I Have Naturally Short Lashes, But No One Knows Thanks to These 12 Mascaras
I'm tragically on the shallow end of the gene pool when it comes to long, voluptuous lashes. I've always dreamed of lashes long enough to skim my eyebrows, but my natural eyelashes are pretty much as short and stubby as they come. To compensate, I've been religiously using mascara since I can remember. For me, mascara is one of the products I refuse to leave the house without—I feel incomplete without it.
To amp up my short lashes, I always opt for lengthening mascaras (bonus points if they also pack on the volume). When looking for mascaras to make your lashes look longer, pick a formula that calls out lengthening specifically (though my favorite formula calls out volume). Each formula is different, but tubing mascaras that build on each coat and wands with thin bristles that grab on and coat each individual lash can be helpful for adding the most length possible. Keep reading for the best lengthening mascaras out there, coming from someone who has tried just about every mascara on the market.
Best overall: Yves Saint Laurent Lash Clash Mascara
Yes, this formula technically touts volumizing benefits, but hear me out. The superfine conical bristles can get a grip on every lash, while the creamy formula is buildable (never clumpy). The result is fanned-out volume and tons of added length for all-around longer and thicker-looking lashes.
Pros: Lengthening, volumizing, and adds definition
Cons: Can be difficult to remove
Customer review: "I love this mascara. It makes my eyelashes look long, but not like spiders. Also very nice application—not clumpy at all."
Wearing YSL Lash Clash.
Best drugstore: Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
This mascara adds tons of length to my lashes. If it's volume you're after, this is not the mascara for you. I'm really picky about mascara because I feel like 75% of the formulas I try smear under my eyes by the end of the day, but this one never does, and it holds a curl until you take it off.
Pros: Lengthening and adds definition
Cons: Doesn't add much volume
Customer review: "I have straight, thick, and long lashes, which have proven to be an absolute pain to apply mascara to over the years. I can curl my lashes with this product using no lash curler, and they stay up! This formula is not clumpy, and the brush has lots of tiny bristles which really help coat each lash."
Best volumizing: Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara
This beloved mascara is a crowd-pleaser for a reason. The hourglass brush shape not only lengthens lashes but also adds volume and curl while coating every lash.
Pros: Lengthening, volumizing, and curling
Cons: Not as buildable as other formulas
Customer review: "I am not a big fan of mascara, but I fell in love with this one. It doesn't take a lot, but it has a big payoff. It makes me look like I have on fake lashes when I don't."
Best for definition: Ami Colé Lash-Amplifying Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara
When I tried this mascara, I instantly fell in love with the formula. It makes my lashes look incredibly long by creating length, lift, and volume. Plus, it doesn't smudge under my eyes, and it's easy to take off at the end of the day.
Pros: Lengthening, volumizing, and lifting
Cons: Can smudge a bit while applying
Customer review: "Really nice mascara! I have full lashes that are average length and pretty straight. I look for volume and length in my mascaras and don't like a clumpy lash. I also need something that won't smudge when I'm wearing emollient concealer. This mascara fits the bill for all of those things. No flakes, either. I love that it's not outrageously priced compared to other mascaras too."
Wearing Ami Colé Lash-Amplifying Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara.
Best curling: Tower 28 MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara
The unique thing about this mascara is that it uses hairstyling technology called Aquaflex, which helps your lashes hold a curl using memory foam technology. The unique wand helps lengthen and define.
Pros: Lengthening, volumizing, curling, and helps lashes stay in place
Cons: May dry up quickly
Customer review: "I have tried to get into clean mascaras, but, unfortunately, I could never find a formula that worked for me. They were always too wet or chunky or couldn't hold a curl. When I saw that Tower 28 came out with a mascara, I decided to try it since I love all their other products. I finally found a clean mascara that actually works. It is lightweight, not clumpy at all, and gave my eyelashes a curl on their own!"
Best natural-looking: Glossier Lash Slick
Glossier's Lash Slick gives you the look of natural-looking lash extensions. It's flexible, buildable, and never smudges or flakes.
Pros: Lengthening, volumizing, and curling
Cons: Not as buildable as other formulas
Customer review: "I am not a big fan of mascara, but I fell in love with this one. It doesn't take a lot, but it has a big payoff. It makes me look like I have on fake lashes when I don't."
