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In middle school, I picked out my first-ever mascara from the aisle of my local Target — Maybelline’s Great Lash in the iconic green-and-pink tube. Now, armed with over a decade’s worth of experience applying mascara, I can confidently say that I’ve sampled the full range of the mascara spectrum and that the best mascara for you depends entirely on the effect you’re going for.
Some lengthen, volumize, separate, and curl. Some are tearproof and tint your lashes to unknown depths of blackness, while others promise the featheriness of false eyelashes. Whether you’re searching for one that will give you natural-looking lashes, a drugstore dupe for a high-end brand, a formula that won’t aggravate sensitive eyes, or all of the above, the massive variety is part of the fun — and the challenge. To help narrow down the choices, I consulted several experts about their go-to mascaras, from wedding makeup artists who only keep the most cryproof mascaras in their kits to celebrity makeup artists well versed in making lashes pop on the red carpet. I also sourced a few mascaras to test out myself during my daily makeup routine, with a focus on formulations that are clean and nonirritating and impart a more natural, everyday look. If you know what type of mascara you’re looking for, you can use the table of contents to jump ahead, or read on to learn more about the criteria I considered as I put together this list.
No matter which mascara you choose, here’s a tip from makeup artist Lauren Aiello on the best technique for enhancing your lashes’ thickness and giving them an extra lift: “After applying a coat to the underside of your lashes, look down and apply one to the top, starting from the root and combing through, flicking upward at the ends.” And if you want to magnify the results, always go for a second coat.
Update on November 20, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
What we’re looking for
Formulation
The basic ingredients in mascara typically don’t differ too much from tube to tube — they essentially all boil down to a combination of wax and pigment — but the specific ingredients included in a certain product can vary widely. For example, if wearing makeup that is vegan and cruelty free is important to you, you’ll want to steer clear of animal ingredients or animal-derived ingredients like honey, beeswax, lanolin, or carmine (a red colorant obtained from insect shells). If you have sensitive eyes or skin, look for “clean” formulations that are free of parabens, fragrance, sulfates, and silicones, which could be irritating.
Meanwhile, if you want your mascara to be waterproof and smudgeproof, the presence of extra waxes and silicones will increase its water resistance, but they can also cause your lashes to dry out or shed. That’s why many mascara formulas also contain nourishing ingredients like castor, almond, or jojoba oil to moisturize your lashes and promote growth. Also keep an eye out for the term “tubing.” Rather than coating your lashes with a layer of pigment, tubing mascaras wrap each individual lash in water-resistant, tubelike polymers for a more lengthened, defined, and separated effect (but don’t worry, they’ll come right off with makeup remover or some warm water and a washcloth). Below, we’ve noted what each mascara is formulated to do, and whether it’s waterproof or comes in both waterproof and non-waterproof options.
Brush type
The shape of the brush at the end of the mascara wand plays a big role in a mascara’s “lengthening” or “volumizing” abilities. Most mascara makers will promise their own unique brush design equipped with slight proprietary tweaks, but in general, a thin, skinny brush will give you length and definition; a fluffier, more substantial brush will provide thickness and volume; and a curved brush will help you achieve a lifted and curled effect.
The material a brush is made of may also vary. Nylon brushes are more “traditional,” with a fluffier, more flexible shape and bristles that are more akin to those of a hairbrush; they’re great for volumizing and lengthening but not as much for separating and defining individual eyelashes. That’s where silicone and plastic brushes excel, as their bristles tend to be stiffer and thicker. They’re also more durable and will hold up to months of regular use — if you like the shape of a certain silicone brush, you can wash and reuse it even after the mascara it came with runs out or expires. Finally, thinner brushes with shorter bristles offer more precision and control if you’re looking to reach corner and lower lashes, while jumbo-size brushes with longer bristles will grant you a more sweeping, dramatic falsies look.
