The 33 Best Mascaras Of 2026

I feel like I’ve tested every mascara on the planet. My lashes have been lengthened, volumized, curled, and tubed into another dimension over the past year. I’ve tried hundreds of formulas to figure out what actually works and what just ends up under my eyes by noon.

A great mascara can completely change your look, sometimes even more than complex eyeshadow rankings might suggest. It’s all about finding the formula that does what you need it to do. Are you after feathery length? Or do you want thick, dramatic volume? I’ve done the hard work for you.

Here are the mascaras that truly stood out. These are the ones I’d spend my own money on again and again.

 

 

Best Drugstore Mascaras

Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara

You just can’t beat this one for $12.99. The super flexible brush is the secret—it gets ahold of every single lash and stretches it out for insane length. It really gives you that false-lash look without any of the glue or frustration.

I love that it’s buildable. One coat is great for a natural, long-lash look, but two or three coats bring the drama. It stays put all day without smudging and doesn’t bother my sensitive eyes at all.

The Downside: If you want massive, thick volume, you’ll definitely need to apply multiple coats to get there.

 

 

L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara

This classic mascara costs just $11.99 and it’s iconic for a reason. It builds gorgeous volume without ever feeling crunchy or stiff. My lashes stay soft and fluttery all day long.

It’s perfect for adding a few coats for natural-looking drama, and it doesn’t get clumpy. It also holds a curl pretty well for a formula this affordable. I find it’s especially great for defining my lower lashes.

The Downside: The formula is a bit wet, so you have to give it an extra minute to dry down completely before you blink too hard.

 

 

e.l.f. Cosmetics Lash XTNDR Mascara

For just $8.00, this tubing mascara is incredible. It wraps each lash in its own little tube, giving you clump-free length and separation that looks just like lash extensions. It’s a super clean, defined look.

The best part is how easily it comes off. All you need is warm water and a little gentle pressure, and the tubes slide right off. No smudging, no flakes, and no raccoon eyes.

The Downside: It’s all about length here. If you’re looking for a ton of volume, this probably isn’t the mascara for you.

 

 

Best High-End Mascaras

Lancôme Lash Idôle Volumizing Mascara

This one runs for $30.00, and it’s my favorite for an everyday lifted look. The gel formula feels weightless, but it gives my lashes amazing fanned-out volume and separation that lasts all day.

I love the curved brush. It gets right into the root of the lashes and coats every single one evenly. It just makes my lashes look effortlessly long and defined.

The Downside: It dries down fast, so you don’t have a lot of playtime to wiggle the wand and reposition your lashes.

 

 

ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara

At $29.00, this is my top pick for a clean formula that actually performs. It lengthens, curls, and adds a bit of volume without ever flaking or making my sensitive eyes water.

The dual-sided brush is really cool—one side builds volume and the other combs through for definition. I also love that it washes away so easily with just warm water at the end of the day.

The Downside: The brush takes some practice to master. You have to get the hang of using both sides to get the best result.

 

 

Benefit Cosmetics BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara

When I want huge, dramatic volume, I always grab this $29.00 mascara. The wand is designed to grip every lash for instant impact. The lift and length are seriously impressive from the very first coat.

This stuff is supposed to last for 36 hours, and while I haven’t tested that, it definitely stays put all day without smudging. It defines and separates lashes beautifully, even on the bottom.

The Downside: One coat is nice, but for that full “BANG!” effect, you really need to layer on two or three coats.

 

 

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

This cult-favorite mascara is $28.00, and I totally get the hype. The hourglass-shaped wand is a perfect match for the curve of my lash line, so it lifts and coats everything evenly.

It gives me intensely black, voluminous, and long lashes in just a couple of swipes. It also holds a curl all day without feeling heavy or stiff.

The Downside: I’ve found that it can sometimes start to flake a tiny bit after a full day of wear.

 

 

Milk Makeup Kush High Volume Mascara

I was surprised by how much I loved this $28.00 mascara. The heart-shaped fibers build on your lashes for fluffy, clump-free volume, and the hemp oil in the formula keeps them feeling conditioned and soft.

It’s a fantastic vegan option that gives a really pretty, defined look. Once it sets, it doesn’t move, which is perfect for long days.

The Downside: It can smudge a little right after application, so I have to be careful for the first minute while it sets.

 

 

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara

For $29.00, this mascara gives me the most beautiful, fluttery, lifted lashes. It’s like it pushes them up from the root for a really wide-eyed, flirty effect that I’m obsessed with.

The brush has a flat side to apply the product and a bristled side to comb it through, which helps create separation and length. It makes my lashes look defined and long without feeling heavy.

The Downside: It’s very easy to overdo it. If you apply too much product, it can get clumpy quickly.

 

 

Clinique High Impact Volumizing Mascara

My eyes get irritated easily, but this $27.00 mascara has never caused a problem. It gives me bold, noticeable volume without any of the itching or redness I get from other formulas.

It’s just a super reliable, everyday mascara that works well. I get good definition, solid volume, and it holds a curl well enough for my daily routine.

The Downside: To get really dramatic length, I find I need to use a lash primer underneath it.