As Someone Who's Had Lashes Extensions, These 10 Mascaras Are *Almost* as Good

I've always really liked my long lashes (they actually happen to be my favorite feature), so I'm not entirely sure why I opted to get lash extensions a few years back when I first moved to L.A. I had an arsenal of tried-and-true mascaras I was more than satisfied with. But the perpetually curious beauty investigator in me just had to try the buzzy treatment for myself.

Long story short: I hated them. Sure, my lash extensions looked fantastic, and they saved me time and effort each morning, but I found that they irritated my eyes. I also had trouble removing the other makeup I liked to wear (like concealer) and was—perhaps irrationally—extremely paranoid I'd contract a horror story–level infection that would cause all of my lashes to fall out forever. I guess I had watched one too many extension-gone-wrong videos on YouTube.

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(Image credit: @erin_jahns wearing Lancôme Hypnôse 8 Mascara)

So, after only two weeks in, I promptly got my extensions removed and have never looked back. In lieu, I've swapped in lots of great mascara formulas—many of which are infused with volume- and length-boosting fibers. As the years have worn on, I've noticed a pattern where I receive an influx of lash compliments whenever I'm wearing fiber-infused mascara, and I've even had strangers at the gym ask if I had extensions.

Being the mascara fanatic I am, I'm sharing all of my favorite fiber formulas—from drugstore to prestige. Keep scrolling for the 12 best fiber mascaras that'll convince you to forgo the extensions.

Best Overall: Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara

More of the Best Fiber Mascaras

Glossier Lash Slick

Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara

Lancôme Hypnôse 8 Serum-Infused Volumizing Mascara

Lorac Pro Plus Fiber Mascara

Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara

Milk Makeup Kush High Volumizing Mascara

MAC Cosmetics Magic Extension 5mm Fiber Mascara

BareMinerals Maximist Phyto-Fiber Volumizing Mascara

CoverGirl Super Sizer Big Curl Mascara

5 More Ways to Maximize Your Results

Swipe on a Lash-Enhancing Serum

Add Some Hydration

Use a Lash Curler

Prep With a Primer

Add a Curl-Locking Mascara as a Topcoat

Up next, 77 Tubes Later, We're Declaring These 10 Mascaras "The Best We've Ever Used

Beauty Director

Erin has been writing a mix of beauty and wellness content for Who What Wear for over four years. Prior to that, she spent two and half years writing for Byrdie. She now calls Santa Monica home but grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and studied writing, rhetoric, and communication at University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. She studied abroad in Galway, Ireland, and spent a summer in L.A. interning with the Byrdie and Who What Wear family. After graduating from UW, she spent one year in San Francisco, where she worked as a writer for Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen before moving down to L.A. to begin her career as a beauty editor. She considers her day-to-day beauty aesthetic very low-maintenance and relies on staples like clear brow serum (from Kimiko!), Lawless's Lip Plumping Mask in Cherry Vanilla, and an eyelash curler. For special occasions or days when she's taking more meetings or has an event, she'll wear anything and everything from Charlotte Tilbury (the foundations are game-changing), some shimmer on her lids (Stila and Róen do it best), and a few coats of the best mascara-type product on earth, Surratt's Noir Lash Tint.