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If you were allowed to pick only one makeup item to use for the rest of your life, what would you choose? Without a doubt, mine would be mascara. It’s the most transformative beauty staple. Defining your lashes has literally eye-opening results, making them appear bigger and brighter.
If the questions I’ve been asked as a beauty editor are anything to go by, even those who consider themselves low-maintenance usually own a mascara: requests for mascara recommendations are by far the most common. It seems no one is immune to how effortlessly eye-framing a few coats can be.
Recommending the best mascara, however, isn’t straightforward. A one-type-suits-all mascara doesn’t exist, so the performance of mascaras often divides people. The key is to work out what your lashes’ needs are: are you looking for volume, length, lift, curl or something else? Whatever your requirement, you’ll find a recommendation here that suits you.
At a glance
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Best mascara overall:
Lancôme Lash Idôle Curl Goddess mascara
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Best budget mascara:
L’Oréal Paris Extensionist Telescopic Mascara
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Best mascara for length:
Giorgio Armani Beauty Vertigo Lift mascara
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Best mascara for volume:
Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara
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Best brown mascara:
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High mascara
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Best mascara for mature lashes:
Perricone MD No Makeup mascara
Why you should trust me
I’m an experienced beauty editor, but I still get as much of a thrill about the launch of a new mascara as I did whenever I got away with wearing my mum’s to school. It was the 90s Maybelline Great Lash in the pink tube, if you’re wondering.
My naturally short, straight and blond lashes do nothing to highlight my eyes, so I became obsessed with trying different mascaras far before it became my job 16 years ago. I can honestly say there are few mascaras sold in the UK that I haven’t put to the test. It would definitely be my desert-island beauty item: yes, even ahead of SPF. Don’t judge!
How I tested
There are hundreds of mascaras sold in the UK, and throughout my time as a beauty journalist, I’ve tried the majority. For the purpose of this piece, I retested my 25 favourite high-street and high-end buys, plus 15 of the latest launches, some of which made the cut below.
Whittling these down to the 12 best was tough, though, especially since brands such as Lancôme, L’Oréal and Maybelline make more than one outstanding mascara each. It took a long time – not just to test the mascaras, but also to make up my mind – to get to this elite edit of the best mascaras around.
The best mascara in 2026
Best mascara overall:
Lancôme Lash Idôle Curl Goddess mascara
Lancôme
Curl Goddess Mascara
from £28
What we love
Fuller effect, without budge, smudge or clump
What we don’t love
The cheap-looking rose gold packaging
From the cult classic volume-building Hypnôse to the more eye-opening buildable Lash Idôle, it’s no exaggeration to say that the French beauty brand Lancôme has mastered mascara. And with the addition of this mascara, designed for volumising and curling, it’s safe to say it has a brush to enhance every type of lash line.
Why we love it
I’ve returned to Lancome’s high-performance lash-definers repeatedly – they never let me down. They don’t clump, and unless I’m in a hot climate or at the gym, they don’t budge or smudge. So I wasn’t surprised at how well this new wand performs.
It feels like it’s been built for my short, stubbornly straight lashes. Like the original Lash Idôle, it thickens and separates lashes for a fanned-out effect, but this new formula also provides a natural curl that lasts all day – no eyelash curlers needed.
That’s thanks to its 40-degree twisted brush, which lifts and hugs each lash. This means that one layer is sometimes enough for daywear, while two gives a more dramatic look (my preference). Which is lucky, as it’s so quick drying so you won’t have time to apply more layers before it dries anyway.
It’s a shame that … the brush takes a little getting used to.
Lash effect: volume and curl
Vegan: no
Shades: black only
Lancôme
Curl Goddess Mascara
from £28
What we love
Fuller effect, without budge, smudge or clump
What we don’t love
The cheap-looking rose gold packaging
Best budget mascara:
L’Oréal Paris Extensionist telescopic mascara
L’Oréal
Paris Extensionist telescopic mascara
from £10.99
What we love
Easy-to-use brush; lifts, curls and lengthens lashes
What we don’t love
Not for volume seekers
L’Oréal Paris makes some of the best high-street mascaras, and it’s a difficult task to pick one favourite. The Paradise Big Deal and the classic Telescopic mascara are both strong contenders. But, if you twist my arm, I’m choosing this new addition, a brand extension of Telescopic mascara after its recent resurgence on social media.
