When your place of employment happens to be Allure, everyone and their grandmother tend to treat you like a living, breathing beauty encyclopedia. Not a single day goes by when at least one person randomly asks us, "What is your favorite [insert beauty product here]?" The best mascara is, without a doubt, one of the most frequently mentioned topics. They all want to know what exactly is making our lashes look like falsies.
While some of us do, in fact, have lash extensions, many of us will forever keep the same tubes of mascara in stock. With that in mind, we rounded up our editors' absolute favorite mascaras of all time, with brands ranging from drugstore favorites like Maybelline New York to Sephora darlings Too Faced and Anastasia Beverly Hills. We've also got the luxury market covered.
Discover all the best and boldest mascaras that give Allure editors' lashes the most volume, curl, and length each and every day.
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Courtesy of brand1/21
CoverGirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara
CoverGirl's Lash Blast mascaras are iconic in their own rights. The Volume formula is a three-time Best of Beauty Award winner but now its award-winning family expands with the CoverGirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara, the drugstore brand's first vegan formula. "It's extremely buildable, giving me long, fluttery lashes with zero clumping," Allure editorial business manager Taylor Shea says. "My eyes are very sensitive, and the sulfate- and paraben-free formula doesn't irritate them at all." It doesn't hurt that the formula also includes argan and marula oils to seriously condition lashes.
$11 $4
Courtesy of brand2/21
L'Oréal Paris Bambi Waterproof
"One of the most exciting things about L'Oréal Paris Bambi Waterproof is the so-called 'wide-eye brush.' It has a combination of short and long bristles, which are supposed to ensure you grab every lash – no matter its length — on each swipe. It's perfect for days when you want your makeup to look as natural as possible and there's nary a clump to be found once it's applied. No wonder it won a 2020 Best of Beauty Award." — Kara McGrath, deputy digital editor
$10 $8
Courtesy of brand3/21
Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Brag Mascara
"There really isn't a better way to put it: Anastasia's Lash Brag Mascara (a 2020 Best of Beauty winner) hits different. Way different. This mascara's visibly chunky formula and curvy, dense brush can surprisingly pull off lashes that are thick and voluminous, long and wispy, or anywhere between — and not all mascaras can do that without clumping or flaking away. With a couple of swipes, the formula builds itself both upward and outward, so I get big, fanned-out lashes that practically hit the ceiling." — Nicola Dall'Asen, digital staff writer
$25
Courtesy of brand4/21
E.L.F. Cosmetics Big Mood Mascara
"Yes, E.L.F. Cosmetics Big Mood Mascara gives great volume, but what really blew me away was how long it keeps my lashes curled. The first time I tested the 2021 Best of Beauty-winning formula, I applied it ahead of my first 10 a.m. meeting — and my lashes stayed lifted until I went to take my makeup off before bed that night." —Kara McGrath, digital deputy editor
$7
Courtesy of brand5/21
Benefit Cosmetics They're Real Magnet Extreme Lengthening Mascara
The wand and the formula of Benefit Cosmetics's They're Real Magnet Extreme Lengthening Mascara are magnetically charged. "The wand draws iron oxide pigments out of the formula and deposits them on your lashes, so you get better payoff and lashes are coated more evenly so they look longer," says cosmetic chemist Ginger King. "They got it just right."
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Lancôme Définicils High Definition Mascara
The Lancôme Définicils High Definition Mascara makes lashes look so long — with zero flakes — that it's won a Best of Beauty Award four times and Readers' Choice Award 12 times. The brush is long and thin with short, tightly packed bristles, and it lets you get right at the base of your lashes.
You'll find the Lancôme Définicils High Definition Mascara in the Limited-Edition Allure Best of Beauty Box. For just $65 (or $40 exclusively for Allure Beauty Box members), you'll get beauty products worth $210 in value. Check out beauty's top subscription box on TikTok at@allurebeautybox.
7/21
Victoria Beckham Beauty Future Lash Mascara
The slim wand on Victoria Beckham Beauty's Future Lash Mascara has unusually short bristles that can get right into the lash line, coating hairs from root to tip. "Small-bristled brushes are best for short and bottom lashes," says mononymous makeup artist Tommy. But they’re also great for adding drama by coating lashes and giving "a buildable result," he says.
$28
Courtesy of brand8/21
Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
Less than a year after its debut, Maybelline New York's Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara has already reached legendary status and earned itself a 2021 Best of Beauty Award. The mascara has a flexible wand and a major following — its hashtag has over 39 million views on TikTok. "My sparse lashes looked remarkably fuller without any weigh-down," says one Allure tester.
$11
Courtesy of brand9/21
Blinc UltraVolume Tubing Mascara
"This Blinc UltraVolume Tubing Mascara is truly one-of-a-kind. For years, I'd resigned myself to a more low-key look by virtue of the fact that that's what most tubing mascaras could offer. But in a single coat, this stuff gives length and volume I could previously only achieve by curling my lashes and applying several layers of conventional mascara (and crossing my fingers it wouldn't smudge). I will say you might not love it if you're into a super-separated, natural lash look — but if you're going for drama (or just want to look more wide-eyed and awake), this 2021 Best of Beauty Award winner delivers." —Dianna Mazzone, senior beauty editor
$26
Courtesy of brand 10/21
Wander Upgraded Lashes Treatment Mascara
"As someone who wears mascara most days, I appreciate a formula that does more than the minimum of merely tinting my lashes. This one gives my eyes all the glam — without the unwanted drama of smudging, flaking, and clumping. Its hourglass brush is covered with comb-like bristles to separate every single lash for maximum definition. Whats more, though, is that the jet-black ink is infused with conditioning peptides and nourishing panethenol, so my lashes are conditioned with every swipe. I apply one or two coats for a my-lashes-but-better effect or layer on the buildable, mess-free mascara for perfectly fanned-out fringe." — Paige Stables, Beauty Editor
We love it so much we added it to our November 2021AllureBeauty Box lineup. You can score the AllureBeauty Box here for access to even more editor favorites — for just $23.
