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17 lengthening mascaras for longer, fuller, fluttery lashes – tried and tested
Mascara is a staple in every makeup routine, so it's important to get it right
A lengthening mascara is one of the most transformative cosmetics you’ll find in your makeup bag. In just a few swipes, it will lift your lashes and awaken your eyes – and who doesn’t want that?
For many, a mascara is considered a ‘can't live without’ beauty product so, due to its popularity, there’s a continuous stream of new launches piling onto our shelves. With many to pick from, finding the right formula that will lengthen without clumping can seem like a never-ending task.
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Best lengthening mascara for lifting and lengthening
Rimmel Thrill Seeker Mega Lift Mascara
Read review - 2
L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Extensionist Lengthening and Curling Mascara
Read review - 3
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Luckily for you, I know my way around a good lash-lengthening tube and know of a few celeb MUAs who can spill the beans on their favourite formulas – from Dior to Diego Della Palma.
If you’re now itching to get your hands on a tube with some serious lifting power, behold the best lash-lengthening mascaras that MUAs swear by – and that I rate, too.
17 best lengthening mascaras...
Rimmel Thrill Seeker Mega Lift Mascara
Pros
- Tapered brush latches onto every lash
- It’s affordable
Cons
- The finish is subtle, so it requires multiple layers for added drama
Rimmel has proven itself to me as one of the best budget brands in the mascara department. I loved its OG Thrill Seeker Mascara for big, bold lashes – but I love this bb just as much for its ability to lift and lengthen, giving the same effect as a fluttery lash lift. One swipe is enough to evenly coat my lashes, gently lifting them from root to tip and adding noticeable definition.
I can happily go in with a second coat to dial up the drama, leaving my lashes looking fanned out, fluttery and seriously full – all without feeling clumpy or heavy.
Read my full review here.
L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Extensionist Lengthening and Curling Mascara
Pros
- It lengthens without clumping
- It doesn’t flake or smudge
- It’s affordable
Cons
- The lengthening results are more impressive than the volumising
I’ve seen so many beauty editors wax poetic about this mascara, so I just had to test it for myself. After getting my hands on it, I understood what all the fuss was about. L’Oreal has created some sensational mascaras, but I have to say, I think this is the best yet.
Made from 300 individual plastic bristles, the brush clings onto every (and I mean every) lash to separate and curl, even with just a few swipes. It lasts the day without flaking, doesn’t smudge and gives me enviously long lashes.
Read my full review here.
Pros
- It delivers both incredible volume and length
- It has a bold pigment, instantly waking up the eyes
Cons
- It's only available in one shade – black
When a mascara claims that it increases volume by 356%, it has my attention. After reviewing the Vieve Icon Mascara for myself, I can confirm that this formula delivers major va-va-voom to lashes, delivering a bold and pigmented result.
As for the length, it’s out-of-this-world too! Literally, I could feel my lashes skimming my brow bone – no lie. And you have to appreciate the luxurious gold packaging.
Read my full review here.
Pros
- It delivers crazy volume after just a few swipes
- It's available in both black and brown
- It makes eyelashes look dense and fuller
Cons
- Those with short lashes may find the wand too jumbo
- It's a little expensive
Looking at this wand, you’d expect it to be a great volumiser rather than a lengthener. Somehow, it masters both. The fluffy brush coats each strand in the jet-black formula which lifts, but adds some epic volume, too. It lasts all day without touching up, but it does have a (small) tendency to smudge under your eye. It’s a little bit dramatic, but who doesn’t love a drama queen from time to time?
Pros
- It's a great budget option for lengthening
- It's affordable
- It doesn't flake or smudge
Cons
- It's less impactful in terms of volume
It would be a bit offensive to not include one of the best lengthening mascaras you can find on the high street (I’m claiming it). Sky High is a true cult classic for creating brow-skimming lashes.
The power lies within its sturdy, silicone wand which separates and adds major length. You’ll also discover it has some serious staying power that not even a sad film or sweat sesh could budge. And if you love the whole Sky High family, try the primer as well for the perfect pairing.
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes
Pros
- The formula is very lengthening and provides a pretty, fanned out effect
- The result lasts – and it doesn't flake throughout the day
Cons
- It can take a few layers to see results
- It's a little expensive
Charlotte Tilbury did a thing when it comes to this mascara. You haven’t tried anything until you’ve coated your lashes in this formula. We love that the CT motto for this mascara is: “Beautiful before, my best lashes after.” We couldn’t agree more!
