The Best Lengthening Mascaras of 2024: Top Picks, Expert Reviews, and Pro Application Tips
Discover the ultimate lengthening mascaras for every lash type, with expert testing, reviews, and insider shopping tips for dream lashes.
The Best Lengthening Mascaras of 2024: Top Picks, Editor Reviews, and Expert Tips
If you dream of longer, defined lashes, a great lengthening mascara can completely transform your look. Whether your lashes are short, sparse, or just need extra drama, we’ve assembled the 17 best lengthening mascaras of 2024, drawing on rigorous editor testing and reviews from beauty insiders. This comprehensive guide includes standout formulas for every lash type, price point, and desired effect—as well as must-know expert tips for flawless application.
Our Top Picks for the Best Lengthening Mascaras of 2024
- Benefit They’re Real! Lengthening Mascara
- EM Cosmetics Pick Me Up Volumizing + Lengthening Mascara
- Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara
- Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
- L’Oreal Telescopic Original Mascara
- Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara
- Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara
- Glossier Lash Slick Film Form Mascara
- Pat McGrath Labs FetishEyes Mascara
- Urban Decay Perversion Mascara
- Milk Makeup Kush High Volume Mascara
- Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara
- Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
- Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara
- Covergirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara
- Tower 28 MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara
- Saie Mascara 101
How We Test and Choose the Best Lengthening Mascaras
Every mascara on this list has been thoroughly vetted by Cosmo’s beauty editors and real users. Testing focuses on several key factors:
- Lengthening Power: Does the formula actually extend short, stubby lashes?
- Definition and Separation: Does the wand grip and comb lashes without clumping?
- Wear and Smudge Resistance: Does it last throughout the day without flaking or transferring?
- Ease of Application and Removal: Is it foolproof to apply and easy to remove at night?
- Price and Value: Does the quality justify the price tag?
17 Best Lengthening Mascaras: Editor Reviews and Highlights
1. Benefit They’re Real! Lengthening Mascara
- Price: $28
- Sizes Available: 0.3 oz
- Waterproof: No
- Pros: Separates, thickens, and lengthens even the smallest lashes for a dramatic, false lash look. Highly buildable and lasts all day without flaking.
- Cons: Requires an effective makeup remover for quick removal.
“This mascara is the GOAT for length and drama. My lashes genuinely look fake, but never clumpy,” reports one Cosmo editor. The beeswax and polymer formula ensures length and hold, while the specially designed brush grips and extends each lash.
2. EM Cosmetics Pick Me Up Volumizing + Lengthening Mascara
- Price: $10–$47
- Sizes Available: 0.28 oz
- Waterproof: No
- Pros: Super easy to apply and remove, with a brush that separates and defines. Tubing polymers wrap each lash, boosting length and volume.
- Cons: Formula is wet, so allow time to dry between coats.
The tubing technology forms flexible “tubes” around each lash, making removal a breeze with warm water while resisting smudging through the day. One tester said, “Makes my lashes look so long and fluttery—plus, my natural lashes even feel healthier after daily wear!”
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3. Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara
- Price: $28
- Sizes Available: 0.27 oz
- Waterproof: Yes
- Pros: Hourglass spoolie curls, defines, builds length and volume in a single coat. Stays on all day with minimum clumping.
- Cons: Can become clumpy if layered excessively or after multiple weeks of use.
This ultra-popular option is beloved for its instant thickening and lengthening power—plus it holds up well through sweat and tears. One reviewer raves, “Even my fine, straight lashes look so full and long. I don’t need false lashes anymore!”
4. Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
- Price: Under $15 (varies by retailer)
- Pros: Flexible wand and buildable gel allow for length and separation at an affordable price.
- Cons: Some users report it can smudge under very oily eyelids.
A beloved drugstore pick, Sky High’s unique brush easily coats from root to tip, and its flexible gel formula builds dramatic length even on short or sparse lashes. Editors note: “It’s reliably long-wearing and doesn’t flake, even after a long workday.”
