The 12 Best Mascaras of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

5

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This mascara didn’t reach icon status by accident—it lives up to the hype. It promises to deliver intense black volume while lengthening, curling, and separating the lashes—and it delivers. 

Our tester raved about how easy it layered on clump-free volume, and she loved that the hourglass-shaped brush helped her achieve separation. It gave her lashes a thickness without making them look overdone, and she was surprised by how easily she was able to remove it. While our tester took no issue with this mascara, some online reviews complained that the formula is a bit too wet. Overall though, we found it to be a great choice for every day if you like a bold lash look, and it also makes for a solid option if you’re creating a glam or event makeup look. 

Price at time of publish: $30

Benefits: Volumizing, Curling, Lengthening | Shades: 1 | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Drugstore

COVERGIRL Exhibitionist Uncensored Mascara

5

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If you’re looking for a drugstore mascara that delivers dramatic volume, this one is worth picking up. It can be layered up to create intense fullness on the lashes, and we appreciate that it’s infused with coconut and jojoba oils. 

Our tester used the Extreme Black shade and loved how jet black it made her lashes look. She also noted that the formula wore well without smudging, transferring, or clumping, making it an excellent drugstore buy. And while some online reviewers reported some flaking, we think the pros far outweigh the cons.

Price at time of publish: $12.99

Benefits: Volumizing | Shades: 4 | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Volumizing

COVERGIRL Lash Blast Volume Mascara

5

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Cruise the makeup aisle at any drugstore and you’re bound to see a display of this beloved mascara. For years, it’s been hailed a top-shelf volumizing mascara, and despite how many new formulations have hit the market since this one, it’s remained a fan favorite. It promises to add definition and thickness to each lash without clumping or smudging. 

Our tester loved that it delivered on its clump-free claim. She said her lashes looked full and voluminous while maintaining a natural appearance. She also noted that because it isn’t an overly thick or goopy formula, it’s great for defining the lower lashes. 

One con she found was that it had a strong paint-like smell, but if you’re not overly sensitive to fragrance, it shouldn’t be a deal-breaker. 

Price at time of publish: $7.25

Benefits: Volumizing | Shades: 4 | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Lengthening

Tarte Tartlette Tubing Mascara

5

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Tubing mascaras are excellent for creating elongated lashes—and this one delivers on that and more. The formula creates “tubes” that wrap around each lash to separate, define, and lengthen. While it also provides a bit of volume and curling action, it’s the lengthening benefit that truly stands out. 

Our tester appreciated the thin, plastic wand because it allowed her to coat her lashes in hard-to-reach areas, like the inner corners. She loved the length that this mascara created, that it lasted all day with no smearing, and how simple it was to remove. 

Price at time of publish: $24

Benefits: Lengthening | Shades: 1 | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Splurge

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara

4.8

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Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk line is iconic, and this mascara is too. Created to provide length and volume, it features a unique double-sided paddle brush that works to load and comb product onto the lashes while giving them a lift. It’s also smudge-proof and humidity-proof, making it a fitting choice if you’re traveling or you live in a humid climate. 

In addition to providing impressive length, our tester found that it worked wonders in terms of giving her the appearance of curled, lifted lashes. She also raved about the fluttery look she achieved with it. 

If you struggle to coat your inner lashes as our tester does, this could be just the mascara you need. She explained that while she usually struggles to lengthen the small lashes at her inner corners, this product eliminates that problem. Our tester did note that she wished the application was more even but admitted that the issue could be attributed to the shape of her eye, so everyone may not have the same experience. 

Price at time of publish: $29

Benefits: Volumizing, Lengthening | Shades: 2 | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best 2-in-1

Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer

4.9

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Mascara primers can be great for separating and thickening the lashes prior to applying mascara, but having to keep a separate tube in your makeup bag can feel a bit excessive. This 2-in-1 product works to condition and prep the lashes, and create length and volume—without adding excess weight or clutter to your collection. 

The brush is narrow with short plastic bristles, making it easy to reach each lash, and the formula delivers natural-looking length and volume. It’s formulated with jojoba esters to nourish the lashes, and the primer formula helps to prolong the wear of the mascara in addition to conditioning.

Our tester loved the look she achieved with it, but her one downside was that the grip on the primer side is very short, making it difficult to maneuver without getting product on her hands or skin near her eyes. 

