13 Best Mascaras That Will Transform Your Short Lashes (Yes, Really)
Who needs extensions when you have mascaras like these??
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My husband often says he hopes our future kids inherit his lashes, and I can’t disagree with him. His lashes are naturally dark, long, and full. He won the genetic lottery. My lashes, on the other hand, are short, stubby, and more or less non-existent without mascara. The good news is that my reliance on mascara has made me an expert in the category. Over the years, I’ve tested dozens of mascaras for short lashes from drugstore brands, clean brands, luxury brands, and more. Some formulas sadly don’t do much, but a few are truly incredible at giving short lashes lots of length, volume, and fullness. Check out a few of my favorites here:
Our top picks for best mascaras for short lashes of 2024:
Best Mascara for Short Lashes Overall
Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-Eyes Volumizing and Curling Mascara
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Best Thickening Mascara for Short Lashes
Grande Cosmetics GrandeDRAMA Intense Thickening Mascara
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Best Brown Mascara for Short Lashes
Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara
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Keep scrolling for the full list of the best mascaras for short lashes—plus a few genius tips for shopping for a new mascara for your short lashes from the pro.
Pros
- Promises 28 (!) hours of wear time
- Contains jojoba wax to condition lashes
Cons
- Packaging is a bit clunky and heavy
Yes, this mascara is on the pricey side but it's worth every single dollar IMO. I absolutely love how long and voluminous it makes my typically short lashes look. If you’re after a natural lash look this prob isn’t for you, but if you want people to comment on your lashes and ask what mascara you’re wearing, please meet your new go-t0.
- Waterproof? No
- Shades: Black
Glowing customer review: “I think I found my new favorite mascara. It gives my lashes length and volume. I walked up and down New Orleans in the humid heat and it did NOT smudge or make me look like a raccoon!”
Pros
- Contains castor oil to help condition lashes
Cons
- Some testers said it can be hard to fully remove
- Can get a bit flaky if you apply too many coats
I love this thickening mascara's hourglass-shaped wand for coating all my teeny lashes. It's plush but not too dense and really allows me to really work the formula between my lashes, individually thickening and separating each lash for a super thick and dramatic look that's similar to that of falsies or magnetic lashes.
- Waterproof? No
- Shades: Black
Glowing customer review: "This is seriously the best mascara I've tried in a long time. It really thickens lashes and makes them look like I'm wearing falsies."
Pros
- Vegan, cruelty-free, and made with clean ingredients
- Tested to be safe for sensitive eyes
Cons
- Some reviewers say it can tend to get flaky
- Mini size only comes in black, not brown
I'm super pale, so black mascaras tends to look harsh against my skin. Hence why I love this brown mascara from Tower 28. Not only does it make my short lashes look long and fluttery, it comes in a beautiful, rich brown shade that looks natural against my skin tone—especially during the day or when I'm doing a minimalist makeup look.
- Waterproof? No
- Shades: Black and brown
Glowing customer review: "I have NEVER been blown away by a beauty product, especially mascara until I tried this! I have very short eyelashes and after using this mascara it looks like I have natural false lashes with zero clumping.”
Pros
- Vegan, cruelty-free, PETA approved
- Ophthalmologist tested for sensitive eyes
Cons
- Some reviewers said the brush can feel a bit hard and spike-like
No matter how diligent I am about taking my meds during allergy season, my eyes still get all sensitive and irritated. During this annoying seasonal transition period, I rely on this mascara for sensitive eyes to keep my short lashes looking full and lifted, while also ensuring I don’t further aggravate my eyes.
- Waterproof? No
- Shades: Black
Glowing customer review: "I have short eyelashes that are also very sensitive, so it’s really hard for me to find a good mascara. I’ve tried so many different brands, and this one is one of the best. My curl stays all day, and it doesn't bother my sensitive eyes."
Pros
- Truly mimics the effect of false lashes
- Formulated with polymers, biotin, collagen, and peptides to condition lashes
Cons
- Some reviewers complained that the formula tends to dry out quickly in the tube
- Wand can sometimes apply too much product
All mascaras for short lashes lengthen to some degree, but this lengthening mascara from IT Cosmetics takes things to another level. Whenever I use it, people always ask me if I'm wearing extensions. It's an easy way to instantly dial up my lashes without worrying about drying them out or causing damage.
