31 Best Mascaras for Thicker and Longer Eyelashes, Tested and Reviewed in 2023

Maybelline's Sky High Mascara is kind of an overachiever. It uses tiny bamboo fibers to add a ton of length and volume to teeny-tiny lashes and it has a slim, flexible brush with a tapered tip that makes application quick, easy, and mess-free. Every time I use it, I'm shocked at how incredible my lashes look for such minimal effort. Did I mention it comes off easily with just warm water too? Obsessed.

• Benefits: Volumizes, lengthens, defines, curls
• Shades: Three (blackest black, cosmic black, very black)

THE REVIEW: "The brush is perfect for separating your lashes and preventing clumps," writes one tester. "I love that it stays on and won't smudge until you wash it off."

If you're looking for a mascara that lifts, lengthens, holds a curl, and separates your lashes, this is your MVP. The dual-sided wand has staggered bristles on one side to help you really load up your lashes, along with long, comb-like teeth on the other side so you can brush out any clumps while defining each lash. Oh, and the formula—like all Ilia products—is clean, eco-friendly, cruelty-free, and made without potentially sketch ingredients.

• Benefits: Lifts, lengthens, curls, separates
• Shades: One (black)

THE REVIEW: "Holy grail mascara!" according to one tester. "Incredible volume and length—no need to worry about clumping or flaking."

It's hard to create a list of the best mascaras without a nod to this trending TikTok viral beauty product. Whether or not you believe Mikayla wore falsies on TikTok when raving about how lengthening this mascara is, I'm here to back up the product and say that no other mascara compares to how this one separates, holds, and lengthens my lashes. The rubber wand is super skinny and flexible, which means it bends and moves any way I need it to when I really need to get into the base of my lashes.

• Benefits: Lengthens
• Shades: Three (blackest black, black, black brown)

THE REVIEW: "My eyelashes are super straight and I could never find a mascara that would make them hold a curl but this has changed my life!" one reviewer notes. "I will be purchasing this again as I run out of this one."

Meet my all-time favorite drugstore mascara (really just mascara in general) on the market. The curved brush cups my lashes, which lightly curls them while building volume and length. But the best part? This formula is meant to be layered, so I can really wriggle it on without worrying about clumps.

• Benefits: Lengthens, curls, separates
• Shades: Four (very black, black, black brown, brown)

THE REVIEW: "I have used this Covergirl mascara for years—it's the best there is," reads one review. "It's easy to put on and stays fresh all day. The curved brush is really great too, it doesn't leave mascara on my lids or cheeks."

FYI: Tubing mascaras wrap each lash in tube-like polymers to create extra thickness and length that still looks super natural. It sounds strange, but trust me when I say it works so well and honestly holds up better than my traditional mascaras. Wriggle the wand through your curled lashes, and work quickly, since it dries fast to prevent flaking.

• Benefits: Volumizes, lengthens, curls
• Shades: One (black)

THE REVIEW: "This was definitely an impulse buy after watching some videos on Instagram and YouTube but I can happily say I have no regrets," writes one tester, adding that "it does everything it claims—lengthens, volumizes, separates, and defines my lashes without flaking."

Listen, this mascara is probs the only thing I'll ever be able to afford from Chanel, and I'm not mad about it. The wand is thick and dense with bristles, so you can seriously work the formula into your lashes for a volumized, falsies-level finish. Yes, it's expensive, but I would honestly buy this mascara even if I weren't a beauty editor.

• Benefits: Lengthens, curls, volumizes
• Shades: Two (black, blue)

THE REVIEW: "All I have to say is that this is the BEST mascara I've ever used!" one reviewer writes. "It's perfect in every way and gives me long, beautiful lashes. Buy it!"

If you hate how mascaras leave your lashes feeling stiff and straw-like, then pls try this volumizing and thickening formula from Rare Beauty. It's mixed with a touch of castor oil to keep your lashes feeling like, you know, actual lashes, and also helps to prevent flaking after layering it on.

• Benefits: Volumizes, curls, lengthens
• Shades: One (black)

THE REVIEW: "This is honestly such an amazing mascara—it does everything really well," writes one tester, adding that "it creates lots of thickness and volume and holds a curl really nicely too."

This mascara was a Cosmo beauty awards winner last year for good reason: it legit works and is super affordable too. Just wiggle on two coats for super-plush, high-volume lashes with tons of definition and separation.

• Benefits: Defines, volumizes, separates
• Shades: One (black)

THE REVIEW: "I had never used L.A. Girl before but was so pleasantly surprised by this—it works very well!" notes one tester, adding that "it darkens and lengthens my lashes on the first application."

Okay, a squeeze-tube mascara may seem a little weird, but it's actually awesome for getting every last bit of formula, especially when you're running low. Each time before applying, give the tube a little squeeze and knead to fully saturate the wand with mascara, and you'll be left with consistently long and defined lashes like the day you first opened it.

• Benefits: Volumizes, lengthens
• Shades: One (black)

THE REVIEW: "This mascara!!!" one reviewer writes. "It’s the only mascara I’ve ever worn that doesn’t flake, smudge, or smear and it’s not even labeled waterproof! It is also not a pain to remove! Love this!!!"

It's not every day you see a natural mascara that's both effective *and* formulated with naturally derived ingredients, which is why I'm so obsessed with this option from Saie. It gives your lashes lots of length and volume, while the comb-like bristles separate each and every lash to avoid any clumps. Plus it contains beeswax and shea butter to give your lashes a soft, flexible feel.

• Benefits: Lifts, lengthens, strengthens
• Shades: One (black)

THE REVIEW: "I love this clean mascara," reads one tester's review. "It doesn’t make my eyes watery and I love the applicator! The tip is the best way to get those inner and outer corners for full coverage!"

