The 16 Best Mascaras of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Even naturally long lashes can use a little oomph sometimes, and mascara brings the drama. When you see bold eye looks on celebrities like Mila Kunis or on shows like Euphoria, a lot of those looks can be credited to a really good mascara (both the product and application). 

“Formula is very important,” celebrity makeup artist Delina Medhin tells PEOPLE. “I need something that I can build up. I love my lashes and my clients’ lashes to have a lot of mascara.” Some of those clients include actresses Issa Rae, Jessica Williams, and Ilana Glazer, as well as comedian Phoebe Robinson.

We created an in-house makeup bar and tested 34 different mascaras in our lab to see which ones were the easiest to apply, created false lash-level length and volume, and held up throughout the day (i.e. didn’t clump, smudge, or fade). During our testing, a handful of mascaras blew us away with their look and performance.

Read on for the best mascaras of 2024 that PEOPLE tested.

Best Overall

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

Sephora

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Wear

  5/5

• Performance

  4/5

Pros

• We are a fan of the hourglass brush — it separated our eyelashes without clumping
  

• This non-clumping formula doesn't smudge

• We found it was easy to apply and remove
  

• Effectively volumizes, lengthens, and curls

Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara is one of the most popular mascaras in the U.S. for a reason. “One of my absolute faves — it gives your lashes volume and length,” says Medhin. Our team agreed, granting it a perfect score and praising the mascara for its ease of application, performance, and appearance.

We love the hourglass brush, because it separated our eyelashes and combed through them without clumping. It has a great grip and application. We also noticed it didn’t smudge or flake while wearing it, and still created a natural look. It emphasizes our natural lashes without being too dramatic. It made our lashes thicker and multidimensional.

PEOPLE also caught up with Too Faced executive director of global beauty Elyse Reneau during New York Fashion Week and saw the mascara in action. Backstage at the Alice + Olivia showcase, Reneau told PEOPLE the mascara is “amazing because it gives you volume, length, and curl, which is why we didn’t have to use any lashes today. All the models just have their natural lashes, but you’re still going to get that incredible effect.”

When mascara can replace falsies in a high fashion experience, you know it’s worth trying. Plus, you won’t have to spend too much time removing it at the end of the night. It’s so easy to remove, despite it being a waterproof mascara. We wiped it away with one micellar water-soaked cotton pad in seconds. If you’ve read this far without adding to cart, now’s the time. You can thank us later.

Size: 0.27 oz. / 8 mL | Mascara Type: Curling & Lengthening | Key Ingredients: Acacia Senegal tree extract, peptides, film-forming polymer | Wand Type: Hourglass

Best Budget

CoverGirl Exhibitionist Uncensored Mascara

Ulta

Our Ratings

• Wear

  5/5

• Overall Look

  5/5

• Ease of Removal

  5/5

• Performance

  5/5

Pros

• We didn't experienced any flaking or smudging during the wear period

• Long-lasting formula that volumizes and lengthens

• At $10, it's an incredible value compared to other mascaras we tested
  

We have a flushed list of incredible mascaras here, but not all of them are necessarily budget-friendly. So we appreciate Covergirl for providing an affordable and effective mascara like the Exhibitionist Uncensored Mascara. This mascara is very easy to use and the shape of the brush makes it simple to apply to the upper and lower lashes.

This mascara also received a perfect score in every test — use, wear, look, and performance. It didn’t smudge, flake, or transfer onto our skin, and it didn’t get that crunchy feel even after wearing it for hours. We loved the dark black color which created a definition among our lashes. It gave them a lift, curl, and plenty of volume, and felt comfortable to wear. Plus, it came off with a makeup wipe without smearing or stinging. That’s a huge win, especially if you wear contact lenses. 

Size: 0.30 oz. | Mascara Type: Curling & Lengthening | Key Ingredients: Coconut and jojoba oils | Wand Type: Thick

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  People / Jessica Juliao

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  People / Jessica Juliao

Best Clump-Proof

Benefit Cosmetics Lengthening Mascara

Nordstrom

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Wear

  5/5

• Overall Look

  5/5

• Ease of Removal

  4/5

• Performance

  5/5

Pros

• This long-lasting and clump-free formula had no smudging or transfer even after several hours of wear
  

• The length and volume this mascara provides mimics falsies

• Tip of the brush is helpful in grabbing the corner lashes, making the application easier

As the name suggests, this mascara might have people questioning if your lashes are real because they will have the volume of a good falsie. This smooth formula and wand prevents clumps so your lashes stay separated and neat. The tip of the brush was helpful in grabbing the corner lashes as well as the lower lashes during our testing. 