Price at time of publish: $17.99

Benefits: Priming, Lengthening, Volumizing | Shades: 1 | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Glam Looks

Uoma Beauty Drama Bomb Extreme Volume Nourishing Mascara

4.8

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As you can see from this list so far, some mascaras are meant to create naturally defined lashes while others deliver dramatic results—and this one falls into the latter category. The formula contains nourishing ingredients, like avocado oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, and a blend of vegan waxes to keep the lashes hydrated, prevent breakage, and add volume. 

Our tester shared that the tube is easy and comfortable to hold, and the wand is long, making it simple to coat each lash—even the hard-to-reach ones at the corners of the eyes. If you’re in the market for a mascara that creates striking lashes to pair with a bold makeup look—and you prefer sticking to vegan formulas—you can’t go wrong with this one.  

Price at time of publish: $19.50

Benefits: Volumizing, Lengthening, Lifting | Shades: 1 | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Smudge-Free

IT Cosmetics Lash Blowout Volumizing Mascara

4.8

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A mascara that can give the lashes volume and lift that resembles a salon blowout? Count us in. The brand nailed it with the name of this mascara—it truly creates gorgeous volume and a lifting effect on the lashes. 

Unlike many formulas that are too wet or thick or all too dry when you crack open the tube, our reviewer appreciated that this one had the perfect consistency right from the start. She also noted that she was able to build up the intensity quickly—so much so that she was able to achieve a false-lash effect. But the best part is that despite how much she was able to build it up, she experienced absolutely no smudging or flaking. 

One thing we would change about this one is the size of the packaging. While it adorably mimics a round brush, it’s a bit bulky and cumbersome to hold. 

Price at time of publish: $21.50

Benefits: Volumizing | Shades: 1 | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Clean

ILIA Beauty Limitless Lash Mascara

4.8

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If you keep up with what’s popular in the clean beauty space, then chances are you’re familiar with this ultra-popular clean mascara. According to our test results, it deserves the high praise it receives. Formulated with a conditioning blend of waxes, it works to nourish the lashes while lengthening and lifting them. It has a unique dual-sided wand that contains short bristles to curl and add subtle volume to the lashes, and long bristles to lift, lengthen, and separate them. 

Aside from how much she enjoyed the wand and the results it gave her, our tester loved that this mascara delivered rich black pigmentation that was still easy to remove. She did note that she experienced just a bit of smudging on her upper eyelid, so if you’re prone to smudging, keep that in mind. 

Price at time of publish: $28

Benefits: Lengthening, Lifting | Shades: 1 | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best False Lash Dupe

Milk Makeup Kush High Volume Mascara

4.8

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Applying false lashes can be tricky and time-consuming, so finding a mascara that provides a false lash effect is a great alternative. This volumizing formula packed with hemp-derived cannabis seed oil works to coat the lashes in dramatic volume while conditioning them and maintaining a soft feel. 

If you have straight eyelashes like our tester, this mascara could be the perfect pick for you. She explained that it added so much drama to her lashes that they almost looked fake. And although she was able to achieve a bold look, the formula didn’t weigh her straight lashes down. She also loved the weighted packaging as it helped her to nail a controlled application.

Our one con with this mascara is that it can get slightly clumpy. But if you’re looking for a falsies effect, this might not bother you. To remove clumps, we suggest taking an eyelash comb and gently combing your lashes after applying the mascara to remove excess product. 

Price at time of publish: $18.49

Benefits: Volumizing | Shades: 1 | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Wand

Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Lengthening Mascara

4.8

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The shape and size of a mascara wand can make or break the outcome of your look, not to mention significantly impact your experience using the product. While there are tons of different types of wands, and varying opinions on which kind is best, the truth is that it’s very personal. However, tons of consumer reviews and our tester agree that the wand on this mascara is fantastic. 

The formula and brush work together to lengthen and volumize the lashes while giving them a lifted effect. The wand contains staggered bristles to effectively grip each lash, and our tester found that the bristles did a great job of separating her lashes for a more wide-eyed look. She also noted that the bristles on the tip of the brush helped to coat the lashes in hard-to-reach areas, making for a full, even application. 

If we could change one thing about this mascara, it wouldn’t be anything having to do with the brush. Rather, we wish it was a bit easier to remove. 

Price at time of publish: $27

Benefits: Lengthening, Volumizing | Shades: 2 | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No