Best mascara

The best mascara to buy depends on the look you want, but if I were choosing one, I'd prioritize a formula that gives you noticeable lashes without clumping, flaking, or smudging.

Here’s how I’d narrow it down:

• Best overall: a mascara that adds both length and volume for everyday wear.
• Best for length: a defining, lengthening formula that separates each lash.
• Best for volume: a thicker formula for bold, fuller-looking lashes.
• Best for straight or stubborn lashes: a waterproof formula that helps hold a curl.
• Best budget pick: an affordable drugstore mascara that performs well without luxury pricing.

My top 4 mascaras to buy

(Best overall)

Lancôme Lash Idôle Mascara

$30

4.6/5 · Ulta

Great for lifted, separated, fanned-out lashes with both length and volume. My pick if you want a more polished, high-end look. Insider Beauty ulta.com

Shop at Ulta

(Best affordable pick)

Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High

$14

4.5/5 · Ulta

Excellent for long-looking, defined lashes without spending a lot. A great everyday option and one of the easiest picks to recommend. Allure ulta.com

Shop at Ulta

Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara

$26

4.5/5 · Brand website

A tubing mascara worth considering if regular mascara smudges under your eyes. It forms tubes around lashes and is designed to resist smudging and flaking. thrivecausemetics.com ELLE

Shop at Thrive

L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Mascara

$15

4.1/5 · Ulta

Best if you love a lengthened, defined look with individually separated lashes rather than thick, dramatic volume. ulta.com Ulta Beauty

Shop at Ulta

Let me find your perfect one

1. What look do you want?

Long, dramatic lashes

Thick, full lashes

Both length and volume

Natural, separated lashes

Lifted, curled lashes

2. What's your budget?

Under $10

Under $15

$15–$30

Any price — I want the best

3. What's your biggest mascara problem?

Smudging under my eyes

Clumping or spider lashes

Lashes won't hold a curl

My lashes look too short or thin

No major problems

[Find my best mascara]

The best mascaras span across drugstore and luxury categories based on specific lash goals:

Top Overall & Drugstore Picks

Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara (~$10–$14): Widely praised as the best overall and best drugstore lengthening mascara, featuring an exclusive Flex Tower brush and bamboo extract for full volume and limitless length. The New York Times Allure

Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara (~$26): The top-rated tubing mascara known for wrapping lashes in water-washable polymer "tubes" that prevent smudging, flaking, or clumping. Amazon.com

Best Volumizing & Luxury Picks

商品图片 Lancôme Lash Idôle Lifting & Volumizing Mascara $30.00

Lancome& more 4.58 (47,434) 73a92c0043e4777595935414e86a248c

Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing Mascara (~$29): A cult-favorite volumizing formula infused with collagen and an hourglass-shaped brush for dramatic, multi-coat intensity. The New York Times

Lancôme Lash Idôle Lifting & Volumizing Mascara (~$30): A crowd-favorite for everyday glamour, utilizing a curved wand with 360 micro-bristles for a fanned-out, 24-hour lifted effect. Marie Claire UK

Here is a review comparing top drugstore and luxury mascaras to help you choose the right lift and formula:

To narrow down the best option for you, tell me:

What is your primary goal (length, volume, curl, or zero smudging)?

Do you prefer a drugstore budget or a luxury price point?

Are you looking for a tubing formula or regular/waterproof?

Because the "best" mascara depends entirely on what you want your lashes to do (add length, volume, curl, or stay smudge-proof all day), beauty editors, makeup artists, and shoppers consistently rank a few standout options at the top. Marie Claire UK

The top-rated mascaras categorized by what they do best include:

1. Best Overall

• Lancôme Lash Idôle Volumizing Mascara Who What Wear
  • Why buy it: It features a curved, arched wand with 360 micro-bristles that grab every single lash, lifting and fanning them out instantly. It offers incredible, weightless volume and length without a single clump or flake.

2. Best Drugstore / Budget-Friendly

• Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara Who What Wear
  • Why buy it: A viral cult favorite for a reason, this affordable tubing-adjacent formula gives dramatic, sky-high length and separation. Who What Wear The flexible brush bends to coat every lash, and it holds up remarkably well against smudging. Who What Wear (An ultra-budget runner-up is the Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara, which costs around $5 and rivals luxury brands).

3. Best for Length & Clean Beauty

• ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara
  • Why buy it: If you prefer clean ingredients and zero clumping, this is a multi-award winner. It uses a double-sided brush—one side to curl and build volume, and the other to separate and lengthen. It easily washes off at night but stays put all day.

4. Best for Drama & Volume

• Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara
  • Why buy it: A staple at Sephora for years, this hourglass-shaped brush loads up your lashes with a deep-black, collagen-fueled formula that delivers thick, falsie-level drama in just two coats.

