Best Overall

Ilia Limitless Lash Lengthening Clean Mascara

$29 at Sephora$29 at Ulta$29 at Iliabeauty.com

Benefits: Volumizing and lengthening | Shades: brown, black | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This product has convinced me that the perfect mascara exists. It flawlessly captured all of my lashes, thanks to the long wand and dual-length spiky comb, creating a lengthened, separated look every time I use it. I can build it up without creating clumps or stickiness, and it gives me the flattering, fanned-out look I love. That said, leave time to apply since you’ll want to keep swiping for the maximum effect. Since it’s easy to layer, I rock it both as a low-key daytime look or amped up for evening.

Though it’s not waterproof, the formula doesn’t transfer at all—through city commuting, a sweaty tennis match, or an after-hours party. I sometimes need a touch-up after a chiropractor visit or a massage, but don’t worry about pilates; this one holds up. The clean formula doesn’t irritate my eyes, and removal is seamless with no tugging or rubbing required.

Best Budget-Friendly

e.l.f. Lash Xtndr Tubing Mascara

$8 at Amazon$8 at Ulta$8 at Target

Benefits: Long-lasting, lengthening, tubing | Shades: Soft black, pitch black, deep brown | Cruelty-Free: Yes

It’s rare to find anything under $10 these days, and this high-performance, drugstore mascara is one of them. The tubing formula, made with jojoba oil to nourish lashes, comes in three shades: soft black, pitch black, and deep brown (so if you like more subtle hues, there are options). Our tester found it ideal for anyone with short, fine lashes looking for length and clean separation, thanks to a comb that grabs even the tiniest hairs. She was able to build it up smoothly with two to three coats and zero clumps. 

If you’re after major drama or a curl that lasts, prep with a curler first, or the lift may soften over time. When it’s time to wash up, you’ll need proper makeup remover to take it off, she confirms, and then you’ll be left with a nice, clean slate.

Ashley, tester: “This mascara adds length, separation, and pigment without clumping.”

Best Lifting

Jane Iredale Lash Fixation Mascara

$28 at Ulta$28 at Dermstore$26 at Walmart

Benefits: Lengths, lifts, curls; tubing | Shades: Black, brown | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you haven’t tried tubing mascara yet, this vegan formula can be your gateway. Tubing mascaras coat each lash in a flexible polymer that sets down and remains totally budge-proof, and then slides right off when it’s time to remove it. 

Our tester appreciated how this formula created a natural-looking, precise definition that lasted all day. The weightless texture felt like nothing on her lashes and didn’t bother her chronically dry eyes. She appreciated how dense the brush is, ideal for covering and grabbing those little, sparse lashes, but it did cause some clumping and smudging (notably on the lower lash line). We also appreciate that it’s seamless to remove, whether you use warm water or makeup remover.

Heidi, tester: “The lightweight formula is ideal for a more natural look with the option of applying a second coat to make it more dramatic.”

Best Curling

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Mascara

$20

$18 at Amazon$20 at Sephora$20 at Tower28beauty.com

Benefits: Volume, length, definition, buildable | Shades: Black, brown | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Forgot to pack your eyelash curler? No problem if you have this curved-brush wand on hand to lift and curl strands seamlessly. Our tester loved the results—curled lashes, lots of volume, definition, and “pigment that gets better with each coat,” as she noted. It also checks the boxes of feeling light on lashes, zero clumping, and no irritation. According to our tester, it doesn’t smudge or flake, except when she was crying (which, she shared, was easy to clean up). Just note, it does require makeup remover to take off; a basic face cleanser won’t do.

Ashley, tester: “I’d recommend this mascara to anyone who wants the curling and volumizing benefits from a mascara that has a curved comb instead of a fluffy wand.”

Best Buildable

Westman Atelier Eye Want You Clean Mascara

$45 at Sephora

$45

$36 at Credo Beauty

$45

$36 at Westman-atelier.com

Benefits: Volumizing, lengthening, long-wear | Shades: Black, brown | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This mascara felt like a beauty treatment for my lashes. It’s made with nourishing ingredients like shea butter and a carnauba–candelilla wax blend, which give the formula a creamy, buildable texture. It goes on smoothly and evenly while feeling conditioning and comfortable on lashes (zero stickiness). I also loved the look: clean separation, a natural curl, and sexy length. It’s not going to be your bold, volumizing go-to, but rather an easy pick for everyday wear. 

I tested it during a sweaty barre class and was genuinely impressed that it didn’t smudge or flake. I expected removal to be a hassle, but it rinsed off easily with face wash and never clung to my lashes in that classic waterproof way (IYKYK). As for the shade, I tested brown and wasn’t a fan at first, as it felt better suited for blondes or redheads. On my dark lashes, it shows up as a medium brown (not the deep-hued drama I’m used to). But it grew on me, and now I love it as a low-key option for work-from-home or family days.

Best Lengthening

Hourglass Cosmetics Instant Extensions Mascara

$33 at Amazon$33 at Sephora$33 at Ulta

Benefits: Length, lift, definition, tubing | Shades: Black, brown | Cruelty-Free: Yes

It’s never fun to pass by a mirror and spot a smudge of mascara under your eye, notes our tester (we couldn’t agree more). She was happy to report that this smear-free, lengthening formula stayed perfectly clean all day. Though not marketed as “waterproof,” it definitely acts as a long-wear product. The tubing formula felt light and comfy on her lashes, and the bristle brush—which narrows at the tip—allowed her to grab those pesky inner-corner lashes. Her favorite perk was how lifted and extended her lashes for hours. Don’t get heavy-handed, as she says one to two coats is all you need. To take off the tubes, she used a few swipes of remover (and one nail on a clump). It can also be washed off with just water and fingers.

Heidi, tester: “I would recommend this mascara to anyone who likes a separated, lifted lash.”

Best Volumizing

Charlotte Tilbury Volumizing and Curling Mascara

$29 at Amazon$29 at Sephora$29 at Ulta

Benefits: Volumizing, curling | Shades: Black | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For a sexy, dramatic lash look, this mascara will make you feel a little like Twiggy. It’s a true thickening formula, delivering instant volume and curl that holds for hours. The inky black shade is flattering and really brightens the eyes. The wand, however, isn’t the most precise—it’s a thick, curved brush—so I needed a clean spoolie to comb out a few clumps. Because it’s so pigmented, applying it slowly gives the best results. The one caveat: while it claims to be smudge- and flake-proof, I did see some transfer on the lower lashes. Even with some small smudging, my lashes stayed coated, lifted, and impressively intact. It washes off easily, sometimes leaving a bit of residue, but nothing a good makeup remover can’t tackle.

Best Smudge-Proof

Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara

$28 at Sephora$28 at Ulta$28 at Dermstore

Benefits: Volume, length, curl, tubing | Shades: Black, brown | Cruelty-Free: Yes

With brown mascara trending on TikTok in 2025 and chocolate being the “it” color of fall, we’re all for trying this trend. Our tester loved the brown shade of this tubing mascara, noting it was clearly brown, but not too light on her dark lashes. She also appreciated how smoothly the lightweight formula applied, creating a super-defined look. Expect lift and length, rather than curl and volume, she shares. The tapered, dense brush performs nicely, coating the lower lashline without leaving any smudges. 

Beware not to apply too many coats or it could clump (two quick coats are sufficient), and don’t get it in your eye (it can be irritating). Her favorite part, besides the flattering brown hue, is how well it held up—even with teary eyes.

Heidi, tester: “The mascara held up all day. My eyes tend to tear, and the product didn’t smear underneath my eyes.”