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17 of the best mascaras that will transform your lashes

Falsies? Never heard of them.

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courtesy of brand

Trying to find the best mascara for your lashes can feel like a daunting task; so many launches, so many questions... what's the best high-street mascara? What's the best for short lashes? Is it worth paying more for extra volume and length? Which waterproof formulas really withstand a hot summer's day, or even a few lengths in the swimming pool, but still come off easily with eye make-up remover?

With so many people relying on expensive salon treatments, such as eyelash extensions, lash lifts and tints, it's worth remembering that mascara technology has come a long way over the last few years, promising plump, sky-high, defined lashes with just a few swipes of a mascara wand.

Almost every beauty brand has a hero mascara they claim is the best on the market, and often it's easier just to stick with what you know. Benefit, Maybelline, Lancôme, Fenty, Glossier - are just some of the many beauty brands who have given us the iconic mascaras that are now a mainstay in our make-up bags.

But change is good, right? So, which new mascaras are worth turning your head for? Which clever new wands and lash-boosting formulas are worth the hype?

We asked makeup artist Adeloa Gboyega (who has worked with some of the biggest brands in beauty, from Bobbi Brown to Pat McGrath), for her expert tips when it comes to A* mascara application...

USE ENOUGH MASCARA

It might seem obvious, but according to Gboyega, many of us aren’t using enough mascara formula to begin with. “One of my pet peeves is when I see people not applying their mascara properly,” she says. “They only get the tips of their lashes instead of fully coating their lashes with the mascara.” Looks like we’ve gotta layer that stuff on, guys.

BRUSH UP YOUR TECHNIQUE

“To get the most from your mascara, it is so important to place your wand at the root of your lashes,” explains Gboyega. “I always recommend using the wand in a zig-zag motion, ensuring that you are working up from the root of your lashes all the way to the tip.” And yes, that open-mouth-mascara-face is basically inevitable.

KNOW YOUR ANGLES

Gboyega says that the angle of said mirror can make a huge difference to your mascara technique. “I would recommend having a compact mirror or any mirror in front of you so you can tilt your head backward slightly and look down into your mirror as you apply your mascara,” she advises. “This way you can really see the root of your lashes and ensure you coat the lashes properly for maximum volume.”

Clever, huh?

We've been testing the newest mascaras on the market, looking for the best long-lasting formulas that won't flake under the eyes, melt in the sun, or leave a clumpy, clogged finish. Whether you're looking for black or brown, or one containing waterproof technology or thickening fibres, we've found the top 17 mascaras on the market right now, to give you the happiest lashes you've ever had...

1
Best for a fanned out finish

Benefit Fan Fest Mascara

Fan Fest Mascara
1
Best for a fanned out finish

Benefit Fan Fest Mascara

£25 at LookFantastic

Benefit know how to make excellent mascara, we tried and loved both their RollarLash and They're Real formulas, however, it's the latest lash launch that has caught our eye (literally). The new Fan Fest Mascara is brilliant for lifting and lengthening, it gives smudge-free, clump-free volume that stays put for hours.

2
Best smudge-proof mascara

Glossier Lash Slick

Glossier Lash Slick
2
Best smudge-proof mascara

Glossier Lash Slick

Now 12% Off
Credit: Glossier

Word of warning, once you use this mascara, it's hard to go back to anything else. Clumps? Lash Slick doesn't know them. Smudging? Not on Lash Slick's watch.

Glossier's founder Emily Weiss's aim was to create a mascara that gave "baby lash extensions" and it's safe to say she achieved it with this formula. If you hate clumps, love a natural look and don't want any smudging, or flaking, this is for you.

3
Best tubing mascara

Merit Clean Lash Mascara

Clean Lash Mascara
3
Best tubing mascara

Merit Clean Lash Mascara

We're yet to try a Merit beauty product that we don't love, and of course, this mascara is no exception. The tubing formula gives a natural tint and lift to the lashes, with absolutely zero smudges. The smart formula contains fatty acids and olive oil esters, to condition lashes whilst vitamin B5 adds a healthy shine.

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4
Best mascara for lengthening

MAC Cosmetics Magic Extension Mascara

MAC Cosmetics Magic Extension Mascara
4
Best mascara for lengthening

MAC Cosmetics Magic Extension Mascara

Credit: courtesy of brand

MAC will forever hold a special place in my heart (and make-up bag), their epic formulas and artistry background always deliver – and of course, this lash- extending mascara is no exception. Tiny fibres give an incredible length boost, with zero clumping or fall out... It’s a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

5
Best mascara for lifting

Maybelline New York Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara

Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
5
Best mascara for lifting

Maybelline New York Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara

Credit: Courtesy of Brand

To call this a TikTok sensation would be an understatement. When it came out, it was the mascara everyone was talking about – and for good reason. It gives unreal length and if you’re looking for volume, you can layer this up without clumping.

6
Best mascara for a jet-black formula

Benefit They're Real Magnet Mascara

Benefit They're Real Magnet Mascara
6
Best mascara for a jet-black formula

Benefit They're Real Magnet Mascara

Now 20% Off
Credit: Benefit

If you are an avid watcher of our Beauty Lab series on Snapchat you'll know how impressed we were with this mascara when we reviewed it.

While we're not entirely sure of the "magnet" element, it's undeniable that it both lifts, lengthens and volumises lashes. If you love a good lash moment this has your name all over it.

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7
best mascara for curling

Maybelline New York Colossal Curl Bounce Mascara

Maybelline New York Colossal Curl Bounce Mascara
7
best mascara for curling

Maybelline New York Colossal Curl Bounce Mascara

Now 20% Off
Credit: courtesy of brand

Controversial, but Maybelline thinks it’s time we all ditched our eyelash curlers, and as someone who is forever trying to simplify my life, I agree. Luckily, their newest mascara has been specifically designed to grab onto stubbornly straight lashes and lift them up, giving a beautiful, sky-high curl. No extra tools required.