Performance
It’s no fun to look in the mirror and realize you’ve been walking around with raccoon eyes because your mascara flaked or ran. Upon application, a good mascara won’t clump, feel crunchy or dry, or make your eyelashes stick together. It should also noticeably do what it claims it will do on the packaging, whether that’s lifting, lengthening, volumizing, or curling your lashes. Additionally, it should stay in place for several hours of wear without flaking, smudging, or transferring to your eyelids or undereyes. But it shouldn’t be impossible to remove, and should come off fairly easily with makeup remover or cleanser and water. (Any formula that requires an inordinate amount of scrubbing at your delicate eye area is a no-go in my book.) Though different mascaras will wear differently on different people due to a number of variables, and though the concept of a mascara’s performance is somewhat subjective, all the mascaras on this list have either come recommended by multiple experts or held up well enough in my tests that I feel confident including them here.
Best mascara overall
Effect: Volumizing, defining | Formula: Washable | Brush type: Conical nylon brush with full, soft bristles
Whether you’re a makeup minimalist who wants to own just one go-to mascara or a beauty junkie who’s always searching for the next best thing, it’s pretty much impossible to go wrong if you have Essence’s Lash Princess False Lash Effect in your kit. When I tested it out for myself, I was amazed at how after one swipe, my lashes were considerably lifted and lengthened, even without the use of a curling wand. There was no clumping, even after several coats, and no smudging or fallout throughout the day. It also boasts a stamp of approval from multiple makeup artists I talked to; Strategist contributor Jinnie Lee; our discerning friends over at the Cut; and over 240,000 five-star Amazon reviewers. “It really does give you amazing length and volume,” says makeup artist Anabelle LaGuardia, and Lee was astonished at how it managed to “dramatically plump and intensify my lashes in every single way — it lengthens, volumizes, lifts, and curls each tiny hair.” And for just $5, the Essence mascara gives you incredible bang for your buck and then some.
Best waterproof mascara
Effect: Volumizing, lengthening | Formula: Waterproof | Brush type: Curved nylon brush with evenly spaced bristles
I ordered a tube of this budgeproof Japanese mascara after reading Strategist contributor Risa Needleman’s rave remarks about it back in 2017: “It’s impossible to remove … you can take an actual swim, or sweat your face off at the gym, or get caught in a torrential rainstorm and emerge with your eyes totally intact,” she wrote. Such claims sounded too good to be true, so I stepped into the shower wearing it, expecting it to at least run a little bit, and … nothing. This mascara was cemented to my lashes like superglue — only after multiple applications of an oil-based makeup remover (I used Farmacy’s Green Clean cleansing balm), plus three more rounds of face wash, did it finally start to slough off. I wouldn’t recommend this mascara for everyday wear — the vigorous removal process may cause lash loss over time — but if you’re planning to get married during a hurricane, the Heroine mascara is your best bet.
Best (less expensive) waterproof mascara
Effect: Volumizing, thickening | Formula: Waterproof | Brush type: Nylon brush with soft, evenly spaced bristles
While this L’Oréal mascara isn’t quite as moisture-impervious as the Isehan one above, it’s a solid, time-tested pick that’s widely available at pretty much any drugstore. Makeup artists Amanda Shackleton and Amy Marie Wilson both say it’s the most dependable waterproof option in their kits. “I use it on everyone when there’s even a remote possibility of tears,” like at weddings, says Shackleton. Makeup artist Amanda Christan Burran adds that because waterproof mascaras have a tendency to be drier — not to mention tougher to take off — it’s best to use them only for special events or nights out. Wilson says the mascara is inexpensive and lasts all day, and it doesn’t transfer.
If you need a further convincing that this drugstore formula holds up against the more expensive options, consider this take from Real Housewife of New York’s Jessel Taank, who has been using the mascara since she was 15: “I’ve tried everything on the market — Chanel, Saint Laurent, every brand you can imagine — and I always come back to this. It is so good. A lick of it gives me those big eyes I want.” It’s also a favorite of Sanaa Lathan, who says, “It stays on forever and almost makes you look like you have false eyelashes on.”