5. Best for Curling

• Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara Who What Wear
  • Why buy it: If your lashes tend to point straight down and refuse to hold a curl, this formula locks in a dramatic, eye-opening lift that actually lasts all day without deflating. Who What Wear Plus, the tube is refillable. Who What Wear

Quick Guide to Choosing:

• If you struggle with smudging/raccoon eyes: Look for a tubing mascara (like Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions or MCoBeauty Xtend Lash), which wraps lashes in tiny "tubes" that slide off cleanly with warm water alone.
• If you want a natural, everyday look: Go for ILIA or Lancôme Lash Idôle.
• If you want maximum impact for under $15: Grab Maybelline Sky High or Essence Lash Princess.

What kind of look are you going for, or what is your biggest lash struggle (e.g., holding a curl, smudging, or lack of volume)?

For a reliable, affordable everyday pick, try Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High; it’s repeatedly recommended as a top drugstore mascara.nytimes.combyrdie.com

The best mascara is subjective—it depends on what you want (length, volume, curl, longevity, or a natural look), your lash type, skin sensitivity, and budget. No single product wins for everyone, but recent expert testing (as of October 2026) highlights a few standout options across categories. www.nytimes.com www.allure.com

Here are the top recommendations from Wirecutter (a rigorous, hands-on tester) and Allure’s 2026 Best of Beauty Awards. These are based on lab-like testing for performance (no clumping, smudging, flaking), longevity, removal ease, and real-user feedback.

Best Overall / Everyday Pick

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara (by Selena Gomez)

• Why it stands out: Buildable volume and length without heaviness or crumbling. The fluffy brush coats lashes evenly; it lasts 8+ hours, resists smudging even in heat/humidity, and works well on sparser or shorter lashes. Testers call it a “rare” formula that doesn’t weigh lashes down.
• Price: ~$24 for a full tube (Sephora/Ulta).
• Best for: Most people wanting balanced, natural-looking volume and length.
• Drawbacks: Brush is thick (may feel less precise for some).

Best for Length & Longevity

Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara (various shades, e.g., Brynn black)

• Why it stands out: True “tubing” formula—creates a protective film that physically lengthens lashes (looks like extensions) while holding up through showers, steam, or dates. Non-smudge, easy removal with water + gentle pressure, and clump-resistant. Multiple testers say it’s the best lengthener they’ve tried.
• Price: ~$26 for 0.38 oz (Amazon).
• Best for: Waterproof/durability needs or anyone wanting dramatic length that stays put.
• Drawbacks: Newer formula can feel slightly slippery at first; removal takes a quick learning curve.

Best Drugstore Option

Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara

• Why it stands out: Slick, bendy brush coats even the thinnest lashes for natural-looking length with one coat. Washable (no harsh removal), lasts most of the day without raccoon eyes, and under $12.
• Price: ~$11.
• Best for: Budget-conscious users or quick touch-ups.
• Drawbacks: Less dramatic volume than premium options; not as long-wearing in extreme humidity.

Best Luxury Volumizing Pick

Armani Beauty Vertigo Lift Mascara (Allure 2026 Best of Beauty winner)

• Why it stands out: Lifted, voluminous lashes with long-wear formula. Great for dramatic but lifted looks.
• Price: Premium (typically $30–40+).
• Best for: High-end fans wanting a “wow” volume effect.

Other Strong Contenders

• Best Tubing: Urban Decay Tube Job Lash Augmenting Tubing Mascara (Allure winner).
• Best Curling: Rom&nd Han All Fix Mascara or Lancôme Lash Idôle Curl Goddess (Allure winner).
• Other mentions: Too Faced Better Than Sex (for dramatic volume), L’Oréal Volume Million Lashes Panorama (popular for length), and Wander Beauty (praised in recent reviews for everyday reliability). www.allure.com

Quick Buying Tips

• Try before you buy: Mascara is personal—many people love a drugstore option like Maybelline for the price or splurge on Thrive/Rare for results. Check Sephora, Ulta, or brand sites for samples.
• Common issues to avoid: Clumping (use primer), smudging (set with powder), or flaking (choose non-waxy formulas).
• For sensitive eyes: Look for “ophthalmologist tested” or hypoallergenic formulas (e.g., Thrive or Rare Beauty are often gentle).
• Trend note: Subtle, natural-lifted lashes are big in 2026 (bare-lashed runway trend), so the lighter-weight options above shine.

If you tell me more details—like your budget, whether you want volume vs. length, lash sensitivity, or eye color—I can narrow it down further or suggest specific shades/formulas! What are you hoping for?