You know how difficult it can be to find the perfect mascara, especially if you have straight lashes, monolid eyes, or hooded eyes—features that are common (but not universal) among many people of East and Southeast Asian descent. Most people focus on mascara’s volumizing and lengthening effects. However, many Asian women benefit from mascaras that work well with monolid or hooded eyes. Some traditional volumizing mascaras can feel too heavy on straighter or finer lashes, which may reduce curl hold and definition—especially if your lashes are short or point downward.
Below are 11 mascaras that are commonly recommended for straighter, shorter lashes and for monolid/hooded-eye makeup routines. To build this list, I compared customer feedback across major retailers, reviewed brand claims, and asked friends/colleagues with straight or short lashes what actually holds a curl all day. I was looking for a mascara to deliver weightless volume and add length to my medium-to-short lashes in a single tube.
I realized that this is what most people want, even more so if your eyelashes look fine. After testing different mascaras, I finally found formulas that eliminated the need for constant trial and error.
What to Look for When Choosing the Best Mascara for Asian Eyes
Type of brush
Brush shape matters a lot for shorter or straighter lashes. Slim comb-like wands help grab tiny lashes and separate them, curved wands help lift, and tapered wands reach inner/outer corners. If you want volume, choose a denser brush—but keep the formula lightweight so it doesn’t weigh the curl down.
Desired effect
For Asian lashes, a mascara that volumizes and curls your lashes is ideal. If you wear glasses, mascaras that make your lashes too long can touch your lenses, smudge more easily, and feel uncomfortable. It is essential to know your eyelash type so you can choose the look that suits you best.
Long-wearing
Choose a formula that is buildable and has long-lasting coverage. If you can reapply throughout the day and prefer a more potent formula, you can opt for the best mascara that holds up through a full day (8–12 hours), especially in humidity.
Formulation
Many mascaras are either hypoallergenic or contain natural ingredients. Many people are also moving toward cleaner or more natural beauty formulas. Your preference and skin type will determine the formula you use. If you have sensitive skin or eyes or wear contact lenses, opting for an allergy-tested and ophthalmologist-tested mascara is best for you.
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11 Top-Rated Mascaras for Asian Eyes
Clinique Lash Power Mascara
Price at time of publish: Check price at Amazon.
Overview
Clinique Lash Power mascara will make your lashes look longer and more beautiful. The unique thermal technology in this mascara helps it stay on for up to 24 hours. It is perfect for Asian eyes with sparse, short lashes. It’s designed for long wear and resists smudging in humidity and daily sweat, but for swimming you’ll generally want a true waterproof formula. It can be washed off easily with warm water if you need to. The precision brush used in this mascara coats the lashes to create beautiful separations.
Maybelline New York Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Washable Mascara
Price at time of publish: Check price at Amazon.
Overview
You don’t need eyelash extensions to achieve a long, fluttery look. Lash Stiletto Ultimate Long Mascara is an excellent drugstore option for Asian eyes. It does the same thing for your legs as stilettos, adding extreme length to thin lashes—a formula specially designed for intense length. The Sweep Grip and Extends Brush grabs each lash and coats them evenly. This gives them a lift and separation and a high-shine finish. It is enriched with pro-vitamin A-5 to keep your lashes soft and moisturized. This washable mascara is easy to apply and easy to clean with soap and water.
➡️ Maybelline Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Mascara Review, Price and Availability.
L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Mascara
Price at time of publish: Check price at Amazon.
Overview
The Telescopic Mascara is one of the most popular drugstore mascaras for Asian eyes. This waterproof formula gives a dramatic lengthening effect and defined eyelashes. The patented Dual Precision Brush is flexible and has a flat side that offers you lash length while the comb side grabs each one to separate them. Telescopic original mascara makes lashes soft. It is an ophthalmologist-tested and safe for people with sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.
This mascara enhances your lashes by adding intense length and definition and a unique lash-by-lash separator. Telescopic mascara offers a flexible precision brush that lengthens the lashes up to 60%, while the comb separates the lashes for a clump-free result. Telescopic mascara has a smooth texture that stays all day without clumping.
➡️ L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Mascara Review, Price, and Availability.