Best “clean” waterproof mascara
Effect: Lifting, volumizing | Formula: Waterproof | Brush type: Conical nylon brush with evenly spaced bristles
Waterproof mascaras have a higher chance of aggravating sensitive eyes, both because they contain more chemicals to impart said waterproof properties and because they can require more vigorous scrubbing to take off. This Ere Perez waterproof mascara, however, is vegan, all-natural, and infused with mamey and avocado oils to support lashes’ growth and strength, making it a solid choice for those with sensitivities who want something long wearing but less irritating. When I tried it out, it didn’t grant my lashes quite as dramatic an effect as the waterproof mascaras above, but it did subtly enhance their lift and definition and didn’t smudge even after a full day of wear. When it came time to remove the mascara, a gentle rinse with an oil-based cleanser helped it flake right off.
Best tubing mascara
Effect: Volumizing | Formula: Water-resistant | Brush type: Low-profile brush with spiral bristles
According to celebrity makeup artist Jessica deBen, any tubing mascara has two benefits: It won’t run or smudge, and it’s easy to remove with warm water. This Kevyn Aucoin mascara “builds extreme volume and length for even the most stubbornly short lashes,” says makeup artist Porsche Cooper. She loves its dense, fiber-filled brush that ensures no lash goes untouched, and says it leaves her eyes framed and smudge-free all day long. Makeup artists Dillon Peña and Margina Dennis are both fans as well: Peña likes how close it allows him to get to the lash line for a more defined lash, and Dennis calls it simply “the best tubing mascara” and one of her all-time favorites because “it creates volume and length without looking spidery” and washes off with warm water.
Best (less expensive) tubing mascara
Effect: Lengthening | Formula: Water-resistant | Brush type: Nylon brush with full, fluffy bristles
Using a lash primer isn’t always necessary, but this mascara does include it, which is like getting two products for the price of one. The primer protects and strengthens your lashes, creating a solid base for the tubing application. Makeup artist Kornelija Slunjski suggests that anyone applying primer to their lashes before mascara use just a tiny amount — otherwise, your lashes could end up looking clumpy. She also advises gently curling your lashes before applying mascara to get the most dramatic results. Another application trick comes from deBen, who suggests using a slanted eyeliner brush to apply mascara at the roots of your eyelashes: “It gives the appearance of very full lashes and is a very sleek, minimal way to line the eyes,” she explains.
Best “clean” tubing mascara
Effect: Lengthening | Formula: Washable | Brush type: Nylon brush with soft, evenly spaced bristles
Legions of TikTok “clean girls” have raved about Merit’s vegan and cruelty-free Clean Lash mascara; the tubing formula contains several nourishing ingredients for your lashes, including rice bran wax, vitamin B5, and olive oil esters, and it even comes in recyclable packaging. Intrigued by the rave reviews that called it a “hands-down holy grail” and “the epitome of understated elegance,” I decided to give it a try; the tubing formula went on with zero clumps or smudging, and gave each lash a feathery, separated, and defined look. The results were fairly subtle, so I recommend applying at least two coats, and the overall effect leans more “your lashes but better” rather than “va-va-voom.” When it came time to wash it off, just a splash of warm water caused it to melt into flakes; upon application of a gentle cleanser, not even a dedicated makeup remover, it dissolved within seconds.
Best lengthening mascara
Effect: Lengthening, volumizing | Formula: Washable and waterproof formulas | Brush type: Nylon brush with full, fluffy criss-cross bristles
When Slunjski first saw how much longer a client’s lashes looked after applying this mascara, she actually said “Wow” out loud. The brand claims to have a creamy, jet-black pigment that extends the lash, and although the lengthening effect is the standout here, Slunjski notes that it’s also volumizing and that the brush separates the lashes really nicely, with no clumps to speak of. The formula also contains honey extract and marine collagen to nourish and moisturize your lashes.