5. L’Oréal Telescopic Original Mascara
- Price: Around $12
- Waterproof: Available in both waterproof and non-waterproof versions
- Pros: Precision defined, separates lashes to literal new heights. Excellent for layering.
- Cons: Thin wand may require a learning curve for some users.
With micro-bristles designed to lengthen and separate, Telescopic is ideal for achieving a “lash extension” effect at home. A classic for short lashes—no clumps, just pure extension.
6. Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara
- Price: $28
- Waterproof: No, but very smudge-resistant
- Pros: Clean beauty formula with nourishing ingredients. The dual-sided brush lifts, lengthens, and curls.
- Cons: Not fully waterproof; may run in heavy humidity.
Ilia’s formula is ideal for sensitive eyes and those seeking natural ingredients. Reviewers praise its ability to separate lashes and deliver natural-looking length, minus irritation.
7. Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara
- Price: $20
- Waterproof: No
- Pros: Creamy, buildable, and suitable for all lash types including straight or curly lashes.
- Cons: May require two coats for maximum effect on shorter lashes.
Loved for its ability to add both volume and serious length, Rare Beauty’s formula is non-irritating and keeps lashes soft—even after multiple layers.
8. Glossier Lash Slick Film Form Mascara
- Price: $18
- Waterproof: No (tubing mascara)
- Pros: Ultra-natural, flake-free length with easy removal. Great for defining and separating every lash hair.
- Cons: Won’t deliver bold drama; best for a minimalist look.
Perfect for “your lashes but longer” days, Lash Slick is a tubing formula beloved by those who want subtle, fluttery length without any smudging—even on lower lashes.
9. Pat McGrath Labs FetishEyes Mascara
- Price: $30
- Waterproof: No
- Pros: Dramatic length and definition, runway-proven formula. Modern creamy texture builds impact with each swipe.
- Cons: Higher-end price point.
FetishEyes instantly transforms even the shortest lashes for a high-fashion, editorial finish. Beauty editors praise it as a top luxury choice for bold, fluttery lifts.
10. Urban Decay Perversion Mascara
- Price: $26
- Waterproof: No
- Pros: Very black pigment, softens and lengthens lashes without stiffness.
- Cons: Large brush can be tricky for small eyes.
This ultra-black formula delivers standout length and separation. The creamy texture prevents flaking, allowing for soft, flexible lashes all day.
11. Milk Makeup Kush High Volume Mascara
- Price: $26
- Waterproof: No
- Pros: Nourishing, conditioning ingredients; thick, defined length for brittle or sparse lashes.
- Cons: Large wand can get messy if rushed.
The vegan formula uses hemp-derived cannabis seed oil to moisturize and enhance lash length, perfect for those prone to breakage or dryness.
12. Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara
- Price: $25
- Waterproof: No (tubing mascara)
- Pros: Tubing polymers wrap and extend even very short lashes. Easy, mess-free removal with warm water.
- Cons: Multiple coats may be needed for very bold drama.
A go-to for sensitive eyes or anyone who hates fighting smudges at the end of the day.
13. Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
- Price: Under $10
- Waterproof: No
- Pros: Shockingly good length and volume for the price; cruelty-free.
- Cons: Can flake with heavy layers.
This drugstore superstar offers dramatic, doll-like length on a budget. An unbeatable buy for makeup beginners or those seeking big results for less.
14. Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara
- Price: $29
- Waterproof: No
- Pros: Lifts, curls, and elongates; silicone paddle brush reaches every corner.
- Cons: Formula can dry out after a few months.
This luxury pick truly delivers on its “push up” promise, lifting and fanning out lashes for an eye-opening effect that lasts. Editors say it’s a “game changer” for hooded eyes or straight lashes.
15. Covergirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara
- Price: About $10
- Waterproof: Yes
- Pros: Lightweight, clean formula safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. Volumizes and lengthens with zero flakes.
- Cons: May not provide the boldest effect for very short lashes.
A favorite for sensitive eyes or everyday natural length, Lash Blast offers easy definition and soft, separated finish.
16. Tower 28 MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara
- Price: $20
- Pros: Vegan, allergy-friendly. Unique triple-wave brush grips and lifts lashes for a full, fluttery effect.