Why we love it
The simplicity of this mascara’s thin, curved silicone wand is what really appeals to me. Brushes can look so overly complicated nowadays that it feels like you need to read an instruction manual – but not so here. From first swipe, the flexible wand could get right into the lash line, so I could easily pass the formula from root to tip.
The thorough application from the 300-bristle brush makes lashes look longer, and the formula stretches them further still with the addition of lengthening fibres. If that’s not enough, it’s effective at lifting and curling too, without clumping or smudging. It makes my lashes look like a better, longer and jet-black version of themselves.
It’s a shame that … it’s only available in black. I’d love a brown version for a more natural day-to-day look.
Lash effect: lengthening and curling
Vegan: no
Shades: black only
L’Oréal
Paris Extensionist telescopic mascara
from £10.99
What we love
Easy-to-use brush; lifts, curls and lengthens lashes
What we don’t love
Not for volume seekers
Best mascara for length:
Giorgio Armani Beauty Vertigo Lift mascara
Giorgio Armani
Beauty Vertigo Lift mascara
from £29
What we love
Lengthens, feels weightless and doesn’t budge
What we don’t love
It’s expensive and dries too quickly
Armani Beauty’s launches keep on impressing me, especially this lifting and lengthening mascara. After a quick read of its promises, I expected it to elongate my lashes for a feathery lash result, but it delivered so much more.
Why we love it
This mascara is as close to a suits-all multipurpose wand as you’re going to find. The curved silicone brush allows you to really get into the lash line, and a few quick wriggles will coat each hair thoroughly from root to tip. The closer you can get to the root, the longer your lashes will look, as well as being lifted and thicker in a clump-free, natural-looking way. It’s an eye-awakening result, which perks up the look of my tired eyes every time I use it.
Its formula is easy to build up, too. Wear just a layer or two for a day of meetings, then turn up the intensity for the evening with a few more layers – without any chance of lashes clumping together. Once the formula sets, it doesn’t budge or smudge, so there’s no risk of panda eyes.
It’s a shame that … you have to work the formula quickly before it dries.
Lash effect: lifting, lengthening and natural volumising
Vegan: no
Shades: black only
Giorgio Armani
Beauty Vertigo Lift mascara
from £29
What we love
Lengthens, feels weightless and doesn’t budge
What we don’t love
It’s expensive and dries too quickly
Best mascara for volume:
Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara
Too Faced
Better than Sex mascara
from £28
What we love
Builds volume, is clump free and doesn’t weigh lashes down
What we don’t love
Its love-it-or-hate-it over-sized brush can be messy to use
If you prefer a dramatic look, you need a volumising mascara, and this cheekily named wand from Too Faced is still unmatched for building that false-lash effect without noticeable clumps.
Why we love it
The problem with volumising mascaras is that they’re prone to clumping, making lashes stick together or creating a fake spidery effect – but this does none of that. The key is to stick to a maximum of three coatings – even one (as pictured below) will be enough to thicken and curl beautifully.
It builds fuller lashes in seconds, and they last all day. That’s because of its workable formula, but also its gamechanging wand. The hourglass bristle brush was inspired by the curves of Marilyn Monroe – that may sound gimmicky, but it’s so effective at covering and sculpting lashes that other brands have gone on to imitate it.
It’s a shame that … the oversize brush makes it impossible not to smudge on to hooded eyes when applying, so I always have a cotton bud on standby.
Lash effect: dramatic volume and curl
Vegan: yes
Shades: black and brown
Too Faced
Better than Sex mascara
from £28
What we love
Builds volume, is clump free and doesn’t weigh lashes down
What we don’t love
Its love-it-or-hate-it over-sized brush can be messy to use
Best brown mascara:
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High mascara
Maybelline
Lash Sensational
from £7.50
What we love
Lifts lashes, seamlessly builds volume and length
What we don’t love
Sometimes transfers after a long day
Maybelline is renowned for its impressive back catalogue of mascaras to suit every type of lash, but this one manages to stand head and shoulders above the rest – and not just because of its name. It’s an almost do-it-all mascara, delivering length, volume and a separated, fanned-out effect. It’s available in an impressive shade range, too, including the natural-looking true brown, which is my go-to.
