash Extending Mascara is here to brush things up. The wand looks like a mini hairbrush (fitting, since your lashes deserve the same attention as your blowout), and its nylon fiber bristles grip even the tiniest hairs to separate, define, and lengthen. The inky-creamy formula glides on smoothly and is infused with hyaluronic acid for a hit of hydration with every swipe. This high-end tube lasts up to 24 hours without smudging, yet melts away easily with remover.
- When you’re after major lash drama without the splurge, Maybelline New York’s Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara delivers sky-high results at drugstore prices. A viral TikTok sensation and Best of Beauty Award winner, this best-selling, flexible mascara wand has garnered millions of views. “My sparse lashes looked remarkably fuller without any weigh-down,” says Allure editor Trakoshis. The ultra-pigmented, smudge-proof formula is infused with bamboo fibers to add serious volume and length to your eye makeup look while staying featherlight. Opt for the classic Blackest Black or opt for a softer shade with Brownish Black for a more natural look.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I choose a mascara?
While some of us dabble with treatments like lash extensions or lifts, we all have our tried-and-true tubes of mascaras that we regularly restock. It’s also worth noting that everyone’s lashes are different, and the best mascara for your best friend may not be the best for you. For example, some Allure editors prefer lengthening mascaras for a brow-grazing look, while others prefer a curling mascara to lift straight lashes. Whatever the desired effect, some key factors we kept in mind while making this list include the longevity and pigment (yes, there are more than just black mascara) of each formula. We’ve run these mascaras through the gamut—meetings, errands, bottomless brunches, rainy days, and even the barre class—to see how they actually hold up throughout the day (and how many compliments they get, if we’re being honest).
How does waterproof mascara differ in formulation and wear?
It’s pretty self-explanatory, but in case you need a reminder, the difference between regular and waterproof formulas is whether or not they can withstand rain, tears, sweat, or any other unwelcome fluid that comes your way. Cosmetic chemist Ginger King previously told Allure that ingredients like isododecane (a solvent), paraffin (a type of mineral oil that resists water), and VP/eicosene copolymer (a film-forming agent) are the typical players in waterproof mascara.
Since waterproof mascaras are made to handle anything from a light splash to full-on submersion, they can be a little more difficult to wash off at the end of the day. It’s best to use a cleansing oil or cleansing balm to dissolve the formula without rubbing or tugging. Still, if your eyes or lashes are particularly sensitive, an easy-to-remove tubing mascara may be a better option.
How can you prevent mascara from smudging and flaking?
It’s always a bummer when a perfectly applied makeup look becomes a mess because of your mascara, but you don’t have to suffer through smearing. Instead, follow these smudge-defying tips from New York City-based makeup artist Neil Scibelli:
According to Scibelli, one common reason for flaking and smudging is too much product applied, especially on the first coat. “I always suggest removing excess formula off of the wand before applying it to the lashes so that you get a smooth and even first coat,” he says.
When in doubt, go waterproof
Have naturally teary eyes? Scibelli suggests switching to a waterproof formula to ensure tears don’t cause streaking throughout the day. But if you’re loyal to a non-waterproof product, “You can seal your lashes with a second coat of mascara with a waterproof formula,” he says.
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.
Flake-preventing technique
“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 separate the lashes more,” he says. “This will also help smooth the formula out for less future flaking.”
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
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.