The performance was stellar with no smudging or transfer after several hours of wear. Our team appreciated how the mascara looked as well, since it opened our eyes by making them look larger and lifted our lashes. It did take a few micellar water-soaked cotton rounds to remove it, but for the length and curl this mascara provides, we believe it’s worth the few extra seconds.

Size: 0.3 oz. | Mascara Type: Lengthening | Key Ingredients: Beeswax | Wand Type: Thick

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  People / Jessica Juliao

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  People / Jessica Juliao

Best Shade Range

CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara

Ulta

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Wear

  5/5

• Overall Look

  5/5

• Ease of Removal

  5/5

• Performance

  5/5

Pros

• Volumized even our bottom lashes in addition to our top

• Dried quickly and lasted throughout the day

• Didn't clump, smudge, or flake during our wear period

• At $12, this drugstore brand comes at a relatively affordable price

This is an ideal drugstore mascara because it offers maximum volume at a minimum price. With seven shades of black, brown, and blends of both, Lash Blast from Covergirl suits a range of eye colors and hair colors. Though some of our team weren't fans of the wand shape, we had no issue applying this mascara. It grabbed all of our lashes very easily and coated them evenly. It worked well on our upper and lower lashes and was easily applied since the bristles are short and evenly spaced.

For a drugstore mascara, it passed all of our tests beautifully. It did not smudge or flake or transfer onto our upper lids or fingertips when we touched our lashes. And it definitely brought the volume. We noticed that our lower lashes looked especially full. Without clumping, Lash Blast dried quickly and remained intact throughout the day. And it came off easily with makeup remover. We didn’t love the scent which was strong, but appreciated that our lashes remained soft even when wearing the product.

Size: 0.44 oz | Mascara Type: Volumizing, waterproof | Key Ingredients: Carnauba wax | Wand Type: Thick

People / Jessica Juliao

Best Lengthening

Uoma Beauty Drama Bomb Mascara

Ulta

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Wear

  5/5

• Overall Look

  5/5

• Ease of Removal

  4/5

• Performance

  5/5

Pros

• It lengthens, volumizes, and curls — but also conditions your lashes thanks to the blend of oils and synthetic beeswax

• Easy-to-grip wand made the application process a breeze

• The water-resistant formula is easy to remove with makeup remover

Drama bomb, indeed — this mascara deserves an Oscar for outstanding dramatic performance. The blend of oils and synthetic wax work together to lengthen and condition your lashes for a fuller look. This mascara extended our lashes without smudging or clumping, and had us receiving high compliments throughout the day.

Application was just as fluid as the performance: An easy-to-grip wand seamlessly spread the product across each lash. The wand is long so it’s easy to get a lot of lashes at once as well as the corners of the eye. The removal process was straightforward as well, because it only took a couple of swipes of makeup remover to take the mascara off, and it didn’t cause any irritation.

Price at time of publish: $20

Size: 0.37 oz. | Mascara Type: Volumizing | Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, synthetic beeswax and rice wax | Wand Type: Hourglass

People / Jessica Juliao

Best Curling

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara

Charlotte Tilbury

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Wear

  5/5

• Overall Look

  5/5

• Ease of Removal

  5/5

• Performance

  4/5

Pros

• Brush and wand offer precise application, even on the smaller lashes on the inner corners of our eyes

• Non-clumping formula is easy to remove

• Creates darker and longer lashes for a "wispy" effect

With an angular brush and smooth formula, Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lashes mascara creates long, curled, dramatic lashes. It’s not clumpy or messy at all, so it was easy to not get product on our eyelids or below our eyes. We noticed it had precise application even on the inner corners of our eyes where smaller lashes live. 

The look of the mascara was most impressive. Our lashes looked darker and longer — almost wispy. After using this mascara, our lashes curve up beautifully. This is the longest one of our teammate's innermost lashes have ever looked. We noticed some inconsistency between how the mascara lengthened some lashes versus others, but this could just be the shape of some of our eyes or lashes rather than the product. That said, we appreciated its longevity and ease of removal when the time came. 