Not only does it offer a unique 24-hour vertical lift effect but it adds heaps of volume and noticeably lengths lashes.
Pros
- The formula is very light and doesn't clump
- It lengthens, giving a very natural and fanned-out result
Cons
- It doesn't deliver as much volume as others in this edit
It’s not every day that you come across a mascara that costs less than £20 and creates lashes that literally defy gravity. The Sculpted by Aimee LashLift does exactly as it sounds – gives you the illusion of long, fluttery lashes that look as though they’ve been given a lift.
Wiggle the plastic wand from root-to-tip, and after a few layers you’re left with brow-skimming lashes. The plastic wand also ensures that every single lash is coated, so you’re left with a very defined, yet still natural, result – without any clumps
Pros
- It is a brilliant wand for defining and separating lashes
- It provides incredible length
Cons
- While the shape of the wand is very innovative, some may find it difficult to fit around the eye
REFY’s Lash Sculpt undoubtedly gets me the most "Are those your real lashes?" comments. Wiggle the wand from root to tip, and the tiny bristles lift and separate to deliver brow-skimming lashes. The lift stays too, with a false-lash-like effect lasting all day.
And, yes, you get used to the wand. It’s cleverly designed to hug the natural curvature of your lashes to ensure no hair is untouched.
Check out our full review here.
Pros
- It creates very natural, fluffy lashes, making it great for no-makeup-makeup days
Cons
- Some may find the result too natural
My love letter to Glossier is a long one – and it starts with Lash Slick. If you want to create the illusion that you naturally have long, separated lashes, this is the one to go for. It doesn’t clump or smudge, but leaves an effect that looks like ‘baby lash extensions’ – as Emily Weiss likes to call it.
And if you really want to emphasise the look of your natural lashes, try the brown shade which is just *chef's kiss* 😘.
Diego Dalla Palma My Happy Toy Mascara
Pros
- The finish is very defined and natural – no clumps but lots of length
- It gives lashes both curl and lift
Cons
- Those after a dramatic effect may find this too natural
This mascara isn’t just a pretty face and a cool name (who else is obsessed with the bright-pink packaging?), but it's also one of Buster's all-time favourites.
The curvaceous wand grabs and separates your lashes to lift them to new lengths while coating them in a jet-black formula that adds drama and glamour. There’s no clumping, no smudging, just seriously good and sultry lashes.
Pros
- It defines and gives major length
- It's affordable
- The result is false-lash-like
Cons
- It can smudge throughout the day
OGs will know alllll about the Telescopic Lift Mascara. In case you need filling in, this product reached TikTok fame last year after Mikayla Nogueira posted a video showing her jaw-dropping results. However, soon after, sceptical viewers started to accuse Mikayla of wearing falsies.
After testing for myself, I can 100% confirm that it won't miraculously give you the look of false lashes. But, what it will do is elongate your lashes to create a lash-lift-like result. Wiggle from root to tip to encourage the delicate bristles to separate and define.
Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara
Pros
- It creates very long, pretty lashes with a fanned-out effect
- It doesn't clump nor does it smudge
Cons
- It's very expensive
Both Amanda and Buster recommend the Diorshow mascara – so once you get past the initial sting of the splurge, you can trust that it’s a good one.
Thanks to a fibre-infused formula and fluffy wand, the mascara swoops up your lashes into a beautiful curl and locks them in place. The overall result is a fluttery, wispy fan that looks oh-so natural – and you won’t be battling with clumps either. If you’re gonna invest in a designer piece, let it be this.
Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara
Pros
- It delivers both dramatic length and volume
- It doesn't smudge throughout the day
Cons
- It's very expensive
This mascara is one of my all-time favourites, so when Amanda said it was hers too, it kind of felt like I’d won at life (a bit of a geeky moment on my end TBH).
The push-up effect it gives is almost good enough to qualify as falsies, plus it delivers some epic volume and supreme length, too. It will take you from your office meetings to the dancefloor without smudging, but won’t have you scrubbing with micellar water to remove it at the end of the night.
Pros
- It creates very soft, natural-looking lashes
- The formula can be layered without turning clumpy
Cons
- Some may find the finish too natural
Merit Beauty is the definition of quiet luxury. Its Clean Lash mascara not only looks incredibly chic, but the formula elevates the length of my lashes while adding definition and a subtle tint.
The fluffy bristle brush clings onto each hair to create a fluttery effect, and while delicate in nature, the formula hangs on without flaking or smudging. This is a great way to add some elegance to your makeup bag, without the designer price tag to match.
