If your mascara clumps into a spidery mess after half a day, smudges into circles resembling a raccoon’s eyes, or flakes down your face, it can ruin your entire day. However, increasing your spending won’t stop you from purchasing another mascara.

There are hundreds of different formulas and dozens of brands of mascara available, so for $5 to $50, you can find mascara that is both cheap and luxurious.

These, in my opinion, are the greatest mascaras available at the moment. Since I’m meticulous when it comes to best mascara, compiling this has been extremely difficult.

Photo by: cottonbro studio

I’ve compiled a list of the best mascaras on the market based on real user experience. None of these mascaras will smudge, flake, or transfer under your eyes. Furthermore, they are all suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

  1. Best for Lengthening and Volumizing: Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara
  2. Best for Lengthening and Defining: Lancome Definicils High Definition Mascara
  3. Best Lash Extension: Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara
  4. Best Budget: Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
  5. Best for Bare Lashes and Bold Volume: Covergirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara
  6. Best Dramatic Volume: Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing Mascara Chocolate
  7. Best Waterproof: Eyeko Sport Waterproof Mascara
  8. A Lengthening Drugstore: Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
  9. Best Waterproof for Swimming: Eyeko Beach Waterproof Mascara
  10. Best Instant Lift and Curl for Straight Lashes: Tarte Lights Camera Lashes
  11. Benefit Roller Lash
  12. Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer
  13. Chanel Le Volume De Chanel Mascara
  14. Best Drugstore: Maybelline Lash Paradise Mascara
  15. Best Tubing: Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara
  16. Best for Asian Lashes: Kiss Me Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara
  17. Best Clean Mascara: Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara
  18. Best Blue Mascara: Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Lash Clash 8ml – Blue

Thus, there is a mascara for everyone, regardless of their lash type—long, straight, fine, thin, sparse, bare or short. I have also listed dramatic mascara if you are looking for a night out with your husband or boyfriend.

Just to be clear, different mascaras perform differently depending on the type of lashes you have. I consider myself unlucky that I have short but thick lashes. Because of this, I love lengthening and curling mascaras, which is why I’ve included a lot of them in this post.

This also means that most mascaras make my lashes look good, but it also makes it very noticeable when a mascara is bad.

This is also why I asked all of you for your top mascaras in the comment section below, so I could see different lash types using different mascaras, some of which differ from my selections, and some of which are the same.

So, please do not hesitate to share your favorite mascara in the comment section and below, as well as tell me about your lash type. It will help me to improve this post.

As I already told you, I have short but thick eyelashes. My main goal is to find lengthening and curling mascaras that suit my eyelashes. Furthermore, I have also listed tubing mascaras that really work for short, thin lashes.

After conducting deep research about each mascara, I found out for whom it is best and for whom it is not.

I spent a lot of time researching and thoroughly reading each review, including both five-star and one-star reviews, as well as what people were saying about these products on major websites such as Sephora, Walmart, Amazon, Byrdie, and others.

After collecting the data and deeply analyzing it, I am sharing the best mascaras with you.

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Perfect Strokes Mascara
Image Credit: rarebeauty
RARE-BEAUTY-BY-SELENA-GOMEZ-Perfect-Strokes-Universal-Volumizing-Mascara-before-and-after-results
Image Credit: rarebeauty

Price at time of publish: $18.34 on Amazon, $20 at rarebeauty.

Pros

  • Vegan and Cruelty-free.
  • Ophthalmologist and Dermatologist tested.
  • Water-resistant.
  • Suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

Cons

  • May flake after couple of hours.

This weightless, easy-to-build formula is neither too wet nor too dry, which provides a natural-looking open-eye appearance. The curvy brush features long and short bristles that define and separate the lashes for a clean, clump-resistant appearance.

It comes in an ultra-black color. Selena Gomez’s rare beauty Perfect Strokes Mascara is infused with castor oil, which conditions the lashes and keeps them soft.