If you've got itty-bitty lashes (I feel you), you need to try this formula from makeup all-star Pat McGrath. The wand has a mix of tiny, dense bristles that catch and grip each lash—even the shortest, wispiest ones—leaving you with fanned-out, fuller-looking lashes. Just note that it can smudge on naturally oily eyelids, so for a longer-lasting finish, try dusting a setting powder over your eye area first.

• Benefits: Volumizes, lengthens, lifts
• Shades: One (black)

THE REVIEW: "This mascara is like a giant, golden wand that is straight up sent from Heaven," one tester notes. "It’s just so voluminous, and it has the blackest black color I have EVER seen on a mascara."

This mascara’s packaging has a squeezable base that, with every squeeze, builds the formula onto the brush, giving you a more dramatic finish. Want a regular, everyday look? Skip squeezing the bottle, or give it one baby squeeze and then apply. Talk about a truly custom lash look.

• Benefits: Volumizes, lengthens
• Shades: One (black)

THE REVIEW: "I was initially reluctant to spend this much on a mascara, but it is literally the best thing I’ve bought," reads one review. "I love the way it makes my lashes look—highly recommend buying this one!"

Struggle with sparse lashes? This cult-favorite formula has an hourglass-shaped wand that separates and curls each lash, giving even the sparsest of lashes extra volume and length. The result? An intense and doe-eyed finish. But the best part is that the waterproof formula is going to last you all day, yet it's gentle and easy to remove—in other words, you won't be stuck scrubbing your lashes with soap in the PM.

• Benefits: Volumizes, defines
• Shades: One (black)

THE REVIEW: "If you are like me—a contact lens-wearing, allergy-sufferer with runny eyes—then you know that most mascaras don't stay in place, but this one really does," one reviewer notes. "It's totally waterproof!"

Got watery eyes? Rest assured, this mascara is safer for sensitive eyes (it's even been tested by dermatologists and ophthalmologists) and those who wear contacts, too. And, according to reviews, the formula is surprisingly easy to remove with a standard face wash, which means less irritation for you.

• Benefits: Lengthens, separates
• Shades: Two (black, black brown)

THE REVIEW: "It’s not the first product that comes to mind when I think of Neutrogena but it really is an excellent mascara," notes one reviewer. "I was very impressed—it provides the right amount of definition and length. A hidden gem."

If you hate the feeling of thick, heavy mascara, don’t worry—this formula uses incredibly light ingredients that feel like nothing on your lashes. Really. Plus, one swipe of this long-wear mascara (it’s supposed to last 36 hours, but please, wash your face and don't keep it on that long!) will make your lashes look instantly voluminous and long as ever.

• Benefits: Volumizes, separates
• Shades: One (black)

THE REVIEW: "This is the best mascara," according to one reviewer. "I love that the wand separates the lashes and really makes them look much longer, without it looking spidery or clumpy."

Not a fan of brown mascara? Oh, so you’re not a fan of ridiculously good-looking lashes, huh? Seriously, brown mascara—like this MVP from Eyeko—can leave your lashes naturally defined and curled without giving off the vibe that you’re wearing makeup. And, thanks to this formula’s added shea butter, you won’t feel like you’re wearing stiff and crunchy mascara, either.

• Benefits: Volumizes, curls
• Shades: Two (black, brown)

THE REVIEW: "This is my favorite mascara for the fall season," reads one review. "I love wearing it when I want to change up my look from basic black and create a warm, sultry brown look."

Patrick Ta’s best-selling mascara is basically the glazed-donut trend for your lashes, thanks to the formula’s glycerin (for hydration) and mica (for shine). And, thanks to its slower-to-dry finish, it also allows you to layer on the coats without getting a clumpy, spider-y finish.

• Benefits: Volumizes
• Shades: One (black)

THE REVIEW: "I love love love this mascara!!!" writes one reviewer. "It gives my lashes the perfect amount of length and volume and it's so lightweight so it doesn’t weigh them down."

When you want to wear mascara and a lash conditioner, get yourself a formula that can do both. This one from Uoma not only helps lift and define your eyelashes, but also moisturizes each lash with a mix of conditioning jojoba oil and castor oil. No, it won’t magically grow your lashes longer overnight, but it can help create a healthier environment for future growth. And, thanks to its shorter, slimmer wand, you’ll have no problem giving even your tiniest lashes some TLC.

• Benefits: Lifts, separates
• Shades: One (black)

THE REVIEW: "This volumized, lengthened, and curled my lashes in one swipe," writes one tester. "While this mascara makes my lashes look beautiful, it also has many nourishing ingredients to help them stay healthy which I love."

Want super voluminous lashes without the clumps? Enter: The Nars Climax Mascara. This full, dense brush will deposit a ton of pigment for ultra volume, yet its tightly packed bristles help comb out clumps before they happen. Plus, the formulation is made to be extra creamy in order to prevent smudges and clumps when layering. It's *magic.*

• Benefits: Volumizes
• Shades: One (black)

THE REVIEW: "The two things I look for in mascara are how well it lengthens and thickens and whether or not it smudges on my face throughout the day," one review reads. "This mascara is excellent on both counts living up to the claims of being smudge-proof and clump-proof."

Are you someone who has naturally long or curly lashes? (1) Congrats, you won the lash lottery, and (2) you need to be using a dense mascara brush like this cult-favorite from Lancôme. The wand has tightly packed bristles that will layer on major pigments while separating your lashes for an ultra-fluttery effect.

• Benefits: Volumizes, lengthens
• Shades: One (black)

THE REVIEW: "I love this mascara—it makes my eyes pop and my lashes super long and thick looking," reads one review. "So many people including strangers have asked me if I’m wearing false eyelashes when I wear this," reads another.