Best (less expensive) lengthening mascara
Effect: Lengthening, volumizing | Formula: Washable | Brush type: Nylon brush with spiral bristles
According to Burran, this Mineral Fusion mascara provides a noticeable lengthening effect thanks to natural fibers in the formula, which she says can make your lashes look twice as long and thick as they really are. Rather than using the whole brush, she suggests using just the tip of the wand “to really build it up” — once you’ve applied a couple coats, you’ll get to the point where it almost looks like you’re wearing lash extensions, she says. The clean, hypoallergenic formula also contains ingredients to help promote natural lash growth, such as biotin, peptides, and clover extract.
I kept Burran’s suggestion in mind when testing it out myself, using the tip of the brush to paint thick layers of the formula onto my lashes rather than combing through them. When I put my glasses back on, my lashes — normally short and downward-pointing — had lengthened to the point of leaving black smudges on the lenses. Having learned my lesson, the next time I applied it I used a slightly lighter hand, and the results were perky but not overly elongated lashes. It didn’t smudge or migrate onto my under eyes throughout the day, and when it came time to take it off, all I needed was a quick swipe with a cotton pad and micellar water.
Best curling mascara
Effect: Curling, lifting | Formula: Water-resistant | Brush type: Curved silicone brush with spiky, asymmetrical, spaced-out bristles
True to its name, Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash will add serious lift and curl to your eyelashes. “I don’t know how they did it, but it curls even the straightest, shortest lashes I work on and keeps them that way,” says Shackleton. The mascara also contains provitamin B5 and serine to condition lashes and prevent breakage.
Best (less expensive) curling mascara
Effect: Curling, volumizing, lengthening | Formula: Water-resistant | Brush type: Curved silicone brush with three suspended bands covered in small, spiky bristles
Tower28’s MakeWaves mascara is a TikTok darling, and for good reason: in addition to its curling and lengthening capabilities, it’s also vegan, safe for sensitive eyes, and the packaging uses recycled materials. The triple-wave wand design, with its flexible curved shape and three bands of bristles, is especially adept at coaxing your lashes upward; even my Asian lashes, which are typically straight and downward-pointing, showed noticeable lift after a few swipes. The formula is also infused with Aquaflex technology, an ingredient typically found in haircare that helps to actively define and hold a curl. Though I found that this mascara does clump a bit, especially if you pile on multiple applications, a couple hearty passes were all I needed to get my lashes looking perky and awake.
Best volumizing mascara
Effect: Volumizing, lengthening | Formula: Water-resistant | Brush type: Silicone brush with spiky, evenly spaced bristles and pointed precision tip
“This product definitely lives up to its name,” says makeup artist Amy Zdunowski-Roeder, who promises your lashes will appear dramatically thicker and fuller from the first coat and likes that the formula is long-wearing and non-smudging and won’t dry out. The unique domed brush features staggered bristles that grab lashes from the root, with tips at the end to separate and define your lashes, while the rich, long-wearing pigment keeps them looking great all day. Since this mascara can be difficult to take off, you’ll want to use a gentle oil-based remover, like the Glossier Milky Oil favored by Strategist beauty writer Rio Viera-Newton.
Best (less expensive) volumizing mascara
Effect: Volumizing | Formula: Washable | Brush type: Nylon brush with full, fluffy bristles
Maybelline’s Volum’ Express Falsies mascara counts multiple makeup artists among its fans, including LaGuardia and Peña. “It’s a little thicker of a formula, and it’s buildable,” Peña advises, noting that using multiple coats will help you achieve the look of false lashes. And LaGuardia says it goes on well, doesn’t clump, and does a great job at lengthening and thickening, without any fallout or smudging throughout the day.
Best dramatic mascara
Effect: Volumizing, curling | Formula: Washable and waterproof formulas | Brush type: Hourglass nylon brush with full, fluffy bristles
Too Faced’s Better Than Sex mascara was my go-to mascara in college when getting ready for a night out. The hourglass-shaped brush allowed me to coat every inch of my lashes and really build up the product, to the point where my lashes would brush against my glasses and leave black smudges. “This one has all the elements needed to get lashes thick, long, and separated,” confirms Shackleton. The formula is designed to be buildable, but, unlike so many lesser mascaras, it doesn’t clump as you add additional coats, she says.