Size: 0.33 oz. / 10 mL | Mascara Type: Curling | Key Ingredients: Carnauba wax | Wand Type: Narrow, angled

Best Volume

IT Cosmetics Volumizing Mascara

Sephora

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Wear

  5/5

• Overall Look

  4.5/5

• Ease of Removal

  5/5

• Performance

  4.5/5

Pros

• Adds tons of volume in just a few swipes thanks to its rich formula

• No smudging occurred on either top or bottom lash lines

• Formula includes biotin, which promotes eyelash health and growth

If your lashes are a little sparse, this volumizing mascara from IT Cosmetics will restore some fullness back to your lash line. The rich formula impressed our team right away. We loved this mascara because it was super nice right out of the tube — not too wet or goopy. It applied easily and gave tons of volume and length in just a few swipes.

This mascara didn’t smudge (on top or bottom lashes!), but did clump slightly. We think that could be fixed with a slightly different application method. We also thought the barrel brush design was cute and spoke to the volumizing abilities, but felt a little bulky when holding it. That being said, the mascara’s performance exceeded expectations, and it was easy to remove after the test. We expect our mascara to make someone do a double take and wonder if our lashes are fake, and that this mascara delivers on that goal.

Size: 0.24 oz. / 7mL | Mascara Type: Volumizing | Key Ingredients: Biotin | Wand Type: Thick

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  People / Jessica Juliao

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  People / Jessica Juliao

Best for a Natural Look

Glossier Lift and Lengthening Mascara

Glossier

Pros

• Lengthens your lashes without creating a spidery look

• Was easy to apply, thanks to an applicator that fit our eyelashes well

• Since it's a yubing mascara, it can be removed with warm water

• Formula includes vegan biotin

This mascara is ideal if you want just a little extra length on your natural lashes. It won’t have that spidery effect of some mascaras, but it will look like you have naturally long eyelashes. We found it easy to apply and the applicator fit our eyelashes very well. We also appreciated that the formula didn’t smudge or flake at all.

As a tubing mascara, this formula wraps around each individual lash rather than painting it so it’s not going to bring the volume that some mascaras have. It emphasized our natural lashes without being too dramatic, though some of our team prefers a more volumizing product. We think this mascara works well if you’re someone who already has naturally dark and long lashes. Our team did wish it was a darker black, but liked that you can simply remove it with warm water instead of going at it with a makeup wipe. It works really well for someone seeking a natural look.

Size: 8.5 g / 0.29 oz | Mascara Type: Tubing | Key Ingredients: Japanese fiber, vegan biotin, polymers | Wand Type: Narrow

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  People / Jessica Juliao

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  People / Jessica Juliao

Best False Lash Rival

Milk Makeup High Volume Mascara

Sephora

Pros

• Wand is super easy to control when applying

• Easy to apply with a simple removal

• Fully coated our lashes with just one or two swipes

If you reach for falsies when you want extra volume, consider grabbing this mascara instead. Between its simple application and dramatic results, the High Volumizing Mascara from Milk Makeup proved a contender among our list of best mascaras. The wand was easy to control during application, and the brush coated the lashes in just a few swipes.

We noticed a few clumps toward the ends of our lashes, and that the mascara took a bit longer to dry, but one coat completely transformed our lashes. One of our teammates has light straight lashes and this coated them completely, and almost looked like they had applied false lashes. It’s supposed to thicken lashes and create volume, length, and curl. It definitely did all of that.

Size: 0.13 oz. / 4 mL | Mascara Type: Volumizing | Key Ingredients: Hemp-derived cannabis seed oil, synthetic beeswax | Wand Type: Thick

People / Jessica Juliao

Best Smudge-Proof

Victoria Beckham Beauty Vast Lash Mascara

Pros

• This is truly a clump-free, natural-looking formula

• Only requires water to rinse off (a.k.a. no harsh scrubbing)

• The tube is hefty in a way that feels more luxurious than your average mascara packaging

A new launch from prestige beauty line, Victoria Beckham Beauty, this mascara is the perfect go-to for a low-maintenance beauty look. As opposed to thick, fluffy, glam lashes, this mascara delivers more of a soft lengthening effect (similar to Glossier Lash Slick). While PEOPLE shopping director, Lindsey Metrus, is typically a thick, full-volume lash type of person, she found the mascara to be the perfect lash-lengthener when you’re keeping your makeup look simple and running errands.

