After testing more mascaras than I'd like to admit, I've found a ton that I love, a ton that I hate and a ton that are just not so amazing. That said, we want to keep our lashes stacked with volume, length, and even prevent some tears along the way. With so many amazing products on the market sometimes it's hard to narrow it down to just one. That said, here's a comprehensive shopping guide to the best layering, volumizing, lengthening, and waterproof mascaras on the market.
Benefit BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara — Definitely one of the most popular mascaras on the market. The ultra-dark formula is perfect as a standalone or to layer, and the brush lets you spread your lashes out, so you never look clumpy. It’s made with water-resistant polymers so a few tears could slip if need be, but the nourishing B5 helps to keep your lashes firm and in-tact.
Lancôme Lash Idole Mascara — This product contains white tea extra to condition your lashes while lifting them in a perfectly fanned out way. Lancome’s Lash Idole is built with a lightweight gel formula so you can either walk right out with a few layers, or pile the rest of your routine on
Gifted™ Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara— I love a good Tarte product, but this is one of my all-time favorites. The product lays on a soft-flex brush so your lashes are coated to an even perfection. Carnauba wax and jojoba oil work together to coat, condition, and hold — giving you that perfect top layer with an ultra dark finish.
Mac Stack Waterproof Mascara - This weightless and buildable product is the perfect smudge-proof mascara you need. With a wax blend for buildable texture and film-forming polymers for long wear, this is perfect for a first or second layer to your eyelash routine.
L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise — With thickening and lengthening properties, Lash Paradise is a mascara you shouldn’t sleep on. It gives a soft finish through its nourishing castor oil and the beeswax gives it a perfect buildable texture.
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara — I mean, it’s right in the title. This is truthfully an icon when it comes to volumizing your lashes. My personal favorite is the original type. The formula is stacked with collagen to add extra volume and peptides to nourish and condition. Just one coat and your lashes will be curled, thickened, and even separated.
Dior Diorshow Pump ’n’ Volume HD Mascara — The jojoba oil for softening and beeswax for extra thickness really helps this mascara to take the cake. Your lashes will be plumped up, and with a squeezable tube this application will glide on perfectly to volumized perfection.
YSL Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara — This product is based with iris extract and a wax blend for a conditioning and thickening effect. The long-wear and perfect bottle makes it all the more desirable, and the ultra dark all day wear is perfect for extra volume.
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes — The iconic Pillow Talk line is just always a good choice when it comes to choosing what to apply. CT’s formula has a certain richness built with keratin to actively strengthen and lift your lashes. Not to mention the formula is extremely long lasting and will give you that defined look after a few swipes.
Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara — Don’t let the low price fool you. This essence mascara is what I’ve been using as lengthening layer recently and I cannot recommend it enough. It dries out slightly quick, but the water based formula is perfect to build upon giving a budget-friendly option for a dramatic lash.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara — We’ve all seen the Maybelline commercials and they do not lie. The formula has flexible polymers to extend and the bamboo extract in the product strengthen lashes from root to tip. The lightweight formula is perfect to give you that first base and it is amazing for sensitive eyes.
Hourglass Unlock Instant Extensions Mascara — This is the perfect tubing mascara, it’s smudge-proof, firming, and conditioning. I see my eyelashes grow twice their size when I apply this and it serves as a perfect base, top, or only coat in my routine. By the way, it’s made cruelty-free!
L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Original Mascara — My ultimate go-to mascara. Whether I am rushing out or heading to an important dinner, Telescopic is my saving grace. The brush is perfect for lengthening, and the formula is tested by a team of ophthalmologists to prevent irritation. This mascara is a 10/10 for clump-free length at any layer of your routine.
Refy Lash Sculpt, Lift & Lengthening Mascara — It’s right in the title, this product really does it all! The curved wand is perfect for shaping and separating your lashes, and the quality brush adds length to your curl. The panthenol and vitamin E help to solidify your lashes by lengthening them, and boost shine.
Milk Makeup Kush High Roll Mascara — Milk Makeup's cruelty free, silicone free, award-winning mascara.Using hemp-derived cannabis seed oil, your lashes will be soft, and the hollow heart-shaped fibers will lead to fullness and take your lash routine to the next level.
Ilia Limitless Lash Lengthening Clean Mascara — Last but certainly not least is a mascara that comes from Ilia, known for it's clean beauty products. Everybody is raving about this product, and I get the hype. It has an extremely long wear and is made with shea butter to keep your lashes moisturized and lifted, while also giving your set the perfect long length that can go for miles. It's totally worth a try.
Lancôme Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara — This lengthening long-wear mascara can withstand any breakup or happy tears you need to last through. The water base helps to prep and soften your lashes with a creamy glide for volume and length within moments of application.
L’Oreal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara — L’Oreal’s Voluminous Waterproof mascara is the perfect smudge-resistant product, while still ensuring a full and healthy lash. The formula contains Ceramide-R to protect from breakage and builds lashes to 4x its size.
Chanel Le Volume De Chanel Waterproof Mascara — Sometimes, it’s worth it to go with the classics. This waterproof mascara achieves an intense color and deepening effect in the lashes. It is water based and contains various antioxidants to make sure your lashes are nourished and lasting. Not to mention, the Chanel exclusive brush makes your eyes widen instantly, and is definitely my favorite.
Rabanne Famous Mascara — This deep black mascara with an hourglass fiber brush, provides the perfect lifted look to withstand your long day. The formula is built with castor oil and is both smudge and sweat-proof to ensure there is a long lasting and smoothing effect during application.