Best (less expensive) dramatic mascara
Effect: Volumizing, lengthening, thickening | Formula: Washable | Brush type: Curved brush with nylon bristles
Maybelline’s Lash Sensational mascara comes with a curved brush that features ten layers of bristles to help lift and separate your lashes for a dramatic, fanned out effect. Makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff loves this mascara because it delivers “full volume and limitless length” without any smudging or flaking, she told us. Sheriff suggests going for the Blackest Black shade, which is even darker than regular Black, explaining that the darker the mascara, the more rich, full, and long your lashes will look.
Best colorful mascara
Effect: Lengthening, thickening | Formula: Washable and waterproof formulas | Brush type: Conical nylon brush with jumbo bristles
Many of the mascaras on this list come in shades of black and brown. But if you’re looking for a mascara that’s a little more out-of-the-box, both Slunjski and Peña recommend Dior’s Diorshow mascara in a deep, rich indigo blue, which Peña calls an “iconic formula.” Slunjski has noticed that some colorful mascaras will lose their bright tint once they’ve dried down, but Dior doesn’t skimp when adding pigment to their formula, resulting in a great color payoff, she says. Burran is also a fan of the Diorshow’s “gorgeous” color, adding, “When someone walks up with that blue on, you notice it for sure.”
Best (less expensive) colorful mascaras
Effect: Volumizing, lengthening | Formula: Washable | Brush type: Triangular nylon brush with asymmetrical bristles
Or perhaps you want to try a creative makeup look with a more affordable mascara before splurging on a pricier option. For a more budget-friendly alternative to Diorshow, Dennis loves Kiko Milano’s Smart Colour line, which she has used on editorial shoots and clients for special events. She says the mascara does a nice job of depositing color without having to put a base underneath, and it comes in six colors: metallic purple, warm brown, pop turquoise, electric blue, navy blue, and jungle green.
Effect: Volumizing, lengthening | Formula: Washable | Brush type: Curved nylon brush with evenly spaced bristles
Another affordable, colorful option is Maybelline’s Sky High line, which Strategist writer Rachael Griffiths declared the “best blue mascara” after trying several others. Her main criteria for the mascara, aside from the pigmentation: lash-lengthening abilities, a non-clumpy and tearproof formula, and easy removal. Maybelline’s Sky High, Griffiths says, checked every box: “It had that promising electric-blue shade fresh out of the tube, and the color showed up on my dark lashes. It gives your lashes that elongated look but falls short of making them look like spider legs.” Also important, it never runs and easily comes off with micellar water.
Best mascara for natural-looking lashes
Effect: Lengthening, lifting | Formula: Water-resistant | Brush type: Tapered silicone brush with tiered bristles
If you’re going for a no-makeup makeup look, I’ve found I only need a few passes of Glossier’s Lash Slick to make my eyes seem brighter and more awake. Viera-Newton swears by it for the daytime, when she wants her lashes to look “fluttery” and “feathery” but not overly striking. “With it, your lashes just look better: longer, but not in a dramatic way, and darker, but not in an obvious way,” Viera-Newton writes. Lash Slick is also a go-to for Shackleton, who likes its effect on her naturally thin lashes. The tiny fibers on the brush and the mascara’s formula work together to coat your lashes and volumize them, she says. She also describes it as a very workable mascara that you build up with multiple coats throughout the day and take it from day to night without clumping.
Best (less expensive) mascara for natural-looking lashes
Effect: Defining, lengthening | Formula: Washable and waterproof versions | Brush type: Skinny, low-profile brush with sparse, short bristles
Maybelline Lash Discovery comes recommended by Peña and Aiello, who love its natural-looking effect. This mascara gives a subtle lift and tint with no noticeable clumps, so while your lashes won’t appear super-thick or dramatic, you will get enough curl to draw attention to and open up your eyes. And since Maybelline is priced in the more affordable range, Peña recommends taking the opportunity to go ahead and buy yourself two tubes: the regular version for your top lashes and the waterproof version for the bottom ones to avoid raccoon eyes. (Although waterproof mascara is more difficult to remove, when you’re dealing with thinner bottom lashes, less scrubbing is involved.) “The mini-brush really hits those hard-to-reach lashes on the inner and outer corners and distributes a nice, even coat of product while separating and adding length to the lash,” says Aiello.