The unique curvy brush is a combination of long and short bristles that holds the perfect amount of product and allows you to buildable and weightless volumized lashes. This all-in-one mascara is created for every lash type.

When it comes to flaking or smudging, this water-resistant formula lasts all day and provides longer-looking, lifted lashes.

➡️ Pro Tip about How to Use: Start with the base of your lashes. Swipe the brush from root to tip to achieve volumized and lengthened lashes. Layer another coat to achieve the desired effect. Do the same application on the bottom lashes. If you always use an eyelash curler, then curl your lashes before applying mascara.

It is very easy to remove with an eye makeup remover or any gentle cleanser. Warm water is also good for removing this mascara, but due to its water-resistant properties, it may not wash off completely with warm water.

Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara before and after results 1
Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara before and after results 2
Salena Gomez Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara before and after results for every lash type
Salena Gomez Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara before
Salena Gomez Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara after results

Real results, according to brand: 100% are satisfied with the ease of application, and they said the brush is very handy. It separates, captures, and coats each individual lash from root to tip and provides lengthened and volumized lashes without being clumpy.

Lancôme Définicils High Definition Mascara
Lancome Definicils High Definition Mascara before and after results

Price at time of publish: $34 on Amazon (full size), $16 on Amazon (travel size), $34 at Lancome.

Pros

  • It lengthens and defines each lash.
  • Natural-looking appearance.
  • Its waterproof formula withstands tears and inclement weather without smudging.
  • Ophthalmologist-tested, fragrance-free, suitable for contact lens wearers.
  • Lightweight and easy to remove.
  • Best for bottom lashes.
  • Easy to remove.

Cons

  • If you do not tighten the cap after use, the product may dry out. As a result, it may appear clumpy.

A luxury mascara that delivers length and definition to provide lengthened and defined lashes with natural-looking lashes. The formula is developed with film-formers technology, which lengthens each individual lash.

This mascara is a great addition to your daily makeup routine to wear on your bottom lashes. The formula also contains panthenol and pro-vitamin B5, which condition the lashes and make them soft for a feathery appearance.

The wand applicator is handy, so smooth, and provides an even application without being clumpy. Définicils mascara is best for those who do not wear much makeup and like the no-makeup look.

The mascara brush features a fine, comb-like bristle brush that separates and coats each individual lash and dispenses the perfect amount of product.

➡️ Pro Tip about How to Use: For amplified lashes, prep mascara with LANCÔME CILS BOOSTER XL ENHANCING LASH & MASCARA PRIMER. Apply it in the layering method gradually, and use the tip of the mascara brush to define and separate your lashes. Using it as a bottom-lash mascara can enhance the whole eye appearance.

Lancome Definicils High Definition Mascara before and after results 1
Lancome Definicils High Definition Mascara before and after results with CILS Booster lash primer

Real results, according to brand: 91% of consumers said that this mascara does not weigh down the lashes. The 89% positive reviews prove there is no flaking.

Tarte-tartelette-tubing-mascara
Image Credit: Amazon

Price at time of publish: $27 on Amazon, $27 at Tarte Cosmetics.

Pros

  • Vegan and Cruelty-free.
  • Sweat proof.
  • Ophthalmologist and dermatologist tested.
  • Safe for Sensitive eyes and Contact lens wearers.
  • Longwear and flake-free.

Cons

  • Messy to clean without makeup remover.

The micro-tubing technology wraps each individual lash in lightweight lengthening tubes without weighing down the lashes. With just one coat, it instantly curled and lengthened the lashes. Apply a second coat to achieve a fuller, volumized lash extension appearance.

The 24-hour flake-free formula is smudge-proof; it can withstand hot weather or during a tough workout when you sweat. The clinically proven mascara to lengthen, volumize, and curl the lashes lasts all day without flaking.

The enriched ingredient composition of shea butter and castor oil conditions and moisturizes the lashes, giving them a soft and wet appearance. The mascara brush is featured with a 360-degree lash extension comb that grabs each tiny and long lashes to separate it and prevent it from being clumpy.