Plus, it’s totally smudge- and flake-proof, so if you’re an eye-rubber, tend to get watery eyes, or live in a humid climate, you can rest assured this formula will stay in place. Last but not least, Metrus appreciates the “heft” that this tube boasts — like most of Beckham’s chic packaging, it’s got a nice weight to it and looks beautiful on your bathroom vanity.

Size: 0.22 oz./ 6.64 mL | Mascara Type: Lengthening | Key Ingredients: Tahitian Sea micro algae, vitamin B5 | Wand Type: Curved

Best with Keratin

ILIA Beauty Limitless Lash Mascara

Dermstore

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Wear

  4/5

• Overall Look

  5/5

• Ease of Removal

  5/5

• Performance

  5/5

Pros

• Lengthens, volumizes, and curls with a rich pigment that brings the drama

• Easy to use, apply, and grip, and we had no issues in removing it

• Ingredients like shea butter and beeswax condition your lashes, while keratin helps strengthen

Ilia is one of the most popular “clean” beauty brands, and that label simply means that the products are made without common harmful ingredients. This formula uses a lot of naturally occurring ingredients like shea butter and beeswax to condition your lashes, and keratin to strengthen the hair follicle. The mascara was easy to use, apply, and grip.

We loved how it darkened and lengthened our lashes without flaking. It did clump slightly at first, but the dual-sided wand helped separate the lashes to reduce that clumpy-ness. The short side provides curl and volume, and the longer bristles lift, lengthen, and separate the lashes. We had no issues removing it, and appreciated the dark pigment, and how it coated our lashes — adding volume and boldness to our gazes.

Size: 0.27 oz / 8 g | Mascara Type: Lengthening | Key Ingredients: Keratin, shea butter, beeswax | Wand Type: Straight, dual-sided

People / Jessica Juliao

Best for Bottom Lashes

Honest Beauty Mascara + Lash Primer

Ulta

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use

  4.5/5

• Wear

  5/5

• Overall Look

  5/5

• Ease of Removal

  5/5

• Performance

  5/5

Pros

• Lengthens and volumizes without flaking or smudging

• Features a double-sided brush and a lash primer

• The formula doesn't clump and is simple to remove

• Narrow brush is ideal for applying mascara on bottom lashes

Celebrity brands don’t always live up to snuff, but Honest Beauty by Jessica Alba has produced a mascara that’s worth discussing. As a two-in-one lash primer and mascara, this product uses jojoba esters to hydrate the lashes for a smooth application. The primer goes on smoothly and left no residue on our lashes, since the mascara wand is thin and allowed us to comb through our lashes — an ideal wand for bottom lashes, especially.

The mascara dried quickly, didn’t flake or smudge, and thoroughly lengthened and volumized our lashes. There was no clumping, and it didn’t look too dramatic compared to our natural lashes. Our only frustration was the short primer applicator.

We do wish the primer grip was longer so we could maneuver it better. That aside, we really like this mascara and can see ourselves incorporating it into our makeup routine. The primer component helps with overall application and sets the formula of the mascara.

Size: 0.2 oz. / 6 mL | Mascara Type: Lengthening | Key Ingredients: Jojoba esters | Wand Type: Narrow

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  People / Jessica Juliao

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  People / Jessica Juliao

Best Tubing

Tarte Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara

Sephora

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Wear

  5/5

• Overall Look

  5/5

• Ease of Removal

  5/5

• Performance

  5/5

Pros

• Wand makes it easy to grab and coat each lash with the formula

• Because it's a tubing mascara, it can be removed with just warm water

• We were surprised at how quickly this mascara dries without flaking, smudging, or clumping

Tubing mascara is essentially a formula that contains polymers that enhance the length of your lashes by wrapping around them rather than coating them. The slender applicator helps with the length effect by creating definition between lashes rather than a fuller clumpy look. Our team thought the wand made it easy to grab and coat each lash. The fine plastic bristles then acted as a comb to distribute the formula evenly throughout our lashes.

We were impressed by how quickly the mascara dried without flaking, smudging, or clumping — it felt like there was nothing on our lashes. Though we loved the lengthening effect, we wished it created more volume. It could have been a bit better with volumizing and curling but the color was nice and dark. We think this is a great everyday mascara that can be thrown on quickly without worrying about clumping.