Pros
- It lengthens and adds volume
- The pigment is very bold
- You see full results after just a few swipes
Cons
- It can be a little clumpy if you don't swipe off excess product
Benefit has truly mastered what it takes to make a great mascara formula, the brand’s catalogue features fanning effects, super-curling and powerful lifting and we’re obsessed with them all!
One of our faves has to be the BADGal Bang! Volumizing Mascara. It lengthens like you wouldn’t believe and feels so weightless. It’s so good that Benefit has even released some limited edition shades in Rebel Brown, Power Blue, and Wild Plum.
Pros
- It delivers on volume, length and drama!
- It delivers a rich, deep-black pigment
Cons
- Multiple coats can turn a little clumpy
This mascara is a true OG and never fails to give us exactly what we want - intense volume, longer lashes and a dramatic eye!
The formula features peptides which condition the lashes and you don’t have to worry about signs of smudging either. Too Faced, you continue to have our hearts!
However, the question on everyone’s lips… Is it better than sex? You’ll have to be the judge of that one! 😏
Pros
- It lifts and lengthens with just a few swipes
- It helps to separate and define
Cons
- Those after drama may find the finish too natural
It’s thanks to brands like Sweed who make us realise we don’t have to have trust issues when it comes to skinny mascara wands. Sweed’s Lash Lift Mascara leaves no lash unturned in its successful effort to lengthen and strengthen the lashes from root to tip.
This is a firm favourite in our makeup rotation and we won’t be changing that anytime soon. Go Sweed!
What should you look for in a lengthening mascara?
When you’re scouting out the options, a certain mascara will stand out depending on your budget or style – but there are a few finer details you should be aware of when finding the best one for you...
The formula
If you’re on a mission for longer lashes, Buster Knight – celeb MUA, with clients including Millie Bobby Brown – suggests looking for a mascara with a waxy formula. “Anything that’s too wet will print on the eyelids and won’t hold a curl," he says. So, find yourself a thicker formula (that’s non-clumpy) that will grip onto each lash and lift them up to their full potential.
The wand
The magic doesn’t just lie within the formula – the size and thickness of the wand also make a difference. “I like a thicker brush with a fluffy texture,” says celebrity makeup artist Amanda Grossman.
“This gives you more control over the look you want to create. You can achieve a natural effect by applying the product with a light hand or go in with a second coat to get an evening look," she adds.
Also, pay attention to the material of the wand. Silicone wands tend to have bristles which are further apart and will do a good job at separating the lashes (I also find they’re less likely to flick product onto your brow bone). However, I will also back the corner of some soft bristles which do a sublime job and lengthening and defining too.
How should you apply mascara?
“We all look for a mascara that will lengthen and thicken our lashes. In my opinion, the way you apply mascara has more of an impact and gives you the results you want over what brand of mascara you choose to buy,” says Amanda.
The best way to apply mascara depends on the look you want to achieve. “For thicker lashes, I tend to wiggle the mascara at the root of the lash, but for lengthening, I suggest combing the lash with a mascara from root to tip, above and below the lash lash line,” says Buster. “This coats the lash whilst ‘stretching’ the hairs," he adds.
Mascara tips you need to know about:
“The most important part of creating a thick, long lash is to always curl your lashes before applying mascara. I love Kevyn Aucoin lash curlers,” says Amanda.
“I really recommend lash serums, like Revitalash, as they prevent breakage and therefore create longer, stronger eyelashes,” says Buster.“It’s also worth creating a ‘tight line’ liner [along your upper lash line] to help make your lashes appear longer without looking overly made up,” he adds.
Clare Stephenson is the Senior Fashion and Beauty E-commerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar. She has been an e-commerce writer since 2022, creating matter-of-fact reviews and shopping pages filled with her favourite products for every budget and need – whether that’s a glow-giving foundation, a high-tech LED face mask or the perfect wear-with-everything blazer.
Alongside writing, Clare loves to be in front of the camera creating shopping content, putting viral products to the test to see which ones are truly worth the hype. Through her work, she has interviewed leading dermatologists, makeup artists and industry experts to bring readers trusted advice and product recommendations.
Clare has contributed to titles across the Hearst UK portfolio, including Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima. Prior to joining Hearst, she earned a BA in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on magazines and editorial. She later worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events including Fashion Week and interviewing notable brand founders.
Outside of work? You can find Clare strolling through London’s Columbia Road Market, pouring her fourth coffee of the day or heading to a Pilates class.
Follow Clare on Instagram @clarefrancesstephenson.
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