8
Best mascara for a multi-finish formula

Huda Beauty Legit Lashes Mascara

Huda Beauty Legit Lashes Mascara
8
Best mascara for a multi-finish formula

Huda Beauty Legit Lashes Mascara

Credit: Courtesy of brand

Huda Kattan's debut mascara did not disappoint, with its double-ended brush that delivers maximum volume on one side and length and curl on the other. The formula is matte black, and contains "gripping waxes and fibres," which promise dramatic volume without any stiffness. If you're ready to go falsie-free for the first time in a long time, try this.

9
Best mascara for a clump-free finish

Milk Makeup Kush High Volume Mascara

Milk Makeup Kush High Volume Mascara
9
Best mascara for a clump-free finish

Milk Makeup Kush High Volume Mascara

Credit: Milk KUSH High Volume Mascara

As the name suggests, the star ingredient in Milk's KUSH mascara is none other than cannabis seed oil. Swapping beeswax for plant oils means that this mascara is 100% vegan, plus it's paraben, talc and cruelty-free, too. The beefy brush administers heart shaped fibres that latch onto each lash, bolstering and boosting length and thickness. The result is clump free, blacker than black glossy lashes that last all day.

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10
Best mascara for volume

Maybelline The Falsies Instant Lash Lift Mascara

Maybelline The Falsies Instant Lash Lift Mascara
10
Best mascara for volume

Maybelline The Falsies Instant Lash Lift Mascara

Now 20% Off
Credit: Courtesy of brand

If fluttery lashes are on your to-get list, give this clever double-curved brush a go. The formula is infused with volumising fibres, giving the illusion of thickness without the clumping. If also comes in a waterproof version, if you're looking for extra staying-power during the summer months.

11
Best mascara for a fluttery finish

Jones Road The Mascara

Jones Road The Mascara
11
Best mascara for a fluttery finish

Jones Road The Mascara

Credit: courtesy of brand

Lengthening mascaras tend to sit on the more dramatic side of formulas, but if you’re looking for something slightly more natural-looking, consider this one instead. Created by legendary makeup artist Bobbi Brown, the curved wand grabs even the tiniest lashes and swoops them upwards into a subtle curl while keeping them fluttery and soft, meaning none of that uncomfortable crunchy finish.

12
Best vegan mascara

MILK Milk Makeup Rise Mascara

Milk Makeup Rise Mascara
12
Best vegan mascara

MILK Milk Makeup Rise Mascara

Credit: courtesy of brand

As a long-time fan of Milk mascaras, I don’t think my expectations have been so high since I sat down in my local Cineworld for the final Harry Potter movie. Thankfully, this did not disappoint. Developed with four types of vegan waxes, it lengthened and lifted my straight lashes but, even better, as the formula is so lightweight, my lashes didn’t droop or lose their curl throughout the day – something I’ve always struggled with.

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13
Best mascara for all round results

Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Eyes Mascara

Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Eyes Mascara
13
Best mascara for all round results

Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Eyes Mascara

Credit: Lancome

An oldie but most definitely a goldie. Lancôme's Hypnôse Doll Eyes is not only loved by us here at Cosmo, but it's also loved by Khloe Kardashian herself, who claimed it was her most repurchased makeup item when we interviewed her.

Proof that some formulas just can't be beat, this gives a beautiful fanned out effect to lashes, adding both volume and length without things getting clumpy.

14
Best mascara for definition

Fenty Beauty Full Frontal Volume, Lift & Curl Mascara

Fenty Beauty Full Frontal Volume, Lift & Curl Mascara
14
Best mascara for definition

Fenty Beauty Full Frontal Volume, Lift & Curl Mascara

Now 20% Off
Credit: Courtesy of brand

Riri has totally delivered with this 'flat-to-fat' brush design. The denser bristles load lashes with product, and the slimmer edge combs it all through for definition and curl. It plumps and lengthens, exposing every little lash with eye-opening definition.

15
Best mascara on a budget

NYX Professional Makeup NYX On The Rise Liftscara Mascara

NYX On The Rise Liftscara Mascara
15
Best mascara on a budget

NYX Professional Makeup NYX On The Rise Liftscara Mascara

Credit: NYX

Great mascaras don't have to cost a bomb. This game changer from NYX comes in at a totally affordable £10 and is hands down one of the best all-rounders going. The dual sided wand lets you alternate between volumising and defining, while the super pigmented formula provides long lasting colour. If you're looking to boost your lashes without going OTT, this is the everyday wand for you.

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16
Best mascara for impact

Pat McGrath Labs FetishEyes Mascara

Pat McGrath Labs FetishEyes Mascara
16
Best mascara for impact

Pat McGrath Labs FetishEyes Mascara

Credit: Pat McGrath

When you think of Pat McGrath's line, the first thing that comes to mind is eyeshadow palettes, but let us tell you, this mascara is actually top of our list.

Now, word of warning. This does smudge on the bottom lashes, BUT, the results are so good it's worth using a seperate mascara for that job.

This gives such impressive length and volume, but still somehow looks natural, like you were born with the kind of lashes a camel would be proud of.

17
Best mascara for chic packaging

GUCCI Mascara L'Obscur

GUCCI Mascara L'Obscur
17
Best mascara for chic packaging

GUCCI Mascara L'Obscur

Credit: courtesy of brand

This mascara is a thing of beauty. Not just because the pale-pink and brass-gold tube make it one of the chicest looking lash lifters around, but also because the formula is stunning. It smoothly glides onto lashes without clumping or flaking, and give a dramatic lift - trust us, you can skip the lash curler with this one.

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