- Waterproof? No
- Shades: Black
Glowing customer review: “I’m a mascara snob, and this one was so impressive! It’s definitely one of the most lengthening mascaras and creates a wispy effect. It’s not clumpy either, so it separates very well. It really made it look like I had lash extensions.”
Pros
- Curved wand eliminates the need to use a lash curler before mascara
- Testers say it gave their lashes the same effect as a lash lift
Cons
- Formula tends to flake, especially toward the end of the day
- Not compatible with all eye shapes
I'm normally hesitant to use curved mascara wands like this since they can take some trial and error to get used to, but Refy's legit couldn't be easier to use. It hugs every last lash to create curl, lift, and length. Literally one swipe evenly fans out my lashes and gives me the same effect as lash extensions but for a fraction of the price.
- Waterproof? No
- Shades: Black
Glowing customer review: “I’ve been using this mascara for the past few days, and let me tell you, it’s AMAZING!! It doesn’t clump and is very buildable. I’ve been wearing it for the past 10 hours and the curl hasn’t budged!!”
Pros
- Smaller brush head makes it easy to coat inner lashes and bottom lashes
- Excellent quality for the price
Cons
- Testers say you need to clean the wand weekly to prevent the clumps
Don't be fooled by the price tag. At just $10, this mascara performs just as well as prestige options that cost triple the amount. The lengthening and volumizing effect it has on my lashes is beyond impressive—plus it's infused with argan and castor oils to keep my lashes soft and conditioned. I also love how the smaller sized wand makes it easy to reach those tiny inner corner lashes.
- Waterproof? No
- Shades: Black
Glowing customer review: “No flaking or melting—just long, separated, dark-pigmented lashes. I’m throwing all my other mascaras away!”
Pros
- Easily washes away with water
- Contains organic shea butter to soften and condition lashes
Cons
- Some testers say it made their lashes super pigmented, but not much more voluminous
Ilia's all-natural mascara is a favorite among Cosmo editors and makeup artists—and it’s easy to see why. It has a dual-sided brush that lifts, lengthens, holds a curl, and separates your lashes. No matter how many different mascaras I try, I always make sure to have this in my makeup bag because I trust it to lift my normally short, straight lashes for any occasion.
- Waterproof? No
- Shades: Black
Glowing customer review: “Buying mascara is the hardest thing for me because I’m allergic to most of the popular ones, and anything I don’t react to usually doesn’t work well. I purchased this mascara today and I love it. My eyes and skin aren’t reacting to it, and it has doubled the length and thickness of my lashes."
Pros
- Safe for contact lens wearers and sensitive eyes
- Ideal for swimming, sweating, or sad romance movies
Cons
- Some testers say the brush was also too bristly for their personal preference
I skip foundation and concealer during workouts, but I can't give up mascara. Enter: This sweat-proof that makes my lashes look super fully and fluffy. The formula doesn't smear, smudge, or run no matter how hot I get—plus the peptide-and hyaluronic acid-rich formula is kind to my lashes.
- Waterproof? Yes
- Shades: Black
Glowing customer review: "I absolutely love this mascara!! My lashes look long and full but what really makes this brand special is that it won’t rub, run, or sweat off when I workout or go to Jujitsu class. This mascara stays put after the hardest rolls and workouts. I am so happy that I found a product that helps me feel a little more girly even when I am sweating hard.”
Pros
- Formula is really lightweight and buildable
- Testers (myself included) love the luxe looking packaging
Cons
- Some testers say it can create lots of fallout and flaking
For when I have big plans and really want a dramatic lash moment, this mascara from Nars is my bestie. The full, dense brush coats lashes in jet-black pigments for a super thick effect without weighing your lashes down. The long-lasting formula is ideal for nights out too since it rarely smudges or clumps either.
- Waterproof? No
- Shades: Black
Glowing customer review: “My new favorite mascara. No smudges or flaking. Dramatic curled lashes. Gives good volume and length too. I can’t think of one con. All pros.”