Size: 0.27 oz. / 8 mL | Mascara Type: Tubing | Key Ingredients: Shea butter, castor oil, carnauba wax | Wand Type: Narrow

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  People / Jessica Juliao

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  People / Jessica Juliao

Best Long-Wear

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Perfect Strokes Mascara

Sephora

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use

  4/5

• Wear

  4/5

• Overall Look

  4/5

• Ease of Removal

  5/5

• Performance

  5/5

Pros

• It's a thick formula (with a thick wand), so you don't need a lot to get the volumizing effect

• Castor oil hydrates your lashes like a primer

• It came off easily with micellar water

Cons

• We noticed slight clumping and smudging, but only when we applied three coats (in other words, less is more here)

From Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty comes this enduring mascara, a volumizing wonder that lasts throughout the day. Less is more here, considering the thick formula. We applied three coats and saw some clumping and smudges on our lower lashes which we attribute to the thick wand. But we loved the results.

The mascara was smooth and our lashes looked thicker, darker, and stayed curled. The castor oil in this formula also helps hydrate your lashes almost like a primer to keep the mascara looking fresh for longer throughout the day. When it was finally time to wipe off the product, we appreciated the short removal time: The mascara came off quickly with micellar water, and it didn’t make a mess around our eyes.

Size: 0.45 oz. / 13.5 mL | Mascara Type: Volumizing | Key Ingredients: Castor oil | Wand Type: Thick

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  People / Jessica Juliao

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  People / Jessica Juliao

Most Precise

Tarte Maneater Mascara

Ulta

Pros

• Narrow wand doesn't absorb too much product and offers precise application

• Formula offers dramatic length and definition — truly delivering on its "instant eye lift" claim

• Came off easily with makeup remover

Cons

• The formula clumped slightly when reapplying

• Not as natural looking as other mascaras on our list, if that's what you're looking for

For lengthened and defined lashes, look to Tarte’s Maneater Mascara. It’s easy to use and the brush is the perfect size. We appreciated the narrow wand because it didn’t absorb too much product. The wand size and narrow shape also allows for more precise application, especially on smaller lashes near the corners of the eye.

There was slight smudging and the mascara clumped a tiny bit upon reapplication, but this could be avoided with a slower, more thorough application technique. We loved the definition this mascara created. It definitely gave our lashes length and made them look fuller. It delivered on the claim of an instant eye lift. The lengthening is dramatic, and while we wished it looked more natural, we thought it looked great overall. Plus, it comes off easily with makeup remover, so you won’t have to spend too much time taking it off at the end of the day. 

Size: 0.3 oz. | Mascara Type: Lengthening | Key Ingredients: Jojoba, carnauba wax | Wand Type: Narrow

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  People / Jessica Juliao

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  People / Jessica Juliao

Best Investment

Pat McGrath Labs FetishEyes Mascara

Pat McGrath Labs

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Wear

  4/5

• Overall Look

  4/5

• Ease of Removal

  4/5

• Performance

  4/5

Pros

• The wand effectively creates volume while the applicator offers great grip
  

• Lengthens your lashes without looking spidery
  

• Strong black pigment defines your lash line
  

With big lashes comes big mascara, and FetishEyes from Pat McGrath is as thick as it is bold. We appreciated how easily it applied because the applicator has a great grip. This mascara goes on thick without needing to be built up, so you do have to be cautious when applying it. If you are not careful, it can easily smudge or clump. However, with careful application, it is probably the best mascara to compliment a bold beauty look.

This mascara scored well during our look and performance tests, as we noticed it made our lashes appear longer and thicker. Though the mascara did clump some, we were able to comb through our lashes and remove most of the excess without any mess. If you’re worried about too much product, just be sure to wipe the edges of the wand to remove excess and go in lightly to start. FetishEyes creates big lashes that last throughout the day, and isn’t too taxing to wipe away when you’re ready to take it off. 

Size: 0.27 oz. / 8 mL | Mascara Type: Lengthening | Key Ingredients: Synthetic beeswax, Acacia Senegal Gum | Wand Type: Thick

Things to Consider Before Buying Mascara

Formula

When choosing a mascara, note that the formula will affect the results — giving you more length, volume, curl, or all three. Thicker formulas definitely volumize, but can be subject to clumping and smudging if you’re not careful during application. Thinner formulas are better for precision and a more natural look, but might not bring the drama the same way. So if you’re a more experienced mascara user and want big, show-stopping lashes, go for a thick formula. Those who just want a little extra definition without hiding their natural lashes (as well as those trying out mascara for the first time) should consider a thinner formula (hint: the wand is usually more narrow).

