of The Lengthening Mascaras for Next-Level Lashes

We have yet to meet someone who doesn’t want longer lashes. It’s a seemingly never-ending, universal quest, as evidenced by the dizzying amount of mascaras on the market, not to mention alternative options such as extensions and falsies. On that note, extensions undoubtedly deliver the most dramatic results, though require lots of time, upkeep, and can be pricey. Falsies are great, but the struggle is real when it comes to gluing on a strip. Which brings us back to mascaras, the easiest, most effective, fastest way to add length to your lashes. But, per our point about the dizzying amount of options available, how do you separate the ones that *actually* deliver on their lash-lengthening claims? All you have to do is keep reading because we rounded up the top tubes out there (many of which do even more than just lengthen).

Here, the best lengthening mascaras at every price point.

• Our Picks
• What to Look For

Best Overall: Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara

What Our Testers Say

"While applying the first coat helped to add length and definition to my eyelashes, I kept going to achieve the thickness and fullness I was after. I really like the wand and how short the bristles are, which made it easy to avoid any kind of clumping." — Ashley Rebecca, Product Tester

Best Budget: Maybelline The Falsies Lash Lift Mascara

Maybelline is arguably best known for an amazing line-up of mascaras. And nothing against the iconic Great Lash or other stand-outs in the portfolio, but this one takes the cake for delivering XL length. It offers gorgeous lift and curl too, thanks to a double-curved brush. The black shade is great, but try the blackest black if you really want to up the drama factor.

Best Volumizing: Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara

Key Ingredients

Jojoba oil is a natural oil produced from the seed of the Chinensis plant, a drought-resistant shrub native to southern Arizona, California, and Mexico. It mimics natural sebum and conditions and seals moisture in the skin without clogging pores or exacerbating acne.

Your search for a mascara that both lengthens and volumizes ends here. The tubing formula coats each and every lash in tiny tubes that make them look both fuller and longer, without any clumping. Added jojoba oil also leaves lashes looking healthy and glossy for an end result that’s very natural-looking, making this formula choice for every day.

What Our Testers Say

“For those with shorter eyelashes, the brush really helps to define and elongate without a messy application.” — Ashley Rebecca, Product Tester

Best Natural Effect: Glossier Lash Slick

Sometimes you want super dramatic lashes, and sometimes you just want a little something-something so that they’re not totally bare. That’s when this mascara comes in. Another one of Gould’s go-to's, it also happens to be one of the brand’s best-rated products—for good reason. Tiny fibers make for natural- looking length and lift and the finish is gorgeously glossy. Also nice: It is dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested, a great pick for those with sensitive eyes.

What Our Editors Say

"If you love your mascara to have a thickening, volumizing effect, then this probably isn't the one for you. But if a natural, off-duty look is what you're after, instead, you can't go wrong with Lash Slick. Its innovative formula, clump-free applicator, and chic packaging are all major wins in our book." — ishonest Editors

Best Thickening: Charlotte Tilbury Full Fat Lashes Mascara

While this pick definitely does bulk up (even the puniest) of lashes, it also does so much more. The multi-tasking mascara lengthens too, hence its appearance on this list, but also curls and separates creating a beautiful, fanned-out effect. Plus, it’s beautifully buildable, so you can easily customize it to your liking.

Most Popular: Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Lengthening Mascara

An oldie but goodie, you can’t go wrong with this mascara OG. It lengthens and lifts, curls and separates, and has a domed tip on the brush that lets you reach even those itty-bitty lashes at the corners of your eyes. Ulta reviewers go gaga for it, raving about how well it works and how long it lasts.

Best Drugstore: L'Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Mascara

Look closely and you’ll see that the brush on this mascara has two different sides. Use the flat side first; it imparts major length, leaving lashes looking up to 60% longer, according to the brand. Then turn it over and use the comb side to brush through lashes; it separates each and every one, ensuring there are no clumps and lashes look even longer.

Most innovative: Be a 10 Be Separate Mascara

When it comes to innovative mascaras, celebrity makeup artist Erika La Pearl is a fan of this lengthening formula from Be a 10 because it contains two different wands. “One lengthens the upper lashes while the other gives the lower lashes precision,” she says. “It’s also long-wearing, so you can go from day to night without touchups, smudging, or damaging or weakening the lashes.”

Best Natural: ILIA Beauty Limitless Lash Mascara

Key Ingredients

Shea butter is a plant lipid that comes from African shea tree nuts and is rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins. It's used to help moisturize, nourish, and soothe the skin.

We’ve sung the praises of this mascara hundreds of times but will continue doing so because it’s just that darn good. There’s the clean formula to talk about; mascaras are notorious for containing lots of potentially questionable chemicals, making this even more noteworthy. It relies on a litany of natural ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter, aloe, jojoba seed oil (you get the picture) and imparts both gorgeous length and volume with its dual-sided brush. Easily buildable and clump-free, it stays put all day, but still comes off super easily with just soap and water.

What Our Testers Say

"When I opened the ILIA mascara, I was immediately drawn to its design: I don’t use mascaras that have a brush on one side and a comb on the other too often. I immediately knew this product placed emphasis on having clearly defined, separated lashes." — Khera Alexander, Product Tester

Best Waterproof: Beauty Bakerie Eyelash Icing Mascara

For those instances when you know the likelihood of mascara smears and smudges is high (a summertime wedding, beach day, a viewing of The Notebook), opting for a waterproof formula is choice. More specifically, make it this one. It adds a ton of length and definition, and once dry isn’t going anywhere. Cue the waterworks.

Best Tubing: Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara

Once hard to find in the beauty world, tubing technology is now mainstream, and there are plenty of tubing mascaras you could choose from. But we strongly suggest you go for this one, a fave among beauty editors. Film-forming polymers (AKA little tubes) coat lashes from root to tip making them looking noticeably longer and more defined. (And the tapered, conical brush helps you reach every lash.) Plus, the formula is also chock full of hydrating and strengthening ingredients to improve the condition of your lashes over time.

Best Lifting: Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara

Yep, another Charlotte Tilbury mascara made the list. She likens this one, her latest launch, to a push-up bra for your lashes. The uniquely designed brush has two flat sides and two bristle sides that grips each and every single lash to lengthen and boost them sky-high, so much so that you may just be able to ditch your lash curler for good. Meanwhile, a blend of waxes in the formula adds fullness while keratin is meant to condition.

What to Look For in a Lengthening Mascara

Long-Lasting

First and foremost, La Pearl recommends lengthening mascaras that are long- wearing and smudge-proof. “It’s super important to not have to worry about your mascara running throughout the day, especially when you’re in high humidity,” she says.

Buildable

Another must from La Pearl is a formula that’s buildable and customizable; this way, you can adjust the intensity and length of your lashes with each application. She also stresses the importance of a formula that can be layered on without clumping—no one wants their lashes to look clumpy!

High-Impact Wand

If you’re looking to add major length, La Pearl recommends products with high- impact wands that will help shape your lashes and evenly distribute product sans clumping with each application.

Meet the Expert

Erika La Pearl is a celebrity makeup artist whose clientele includes Cardi B, Kandi Burruss, and Marlo Hampton.

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