I’ve Tested Hundreds of Mascaras—These 13 Are the Best, According to Beauty Editors
For longer, fuller lashes—fast.
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People stop me pretty regularly to ask about my lashes—usually assuming I’m wearing extensions and wanting the name of the salon. Plot twist: I’ve never had extensions. What they’re actually seeing is some makeup magic. Sure, lash serums have helped keep my lashes healthy and conditioned, which can make them look a little longer and fuller. But the real reason they look borderline fake? A standout mascara—especially one with the right brush. The wand makes a huge difference depending on what you’re after, whether that’s length, curl, or major volume.
That said, I didn’t magically know which formulas were worth it. Over the course of my career as a beauty editor, I’ve tested hundreds of mascaras to figure out which ones actually deliver. And I’ll say this upfront: mascara is deeply personal—right up there with foundation and nude lipstick. The best one for you depends entirely on what you want your lashes to do. Which is exactly why this list exists. Ahead, you’ll find the highest-rated mascaras I’ve personally tested, along with standout picks loved by other Cosmo editors. First, a quick-hit list before we dive into the full lineup:
The best mascaras, tested by Cosmo editors:
Keep scrolling for the complete breakdown of the best mascaras—from brands like Ilia, Maybelline, L’Oréal, and Tower 28—plus the key tips to know before you add a new tube to your cart (or your makeup bag).
Pros
- Comes off easily with just warm water
- Available in a bunch of shades
- Lengthens and separates so well
Cons
- Can get flaky if you use too many coats
Why we love it: Maybelline's Sky High Mascara is kind of an overachiever. It uses tiny bamboo fibers to add a ton of length and volume to teeny-tiny lashes and it has a slim, flexible brush with a tapered tip that makes application quick, easy, and mess-free. Every time I use it, I'm shocked at how incredible my lashes look for such minimal effort. Did I mention it comes off easily with just warm water too? Obsessed.
| Benefits | Volumizes, lengthens, defines, curls |
| Shades | 10 (multiple types of black, brown, blue, green, burgundy, brown-black, deep purple, glitter) |
| Waterproof? | No (but comes in a waterproof formula) |
One Cosmo editor says: "I've gone through so many tubes of this mascara, I can't even conjure up an appropriate number. It's just the simplest, most reliable mascara I've ever tried. It never lets me down in the length department, is easy to remove, holds a curl for hours, and doesn't make my lashes feel dry and clumpy. I always have at least one—if not five—in my stash at all times."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Pros
- Wand is small enough to get into the inner corners of your eyes easily
- Helps nourish lashes with panthenol
- Long-wearing formula
Cons
- Provides a very natural lash look, so not for you if you want more volume
Why we love it: Loved by Sabrina Carpenter, this lengthening mascara is a huge hit amongst our team for its long wear and sensitive-eye friendly formula.
Features at a Glance
| Benefits | Lifting, lengthening, separating |
| Shades | 2 (black and brown) |
| Waterproof? | No |
One Cosmo editor says: "My first impression was the precision of the wand—it separates my lashes really nicely, which is one of my biggest qualms when judging a formula. There's nothing I hate more than clumps and chunks. It also adds tons of length and volume with just a few swipes, as you can see below, making it ideal for my everyday 10-minute makeup routine before work. And as a beauty editor with many events, from early breakfast meetings to late-night dinners (plus the office in between), the Cloud Mascara lasts until the very end of my long days without flaking."—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Pros
- Available at drugstores
- Comes in so many shades
Cons
- Not as lengthening as others on this list
Why we love it: If you’re looking for a great brown mascara—especially one you can easily grab at the drugstore—L’Oréal Panorama is a standout. The rich brown shade gives lashes a softer, more natural-looking definition than classic black, making it perfect for everyday wear. The formula still brings the drama where it counts too, adding fluffy volume and a bit of length when you layer on a few coats.
Features at a Glance
| Benefits | Volumizing, lengthening, lifting |
| Shades | 7 (multiple blacks, brown, burgundy, and navy) |
| Waterproof? | No |
One Cosmo editor says: “If you’re a brown mascara lover who wants to add both volume and length to your lashes (many formulas make you sacrifice one for the other), I cannot recommend this mascara enough. It doesn’t flake or smudge even when my eyes are tearing from NYC’s frigid winds. Plus, it separates my lashes so nicely and is a true brown that isn’t too harsh on my lighter color eyes.” —JH
Pros
- Wand helps grip and coat every single lash
- Bristles on only one side makes this surprisingly simple to apply
Cons
- Most expensive mascara on this list
Why we love it: While mascara doesn't necessarily seem like the most apt place to splurge, Prada's just makes sense. Of course, there's the stunning packaging, but most of all, the brand took an innovative route when developing the 180 degrees "lift and grip" wand. It was designed to grab each lash from root to tip, helping create clean separation, length, and lift in just a few swipes. The flexible micro-film formula coats lashes evenly without clumping and can be layered for more drama while still feeling lightweight.
