An Ophthalmologist and a Makeup Artist Just ID'd the 11 Best Mascaras for Ageing Lashes
Wondering which mascaras are best for mature lashes? We asked a makeup artist and an ophthalmologist what to look for in the best mascara for ageing lashes.
If you find it challenging to shop for the best mascaras as your lashes change with age, you're not alone. While it's a known fact that the strands of hair on your head grow increasingly dry, brittle, and sparse as they mature, it's easy to forget the same thing applies to the hair on the rest of your body, including your eyelashes. From year to year, a mascara you once depended on to keep your lashes looking long and luscious may need to be traded for a newer model to address new concerns.
Below, two experts on the subject—an ophthalmologist and a makeup artist—are sharing their tips for keeping mature lashes healthy and the best and worst ingredients to keep an eye out for. They even spilt the details on a few of their product favourites, too, so you can rest assured these are the best expert-approved mascaras for mature lashes.
How Do Lashes Change As We Age?
Before starting your hunt for a mascara that will look and feel amazing on aging lashes, it's helpful to know how to care for and protect them. As your lashes age, oestrogen levels dip, which reduces the hair-growth rate. This leads to everything from thinning and brittleness to loss of pigment and irregular density.
How Should We Care For Our Lashes As We Age?
Michele Probst, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Worth Beauty Company, tells us that you can keep your natural lashes thriving long after you've reached a particular age by taking time to remove product from your eyes and lashes nightly, using a lash serum, being careful while using metal lash curlers, and avoiding astringent glue with fake lashes.
What Mascaras Are Best For Mature Lashes?
When it comes to deciding which mascara will work the best for your mature lashes, pay special attention to the ingredients. "I like hydrating ingredients like argan oil—a fatty acid–rich plant oil [that's] rich in linoleic acid, which is extremely hydrating," says Diane Hilal-Campo, MD, board-certified ophthalmologist and founder of Twenty/Twenty Beauty. She also shares that vitamin E offers nourishing benefits for the lashes and defends against damaging free radicals, and the addition of panthenol (vitamin B5) in a formula can work overtime to condition the lashes from the inside out.
"I'd also recommend looking for hyaluronic acid or glycerin, both of which are humectants that can draw water into dehydrated lashes. That water will then be locked into the lash by the aforementioned nourishing ingredients," Hilal-Campo adds. When it comes to which ingredients would cause more harm, she tells us to steer clear of allergens like beeswax. Additionally, she warns against mascaras with strong preservatives and alcohols that can cause damage to the lashes and eyes. It's smart to avoid prostaglandin analogues since they're known to trigger unnaturally long lash growth.
Additionally, it's worth considering waterproof mascaras and tubing mascaras, which are less likely to smudge or flake onto your lids. And if you find black mascara too harsh, a brown mascara can be softer and more natural-looking. Keep scrolling to see the mascaras beauty editors and experts love for ageing lashe,s underlined by hundreds of glowing reviews from customers.
The Best Mascaras For Ageing Lashes
- Best Overall mascara for mature lashes: UKLash Lengthening Mascara (£12)
- Best Lengthening mascara for mature lashes: Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara (£32)
- Best Volumising mascara for mature lashes: Charlotte Tilbury Exaggereyes Volume Mascara (£28)
- Best Tubing mascara for mature lashes: Milk Makeup Kush High Roll Defining & Volumizing Tubing Mascara (£28)
- Best Waterproof mascara for mature lashes: Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara (£26)
- Best Curling mascara for mature lashes: Trish McEvoy Lash Curling Mascara (£25)
1. UKLash Lengthening Mascara
This mascara is formulated with carnauba and candelilla waxes (which help to curl and hold lashes throughout the day), while glycerin helps to nourish the lashes. The comb-like wand helps to lengthen and separate lashes for a fanned-out effect. This is a great tubing mascara, which not only remains smudge- and flake-proof throughout the day, but easily removes with just warm water.
Pros
- Lengthens and defines
- Tubing formula doesn't smudge and removes easily
- Carnauba and candelilla waxes offer curl and hold
- Glycerin helps to hydrate and moisturise the lashes.
- Cruelty-free and vegan formula
Cons
- Not the most volumising
2. Hourlgass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara
If you want a mascara that gives a lengthening effect while holding a curl all day long—and be easy to take off—then you need to try this mascara. It's more expensive than your typical drugstore mascara, but, it delivers incredible fanned-out lashes as the comb brush captures even the smallest eyelashes. Plus, this mascara doesn't smudge or flake throughout the day, and can easily be removed with warm water, making it great for sensitive eyes too.