The conical-shaped 296 short and long molded bristles coat each lash evenly with flake-free micro-tubing technology to lengthen each lash. It’s easy to remove with any makeup remover.

Soak a cotton round in the makeup remover and place it on one eye. Gently hold it for 30 seconds. Gently swipe the cotton round downwards; it will wash off the microtubes, then wash your face with normal warm water to get it off completely.

Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara before and after results 1
Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara before and after results 2

➡️ Pro Tip about How to Use: Start with the base of your lashes. Apply the first coat in an upward curling motion, and then apply the second coat right after the first in the same direction. Wiggle the mascara wand in an upward curling motion and make sure the lashes are coated from root to tip. Apply another coat before letting the previous coat dry. Now let the product dry. You are ready!

essence-Lash-Princess-False-Lash-Effect-Mascara-Gluten-and-Cruelty-Free
essence-Lash-Princess-False-Lash-Effect-Mascara-Gluten-and-Cruelty-Free-Before-and-after-results
Image Credit: Amazon

Price at time of publish: $4.99 on Amazon, $4.99 at essencemakeup, $4.99 at Ulta.

Pros

  • Volumizing and Lengthening.
  • Cruelty-free and Paraben-free.
  • Oil-free and Fragrance-free.
  • Provides the Dramatic Volume.
  • A customer reviewed on Amazon that she has super sensitive eyes, and she tried many cruelty-free brands that failed miserably at meeting her eye’s needs. She felt like she had won the lottery when she tried this product. Another customer reviewed that even after the 7 hours, there was no flaking or smudging on her face.
  • Vegan Mascara.

Cons

  • One customer reviewed on Amazon that she purchased this mascara 14 times from Amazon. But they are sending me the dried tubes from the last two or three orders. So, if you buy the mascara from Amazon, ensure the stock is fresh; if not, return it to the supplier.

Essence Lashes Princess mascara went popular on TikTok. And yes, the hype is justified! Your eyelashes will be so well defined and enhanced that you’ll be astounded. It is everyday mascara for someone who wants falsies lashes look with dramatic, fuller lashes. It is gaining popularity on TikTok due to its false lash effect feature.

Everyone can afford it as a daily wear due to its low price range in comparison to other mascaras that have the same features. If you already have long eyelashes, this mascara is for you.

The mascara brush is conical shaped and made of durable fiber. That will finally result in thicker, more defined eyelashes. It covers every tiny eyelash; as each one grows in definition, the dramatic volume will undoubtedly increase, giving the eyes a more feminine appearance.

A girl’s dream is always to have long, defined, thick lashes. Essence Lash Princess mascara provides a truly upscale look. Promised to give the appearance of wider false lashes without the use of fake lashes. Why use false lashes when Essence Lash Princess mascara is available?

The results of this product are long-lasting. You won’t get a smeared, flaking, and awkward look from wearing mascara all day long. You’re ready to go live on Instagram or TikTok with just one coat. If you are not happy with the first coat, give it two more shots.

Though initially you get the desired effects, you can wear more coats to get more enchanted effects and a glamorous appearance.

Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara before and after result 4
Image Credit: Amazon

➡️ Pro Tip about How to Use: Start with the base of your eyelashes, then wiggle the wand back and forth. Continue layering coats (maximum 5 to 6 coats) until you achieve the desired length and dramatic volume. Pair the lash princess mascara with Essence Volume Booster Lash Primer.

COVERGIRL Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara
Covergirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara before and after result

Price at time of publish: $8.64 to $12.99 on Amazon, $9.09 to $12.99 at Ulta.

Pros

  • Separating, defining, and 10x volumized lashes.
  • Clean formula.
  • Conditions the lashes.
  • Smudge-proof and prevents clumping.
  • Vegan mascara.
  • Easy to wash with soap and water.
  • Two Colors: Brown and Black
  • Cruelty-free.

Cons

  • Most customers have said that the mascara wand applicator is not so handy.

With Covergirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara, you can achieve your best lashes ever. There are no talc, mineral oil, sulfates, or parabens in the clean formula of this volume and length mascara.

As you achieve the ideal high-volume lash appearance, argan and marula oils condition your lashes. There is no clumping or smudging with ten times the volume of bare lashes—just long, fuller, bold eyelashes that stay put all day!

Simply wiggle this lengthening mascara from base to tip for lift and shape. This volumizing mascara provides ten times the volume of bare lashes. The applicator brush clearly achieves longer, fuller lashes by separating and defining them.

It is formulated without parabens, sulfates, talc, or mineral oil; this vegan mascara is enriched with argan and marula oils. Eighty percent of the paper in packaging comes from well-managed forests.

On the Covergirl official website, Madam Pieper stated that she bought this a few weeks ago. This is the only mascara that she can wear. It did not make her eyes itchy. The best-ever mascara pieper said.

Miss Meh stated on the official website of Covergirl that this mascara is a large globe on its own. Therefore, she would not recommend it unless you use a lash primer, as she did in the photo.

Madam Pieper review on covergirl website
Miss Meh review on covergirl website

➡️ Pro Tip about How to Use: To lift and shape your lashes, wiggle the brush from side to side, from base to tip, starting at the base. Add more layers to achieve the desired appearance. To increase longevity of mascara on eyelashes, you can layer a coat of your favorite waterproof mascara.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing Mascara Chocolate
Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing Mascara Chocolate before and after result

Price at time of publish: $27.55 to $29 on Amazon, $29 at Too Faced, $29 at Sephora.

Pros

  • Dramatic Volume and Longer Lashes.
  • Ophthalmologist-tested and suitable for contact lens wearers.
  • Conditions the lashes.
  • Cruelty-free

Cons

  • Not Vegan.

Better than sex volumizing mascara is now available in a bold, rich chocolate shade. It creates fully defined lashes and lengthens them to achieve bold, voluptuous volume. The wand features an hourglass-shaped brush that grabs each individual lash, separates them, and coats lashes evenly from root to tip for voluptuous volume.

The formula is infused with film-forming polymers, which lock the curl in place and provide well-defined c-curl-shaped lashes. It thickens, lengthens, and curls for the most luscious, dramatic, and volumized lashes. The chocolate shade is best to grab others attention. It provides the glamorous look to your lashes and make your eyes pop without being clumpy.

Start with the base of your lashes, then coat them from roots to tips. For a thicker appearance, wiggle the wand in between to deposit more mascara on the lashes. With just one coat, it adds length and volume to your lashes. To achieve a dramatic lash appearance, add more layers of mascara to your lashes.

➡️ Pro Tip about How to Use: Apply mascara to the lower lashes first to prevent it from transferring. Deposit more mascara at the base of your upper lashes to lift them for a c-shape curl.

Eyeko Sport Waterproof Mascara
Eyeko Sport Waterproof Mascara before and after results

Price at time of publish: $21.60 on Amazon, $24 at Eyeko.

Pros

  • 100% waterproof, sweat proof, and budge proof.
  • Long wearing.
  • No clumping, no flaking.
  • Creamy texture.
  • High pigment density.
  • Best for workout.

Cons

  • The curved mascara brush may be tricky and difficult to use for beginners.

This waterproof mascara is for all-action lifestyles and outdoor activities. A winner for anyone on the go, this waterproof mascara contains collagen, ceramides, and twelve fruit extracts.

This fiber-enhanced formula contains vitamin E, which gives you dramatic lashes that will last throughout your workout-friendly day. The Eyeko Sports waterproof mascara is ideal for any fitness enthusiast.

Furthermore, its travel size allows you to take the Eyeko Sport Mascara on vacation and use it for more than just workouts. For eyes that must perform under duress, Eyeko’s Sport Waterproof Mascara is an excellent choice.

Featuring twelve fruit extracts, this 100% waterproof mascara is fiber-enhanced to give you longer-lasting, fuller-looking lashes.

