The 20 Best Mascaras of 2024: Expert-Tested Picks for Every Lash Goal
Discover the top mascaras for length, volume, curl, and more—each tested and reviewed to help you find your eye-perfect match.
The Best Mascaras of 2024: Your Ultimate Guide to Stunning Lashes
Looking for your perfect mascara match? Whether you crave dramatic volume, extra length, all-day waterproof wear or a fluttery, natural look, mascara is the ultimate beauty essential. To help you narrow the search, we’ve tested, analyzed, and reviewed 20 of the best mascaras available in 2024—from cult classics to innovative launches.
How We Chose These Mascaras
Our picks were selected based on several criteria:
- Real-world wear-testing by editors with diverse lash types
- Consideration of key features: length, volume, curl, definition, waterproof capability, and value
- Customer reviews, expert opinions, and brand reputation
- Range of shades and inclusivity
For every star mascara, we include pros and cons, ideal use cases, key benefits, available shades, and waterproof availability. No matter your budget or lash goals, you’ll find a formula below that’ll elevate your routine.
The 20 Best Mascaras in 2024
1. Maybelline New York Sky High Mascara
- Benefits: Volumizes, lengthens, defines, curls
- Shades: Blackest Black, Cosmic Black, Very Black
- Waterproof: No (but comes in waterproof)
Pros: Adds remarkable length and volume, with a slim tapered wand for easy application—even in hard-to-reach corners. Comes off with warm water.
Cons: Some users felt it dried out their lashes.
Why you’ll love it: For long, separated lashes and effortless definition. Perfect if you prefer a thinner wand.
Customer says: “The brush is perfect for separating your lashes and preventing clumps. I love that it stays on and won’t smudge until you wash it off.”
2. MAC Macstack Mascara
- Benefits: Lifts, lengthens, curls, separates
- Shades: Black
- Waterproof: No (comes in waterproof version)
Pros: Can be layered for dramatic or natural looks without clumping or flaking—ideal for both day and night. Two brush options: mega (for top lashes) and micro (for lower/short lashes).
Cons: The tube can get somewhat messy.
Why you’ll love it: If you crave customizability. Effortlessly go from subtle definition to ultra-bold volume.
Customer says: “While it’s easy to let it get out of control and get uneven, used slowly and carefully, it’s way more fun than false lashes and washes right off with a primer underneath. It also doesn’t flake.”
3. NARS Climax Mascara
- Benefits: Volumizes for bold, fluttery effect
- Shades: Black
- Waterproof: No
Pros: Creates long, defined, voluminous lashes without the dreaded clumpy or spidery finish. Smudge-proof creamy formula.
Cons: To achieve dramatic results, you’ll need a few coats.
Why you’ll love it: Best for fans of soft, yet full lashes with minimal risk of clumping.
What others are reading
Customer says: “This mascara is excellent on both counts living up to the claims of being smudge-proof and clump-proof.”
4–20. More Top Mascaras to Try
From drugstore favorites to luxury indulgences, here are 17 more mascaras that won hearts in 2024, each with a standout strength:
- Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara – Cult-favorite for dramatic volume and unbeatable price.
- L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara – Adds impressive lift and volume for a lush fan effect.
- Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara – Award-winning formula with natural ingredients for healthier lashes.
- Tower 28 MakeWaves Mascara – Gentle formula with easy removal and buildable lift.
- Benefit They’re Real! Lengthening Mascara – Famous for its separating, lengthening, and defining abilities.
- Lancome Lash Idole Mascara – Lightweight, fanned out, and virtually clump-free.
- Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara – Iconic volumizer with a dramatic curl boost.
- Glossier Lash Slick – Sleek, subtle lengthening for the “your lashes but better” crowd.
- Pat McGrath Labs FetishEyes Mascara – High pigment and luxurious volume.
- CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara – Reliable drugstore must-have for fanned-out definition.
- Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara – Designed for versatility across lash types.
- YSL Beauty Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils – Luxe formula for instant drama and conditioning.
- Clinique High Impact Mascara – Especially good for sensitive eyes seeking gentle yet visible volume.