Pros
- Buildable formula
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Ophthalmologist tested
Cons
- More expensive than other mascaras
3. Charlotte Tilbury Exaggereyes Volume Mascara
Want volume? The curved-bristled brush of Charlotte Tilbury's mascara coats lashes in a velvety black pigment, leaving even the finest lashes volumised with plenty of length and a long-lasting curl too.
Pros
- Volumises lashes
- Easy removal
- No smudging
- Contains jojoba and natural waxes to condition lashes
Cons
- Can become clumpy after too many layers
4. Lancôme Définicils High Definition Mascara
If definition is what you're after, look no further than Lancôme's iconic Définicils mascara. It features a slim bristled wand that captures every single lash to lengthen, define and separate for a fanned-out effect. All of Lancôme's mascaras are brilliant, especially if you have sensitive eyes as they are also ophthalmologist-tested, suitable for contact lens wearers and free from fragrance.
Pros
- Lengthens, separates and defines
- Ideal for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers
- Luxurious formula and packaging
Cons
- Not the most volumising
5. Milk Makeup Kush High Roll Defining & Volumizing Tubing Mascara
The Milk Makeup Kush High Roll Defining & Volumizing Tubing Mascara separates and defines every lash for added definition, volume, and length without smudging or flaking. With a wear time of up to 24 hours, it uses tubing technology combined with a blend of nourishing oils and volume-boosting waxes.
Pros
- Gives the lashes a high volume, fanned-out finish
- Tubing formula is smudge-proof and easy to remove
Cons
- Can look clumpy despite its creamy texture
6. Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara
For a waterproof mascara you can rely on, try the Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara. The 12-hour, non-smudging formula adds volume and length to short, brittle lashes while resisting clumping, sweat, and humidity. The brand recommends using this mascara by placing its brush at the roots of your lashes and wiggling it up to the lips, then repeating for build.
Pros
- Waterproof formula
- Allergy tested and 100% fragrance-free
- Volumising and lengthening
- Smudge-proof
Cons
- Harder to remove compared to non-waterproof mascaras
7. Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara
There's a lot we love about Ilia's Limitless Lash Mascara. It has a buildable, flake-free formula infused with keratin to fortify and reinforce the lashes from within, shea butter to condition the lashes. The comb brush lengths and defines for a natural-looking flutter that feels lightweight.
Pros
- Dual-sided wand for eye-opening length and definition
- Natural-looking result
- Conditioning ingredients leave lashes soft
Cons
- Can lightly flake and smudge
8. Maybelline Falsies Lash Lift Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara
Probst highlights this Maybelline mascara for its drugstore price point and falsie-like finish. This mascara is infused with fibres that deliver dramatic volume, length, and lift with a clump-free, ophthalmologist-tested formula. It also has a double-curved separator brush to grab lashes at the root for the false-eyelash effect.
Pros
- Does not clump, smear, or flake; all-day wear
- Affordable
Cons
- Not for you if you want a natural look from your mascara
9. YSL Beauty Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara
For a department-store option that works well for aging lashes, Probst favours the best-selling Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara by YSL Beauty. This one makes her list because it offers 200% more lash volume, a double-brush wand to lengthen the lashes, and intense colour and extreme volume for 24 hours without smudging.
Pros
- Volumising
- Vegan formula
- Smudge-proof
Cons
- Luxury price point
- May be too clumpy for those who prefer a natural look
- Large brush can be tricky for smaller eyes
10. Trish McEvoy Lash Curling Mascara
When it comes to curling, no mascara does it better than this one. In fact, its one of the best selling mascaras at Liberty. The nimble wand is easy to get into the base of the lashes to lift and curl from the root up. What's even better is that this tubing formula is both smudge- and flake-proof and removes easily with just warm water.
Pros
- Lifts and curls lashes with lasting hold
- Tubing formula doesn't smudge and is easy to remove
Cons
- Harder to get hold on instore
11. Sisley-Paris Phyto-Noir Mascara
With a uniquely curved wand to effortlessly hug and coat the lashes, Sisley's mascara is an excellent option for those who want both length and volume. Alongside its clever wand, this formula is also infused with essential oils to hydrate, ensuring mature lashes look and feel their best with each swipe.
Pros
- Hydrating formula
- Luxe feeling tube
Cons
- More expensive than other mascaras on this list
Why Trust Us: Beauty
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

Maya Thomas is an Associate Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. Her strong love for all things beauty and fashion stems from a strong childhood interest in the fine arts. During a gap year spent in Paris studying the history of French fashion, she shifted her focus to English literature and journalism as a student at Loyola Marymount University. After graduating in May 2021, Maya began freelancing for Parade.com as a contributing commerce writer. When she's not writing, Maya spends her free time catching up on reading, perusing art galleries, and enjoying a night out at the ballet every now and then.
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