Why we love it
This formula has gone viral several times on social media – from its first launch to its eye-popping burgundy shade – and for good reason. I’m just here to add to the hype. Every time I come back to this mascara, I’m reminded how effortlessly the flexible, tapered silicone brush coats from root to tip, giving my short lashes length and wow factor, and adding volume thanks to tiny fibres in the formulation.
A variety of shades have been launched, including pink (if you’re brave enough). I find its true brown to be the best for everyday wear or for softer, no-makeup makeup looks.
It’s a shame that … it tends to drop and flake by the end of the day.
Lash effect: lengthening and volumising
Vegan: no
Shades: black, blue, brown, burgundy, green, pink, plum and space diamond
Maybelline
Lash Sensational
from £7.50
What we love
Lifts lashes, seamlessly builds volume and length
What we don’t love
Sometimes transfers after a long day
Best mascara for mature lashes:
Perricone MD No Makeup mascara
Perricone MD
No Makeup mascara
from £22.50
What we love
Two-in-one treatment and mascara softens and strengthens
What we don’t love
Can smudge easily due to conditioning ingredients
Infused with skincare ingredients, the Perricone MD No Makeup collection goes the extra beauty mile. It’s made for those looking for subtle, natural-looking cosmetics. For me, the mascara is the standout in the collection.
Why we love it
Lashes generally become drier, brittle and more prone to breakage over time, so ageing lashes will particularly benefit from the extra TLC this mascara gives. It’s essentially a nourishing treatment and an inky black lash definer in one. The link here is to the new blackest black shade, with the original a softer and subtler black.
In my experience, conditioning mascaras tend to be good only at the treatment or the mascara part. However, this handles both exceptionally. My flutter was instantly lifted, with natural-looking thicker lashes that feel softer and more flexible the more I use it.
It’s a shame that … it’s on the expensive side.
Lash effect: natural length and volume
Vegan: yes
Shades: blackest black and soft black
Perricone MD
No Makeup mascara
from £22.50
What we love
Two-in-one treatment and mascara softens and strengthens
What we don’t love
Can smudge easily due to conditioning ingredients
The best of the rest
Mac MacStack waterproof mascara
Mac
MacStack waterproof mascara
from £27
What we love
Customises lashes from natural daywear to false-lash effect
What we don’t love
Like all waterproof mascara, it can be tougher to remove
Best for: a waterproof mascara
The most customisable mascara out there, Mac’s MacStack is built for layering or “stacking” on weightless volume, length and lift. Mac says it’s “endlessly buildable”, and I think that’s right: I once got up to 40 coats before lashes started to clump and stick together. However, three coats will be enough to give you a well-defined, fuller and thicker lash line.
Its waterproof formula allows you to dial up the drama with the silicone, tapered brush, safe in the knowledge that it won’t budge. I’ve tested it on a beach holiday, and found that water, sweat and even tears are no match for this mascara.
It didn’t make the final cut because … prolonged waterproof mascara can dry out your lashes, so use it only for special occasions, holidays, workouts and heatwaves.
Lash effect: volumising, lengthening and lifting; vegan: no; shades: black only
Mac
MacStack waterproof mascara
from £27
What we love
Customises lashes from natural daywear to false-lash effect
What we don’t love
Like all waterproof mascara, it can be tougher to remove
Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl mascara
Dior
Iconic Overcurl mascara
from £31.45
What we love
Eye-opening curl and volume; cheaper refills available
What we don’t love
It’s expensive and takes some getting used to
Best for: curling
Skip the eyelash curlers with this luxurious mascara, which lifts, curls and boosts natural volume with only a few lashings. It always makes my eyes look bigger and brighter in an instant, and that’s why I’ve bought this wand on repeat.
The oversize, curved bristle brush can look intimidating, but you soon get the hang of it. The trick is to set the curl by pressing the wand against the lashes as you comb through. I often have to tidy up a little after applying because of my hooded eyes, but the curl and formula will stay in place all day once it’s set.
