Best Overall

Charlotte Tilbury Volumizing and Curling Mascara

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

Size: 0.28 oz | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

To put it plainly, this mascara delivers remarkable results. In just two swipes, it creates unparalleled fullness and volume—comparable only to wearing falsies, according to our tester. The crescent-shaped wand coats every lash in rich pigment, including the smaller, harder-to-reach ones in the inner corners. The formula stayed smudge-free all day, even through a sweaty Pilates class and dinner prep involving onion chopping, proving its impressive staying power. The only downside is its packaging: while its glass tube is visually stunning, it can shatter if dropped or rolled onto the floor.

Caitlyn, tester: “To put it plainly, this mascara is insane. In just two swipes, I achieved a level of fullness and volume that I’ve never experienced with mascara; the only other time my lashes were this long and fluttery was when I wore falsies to a friend’s wedding.”

Best Drugstore

L’Oreal Lash Paradise Washable Mascara

$14

$11 at Amazon

$14

$10 at Ulta$11 at Target

Size: 0.28 oz | Shades: 5 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Those looking for a mascara that offers buildable volume should try this drugstore staple from L’Oréal. According to Editor Alyssa Kaplan, its large brush can make applying formula to corner lashes a bit tricky, but it holds plenty of product, so re-dipping isn’t necessary. One coat thickens lashes while keeping them separated and lightweight, while a second coat adds a slightly more dramatic effect without clumping. Overall, this mascara delivers full, separated lashes that stay lifted throughout the day.

A few things to note: this formula is on the drier side compared to others we tested, though this can actually be a benefit; if you tend to get a bit messy with your mascara application, you won’t get as much product all over your eyelids. A minor downside is that it smudges slightly under the eyes, so we recommend using a bit of setting powder in that area for a flawless finish.

Alyssa Kaplan, editor: “One coat of this mascara did a nice job of thickening my lashes while keeping them separated and lightweight, while a second coat created a slightly more dramatic look. It’s buildable without getting too clumpy.”

Best Lifting

Benefit Cosmetics Fan Fest Fanning Mascara

$29 at Sephora$29 at Ulta

$29

$14 at Target

Size: 0.3 oz | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: Water-resistant | Cruelty-Free: No

This mascara from Benefit won me over almost immediately. I, along with several other testers, agree that it does pretty much everything you’d want a volumizing mascara to do: lift, separate, and add fullness and length. Its curved brush makes it easy to grip and coat each lash from the root, and the bristles are perfectly spaced to fan out my lashes for an even, full-looking finish. I also love that its formula is lightweight and buildable, so I can amp up the volume without losing my curl. While it’s not the most thickening volumizing mascara, I think it’s ideal for more natural-looking volume, rather than full-glam looks.

From there, once it sets, it stays flake-free and smudge-resistant all day, yet remains easy to remove. Whenever I wore it, at least one person would ask me what mascara I was wearing—proof that it really makes an impression.

Best Waterproof

Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara

$30

$22 at Amazon$30 at Sephora$30 at Ulta

Size: 0.33 oz | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

For anyone in search of a truly budge-proof volumizing mascara, Lancôme’s waterproof version of its Monsieur Big Mascara is a standout. Its large, fluffy brush redefines volume, effortlessly lifting lashes while delivering impressive fullness; our tester noted that its soft bristles glide smoothly through lashes, creating a lush, defined look. While she felt that applying it to her top lashes was effortless, its large brush size made coating bottom lashes a bit trickier.

Once this formula dried down, it kept our tester’s lashes looking buoyant without weighing them down; it also held up impressively in heat and humidity. The result is beautifully defined, separated lashes with a rich, va-va-voom finish.

Victoria, tester: “It was easy to work through my upper lashes, and they looked more voluminous for sure. I went for a few walks around my neighborhood on afternoons when it was in the high 80s, and while I was sweaty, my lashes looked fine.”

Best Brown

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara in Chocolate

$29

$21 at Amazon$29 at Sephora$29 at Ulta

Size: 0.27 oz | Shades: 2 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Brown mascara is a favorite for those who want a softer alternative to black, and this shade stands out as a top pick. It uses the same formula as the OG Better Than Sex Mascara, but in a deep, chocolate-brown hue. According to our tester, one to two coats delivered noticeable volume, subtle length, and curl, creating a stunning false-lash effect. Also, unlike many brown mascaras that appear closer to black, this formula retains its warm undertone for a truly rich finish.

While our tester appreciated how easily she could achieve a bold look with this mascara, she found that its large brush sometimes made it tricky to apply without smudging on her upper lids. She suggests holding the brush vertically for a more precise application—this helped her achieve even, clump-free lashes.

Chelsea, tester: “The brown pigment helps give your lashes a natural, fluffy effect. And I love that even without an eyelash curler, this mascara lifts the lashes, making the lashes look longer and volumized.”

Best for Glam Looks

YSL Beauty Extreme Volume Mascara

$34 at Sephora

$34

$33 at NordstromView on Yslbeautyus.com

Size: 0.3 oz | Shades: 3 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This volumizing mascara delivers on its promise of bold, full lashes. Available in three rich shades—black, brown, and electric blue—it works well with a variety of eye colors and makeup styles. According to our tester, Caitlyn, its large brush grips lashes easily and coats them evenly; once set, the formula stays smudge-resistant throughout the day. Its buildable formula ranges from a natural, one-swipe look to dramatic, falsie-level volume with several coats.

The only drawback is that the formula can thicken and become clumpy in the tube after about a month or two of use. Still, for those seeking a mascara that creates high-impact, special-occasion lashes, YSL’s option is our go-to choice.

Caitlyn, tester: “The oversized brush picks up loads of product and coats lashes in volume-boosting pigment without making a mess. One or two coats are all you need for a finished product that looks like you spent 10 minutes playing around with a heated lash curler.”

Best Tubing

Caliray Come Hell or High Water Mascara

$25 at SephoraView on Caliraybeauty.com

Size: 0.37 oz | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For those with thinner lashes, tubing mascaras don’t always make a noticeable difference in volume—but this Caliray option proved impressive. According to Byrdie writer Shannon Stubbs, it visibly added fullness and darkness, creating the illusion of more lashes. While its formula is on the drier side, it allows for easy layering without tugging at lashes. The soft-bristled brush feels gentle while applying, and instead of forcing lashes straight up, it delivers a natural, slightly curled shape that holds all day. While other tubing mascaras may add more length, we love that it excels at separating lashes for a voluminous yet defined look, while maintaining the easy removal benefits of a tubing formula.

Shannon Stubbs, writer (not shown): “I don’t usually see a big difference when using volumizing formulas since I have pretty thin eyelashes, but I was impressed with this pick. As I was applying, I noticed that it made them look fuller and darker.”

Best Clean

Jones Road The Mascara

View on Jones RoadView on Libertylondon.com

Size: 0.51 oz | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

There’s volumizing mascara, and then there’s Jones Road’s The Mascara. When Associate Editor Emily Cieslak looked at her before-and-after photos testing this mascara, she was shocked at how much darker, thicker, and more dramatic her lashes looked after a couple of coats.

She also raved about its curved brush, which is designed to lift and curl lashes. But unlike some bulky curved brushes, this one is easy to use and applies cleanly without smudging lids. Overall, this formula delivers impressive volume without clumping, though it may not be the best choice for anyone who prefers lashes that are individually defined and separated.

Emily Cieslak, associate editor: “Even though this mascara creates a ton of volume, the result isn’t clumpy—it’s giving falsies.”