- Milk Makeup Kush Mascara – Infused with hemp-derived cannabis oil for softer, fuller lashes.
- Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara – Lifts lashes vertically for wide-awake eyes.
- Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Mascara – Plush, sophisticated volume and extended wear.
- Dior Diorshow Mascara – Heavyweight staple for runway-worthy fullness and buildable intensity.
How to Choose the Best Mascara for Your Lash Needs
Before adding a new tube to your cart, consider these factors for your best match:
- Lash Type: Do you have short, straight, sparse, or full lashes? Curved brushes work well for straight lashes, while densely bristled brushes boost volume.
- Desired Effect: Want length, volume, definition, curl, or all? Choose accordingly for your favorite finish (dramatic vs. natural).
- Waterproof vs. Washable: Waterproof formulas resist humidity, sweat, and tears—ideal for long days or emotional events—but can be tougher to remove. Washable mascaras make removal easy but may smudge.
- Brush Type:
- Hourglass: Classic for volume and curl.
- Curved: Lifts and curls naturally straight lashes.
- Slim/Wand with tapered tip: Great for precision in hard-to-reach corners and lower lash line.
- Rubber bristles: Excellent for definition and separating.
- Formula Add-Ons: Look for nourishing ingredients (such as castor oil, vitamin E, bamboo fibers, or biotin) to support lash health.
Expert Mascara Application Tips
Want to make the most of your mascara? Try these pro tips for flawless lashes, every time:
- Start with clean, curled lashes. Use an eyelash curler for extra lift.
- Wiggle the wand from root to tip to thoroughly coat each lash and prevent clumping.
- Layer in thin coats. Allow each coat to set for a few seconds before applying the next to build both length and volume.
- Use the tip: For corner and lower lashes, apply with the wand tip vertically for precision.
- Remove with care: Use a dedicated eye makeup remover or oil-based cleanser for waterproof formulas.
- Replace every 3 months: Mascara accumulates bacteria—swap for a fresh tube for safety and best performance.
Quick Comparison Table: Mascara Features
| Mascara | Best For | Waterproof | Available Shades | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maybelline Sky High | Length, Curl, Volume | Optional | 3 | Separating + Lengthening |
| MAC Macstack | Customizable Volume | Optional | 1 | Clump-Free Layering |
| NARS Climax | Voluminous, Soft Lashes | No | 1 | Smudge-Proof, No Clumps |
| Essence Lash Princess | Budget Volume | No | 1 | Dramatic Effect |
| L’Oreal Lash Paradise | Volume, Lift | Optional | Black, Brown | Curl + Fullness |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Mascara
What mascara gives the most volume?
Formulas like Too Faced Better Than Sex, MAC Macstack, and L’Oreal Lash Paradise are renowned for buildable, intense volume that doesn’t clump.
What is the best mascara for sensitive eyes?
Clinique High Impact Mascara and Ilia Limitless Lash are ideal for sensitive eyes, with gentle, fragrance-free ingredients.
How can I prevent mascara from flaking or smudging?
Choose a smudge-proof or waterproof formula, avoid over-layering, and don’t use expired mascaras. Prep lashes with a primer for extra hold.
Should I use different mascara for top and bottom lashes?
Some prefer a smaller wand (like the micro brush in MAC Macstack) for precise application to bottom or short lashes, but multi-purpose formulas can work for both.
How do I remove waterproof mascara safely?
Soak a cotton pad with oil-based makeup remover, hold it against your lashes for several seconds, then gently wipe. Never rub harshly—this will help protect lashes from breakage.
Final Word: Find Your Perfect Mascara
The world of mascara is vast. Whether you’re after dramatic falsie-level volume, feathery lift, or a formula that survives tears and sweat, you’re sure to find an option in this year’s definitive selection. Don’t be afraid to experiment—sometimes, the mascara that transforms your lashes is just one try away.
Lash goals, accomplished.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g3359/best-mascaras/
- https://www.cosmopolitanme.com/beauty/new-beauty-products-2025
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/makeup/g65244366/best-brown-mascara/
- https://www.lolavie.com/blogs/press/welcome-to-cosmo-s-2025-readers-choice-beauty-awards
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