Wearing Glossier Lash Slick.
Best thickening: Ilia Limitless Lash Lengthening Clean Mascara
A double-sided brush helps grip every single lash. Not only does this mascara add tons of length, but it's also conditioning thanks to ingredients like organic shea butter and beeswax.
Pros: Lengthening, lifting, and adds definition
Cons: May smudge easier than some formulas
Customer review: "This does a great job at giving lots of length and volume. The brush has two sides, so it was easy to spread my lashes out, and they are lifted. The color is really black, and this mascara definitely makes my eyes look awake! "
Best tubing: Caliray Come Hell or High Water Volumizing Tubing Mascara
For falsie-level lashes, this is the mascara for you. It's a tubing formula, so it adds tons of length, and the bristle brushes grab each lash to evenly coat, add volume, and define.
Pros: Lengthening, adds definition, and long-lasting
Cons: Curling before is essential
Customer review: "I didn't know I needed a tubing mascara in my life until this came around. I love that it doesn't smudge, and it makes my lash look long and voluminous. A++."
Best buildable: L'Oréal Telescopic Lift Washable Mascara
When I wear this mascara, my eyelashes quite literally look three times longer. I often find that when formulas give tons of length, they're also more likely to clump or make it look like I have a few super lashes, but this one kept tons of definition and was easy to build. I'm always an advocate for drugstore mascara (it's just as good, if not better, than high-end formulas), and this one proves there's nothing a drugstore mascara can't do.
Pros: Lengthening, volumizing, and curling
Cons: May smudge more easily than some other formulas
Customer review: "The formula doesn't weigh my lashes down at all and keeps them curled, which is a miracle for my lashes. This is such a beautiful lengthening mascara. I noticed a significant difference just by applying a single coat. The more coats, the more dramatic the look, and you can easily layer more without it getting clumpy."
Wearing L'Oréal Telescopic Lift Washable Mascara.
Best lifting: Benefit They're Real! Lengthening Mascara
This beloved mascara is a crowd-pleaser for a reason. The hourglass brush shape not only lengthens lashes but also adds volume and curl while coating every lash.
Pros: Lengthening, volumizing, and curling
Cons: Not as buildable as other formulas
Customer review: "I love this mascara. It makes my eyelashes look full and longer. I love the wand as well, as it helps separate the lashes."
Best for a bold look: Bakeup Tarantulash
Tarantulash is a wildly bold mascara. It gives you spidery, ultra-long, and super-voluminous lashes. It has a unique eggplant-shaped brush that helps customize your lashes however you want them, and the spiky bristles help fan out your lashes for tons of volume.
Pros: Lengthening, volumizing, and curling
Cons: Some might not like how spiky this can make your lashes
Customer review: "My new favorite mascara! It gives your lashes the volume, color, and length of your dreams! Tarantulash is a dark black, wet, buildable & lengthening mascara. You can wear it in so many styles and can use a thin brush to wear it as an eyeliner! It also lasts all day and doesn't smudge. I even swam 13 feet underwater with it on, and it didn't run or look any different. I'm absolutely obsessed! I cannot go anywhere without it!"
Best wand: Surratt Noir Lash Tint
This mascara is unique thanks to its metal applicator. Spoiler alert: There are no bristles. This allows the applicator to get into every nook and cranny of your lashes for the most length possible.
Pros: Lengthening, volumizing, and adds definition
Cons: Not as buildable as other formulas
Customer review: "This lash tint works great. There's no clumping or smudging. My lashes are naturally long, and this lash tint makes them longer and gorgeous! I won't use other mascaras anymore."
Katie Berohn is the associate beauty editor at Who What Wear. Previously, she worked as the beauty assistant for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her master's degree at NYU's graduate program for magazine journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan; a digital editorial internship at New York magazine's The Cut; a social good fellowship at Mashable; and a freelance role at HelloGiggles. When she's not obsessing over the latest skincare launch or continuing her journey to smell every perfume on the planet, Katie can be found taking a hot yoga class, trying everything on the menu at New York's newest restaurant, or hanging out at a trendy wine bar with her friends.
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