The 15 Best Lengthening Mascaras, According to Testers and Makeup Artists

Best Overall

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

$16 at Sephora $29 at Ulta $16 at Target

Size: 0. 17 or 0.27 ounces | Shades: 1

This fan-favorite is our favorite too—and for good reason. It lengthens, adds tons of volume and definition, curls, and creates drama with its intense, black formula. We loved how easy it is to apply, with an hourglass brush perfect for plumping and separating and a buildable finish that doesn’t clump. (Like, at all.) As if that wasn't enough to write home about, it comes off easy and doesn't leave the dreaded raccoon eyes that can be par the course when it comes to mascara. Overall, it somehow makes your newfound glam look...natural? It’s sort of like magic, but we’re not mad about that.

Best Overall, Runner-up

Tarte Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara

$15 at Sephora $27 at Ulta $15 at Target

Size: 0.13 or 0.27 ounces | Shades: 1

If you’re looking for an everyday mascara that’s going to deliver top-tier results with no clumps, this tubing mascara is the one for you. The plastic wand has a nice heft and will work to coat every lash with a swipe, making it super easy to use and practically error-free. The narrow wand separates and coats each lash effortlessly—even those hard-to-reach ones in the inner corners. Taking the product off is a breeze: simply swipe a cotton ball steeped in micellar water to clear residue away.

Best Wand

Benefit Cosmetics Lengthening Mascara

$16 at Sephora $29 at Ulta $16 at Target

Size: 0.14 or 0.3 ounces | Shades: 1

It’s a cult favorite for a reason—or many. It doesn’t budge or smudge (real: 100% of people saw long-wearing results), and the specially-designed wand separates the lashes and lifts them from root to tip. The result: Lashes that look puffed up and fanned out, offering an eye-opening effect that makes irises pop. While a swipe of micellar water didn't quite do the trick when taking this off, it's nothing that eye makeup remover couldn't handle.

Best Buildable

Pat McGrath Labs FetishEyes Mascara

$34 at Sephora $34 at Ulta $34 at Nordstrom

Size: 0.27 ounces | Shades: 1

Anything that comes from legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath is destined to be gold, which holds true for this runway-approved lengthening mascara from her eponymous cosmetics line. What we love most about this formula is the fact that it's buildable: One swipe will deliver a feathery, fanned-out look, but you can build it up to your desired effect, no matter how extreme. Described as "lash extensions in a tube," this mascara will build, define, and elongate each individual lash sans clumps thanks to its proprietary staggered brush. Oh, and the formula nourishes the lashes with peptides and panthenol while you wear it.

Best Strengthening

ILIA Limitless Lash Lengthening Clean Mascara

$13 at Sephora $28 at Nordstrom $28 at iliabeauty.com

Size: 0.1 or 0.27 ounces | Shades: 1

If there's one thing we're gonna do, it's sing the praises of mascara. (Check out our full review here.) It’s just that darn good. There’s the formula to talk about; it relies on a slew of ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter, aloe, and jojoba seed oil to fortify and strengthen lashes during wear. As for the payoff, it lengthens and adds serious 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.

Best False Lash Alternative

Milk Makeup Kush High Volumizing Mascara

$15 at Sephora View on Milkmakeup.com View on Spacenk.com

Size: 0.13 or 0.27 ounces | Shades: 1

One swipe of the Milk Makeup Kush High Volumizing Mascara and you’ll look like you just applied false lashes. (Swear.) This vegan formula coats in one application, and creates longer, fuller lashes thanks to heart-shaped fibers. It gives even the straightest and shortest of lashes some serious oomph. It goes on easily, and comes off just as easily (thank goodness), and its smooth formula featuring hemp-derived oil conditions lashes to keep them soft, not at all stiff.

Best Budget

CoverGirl Exhibitionist Uncensored Mascara

$7 at Amazon $14 at Ulta $10 at Target

Size: 0.3 ounces | Shades: 4

This inexpensive gem of a mascara is super easy to use with a great wand that fans out lashes and gives them some great volume. The formula promises 24-hour wear, and after rigorous testing, we found that to be true—it stays put, while also not leaving your eyelashes crunchy or too stiff. Oh, and did we mention no clumps? Some online reviewers reported flaking after hours of wear, but we had zero flakes—and at less than $8 a pop, it’s one worth testing yourself.