FAIRYDROPS Scandal Queen Mascara II
Price at time of publish: Check price on Selfridges.com
Overview
Fairydrops Scandal queen waterproof mascara is a popular pick for straighter lashes. Aya Yasuda, a former TV news anchor, designed the bobble wand. It has three curves that ensure mascara covers all lashes. It will not clump and looks instantly fuller. You can use an oil-based cleaner to remove the product fully.
Urban Decay Perversion Volumizing Mascara
Price at time of publish: Check price at Amazon.
Overview
Perversion Volumizing mascara is a volumizing, hyper-pigmented, and lengthening mascara that gives you feathery, full-fanned lashes. This mascara is the most intense, darkest, and purest black color. You can pile on more coats with this super-creamy formula. The paraben-free and cruelty-free formula have a full-bodied texture that is smooth and never gets brittle. The tapered mascara wand captures the corners and lower lashes, giving you full lashes. Urban Decay Perversion Mascara includes Hairdensyl, a combination of proteins and an amino acid marketed to support the look of healthier lashes over time through conditioning ingredients. Honey extract moisturizes, marine-idrolized elasticine helps improve the appearance of fuller-looking lashes through conditioning.
➡️ For bold, false-lash looks, coat your lashes in Subversion Lash Primer and apply Perversion Volumizing Mascara.
➡️ For the ultimate look, pair Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eyeliner Pencil with it.
Kiss Me Heroine Make Long and Curl Mascara Advanced Film
Price at time of publish: Check price at Amazon. Check price at Kiss-me.
Overview
Kiss Me Heroine’s Mascara has been a favorite among Asian women, adding length and volume to their lashes. The formula is very close to small eyelashes. To see any lengthening effect, you need to do one coat and, right after, do the second coat. Don’t let the mascara dry during the coating process. Its small, easily-manipulable brush is a plus, and its easy-to-use formula. This allows for greater adaptability to individual mascara textures. You can avoid using wet formulas by letting the product thicken on your brush for a half-minute before you apply.
Kiss me Mascara is considered one of the top brands for Asian eyes. It is made of Chamomilla Recutita flower extract and camellia japonica seed oil. This Mascara doesn’t just give length, volume, and curl and will highlight and enhance the eyes with each swipe. Kiss Me Heroine Make Long and Curl Mascara, a Japanese beauty product that has won numerous awards, is considered one of the best mascara brands for Asian eyes. This mascara gives your eyelashes a lift and curl, making them appear wider and more awake.
The formula softens and nourishes your eyelashes and is easy to use, lightweight, and waterproof. It is infused with Chamomilla Recutita flower extract and camellia japonica oil. The polymer fiber applicator wand lengthens eyelashes and gives you long-lasting wear. In short, a good lengthening mascara for short Asian lashes. The tiniest brush with small fibers means the formula is developed for the Asian lash line. Start with 2 thin coats, applied quickly; add a third only if needed.
➡️ Which Kiss Me Heroine Make Mascara is the best for you.
Secret Xpress Control 4D Silk Fiber Lash Mascara
Price at time of publish: Check price at Amazon.
Overview
Secret Xpress Control 4D Silk Fiber Eyelash Mascara contains non-irritating ingredients for all skin types. Every single lash is coated separately. It is waterproof and smudge-proof and lasts all day. It is hypoallergenic, so it won’t irritate sensitive eyes. Easy-to-use mascara that is also easy to clean. This gives the lashes more volume and makes them look longer and more beautiful.
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
Price at time of publish: Check price at Amazon.
Overview
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara promises “incredibly intense eyelashes.” The mascara wand, which is thick, coats your lashes with multiple bristles. The formula was too thick for my delicate lashes. If your lashes are very straight, use a strong curler first and apply very thin coats to avoid weighing the curl down. This formula would work well for someone with thicker lashes who needs more volume.
➡️ Better Than Sex Mascara review, price and availability.
Espoir NOMUDGING Volume Mascara XP #1 Clean Black
Price at time of publish: Check price at Amazon.
Overview
This mascara focuses on curl hold and volume with a compact brush that grabs lashes from the roots. The formula is designed to resist sweat and sebum, helping prevent smudging on hooded lids.
Advantages Of Using Mascara
- Mascara helps to maintain a curl.
- Makes lashes look fuller and more defined.