Best precision mascara
Effect: Lifting, defining | Formula: Waterproof | Brush type: Thin, low-profile brush with spiral bristles
Four different makeup artists I spoke to sung the praises of M.A.C’s Extended Play Gigablack Lash mascara. Its thin, low-profile brush allows more accuracy and precision when handling the wand, so you can get tiny lashes with ease, according to makeup artist Jill Powell. She adds that the Gigablack is also smudgeproof, “so you don’t have to worry about having raccoon eyes by the end of the day.”
For Lori Leib, creative director of Bodyography, this mascara is another option for those lucky folks with long lashes, since a drier, long-wear formula will help stop mascara transfer from lashes to the under eyes and brow bone. And because the small brush can get to the root of the lashes, it’s makeup artist Natalie Dresher’s mascara of choice for tricky bottom lashes. “The wand is so small that you can get into every nook and cranny of the lash line,” Dresher explains, adding that she’ll use it to “build up the bottom lashes for a sultry, smoky look.”
Best (less expensive) precision mascara
Effect: Curling, defining | Formula: Waterproof | Brush type: Extra-skinny brush with micro bristles
I like to reach for this Innisfree Microcara mascara as a second pass after I’ve already gone over my lashes once with a regular mascara (usually Merit’s or Essence’s). It’s especially handy if I’m using a mascara with a large brush that’s difficult to angle and get at those hard-to-reach inner corners. The ultrathin brush allows me to really coat every single lash, and it helps to define and separate my bottom lashes as well. “Without a doubt, this one stands out for getting even the tiniest lashes noticed,” Shackleton says.
Best mascara for sensitive eyes
Effect: Lifting, lengthening | Formula: Washable | Brush type: Silicone brush with asymmetrical bristles
Makeup artist Sandy Ganzer called out Ilia’s Limitless Lash mascara as a great mascara for people with sensitivities because its gentle formula includes conditioning beeswax and nourishing shea butter. “It’s buildable and fabulous for lengthening short lashes,” she says. And while some clean-beauty mascaras have a bad rap for smudging easier than others, Ganzer assured me that “this one does a great job at staying put.” Zdunowski-Roeder is another fan of this mascara, especially for its nonirritating formula (although, she recommends it specifically for those with longer lashes). She appreciates the wand in particular with its two sides — one for volumizing and curling and the other for lengthening and separating. It’s a mascara that will create “a gorgeous lash that will definitely get you compliments,” she says.
Best (less expensive) mascara for sensitive eyes
Effect: Volumizing, lengthening | Formula: Water-resistant | Brush type: Tapered plastic brush with soft bristles
Burran loves (and personally uses) this hypoallergenic mascara from Physicians Formula that contains no synthetic preservatives, parabens, fibers, or dyes. She describes it as “super-affordable, buildable, nontoxic, non-clumping, and extremely easy to take off.” Burran also says she always instructs clients to use the tip of the brush when applying mascara to the base of the lashes, which will help give them an even better lift. “I always focus on lifting the outer lashes to give you that really doe-eyed look.”
Best “clean” mascara
Effect: Volumizing, lengthening | Formula: Washable and waterproof formulas | Brush type: Tapered nylon brush with full, fluffy bristles
Milk Makeup’s cruelty-free Kush mascara is infused with hemp-derived cannabis-seed oil to help condition lashes and prevent fallout and breakage; it’s also vegan and gluten-free and is formulated without parabens, fragrance, sulfates, and silicones. This mascara was a staple in my makeup kit for a while, but I eventually transitioned away from it because it was making my lashes appear too dramatic for everyday looks. Viera-Newton reaches for this mascara for a glam night out because it makes her lashes “look really big and fluffy,” and Peña says it’s his go-to when he wants something “that adds volume and length quickly.” One coat already makes a huge difference, but when you add several coats, this mascara gives a faux-lash effect because the formula’s heart-shaped fibers adhere to your natural lashes to give added length and density.