Pros
- Gives lashes a ton of length and volume for hours
- Twisted wand shape is ideal for giving short, straight lashes lots of curl
Cons
- While the glass type is more environmentally friendly, its heavier and more prone to breaking
My short lashes love this waterproof mascara. I use it on beach and pool days and no matter how much time I spend in the water, it always stays put on my lashes. And it gets bonus points in my book for being clean, cruelty-free, and made with sustainable packaging.
- Waterproof? Yes
- Shades: Black
Glowing customer review: "It’s really good for an everyday, natural, defined lash. Start with a lash primer to really make it pop!"
Pros
- Is easily removed with just warm water
- Boasts an impressive 16 hour wear time
Cons
- Testers say the formula is a bit wet and takes a minute to fully dry
This drugstore mascara from Milani is hands down my favorite tubing mascara for short lashes. The tapered wand coats each individual lash in tiny tube-like polymers (hence the name tubing mascara) that create long-lasting length, volume, and thickness. Honestly, when you use this mascara it looks like you're wearing strip lashes.
- Waterproof? No
- Shades: Black
Glowing customer review: "Every mascara i've ever used smudges on me no matter what. This one doesn't!!! It makes my lashes long and full. And its thick so its easy to give my lashes the spidery effect which i personally love."
Pros
- Helps grow short lashes with continued use
Cons
- Takes about a month of daily use to work
- Some testers with sensitive eyes said it caused itchiness
Okay so this isn't technically a mascara, but I'm adding it to the list because it has done WONDERS for my short lashes. The combo of keratin and brown algae extract work together to condition, strength and, with continued use, lengthen lashes too. I used it religiously each day and noticed a difference in my lashes after about a month. The directions say to use it at night, but I used it during the day and found that the clear coat actually enhanced my natural lashes a bit which is nice for no makeup makeup looks.
- Waterproof? No
- Shades: Clear
Glowing customer review: “I’ve always had short, thin, blonde eyelashes and felt they were barely noticeable without mascara. I’ve used this product diligently for a month, and I’ve seen a total transformation—a night-and-day difference.”
What's the best mascara to use for short lashes?
Short lashes are generally sparse, straight, and less fanned out than longer lashes. The best mascaras for short lashes help address all three of these issues by adding volume, curl, and separation to lashes in addition to length. The wand type is key for getting this result. “For short lashes, you want to make sure you choose a mascara with a brush that can grab even the smallest baby lashes and make them look longer and fuller,” says makeup artist T. Cooper. A few favorites from this list include Ilia, Makeup Revolution, and Refy.
How do you make short lashes appear longer?
To make my short, stubby lashes appear longer, I like to use a mascara with thin silicone bristles to help coat each lash without clumping. Another great choice? A tubing mascara (like Milani’s above), which can increase volume to make lashes look bulky without flaking or smudging. Tubing mascara is also easier to remove than traditional mascara, so you don’t have to use harsh cleansers or scrub aggressively with makeup remover to take it off, which helps protect the integrity of your existing lashes, explains Jessie Cheung, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Cheung Aesthetics & Wellness in Chicago.
Which mascara is best for length and volume?
The best mascara for length and volume should check three boxes. One, it should be clump-free, two it should have conditioning ingredients (like panthenol or argan oil) to help prevent your lashes from getting brittle and snapping, and three it should have a wand with bristles that aren’t too densely packed. Generally, mascaras with evenly spaced silicone bristles will be best for separating and defining your lashes for max length and volume.
Meet the experts:
- Jessie Cheung, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Cheung Aesthetics & Wellness in Chicago. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Cheung specializes in cosmetics and anti-aging and regenerative medicine.
- T. Cooper is a makeup artist and hairstylist for Pacifica. She has worked with celebs including Megan Thee Stallion, Rose McGowan, Garcelle Beauvais, Kamie Crawford, and Kat Graham.
Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?
Jaclyn Smock is a freelance beauty writer with a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing makeup stories, covering everything from the best hydrating foundations to genius brow products that make your life easier. She's an authority in all beauty categories, but she's an expert in products and treatments for transforming short lashes, thanks to her work with the industry’s top makeup artists and professionals in assessing new formulas.
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