Best Splurge

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara

$15 at Sephora $15 at Nordstrom View on Charlottetilbury.com

Size: 0.13 or 0.33 ounces | Shades: 2

The Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lashes mascara is a bit on the expensive side, but it’s worth it. After weeks of testing, we can’t say enough good things about the exclusive "Load, Comb, and Lift" technology brush, which works to deposit product on the lashes and then lift and separate with two separate sides to the brush. No clumps—just perfectly wispy, elongated lashes. We also noted that if you have short lashes or hard to get to corners of the eye that still need some attention, this formula and wand will do the trick.

Best 2-in-1

Honest Beauty Mascara + Lash Primer

$20 at Amazon $20 at Ulta $20 at Target

Size: 0.20 ounces | Shades: 1

This mascara has a built-in mascara primer for even better results and application. It adds thickness and length, while also being buildable (i.e., from natural to full glam). It doesn’t clump and works well to create a long-lasting finish that’ll have you in love after one application. We do wish that the primer wand was a bit longer for grip and control but that doesn't stop us from singing the praises of this product.

Best for Sensitive Eyes

Glossier Lift and Lengthening Mascara

$20 at Sephora $20 at glossier.com

Size: 0.29 ounces | Shades: 2

This mascara is a go-to for many on the Byrdie team, and it also happens to be one of the brand’s best-rated products—and for good reason. It is dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested, a great pick for those with sensitive eyes. Tiny fibers make for a natural-looking length and lift, and the finish is glossy and defined. We think newcomers to the world of makeup and/or mascara would benefit from grabbing this option because of precise and easy-to-use applicator and a simple handle with a good grip. The results are definitely subtle and may not be the best option for a bold look but will work great for those looking for a little lash lift.

Best Volumizing

Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara

View on Kevynaucoinbeauty.com $32 at Bloomingdales View on Spacenk.com

Size: 0.18 ounces | Shades: 1

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. This mascara is particularly great for those with shorter lashes, as the brush really helps to define and elongate. 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.

Best Long-Lasting

Hourglass Cosmetics Instant Extensions Mascara

$32 at Amazon $15 at Sephora $32 at Ulta

Size: 0.17 or 0.35 ounces | Shades: 1

As the name suggests, this mascara delivers a legit lash extension-like look with just one coat, so much so that we audibly gasped when we first tried it. (More on our experience here.) Credit lightweight fibers and a film-forming technology that also helps ensure it stays smudge-proof all day. We loved being able to layer this one for the thickness we so wanted, and the wand with its short bristles makes it easy to apply and avoid clumping.  Though FYI, it does require a little bit of elbow grease to remove.

Best Natural Effect

MERIT Clean Lash Lengthening Tubing Mascara

$26 at Sephora View on Meritbeauty.com $26 at kohls.com

Size: 1.76 ounces | Shades: 1

Review: "I'm a big fan of all things Merit, and this mascara is no exception. I love a defined eye that's not overdone or spidery the way some lengthening formulas can get." — Jill, Tester

This brand is all about keeping your makeup routine simple, clean, and minimal, and this mascara does indeed check all of those boxes. The tubing film formers in the formula define, lengthen, and separate lashes in one fell swipe, leaving them looking fluttery and enhanced, but never overly so (and we loved how it doesn’t create that spidery effect.) It’s our go-to for those ‘no makeup makeup’ kind of days, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s also super clump-proof.

Best Thickening

Jones Road The Mascara

$26 at jonesroadbeauty.com View on Libertylondon.com

Size: 0.3 ounces | Shades: 1

Review: "I didn’t have to put in too much effort to get immediate lift and curl." — Joline, Tester

While this pick—from beauty legend Bobbi Brown’s brand Jones Road—definitely does bulk up even the puniest of lashes (and with little effort, might we add), it also does so much more (hence the name). The multi-tasking mascara lengthens, too, hence its appearance on this list, but also separates and lifts. Plus, it’s beautifully buildable, so you can easily customize it to your liking. Bonus points for the curved brush, which helps you capture even the tiniest corners on the inside and outside of every lash for maximum impact.