It didn’t make the final cut because … it’s expensive. However, you can buy cheaper refills.
Lash effect: lifting, curling and volumising; vegan: no; shades: black, brown and blue
Dior
Iconic Overcurl mascara
from £31.45
What we love
Eye-opening curl and volume; cheaper refills available
What we don’t love
It’s expensive and takes some getting used to
Ilia Beauty Limitless Lash mascara
Ilia
Limitless Lash mascara
from £29
What we love
Nourishing formula; natural results; lightweight on lashes
What we don’t love
Not a good option for those that like a dramatic effect
Best for: sensitive eyes
Ilia has a skin-centric philosophy that I’m so behind: all its makeup products are infused with active skincare ingredients, including this multi-award-winning mascara. The gentle formulation is enriched with nourishing and conditioning ingredients to look after lashes and is ophthalmologist-tested, so it’s suitable for contact lens wearers and those with sensitive eyes.
It’s another ambitious formula that separates and lifts my lashes well, while boosting length and volume, but it’s still on the natural side. It does so with a dual-sided wand: a longer comb side creates the lengthening effect, and a shorter side curls and lifts. I also love that you need only warm water to remove it.
It didn’t make the final cut because … the two-sided brush takes a little getting used to.
Lash effect: lengthening and lifting; vegan: no; shades: black and brown
Ilia
Limitless Lash mascara
from £29
What we love
Nourishing formula; natural results; lightweight on lashes
What we don’t love
Not a good option for those that like a dramatic effect
Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-Eyes Volume mascara
Charlotte Tilbury
Exagger-Eyes Volume mascara
from £28
What we love
Easy to create volume, smudge-proof and easy to remove
What we don’t love
Heavy glass tube; can transfer to hooded eyes when applying
Best for: a tubing mascara
Charlotte Tilbury’s best mascara to date (for me anyway!) is all about speedy volume-building and curl, so it’s ideal for busy morning makeup. It’s a tubing mascara, meaning that it wraps 360-degree polymers around each eyelash to form a tube (hence the name), creating that instant va-va-voom volume I wish I’d been born with.
In the picture, I’ve applied only one coat with the large, curved bristles, so you can see how much it volumises with a quick flick. However, I prefer two layers when the occasion calls for more glam. It doesn’t smudge or flake throughout the day, but still comes off easily without harsh rubbing.
It didn’t make the final cut because … it contains conditioning waxes that can transfer to the upper lid when applying.
Lash effect: volumising and curling; vegan: no; shades: black only
Charlotte Tilbury
Exagger-Eyes Volume mascara
from £28
What we love
Easy to create volume, smudge-proof and easy to remove
What we don’t love
Heavy glass tube; can transfer to hooded eyes when applying
Refy Lash Sculpt mascara
Refy
Lash Sculpt mascara
from £22
What we love
Natural effect; lifts and lengthens; ideal for everyday
What we don’t love
Unique comb-like wand takes time to get to grips with
Best for: short lashes
Full disclosure: I hated this mascara when I first tried it, but I heard others rave about how good it is for naturally lengthening and lifting lashes, so I persevered with testing. I’m so glad I did, as I was getting the technique wrong. Now that I’ve mastered it, it’s become one of my favourite mascaras for natural daywear.
The curved applicator is like no other, so you have to use it differently. The comb is designed to fit the upper lash line, so if you align it correctly, the shorter bristles will catch the inner corner, while the longer ones will comb through the outer lashes. By simply wiggling the comb through a few times, you quickly define each lash, leaving you with a softer, elongated lash look.
It didn’t make the final cut because … because it sometimes flakes by the end of the day.
Lash effect: lengthening and lifting; vegan: yes; shades: black only
Refy
Lash Sculpt mascara
from £22
What we love
Natural effect; lifts and lengthens; ideal for everyday
What we don’t love
Unique comb-like wand takes time to get to grips with
The Ordinary Lash Curl Finisher
The Ordinary
Lash Curl Finisher
£7.24
What we love
Lifts lashes, holds a curl well and is affordable
What we don’t love
Suits darker or tinted lashes best
Best for: a clear mascara
Clear mascara is having a real beauty revival, and as someone with blond eyelashes, I wasn’t behind it at first. But after getting my lashes tinted and adding this new formula to my daily routine, I can see why it’s once again becoming a popular choice for those who like a minimal aesthetic.
