I'm tragically on the shallow end of the gene pool when it comes to long, voluptuous lashes. I've always dreamed of lashes long enough to skim my eyebrows, but my natural eyelashes are pretty much as short and stubby as they come. To try and compensate, I've been religiously using mascara since I can remember. For me, mascara is one of the products I absolutely refuse to leave the house without—I just feel incomplete without it.
To amp up my short lashes, I always opt for lengthening mascaras (bonus points if they also pack on the volume). When you're looking for mascaras to make your lashes look longer, pick a formula that calls out lengthening specifically (though my personal favorite formula actually calls out volume). Each formula is different, but tubing mascaras that build on each coat and wands with thin bristles that are able to grab on and coat each individual lash can be helpful for the most length possible. Keep reading for the best lengthening mascaras out there, coming from someone who has tried just about every mascara on the market.
Yes, this formula technically touts volumizing benefits, but hear me out. The super-fine conical bristles are able to get a grip on each and every lash, while the creamy formula is buildable (never clumpy). The result is not only fanned-out volume, but also tons of added length for all-around longer and thicker looking lashes. Pros: Lengthening, volumizing, adds definition. Cons: Can be difficult to remove. Customer review: "I love this mascara. It makes my eyelashes look insanely long but not like spiders. Also very nice application—not clumpy at all."
Wearing YSL Lash Clash.
This mascara adds tons of length to my lashes. If it's volume you're after, this is not the mascara for you. I'm really picky about mascara because I feel like 75% of the formulas I try smear under my eyes by the end of the day, but this one never does, and it holds a curl until you take it off. Pros: Lengthening, adds definition. Cons: Doesn't add much volume. Customer review: "I have straight, thick and long asian lashes which have proven to be an absolute pain to apply mascara to over the years. I am able to curl my lashes with this product using no lash curler and they stay up! This formula is not clumpy, the brush has lots of tiny bristles which really helps coat each lash."
This beloved mascara is a crowd-pleaser for a reason. The hourglass brush shape not only lengthens lashes, but it also adds volume and curl while coating each and every lash. Pros: Lengthening, volumizing, curling. Cons: Not as buildable as other formulas. Customer review: "I am not a big fan of mascara, but I fell in love with this one. It doesn't take a lot but it has big pay off. It makes me look like I have on fake lashes when I don't."
When I tried this mascara, I instantly fell in love with the formula. It makes my lashes look incredibly long by creating length, lift, and volume. Plus, it doesn't smudge under my eyes, and it's easy to take off at the end of the day. Pros: Lengthening, volumizing, lifting. Cons: Can smudge a bit while applying. Customer review: "Really nice mascara! I have full lashes that are average length and pretty straight. I look for volume and length in my mascaras and don’t like a clumpy lash. I also need something that won’t smudge when I’m wearing emollient concealer. This mascara fits the bill for all of those things. No flakes either. I love that it’s not outrageously priced compared to other mascaras too."
Wearing Ami Colé Lash-Amplifying Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara.
The unique thing about this mascara is that it actually uses hair-styling technology called Aquaflex that helps your lashes hold a curl using memory foam technology. The unique wand helps lengthen and define. Pros: Lengthening, volumizing, curling, helps lashes stay in place. Cons: May dry up quickly. Customer review: "I have tried to get into clean mascaras, but unfortunately I could never find a formula that worked for me. They were always too wet or chunky or couldn’t hold a curl. When I saw that Tower 28 came out with a mascara, I decided to try it since I love all their other products. I finally found a clean mascara that actually works. It is lightweight, not clumpy at all, and gave my eyelashes a curl on their own!"
Glossier's Lash Slick gives you the look of natural-looking lash extensions. It's flexible, buildable, and never smudges or flakes. Pros: Lengthening, volumizing, curling,. Cons: Not as buildable as other formulas. Customer review: "I am not a big fan of mascara, but I fell in love with this one. It doesn't take a lot but it has big pay off. It makes me look like I have on fake lashes when I don't."
Wearing Glossier Lash Slick.
A double-sided brush helps grip every single lash. Not only does this mascara add tons of length, but it's also conditioning thanks to ingredients like . Pros: Lengthening, lifting, adds definition. Cons: May smudge easier than some formulas . Customer review: "This does a great job at giving lots of length and volume. The brush has two sides so it was easy to spread my lashes out and they are lifted. The color is really black and this mascara definitely makes my eyes look awake! "
When I wear this mascara, my eyelashes quite literally look three times longer. I often find that when formulas give tons of length, they're also more likely to clump or make it look like I have a few super lashes, but this one kept tons of definition and was easy to build. I'm always an advocate for drugstore mascara (often it's just as good, if not better, than high-end formulas), and this one proves there's nothing a drugstore mascara can't do. Pros: Lengthening, volumizing, curling. Cons: May smudge more easily than some other formulas. Customer review: "The formula doesn't weigh my lashes down at all and keeps them curled which is a miracle for my lashes. This is such a beautiful lengthening mascara, I noticed a significant difference just by applying a single coat. The more coats, the more dramatic the look and you can easily layer more without it getting clumpy."
Wearing L'Oréal Telescopic Lift Washable Mascara.
This beloved mascara is a crowd-pleaser for a reason. The hourglass brush shape not only lengthens lashes, but it also adds volume and curl while coating each and every lash. Pros: Lengthening, volumizing, curling,. Cons: Not as buildable as other formulas. Customer review: "I love this mascara. It makes my eyelashes look full and longer. I love the wand as well as it helps separate the lashes."
Tarantulash is a wildly bold mascara. It gives you spidery, ultra-long, and super-voluminous lashes. It has a unique eggplant-shaped brush that helps customize your lashes however you want them, and the spiky bristles help fan out your lashes for tons of volume. Pros: Lengthening, volumizing, curling. Cons: Some might not like how spiky this can make your lashes. Customer review: "My new favorite mascara! It gives your lashes the volume, color, and length of your dreams! Tarantulash is a dark black, wet, buildable & lengthening mascara. You can wear it in so many styles, and even can use a thin brush to wear it as an eyeliner! It also lasts all day, doesn’t smudge, and I even swam 13 feet underwater with it on and it didn’t run or look any different. Absolutely obsessed! I cannot go anywhere without it!"
This is one of the more unique mascaras on the market thanks to its metal applicator. Spoiler alert: there are no bristles. This allows the applicator to get into every nook and cranny of your lashes for the most length possible. . Pros: Lengthening, volumizing, adds definition. Cons: Not as buildable as other formulas. Customer review: "This lash tint works great. There’s no clumping or smudging. My lashes are naturally long and this lash tint makes them longer and gorgeous! I won’t use other mascaras anymore."