Wand Type

Speaking of wands — and by wand we mean the applicator/brush — this aspect of mascara also affects the type of lashes you’ll see in the end. Thicker barrel brushes tend to create more volume and length, but also absorb a lot of product, and sometimes cause clumping and smudging if not careful. You’ll find these wands with mascaras like IT Cosmetics Lash Blowout Volumizing Mascara.

Alternatively, narrow wands may not bring the drama, but they do help with precision, length, and for bottom lashes especially. The third type of wand is an hourglass shape — like the wands found with Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. These can help with curling, length, and volume, but can also help you control the stroke a bit better to coat larger and smaller lashes without too much worry of smudging or clumping.

Shades

Another thing to take into consideration is the mascara’s shade. You might think all mascaras are black, but some come in several shades of black as well as other colors like brown, blue, pink, and even white. Your application technique will stay the same regardless of what color you choose, but with lighter shades you might have to layer with a few coats of mascara to see the pigment come through.

If you have lighter hair (like blonde, gray, or white), you might consider brown mascara for a more natural look, as it will still define your lashes but not as intensely as a jet black shade. That being said, “I love black mascara on everyone,” says Medhin.

Jessica Juliao

How We Tested

Providing our team with the ultimate makeover day, we tested 34 mascaras in-house to see which were easiest to use, performed and looked the best, lasted the longest, and could be removed without hassle. After weighing these considerations, our team selected the best 15 mascaras that aced our tests and created unforgettable lashes.

Our team began with freshly cleaned lashes and lids — sans makeup. Reading the package closely to see what promises were made, we applied each mascara to one eye, comparing it to our natural lashes on the other. Application involved a slight wiggle at the bottom of the lash and pulling the product up through the remaining part. A similar process was used for bottom lashes.

After jotting down immediate observations like clumping, smudging, and ease of application, our team let the mascara dry for about 10 minutes and then tested it by squeezing our eyes shut to see if it transferred. They also considered the look of each lash with the mascara compared to their natural state. Did they look longer? More full or curly? Then they took makeup remover and cotton rounds and determined how simple or time-consuming it was to remove the mascara.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is tubing mascara and how is it beneficial?

  Tubing mascara is a type of formula that uses polymers to create tiny tubes around each lash rather than painting them like a traditional mascara. These tubes dry instantly and are water-resistant, and they’re not subject to clumping, smudging, running, and other forms of transfer. “Tubing mascara is great for people who tend to get a lot of transfer because of long lashes, eye shape or general watery eyes,” says Medhin.

• Should you put mascara on bottom lashes?

  Adding mascara to bottom lashes certainly creates more definition. “I love that look,” says Medhin. “I think it really opens up the eye and makes it look bigger. It's also an easy way to define the eye.” It’s easier to use a narrow wand and thinner formula for bottom lashes, but you can use a thick volumizing mascara too, if you’re careful. Tilt your head down when applying the mascara and look up at your mirror to make sure you’re getting each lash. Wiggle the wand the same way you would apply upper lash mascara, moving side to side at the base and then pulling product through to the ends.

• Which is the best mascara for volume and length?

  “Go for a thicker formula,” says Medhin. While they can be more difficult to apply sometimes, thick mascaras bring the drama when you’re seeing next-level volume and length. When working with a thick formula like COVERGIRL Lash Blast Mascara or Pat McGrath Labs FetishEyes Mascara, make sure to remove any excess product first by wiping the wand sides off inside the tube, then you can maneuver the brush better without risk of clumping or smudges.

  These formulas are highly buildable, which adds to their suitability for volume and length. Start at the base of the lash and wiggle the brush side to side to get the coat started and then pull through up the ends. Repeat this a few times for maximum definition.

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Madison Yauger is a senior commerce writer at PEOPLE who’s tested hundreds of lifestyle products across all categories. With a background in news and lifestyle journalism, she has a wide network of expert sources and a penchant for accuracy. For this story, she spoke to celebrity makeup artist Delina Medhin, as well as Too Faced's executive director of global beauty Elyse Reneau, and consulted testing insights from our beauty lab in New York, looking at longevity, performance, and overall look. Using all of this data, she created our list of the best mascaras of 2024.

Meet Our Experts

• Elyse Reneau is Too Faced's executive director of global beauty.
• Delina Medhin is a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with actresses Issa Rae, Jessica Williams, and Ilana Glazer, as well as comedian Phoebe Robinson.

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

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