It might not add colour, but it separates, lifts and enhances the curl for a more polished, wide-eyed, natural look. What’s more, it’s packed with squalane, an excellent emollient that keeps skin soft and strong. A conditioning lash lift in a tube.
It didn’t make the final cut because … clear mascara still isn’t for everyone. It’s best suited to darker lashes.
Lash effect: lifting and curling; vegan: yes; shades: clear only
The Ordinary
Lash Curl Finisher
£7.24
What we love
Lifts lashes, holds a curl well and is affordable
What we don’t love
Suits darker or tinted lashes best
What you need to know
How to choose the perfect mascara
The problem with finding the best mascara is that there’s no one-size-fits-all tube. Thick or thin, curly or straight, short or long – lashes come in all shapes, sizes and colours. We all crave something different from a wand, so the only way to find your perfect match is to work out what you need from your mascara.
Generally, the brush type is a giveaway to the result a mascara will give you. Large or oversize wands are built for thickening and volumising, while skinny brushes are great at lengthening and adding definition.
However, there are many weird and wonderful-looking wands in between: curved brushes for lifting and curling lashes; cone or tapered shapes to get into corners for a more fanned-out effect; and comb wands to separate and define lashes for a beautifully natural look.
It’s a little harder to investigate the formulations. Most mascaras are oil-based, but if you have sensitive eyes, you may want to seek out water-based formulas, such as the Ilia Limitless Lash mascara.
Tubing mascaras such as Charlotte Tilbury’s Exagger-Eyes are gaining in popularity, and they work a little differently: by wrapping little polymer tubes around each eyelash, rather than coating in waxes, dyes or oils. Those who tend to rub their eyes a lot love them, as they’re smudge-proof and easy to remove with warm water. Their effect is on the natural side, though, which isn’t what everyone is after.
How to apply mascara for maximum impact
Always remove the brush smoothly, and never pump your mascara to get more product on to the wand. I know it’s tempting, but this just traps air into the tube, which makes the formula dry out quicker.
Apply by aligning your brush horizontally with your lash line. Then look up, so you can get into the roots and coat each lash thoroughly to the tip. Wriggling the brush from side to side will help separate the hairs. If you’ve missed any tiny lashes in the corners, tilt your brush vertically to get to them, or to get to your bottom lashes, should you want to define them.
How long should mascara last?
A good mascara will last up to six months before drying out, but it’s good practice to replace it every three months to keep the risk of eye infections at bay.
How to stop mascara smudging under your eyes
If your mascara is transferring to your upper eyelids or smudging below your lower lash line, make sure you’re applying it with even coats. Don’t over-layer and give it plenty of time to dry.
However, it may not be the mascara’s fault that it’s smudging. Assess your skincare: oily or rich eye creams can make your mascara run if you don’t give them enough time to absorb.
Equally, oily eyelids and watery eyes can break down even the best formulas. If it’s regularly happening, you may want to switch to a tubing mascara. Traditional mascaras coat lashes in waxes, oils and pigments that can smear, whereas tubing mascaras wrap tiny tubes around each lash that don’t flake or smudge.
How to remove waterproof mascara
Waterproof mascara is the most stubborn makeup product to remove, but upgrading your makeup remover to a cleansing oil will make it easier (this affordable Bioderma micellar oil is my favourite). The oil attracts the oil in the formula, so it quickly breaks down waterproof mascara.
Can I apply mascara on top of a lash lift or extensions?
Yes, but steer clear of waterproof and oil-based mascaras. Stick to water-based mascaras, such as Ilia’s Limitless Lash, as these are gentler and won’t weigh down lash lifts or separate the glue used to hold your extensions in place.
For more, read the best concealers for camouflaging blemishes and dark circles and the best foundations for every skin type
Sabine Wiesel is a freelance beauty editor. She has reviewed beauty products for more than 16 years for some of the biggest names in UK publishing, and she loves to stay on top of the latest in skin, hair and makeup. She tests products on a daily basis, and her postman has got used to seeing a random selection of beauty products on her face when he delivers a new batch of products to try