Best (less expensive) “clean” mascara
Effect: Volumizing, defining | Formula: Washable and waterproof formulas | Brush type: Silicone brush with evenly spaced bristles
For a clean, cruelty-free product that still delivers on volume, try Covergirl’s Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara. Covergirl is certified by Cruelty Free International, meaning none of its products are tested on animals. It’s also formulated without parabens, sulfates, talc, or mineral oil. According to Slunjski, “this mascara is the closest you’ll get to lash extensions without the actual extensions.” Because the silicone brush has bristles that are on the shorter side, it separates the lashes nicely with little smudging. Burran also swears by it because it doesn’t dry out and goes on really well even with multiple coats, which means you can build it up without it looking thick or clumpy.
Best conditioning mascara
Effect: Volumizing, thickening | Formula: Washable | Brush type: Hourglass nylon brush with full, fluffy bristles
According to Powell, this Grande Cosmetics mascara is infused with castor oil, which helps condition the lashes and can promote growth. She adds that it creates fluffy, voluminous lashes that always look full and healthy and feel soft.
Best (less expensive) conditioning mascara
Effect: Lifting, lengthening | Formula: Water-resistant | Brush type: Silicone brush with convertible bristles
This mascara doubles as a nourishing lash serum thanks to ingredients like vitamin B, coconut, and kelp. Makeup artist T. Cooper recommends it, noting that the mascara’s formula isn’t its only innovative quality. “My favorite feature of this mascara is the applicator,” she tells us: It can “expand or condense depending on whether you choose to use it for length or volume.”
Best mascara primer
Effect: Thickening, conditioning | Formula: Washable | Brush type: Plastic brush with spaced-out bristles
As noted above, mascara primer isn’t always necessary, especially if you’re going for a natural look. But if you want to give your lashes some extra oomph or need your mascara to last a long day, a priming coat can make a huge difference. This primer has been a “much-loved staple” in Shackleton’s makeup kit, so much so that she can’t imagine herself working without it. “The fibers lock onto lashes and create an almost false-lash look when combined with mascara,” Shackleton says. “Since every client I have ever worked with wants bigger, lusher lashes, it’s my trick to create a false-lash look without the added strips and glue that a lot of people shy away from.” This primer is best for those who want “a falsie look without the weight and feel of traditional strip lashes,” she adds.
Best (less expensive) mascara primer
Effect: Thickening, conditioning | Cruelty-free | Formula: Washable | Brush type: Plastic brush with spiky bristles
For a less expensive option, Slunjski likes CoverGirl’s primer. Even if your lashes aren’t the thickest or longest, this primer will help “create an ‘artificial’ lash or a fake lash look” as a base to build upon, she says.
Some Strategist-approved makeup removers to use at the end of the day
Our experts
• Lauren Aiello, makeup artist
• Amanda Christan Burran, makeup artist
• Porsche Cooper, makeup artist
• T. Cooper, makeup artist
• Jessica deBen, makeup artist
• Margina Dennis, makeup artist
• Natalie Dresher, makeup artist
• Sandy Ganzer, makeup artist
• Anabelle LaGuardia, makeup artist
• Lori Leib, creative director of Bodyography
• Dillon Peña, makeup artist
• Jill Powell, makeup artist
• Clara Rae, makeup artist
• Amanda Shackleton, makeup artist
• Ashunta Sheriff, makeup artist
• Kornelija Slunjski, makeup artist
• Amy Marie Wilson, makeup artist
• Amy Zdunowski-Roeder, makeup artist
Additional reporting by Dominique Pariso and Ambar Pardilla
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