Courtesy of brand11/21
Meloway Your Way Mascara Mint Crème & Deep Violet
"The caveat that prevents me from loving most colorful mascaras is that they usually require a white base coat to really pop — but Meloway's Your Way Mascara in the shade Mint Crème certainly does not have that issue. With just one lone coat on my extra-dark lashes, this seafoam shade of blue-green turns heads like that one girl in all 2000s teen movies who enters every room in slow-motion. This 2021 Best of Beauty Award winner is a statement enough on its own, but I prefer to pair with a similar eye shadow color for a light, monochromatic wash of color." —Nicola Dall'Asen, news editor
$22
Courtesy of brand12/21
Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara
"My eyelashes are naturally pretty long, albeit blonde, so I don't really love wearing mascara all the time (mostly because I hate taking it off at the end of the day). When I do, however, I go all-out glam with the Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara because it makes my lashes longer, thicker, and just the right amount of obnoxious diva." — Lauren Swanson, senior commerce editor
$30
Courtesy of brand13/21
YSL Beauty Radical Volumizing Mascara
"For someone with extremely stubby, almost invisible lashes, you would think most mascaras would do the trick. But alas, that's not the case. However, YSL Beauty's Radical Volumizing Mascara is different. The ultra-black formula injects tons of volume and lift into my barely-there lashes without causing any clumping (aka the biggest pet peeve I have about 95 percent of mascaras I try). The eye-opening effect lasts for the entire day and looks natural, to boot — I attribute that to the addition of walnut leaf, argan oil, and pro-vitamin B5, which gives me impossibly soft, flexible lashes. It was love at first swipe when it came to this 2021 Best of Beauty Award winner." —Sarah Han, senior commerce writer
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14/21
Bite Beauty Upswing Full-Volume Mascara
The hourglass brush and flake-resistant formula of Bite Beauty's Upswing Full-Volume Mascara "elongate and thicken my short lashes so well, they are unrecognizable after," says one Allure editor. The mascara is formulated with a vegan tree berry wax, strengthening castor oil, and moisturizing glycerin to make lashes plump and pliable.
$28
Courtesy of brand15/21
Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer
"So… not sound all 'braggy' (that's not who I am at all, promise), but the very first time I tried the [2021 Readers’ Choice Award-winning] Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer was after it was applied by… Jessica Alba herself. (I was in LA on a press trip for the brand.) She applied one layer of the primer, then flipped it, and did two coats of the mascara — and then we went to dinner. Those two coats stayed intact all night long — even after a few margaritas." — Sarah Kinonen, associate beauty director
$17 at Amazon
Courtesy of brand16/21
Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara
"The only mascara that gives me that lift and volume closest to what my beloved lash extensions do is the Thrive Casemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara. It contains polymers that wrap around each lash to lengthen and strengthen, plus castor seed oil and shea butter to deeply condition each hair. Two coats and your eye area is instantly opened. I always get compliments about how long my lashes are when I use this." — Audrey Noble, contributor
$24
Courtesy of brand17/21
Maybelline New York Falsies Lash Lift Mascara
"Something about the combination of the Maybelline New York's The Falsies Lash Lift's hourglass-shaped wand and lightweight, not-too-wet formula replaces the need for a lash curler, extensions, and falsies. After sweeping this 2021 Best of Beauty winner through, my lashes are instantly lifted upward and volumized like a lash enhancement. The dip in the middle of the brush also makes adding mascara to your lashes as mess-free as possible." —Devon Abelman, digital beauty editor
$10
18/21
Gucci L'Obscur Mascara
"Never in my life did I think I'd be in a position to say my favorite mascara was one made by Gucci, but here I am, living large. Label and aesthetically pleasing pink-and-gold packaging aside, when I first tried Gucci's L'Obscur Mascara, I was immediately drawn to the formula, which is made to lengthen and define — rather than thicken — my wispy lashes. I typically only need a coat or two to see immediate natural-looking length and never have to worry about annoying clumping or mid-day smudge. Gucci, you made a damn good mascara." — Sarah Kinonen, associate beauty director
$35
Courtesy of brand19/21
Wander Beauty Mile High Club Mascara
"When it comes to wearability, the formula in the Wander Beauty Mile High Club Mascara doesn't smudge or flake — even after a full day of work followed by a gym session. If you’re going for drama with little-to-no effort, then this mascara is a dream. Lift? Check. Volume? Definitely. Length? Oh, yeah, my lashes were practically touching my brow bone by the time I was done." — Kat Suico, assistant beauty editor
$26
Courtesy of brand20/21
Tarte Sugar Rush Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara
"The Tarte Sugar Rush Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara gives my lashes length, volume, and makes them look super fluttery. I love to use this alone or layer it, specifically with the Milk Makeup Kush Mascara." — Jihan Forbes, staff editor
$23
Courtesy of brand21/21
Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara
"It's fitting that one of my favorite makeup brands of all time makes one of my favorite mascara brushes ever. I love how thin and easy to maneuver it is, and the formula is perfect for everyday wear. For nighttime, I just add a second or third coat and the Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara looks great without being clumpy, thanks to how fine the bristles are." — Sam Escobar, digital editorial director
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