Features at a Glance
| Benefits | Lifting and lengthening |
| Shades | 2 |
| Waterproof? | No |
One Cosmo editor says: "I’ve really been enjoying this mascara. I love how it looks when applied with a lighter hand—it just gives me super glossy, long lashes. I also like how the buildable, unclumpy formula can create a more dramatic look if desired. However, if you need something built for the elements or a subtler shade for your lash color, this might not be the fit for you. Overall, I think of it a lot like the Prada nylon re-edition shoulder bag. It’s sleek, classic, versatile, but still a luxury— and it looks most iconic in black."—SAM NEIBERT, CONTRIBUTING BEAUTY WRITER
Pros
- The least expensive mascara we tested
- Doesn't smudge or flake in my experience
Cons
- Some reviewers didn't love how crunchy it made their lashes feel
Why we love it: My broke college self could really only afford this mascara, but it wasn't a prob because it's legit so good. Even now, when I have a drawer filled with expensive mascaras, I often reach for this formula, because it's so reliable. It makes my lashes look long and thick, but the best part is that it legit does not smudge or flake. I mean, just read through the 245,000+ five-star reviews and try not to be influenced.
| Benefits | Lengthens and volumizes |
| Shades | 2 (black and brown) |
| Waterproof? | No |
One Cosmo editor says: "Out of all the affordable mascaras I've tried, Essence’s def take the cake. Whether I want length, volume, a tint of brown, or literally anything else, I can snag an Essence mascara that gets the job done for less than $5."—JH
Pros
- Double-sided brush offers both long and short bristles
Cons
- A lot of testers say the scent is a bit overpowering
Why we love it: If you're looking for a mascara that lifts, lengthens, holds a curl, and separates your lashes, this is your MVP. The dual-sided wand has staggered bristles on one side to help you really load up your lashes, along with long, comb-like teeth on the other side so you can brush out any clumps while defining each lash. Oh, and the formula—like all Ilia products—is clean, eco-friendly, cruelty-free, and made without potentially sketch ingredients.
Glowing customer review: "Holy grail mascara! Incredible volume and length—no need to worry about clumping or flaking."
| Benefits | Lifts, lengthens, curls, separates |
| Shades | 2 (black and brown) |
| Waterproof? | No |
One Cosmo editor says: "On my brown mascara journey I’ve tested a ton of formulas, and Ilia’s is a total standout. It’s the same buildable, non-clumpy, and long-lasting Limitless Lash formula I’ve used and loved for years, but now in a chocolatey brown hue that’s ultra flattering. This is definitely a soft-lash mascara, so don’t expect anyone to think you’re wearing extensions or falsies after applying it…but that’s exactly why I like it. It’s fairly effortless as far as eye makeup goes, and gives your lashes a little extra something without being too in your face, which is in line with my personal makeup style these days."—LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Pros
- Instantly makes my eyes look more awake
- Easy to remove in my experience
Cons
- A few reviewers said it clumped their lashes together (but legit never does this to me, TBH)
Why we love it: I truly cannot stop raving about this mascara to every single person I meet. If you compliment my lashes, odds are, I'm gonna go on a whole diatribe about how this is the reason and why everyone needs it. So, it's no wonder it's totally blown up on TikTok. This mascara gives my lashes a fanned out, voluminous look without causing any clumps. Instead, it leaves my lashes defined and separated, making my eyes look wide and awake.
| Benefits | Lengthens, fans out, volumizes, defines |
| Shades | 1 (black) |
| Waterproof? | No |
One Cosmo editor says: "Hands down, this is the best Benefit mascara, and dare I say, my favorite mascara ever. I feel so confident whenever I wear this one because it makes my eyes look so awake and bright."—BG
Pros
- Has a primer on one end to help condition your lashes
- Makes my lashes look *extremely* long
Cons
- A few testers said it flaked off
Why we love it: Try this if you want a formula that also softens and strengthens your lashes (along with makes 'em look hella long). This viral mascara uses a two-step system for major length: Just brush on the included primer, then go over it with the black tubing mascara formula.
