A Makeup Artist and 5 Beauty Editors Walk Into Sephora—the 17 Mascaras They Buy

Both editors and makeup artists swear by this formula from Lancôme. Not only is it a Who What Wear beauty team favorite (just take a look at the lush lashes of Beauty Director Erin Jahns!), but celebrity makeup artist Judi Gabbay also had nothing but praise for this one.

"Lancome Lash Idôle is another favorite of mine. Its lengthening formula glides over lashes for a clump-free, lifted look that gives a clean-girl aesthetic. With antioxidant-rich white tea, the formula is an easy choice for everyday use that helps nourish lashes as you wear." — Gabbay

This is another WWW beauty team favorite. When it first launched, our Slack channel popped off about how good the formula is. It's great for anyone with sensitive eyes, and I love that it not only lengthens and volumizes but also separates the lashes for more of a wispy look.

Senior beauty editor Jamie Schneider is especially a big fan. "I have super-sensitive eyes (they get red and bleary every single time I take off my eye makeup), but I haven't experienced the dreaded burn with this one," she says. "I also love the innovative Aquaflex technology that memorizes the specific wave pattern of your lashes to hold their shape (like a memory foam mattress for your lashes)."

I'm a huge fan of this mascara from YSL. IMHO, it's one of the best lengthening and volumizing options on the market that doesn't flake or transfer. I always use an eyelash primer underneath, and the results are flawless. I'm lazy and never use a lash curler because it's an extra step, but there's no need for one when you use this mascara! It always makes my lashes look super long without one, so it remains the most-used and -loved formula in my arsenal.

Jahns and I both love this formula from Caliray. My issue with most tubing formulas is that they don't offer as much in the length and volume department, but that's not the case with this one. It absolutely gives you that extra length without being clumpy or flakey. I've also worn this mascara for eight plus hours, and it didn't cause raccoon eyes or so much as smudge once.

In terms of luxury options, Who What Wear associate beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock loves this pick from Gucci. It's really buildable, so you can truly customize your look. It's the best option for everyday wear or for days when you want to do a full beat.

Sephora Collection offers so many great makeup products at an affordable price point. This $12 mascara is great for anyone on a budget but doesn't skimp on results. It's a great black option that delivers length, curl, and volume with an hourglass-shaped brush.

"Here's a mascara you can layer on endlessly without any (and I mean any!) clumps," says Schneider. "The fluffy, hourglass-shaped wand allows you to get super close to the base of your lashes, so you can encourage incredible lift with each swipe." Not for nothing, the cherry-red packaging is also quite gorgeous.

It's hard to find a good brown mascara, but Charlotte Tilbury's is one of the best mascaras at Sephora by far. This particular shade of brown works great for lighter-toned lashes since black can be too harsh for some.

"Tarte's tubing mascara is a great option for those who tend to rub their eyes or have oily lids. The vegan formula creates little tubes around lashes that won't ink off or transfer during the day and lasts for up to 24 hours." — Gabbay

If you think a clean mascara can't deliver on drama, you will be absolutely floored by Ilia's impressive lengthening formula. The dual-sided wand effortlessly grabs every last lash, coating it from root to tip with zero clumps. Countless editors have raved about its lash-separating abilities, if that's something you tend to struggle with.

While the formula is certainly buildable, one layer of this inky black mascara will give you the prettiest natural-looking flutters. It's great for those looking for just a bit of oomph for a daytime look. The tapered wand also makes it fabulous for those hard-to-coat inner and outer lash corners.

Okay, the wand may look a little intimidating, but the length, separation, and curl you get are so worth it! "My lashes are naturally curled, but sometimes they look straight-up nonexistent without mascara. I got the most natural lift and tint from this gray little tube," writes editor Aniyah Morinia in a dedicated review. You simply must try it for yourself.

McLintock loves this Milk Makeup formula because it adds a lot of extra volume to the lashes without weighing them down. Hemp-derived cannabis seed oil in it also conditions the lashes and keeps them soft so there's no crunchiness. (Note, it's currently out of stock at Sephora but a little birdie told me it's coming back soon, so I'd keep an eye out for it. In the meantime, shop its waterproof version.)

"One of my all-time favorite mascaras is Lancôme's Hypnose. Its super-black formula and curved brush allow for a base-to-tip application without weighing lashes down. I find this mascara lasts all day with no flaking or smudging and gives a smooth layer of product without clumping. It's been in my personal and professional kit for over 14 years." — Gabbay

Who What Wear assistant beauty editor Maya Thomas loves this lengthening formula from Hourglass. It coats every lash from root to tip, adding some serious length that's second only to YSL's infamous Lash Clash.

Givenchy's mascara is another favorite of McLintock's because it's ultra black, majorly increases volume, and can provide up to 24 hours of wear.

It took a few uses for Roller Lash to really grow on me, but boy, did it. This formula offers the most curl, and there's virtually no transfer, especially when used with a good lash primer.