- Cons: Best for layering; may not give extreme length in a single coat.
Great for building drama while maintaining a lightweight, flexible feel.
17. Saie Mascara 101
- Price: $26
- Pros: Clean, hydrating formula with nourishing ingredients. Lift, length, and separation for all lash types.
- Cons: Can take a couple of coats for max impact.
Saie combines performance and clean ingredients—perfect for daily wear and anyone seeking a gentle lengthening option.
Pro Tips: How to Maximize Lash Length with Mascara
- Start at the roots: Wiggle the wand at the base of your lashes, then comb outward to ensure maximum product and lift.
- Try a lash primer: Layering a primer under mascara can boost length and keep your formula smudge-free.
- Don’t overload on product: Too much can weigh lashes down and cause clumping.
- Choose the right formula: Tubing mascaras are ideal for length and gentle removal, while waterproof formulas are best for long-lasting wear or oily lids.
- Remove gently: Use balm or oil cleansers for non-tubing formulas to avoid lash damage and breakage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the difference between lengthening, volumizing, and curling mascaras?
Lengthening mascaras contain nylon fibers, tubing polymers, or precision wands that help visually ‘extend’ your lashes, making them appear longer. Volumizing mascaras focus on thickening each lash for a fuller look. Curling mascaras have formulas and wands designed to lift naturally straight lashes and maintain a curl throughout the day.
Can you combine lengthening and volumizing mascaras?
Yes! Makeup artists often layer a lengthening mascara as a first coat and then add a volumizing formula for extra impact. Just allow the first layer to dry before applying the second and use a clean spoolie to separate.
How do tubing mascaras work, and who should use them?
Tubing mascaras use a special polymer formula that wraps each lash in a lightweight ‘tube.’ They’re perfect for those who want long, smudge-proof lashes and especially recommended if you have oily lids or allergies, as they don’t flake or smear easily and remove with just warm water.
What’s the best way to remove waterproof mascara?
Use an oil-based makeup remover or dedicated waterproof mascara remover on a cotton pad. Hold the pad against your closed eyes for several seconds to dissolve the mascara before gently wiping away. Avoid harsh rubbing to prevent lash breakage.
How often should you replace your mascara?
Most experts recommend replacing mascara every three months to minimize bacteria growth and avoid eye infections. If the texture changes, you notice an off smell, or it dries out faster, replace sooner.
Expert Shopping Tips: Finding Your Perfect Mascara
- Identify your lash goals: Want ultra-length, definition, a fanned-out effect, or drama? Pick a mascara designed for your biggest need.
- Check the brush: Narrow, spiky plastic wands are best for precision and length. Hourglass and dense fiber brushes add more volume.
- Don’t ignore formula claims: Look for keywords like tubing, waterproof, sensitive, or clean depending on your priorities.
- Read reviews and swatches: Before you buy, see real-life photos and feedback for your eye shape and lash type.
- Try travel sizes first: Many mascaras are available in minis, so you can experiment without committing to a full tube.
Best Lengthening Mascaras for Every Lash Type
| Lash Type | Recommended Mascara(s) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Short Lashes | Benefit They’re Real! L’Oréal Telescopic | Precision brushes, tubing formulas, maximum extension. |
| Straight Lashes | Too Faced Better Than Sex Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk | Curled brush, lift and curl hold. |
| Sparse Lashes | Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Milk Makeup Kush Mascara | Nourishing and buildable, creates fullness and visible length. |
| Sensitive Eyes | Ilia Limitless Lash Covergirl Lash Blast Clean | Clean, gentle formulas, irritation-free wear. |
| On a Budget | Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Essence Lash Princess | Affordable, high performance, great for daily use. |
Final Thoughts
With so many innovative formulas, there’s truly a lengthening mascara for every eye shape, lash concern, and budget. Whether you want dramatic, red-carpet-worthy lashes or a subtle, fluttery look for every day, our guide will help you choose the best product for your perfect lashes this year. Apply like a pro with our expert tips, and enjoy longer, more dazzling lashes—no falsies required.
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