One Cosmo editor says: "I thought I'd hate having to layer on two steps just to get long lashes, but I actually look forward to swiping this on. The primer is loaded with conditioning panthenol and ceramides to help moisturize my lashes and keep 'em strong and healthy. Then, I layer on the mascara, which is filled with tubes to add length and volume. Plus, because it's a tubing mascara, it's so damn easy to remove."—BG
| Benefits | Lengthens, softens, separates |
| Shades | 1 (black) |
| Waterproof? | No |
Pros
- Actually curls my lashes (and holds the curl all day long)
- Vegan formula that's safe for sensitive eyes and contact wearers
Cons
- Flakes a lil bit, per my experience
Why we love it: This mascara is so good at curling lashes that you can actually ditch your eyelash curler altogether. In fact, the formula uses a polymer that's often used in curly hair products that helps define your lashes and add hold for an all-day curl, plus it's loaded with nourishing castor oil and panthenol to keep your lashes silky soft.
One Cosmo editor says: "My lashes are extremely fine and thin, meaning they've gotta be curled to look even remotely good generally. But turns out, with this mascara, I can skip a lash curler altogether."—BG
| Benefits | Lengthens, curls, lifts |
| Shades | 2 (black and brown) |
| Waterproof? | No |
Pros
- Less than $10 at most drugstores
- Reviewers raved about the longevity
Cons
- A few reviewers said the wand felt a bit too flimsy
Why we love it: I love a bougie beauty product as much as the next editor, but drugstore mascaras are where it's at, y'all. And I'd never guess this formula from E.l.f. was less than $10. It curls and defines my lashes for a soft, natural look, but it legit doesn't flake, smear, or smudge throughout the day at all.
One shopper says: "I finally found a mascara that doesn't flake, smudge, or transfer! E.l.f. is yet to disappoint, and their ingredients are very clean. The price is amazing."
| Benefits | Curls, lengthens, defines |
| Shades | 3 (pitch black, black, deep brown) |
| Waterproof? | No |
Pros
- Testers love how it didn't flake throughout the day
Cons
- Dries quickly, which makes it difficult to layer on multiple coats
Why we love it: FYI: Tubing mascaras wrap each lash in tube-like polymers to create extra thickness and length that still looks super natural. It sounds strange, but trust me when I say it works so well and honestly holds up better than my traditional mascaras. Wriggle the wand through your curled lashes, and work quickly, since it dries fast to prevent flaking.
One Cosmo editor says: "Formulated with polymers that give a super long-lasting and lengthening effect, this tubing mascara is one of my all-time favorites for extra-long lashes that don't smear or run."—LB
| Benefits | Volumizes, lengthens, curls |
| Shades | 2 (black and brown) |
| Waterproof? | No |
Pros
- Makes my lashes look the longest of any other mascara I've tested
- Tubing formula is easy to remove
Cons
- Doesn't add volume in my experience
Why we love it: This mascara went viral years ago for how long it made people's lashes, and I somehow evaded the hype... until recently when I finally gave in. Truly, I get why it's called lash extensions in a tube. When I layer this on my lashes, it's like they double in length with every coat. Plus, it's also made with sensitive eyes in mind (AKA without synthetic fragrance)—Cosmo staffers who wear contact lenses swear by this stuff.
However, be aware this doesn't create a ton of volume. So if you prefer thick, voluminous, heavy-looking lashes, you prob won't like this. Instead, this makes my lashes practically touch my eyebrows, separating and defining each one.
One shopper says: "This is hands down the best mascara I have ever used. My lashes have never looked longer. It goes on cleanly and comes off easily. I’m telling all my friends about it."
| Benefits | Lengthens and defines |
| Shades | 6 (black, brown, navy, purple, green, pink) |
| Waterproof? | No |
Pros
- Waterproof formula doesn’t totally dry out your lashes in my experience
- Doesn't smudge or flake while swimming (I can attest)
Cons
- Testers said the formula takes longer than usual to set
Why we love it: Struggle with sparse lashes? This cult-favorite formula has an hourglass-shaped wand that separates and curls each lash, giving even the sparsest of lashes extra volume and length. The result? An intense finish for a doe-eyed look. But the best part is that the waterproof formula is going to last you all day, yet is gentle and easy to remove—in other words, you won't be stuck scrubbing your lashes with soap in the PM.
One shopper says: "If you are like me—a contact lens-wearing, allergy-sufferer with runny eyes—then you know that most mascaras don't stay in place, but this one really does. It's totally waterproof!"
| Benefits | Volumizes, defines |
| Shades | 1 (black) |
| Waterproof? | Yes |
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
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