The curved side of the brush grabs each lash to build volume and lifts the lashes. The strong, waterproof properties keep the curl in place during your workout without weighing down the lashes.

➡️ Pro Tip about How to Use: The curved side of the brush is for building volume; use it to add volume to your lashes. Then flip over the brush and use the straight back to add length and definition to your lashes.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara before and after result

Price at time of publish: $9.60 to $12.99 on Amazon, $12.99 at Maybelline, $12.99 at Ulta.

Pros

  • Lengthening and Volumizing.
  • High pigment density.
  • Ophthalmologist and allergy tested.
  • suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.
  • Lightweight defined lashes.

Cons

  • Not good for straight lashes.

It comes in 7 Colors: 4 regular colors: Blackest Black, Cosmic Black, Very Black, and True Brown. 3 Limited edition colors: Burgundy Haze, Pink Air, and Blue Mist.

Bamboo extract and fibers are included in this volumizing washable mascara formula to create lightweight, long, and flake-free lashes.

It features a unique Flex Tower mascara brush, which bends to lengthen and volumize every single lash from root to tip; it is allergy and ophthalmologist-tested, safe for contact lens wearers and sensitive eyes.

Extremely high-impact lashes from every direction! Maybelline Sensational Lash Sky High mascara delivers limitless length and full volume. The exclusive Flex Tower mascara brush bends to volumize and lengthen every single lash from root to tip.

Long, full lashes with a light-as-air feel are achieved with this washable mascara formula that includes bamboo extract. Blue Mist and the limited-edition colors Pink Air and Burgundy Haze are now available.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara shades before and after results

➡️ Pro Tip about How to Use: Using a flex tower brush, coat the lashes from root to tip; add more layers until you achieve the desired volume and length.

Maybelline Sky High Mascara Review: A Certified Beauty Gem

https://www.cosmeticsgears.com/sky-high-mascara-review-a-beauty-gem/
Eyeko Beach Waterproof Mascara cosmetics gears
Eyeko-Beach-Waterproof-Mascara-before-and-after-results

Price at time of publish: $21.60 to $24 on Amazon, $16.80 to $24 at Eyeko, $24 at Ulta.

Pros

  • Beach approved mascara.
  • Strong waterproof formula.
  • Vegan mascara.
  • With sunscreen pigments.
  • Sweeps lashes into a natural curl.

Cons

  • Difficult to remove without an waterproof makeup remover.

The beach-approved waterproof formula can withstand swimming laps and lounging poolside. The formula is infused with fiber-enhanced coconut oil and 12 fruit extracts that condition the lashes and coat each individual lash for a volumized, fuller lash appearance.

The innovative mascara brush lifts the lashes and sweeps them into a natural curl. Reviews by customers on Amazon, Ulta, and Eyeko prove that this vegan waterproof mascara is especially made for the holidays.

To get full, volumized lashes, gently rock the mascara brush from side to side. To sweep lashes into a natural curl, turn the brush back on itself at the tips of lashes.

Eyeko-Beach-Waterproof-Mascara-before-and-after-results

➡️ Pro Tip about How to Use: Comb wand through lashes. To build and create the desired appearance, add more layers.

Tarte-Lights-Camera-Lashes-4-in-1-Mascara
Tarte-Lights-Camera-splashes-4-in-1-Mascara-before-and-after-results
Image Credit: Tarte Cosmetics

Price at time of publish: $13.99 to $24 on Amazon, $27 at Tarte Cosmetics, $27 at Sephora.

Pros

    Cons

    • It may flake after a couple of hours.

    Tarte Lights Camera Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara before and after results 2

    ➡️ Pro Tip about How to Use:

    Written by Shahnaz Nazim, reviewed and edited by Alyssa Melanie

    The author, Shahnaz Nazim (Aleezay), is a mascara enthusiast, passionist, and beauty writer. I search for the best mascara pr...

    Alyssa Melanie here! I'm a Makeup & Beauty Blogger | Certified MUA:) Alyssa Melanie is a certified MUA – a Makeup Addict....