I’ve Tested 100+ Mascaras & These Lengthening Formulas Are the Closest to Lash Extensions
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Lengthening mascaras are the next best thing if you want long and strong lashes without extensions. As their name suggests, these mascaras are all about creating longer lashes and use specific formulations (including some ingredients that actually promote eyelash growth ) and applicator brushes to help achieve the look. But, as someone who prefers natural-looking makeup, I don’t like the idea of globbing on layer upon layer of mascara and instead am all about finding the best mascaras that will add length and volume in just a couple of swipes.
After years of trial and error, I have a few go-to lengthening mascaras that I keep on regular rotation in my makeup bag—including one tried and true formula I’ve sworn by for over a decade. See my top picks for the best lengthening mascaras, plus what makes a lengthening mascara superior ahead.
Best Lengthening Mascaras at a Glance
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Best Lengthening Mascara Overall: Lancôme Lash Idôle Flutter Extension Lengthening Mascara , $30
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Best Lengthening Mascara at Target: Benefit Cosmetics Fan Fest Mascara , $29
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Best Natural Lengthening Mascara: Saie Mascara 101 , $26
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Best Clump-Free Lengthening Mascara: Tower 28 MakeWaves Mascara , $20
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Best Lengthening Mascara for Everyday: ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara , $29
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Best Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara: Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara , $29
What to Look for in Mascara for a Lengthening Effect
When shopping for lengthening mascaras, Suzy Gerstein , a New York City-based makeup artist, says to look for “ones with fibers that will create the illusion of longer lashes or a slender brush that really finds and coats each individual lash.” She also notes that product description terms can also help you narrow down your mascara selection and find the ones that are truly lengthening. “There are so many formulas tailored to lash needs—terms like ‘sky-high’ and ‘flutter’ in the title tend to indicate lengthening rather than volumizing formulas.”
Celebrity makeup artist Jessi Butterfield also recommends paying close attention to the wand. “Select a wand with distinctive bristles and an easily maneuverable size for all that detail work,” she explains. Additionally, she says lash conditioning ingredients are a huge bonus for wearing long lash looks on repeat since these keep your lashes long and strong.
What Types of Mascaras to Avoid if You Want to Lengthen Lashes
If you want to lengthen your lashes, Gerstein says to stay away from waterproof formulas because those can actually lead to lash breakage. Butterfield also recommends avoiding dry formulas and chunky wands. “While both are perfect for creating instant and buildable volume, they are a long-lash kryptonite,” she explains.
How to Apply Lengthening Mascara
If you want to achieve a long-lash look, Butterfield says don’t be afraid to unleash your inner artist and have some fun with the application process. “Place [the] brush at the root of the lash and wiggle back and forth to ensure full coverage and ample definition,” she explains. From there, Butterfield recommends pulling the wand through the lasts to the ends and in the direction you want each lash to stay—and don’t forget those lower lashes. “Balance is important for a lash look,” she notes. “Lower mascara pulls everything together, so don’t skip it.”
The Best Lengthening Mascaras That Double As Eyelash Extension Alternatives
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Lancôme Lash Idôle Flutter Extension Lengthening Mascara
Best Lengthening Mascara Overall
Lancôme Lash Idôle Flutter Extension Lengthening Mascara
You might think that you need a big, thick spoolie brush applicator to achieve long and luscious lashes, but the Lancôme Lash Idôle Flutter Extension Lengthening Mascara is here to debunk that myth. When I first swiped this mascara onto my lashes, I was shocked by how well it enhanced my eyes. The applicator is tiny and looks like it doesn’t do much, but it actually works some serious sorcery to create ultra-long lashes. The secret? 480 nano-bristles that gently separate every single lash while providing a full coverage coat of the mascara formula.
I’m somewhat picky about mascara (and makeup for that matter) and prefer formulas that feel natural and—to be completely honest—nonexistent. And Lancôme’s mascara is one of the most lightweight formulas I’ve ever tried, especially considering its lengthening superpowers.
Size:0.28 oz
Key Ingredients:Not listed
Benefit Cosmetics Fan Fest Mascara
Best Lengthening Mascara at Target
Benefit Cosmetics Fan Fest Mascara
I tested the Benefit Cosmetics Fan Fest Mascara when it first came out a few years ago, and to this day, it’s one of the most impressive lengthening mascaras I’ve ever tried. The mascara is called “Fan Fest” because it literally fans out your lashes, leaving no hair left behind. Whenever I reach for this mascara, I know I will achieve a long and voluminous lash look, with the option to layer for a more dramatic finish. Aside from the formula itself—which features Provitamin B5 for conditioning, cranberry extracts for nourishing, and rice wax for lifting—the magic is all in the curved applicator. The spoolie brush features a slight C-shaped curve that helps you grab onto corner lashes while you swipe.
Size:0.30 oz
Key Ingredients:Provitamin B5, cranberry extract, rice wax
Saie Mascara 101
Best Natural Lengthening Mascara
Saie Mascara 101
If you want the best clean beauty lengthening mascara, add the Saie Mascara 101 to your cart immediately. This is another formula I often turn to, and I love that it’s not just a mascara that makes your lashes look longer and more defined but a deep-conditioning treatment with so many nourishing ingredients for healthier-looking lashes. The Saie mascara is formulated with a blend of beeswax and carbuaba wax for their conditioning benefits, shea butter to nourish and moisturize, and a combination of Hydra-Mineral Complex and arginine amino acids to strengthen. It’s a fabulous choice for anyone who wants a non-irritating, natural formula that moonlights as an eyelash serum
Size:0.31 oz
Key Ingredients:Beeswax, carnuaba wax, shea butter, Hydra-Mineral Complex, arginine amino acids
Tower 28 MakeWaves Mascara
Best Clump-Free Lengthening Mascara
Tower 28 MakeWaves Mascara
If you take one look at my makeup bag, you’ll notice that many of my most-used products have a Tower 28 label on them. I love this affordable makeup brand because it creates formulas that elevate your natural beauty without making you feel too overdone. The Tower 28 MakeWaves Mascara is my go-to formula when I want something a little more dramatic than my daytime look.
My favorite feature of the mascara is the spoolie brush. It’s designed with three flexible bands that move with your lashes to coat them in product while lengthening, curling, and adding volume. I also love that it’s not a waterproof mascara but is still humidity-proof and smudge-free and doesn’t fall throughout the day.
Size:0.29
Key Ingredients:Aquaflex® Technology
ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara
Best Lengthening Mascara for Everyday
ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara
The ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara is one of my favorite lengthening mascaras for everyday wear. I gravitate toward natural, no-makeup makeup looks, and this one gives my lashes good length and volume without making it so obvious that I have makeup on—I can even get away with wearing it when I am bare-faced.
In addition to its lengthening powers, this mascara is flake-free and doesn’t fall or smudge under the eyes, either, which usually happens after long wear. It also features a clean formula and doesn’t cause any irritation to the eyes (something my light-colored eyes are usually no stranger to).
Size:0.27 oz
Key Ingredients:Arginine, organic shea butter
Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara
Best Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara
Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara
Name a more iconic lengthening mascara than the Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara . I think I’ve had this mascara in my makeup arsenal on and off for over a decade, and it’s still one of my all-time favorites. The mascara features an ergonomic spoolie brush that grabs onto the lashes—without pulling!—and coats them in a layer of lengthening goodness. It comes in both black and brown shades, and the formula features peptides to support lash health, too.
Size:0.27 oz
Key Ingredients:Peptides Acacia, Senegal extract, polymers
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