- Lengthens and lifts lashes.
- Creates a more polished, finished eye look.
- Some mascaras condition and nourish lashes.
- Mascara makes your eyes appear larger and more awake.
How To Apply Mascara on Asian Lashes?
Step 1: Lift and lengthen your eyelashes with an eyelash curler. Place the eyelash curler at the base of your eyes. For curling your lashes, close your eyes and squeeze gently for a few seconds.
Step 2: Apply primer on your lashes. This will smoothen your lashes and make it easier to apply mascara. After applying primer, wait 30 seconds.
Step 3: Choose your favorite mascara formula. Pull the wand out of the tube. Wipe off excess with a damp cloth or the tube’s edge.
Step 4: Position the wand at your upper lashes. Use a zig-zag motion to move it from root to tip.
Step 5: Apply your lower lashes with the wand’s tip.
Step 6: Repeat the previous step but tilt the wand vertically or diagonally to coat the tiny lashes in your inner and outer corners.
We’ve compiled a list of the top 11 mascaras for Asian lashes. These mascaras will give your lashes a great lift, curl, and thickness and make them appear brighter and more awake. The right mascara will work for you, whether your lashes are long and curly or thin. While eyelash extensions for Asian eyes are beautiful, they might not be suitable for daily use. These mascaras are high-performance and can create a glamorous look while giving your lashes a stunning falsie effect. Are you ready to up-level your beauty routine with these products? What mascaras do you use? Please comment below to let me know!
Other Most Popular Mascaras for Asian Eyelashes
I would also like to talk about other popular mascaras in this article. These are the washable and waterproof formulas of mascaras.
TonyMoly The Shocking Cara Extreme Lash
This lengthening mascara is made of wispy fibers, and the short bristle brush promises clear separation and a modest product per swipe. The extreme lash mascara is packed with ultra-lightweight microfibers that add length and volume to mascara without a smudge, giving your lashes a long and voluminous effect and lasting for an entire day. Additionally, this mascara offers sparse lashes with additional volume. TonyMoly The Shocking Cara Extreme Lash is available on Amazon (price varies).
CLIO Kill Lash Superproof Mascara
Clio kill mascara separates and lengthens every lash, creating a complete and long set of eyelashes. It can create an extension-like look. The Strong Curve System technology builds and holds curls by sealing the coat with a powerful gel layer. Long-wearing and waterproof mascara won’t smudge or smear throughout the day. This mascara will coat each strand of your eyelashes without clumping. Build length gradually using thin, layered coats.
FAQ
Asian lashes look different depending on the color of the mascara. For everyday wear, black or brown mascara is the best choice if you want natural lashes. You can always try something new if you wish.
To curl straight lashes, use a lash curler first, then apply a curl-holding mascara (waterproof or strong-hold formulas tend to keep the curl longer).
Your mascara will not smudge or flake if you use a waterproof formula. You can also choose tubing mascaras, which coat your lashes with polymers and provide excellent staying power. Also avoid heavy creams/oils on the eyelids before mascara, as they can break down the formula.
The mascara brush is crucial for transforming your lashes. The wrong brush can make your lashes look clumpy or like they are crawling. Make sure you choose the applicator that suits your eyelash type.
Many mascaras in our list have lash-lengthening properties, but we recommend Clinique Lash Power Mascara. The formula makes lashes look longer. The precision brush coats all lashes, even small ones, and gives them a defined look.
For most Asian lashes, 2 thin coats work best. A third coat can be added if needed, but applying too many layers may cause clumping or weigh lashes down.
Conclusion
Most of the best volumizing mascaras are thick and gloopy but have large brushes. Large brushes and heavy formulas often don’t work as well on shorter, straighter lashes because they can deposit too much product at once. A thick product will quickly overpower a straight and very short lash. A fat brush will deliver more product in just the first coat. It’s like applying too much hair pomade to freshly styled hair. It can cause hair to look weighed down and even ruin the look.
I prefer mascaras with a small or medium-sized brush and a long-lasting, waterproof formula. A mascara that adds length and volume to your lashes is necessary. It should also have an intense curl that will enhance the look. It’s better than wearing false eyelashes every time you go out. I have compiled a list of the top 11 best mascaras for Asian lashes to help you decide.