Best mascaras we tested to lift and lengthen lashes in 2025

If there’s one thing I’ve learned after five years of testing, swiping and scrubbing off endless coats of lash formulas, it’s that mascara is personal.

I have an entire drawer dedicated to tubes — everything from drugstore classics to high-end wands that promise “runway-ready” lashes. My friends tease me for having a mascara library of sorts, but hey, someone has to do the research!

Whether it’s a budget-friendly gem or a luxury splurge, I’ve tried them all in my quest to find the best mascara for every kind of lash dream imaginable. This is a tight list of the 4 very best mascaras that I keep coming back to.

“Mascara is a unique product that the formula needs to work with the brushes,” Ginger King, cosmetic chemist and beauty expert, told Post Wanted. “You can have the same formula but a different brush gives you a different look.”

Some days I’m in the mood for sky-high length and reach for my beloved Telescopic Mascara, the one that makes my lashes look like they got extensions overnight. Other days, I go for a tubing mascara —and if you’ve ever asked, “Wait, what is tubing mascara?“— it’s the magical kind that wraps each lash in a tiny polymer tube and slides off with warm water (no raccoon eyes, no drama). After testing more formulas than I care to admit, I can confirm: once you try a good tubing formula, you’ll never go back.

Of course, not every day calls for the same lash look—or the same price tag. That’s why I’ve found the best drugstore mascara formulas that rival the priciest options out there. These budget finds have earned permanent spots in my rotation for their volume, lift and ability to make my lashes look ten times fuller without breaking the bank. Honestly, there’s nothing more satisfying than discovering a $10 tube that performs like a $40 one.

Prepare to meet your new favorite tube, accompanied by one of the best brow products, eyeshadow palettes and liquid eyeliners I reviewed.

I love the Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara so much, I had to write an entire feature on it.

Let’s chat about why the Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara won the best mascara crown in my very serious (ahem) lash-testing drawer. First off: we’re talking about a formula that really listens. I’ve been through more wand sweeps than I care to admit — drugstore flops, mid-tier miracles, luxury lasers — and this one stands out by giving me length without turning my lashes into little clumps of regret.

The tubing technology truly wraps each lash, which means I saw dramatic lift and separation without the usual lash-mash. It’s the closest mascara to lash extensions (that aren’t really my jam) that you’ll get.

But wait — there’s more, because I live in my mascara drawer. What really clinches it for me: it stays put. No running: only length that lasts. And when it comes time to remove it? Warm water alone often does the trick. This is huge.

Finally (because I’m picky and thorough), this mascara checks the boxes for both everyday and “special event” lashes. The wand picks up all the little hairs, giving me the drama when I want it, and the formula doesn’t feel heavy, so I’m comfortable enough for daily wear. Plus, for anyone looking for the best mascara for sensitive eyes, this one passes with no irritation. It’s also the best tubing mascara I reviewed.

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If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to give your lashes a first-class ticket to the upper stratosphere, then the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara is your boarding pass.

From the moment I applied it, I could practically hear my lashes whispering, “We’re going places!” The lightweight formula glides onto my lashes without clumping, layering beautifully to deliver both serious length and a sense of volume that doesn’t read “spider-legs.” For a drugstore mascara, it provides insane length, and it has the most flexible wand that reaches every one of my lashes from root to tip.

Now OK, I’m not saying it’s perfect (hey, nothing is). It’s a bit trickier to remove than some others, and if you’re all about a waterproof formula this isn’t its forte (there is a waterproof version to check out). But for the price, the wear, the look, the lash-length fanfare — it wins.

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The Kosas Soulgazer Lengthening & Lifting Peptide Mascara is not your basic mascara; it’s the lash equivalent of a confidence boost in a swipe.

The moment the brush hit my lashes, it was as if they’ve been stretched, curled and coaxed into formation by a tiny team of glam fairies (truly). The length and lift are instant and believable (think: my lashes, but better —and maybe genetically blessed).

It defines every lash without veering into clumpy or crunchy territory, giving you that fluttery, soft-focus look that makes people wonder if you were born with naturally perfect lashes. Spoiler: you weren’t. You just found this mascara.

What makes it stand out is the way the formula and brush seem perfectly in sync, like they were designed for each other. The curved silicone wand grabs every lash from root to tip, while the lightweight, peptide-powered formula keeps them lifted, separated and smudge-free all day long.

The best part? it’s secretly a treatment for your lashes, too. With strengthening peptides and provitamin B5 in the mix, each coat helps nourish and fortify, so my lashes look better the more I wear it.

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If I had to pick the hero of my lash drawer, it’s the MAKEUP BY MARIO Master  Mascara Volumizing & Lift. The volume drama is real. One coat turns my lashes into full-fan mode, while two coats feel like I’m wearing falsies—without the peeling.

The wand is custom-shaped, precisely enough to coat each lash without turning them into crispy black sticks. I’ve grown accustomed to formulas that weigh lashes down or smudge by noon, but this one holds its own. It boosts lift and length and keeps that lifted look all day, sans eyelid contact.

I love how this mascara is packed with provitamin B5 and castor oil so it conditions while it amplifies. The wax blend of olives, rice and sunflower seed derivatives gives buildable volume without that stiff lash feel (no crunchy batting my lashes up!) My lashes feel comfortable, not locked in a mascara prison. And it’s sweat- and humidity-proof and vegan to boot.

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How I tested

Before crowning a mascara champion, I put every contender through my own lash-level Olympics. Here’s how I tested them:

• All-day wear test: Each mascara had to survive a full 12-hour day — coffee runs, laptop glare and all — without flaking, smudging or drooping.
• One-coat versus two-coat showdown: I compared results from a quick single swipe to a double layer to see which formulas build gracefully and which go spider-leg wild.
• Curl hold check: I curled my lashes first and tracked how well each mascara kept that lift from morning to night (no lash slump allowed!)
• Smudge-and-sweat challenge: A brisk walk, a few teary TikToks and a humidity check to see if it could handle real-life chaos.
• Ease of removal test: At night, I timed how easily each mascara melted away with cleanser (because no one wants to end their day scrubbing like it’s an Olympic sport).

An FAQ on Mascaras

Ahead, our cosmetic experts gave the 411 on how to shop for the best mascaras and what to look for in formulation and brushes.

What should I look for in a mascara brush?

Of course, the brush you want depends on the look you’re seeking out. “If you want a separate clean look, the silicone type of spiky brush works well,” Ginger King, cosmetic chemist and beauty expert, told The Post. “If you want a more volumized look, the tree-shaped brushes work well. If you want a curly look, the spiral brushes work well.”

Interestingly, this is why “when brands put out the mascaras, they typically will show the types of brushes,” King adds.

What’s the difference between a lengthening and volumizing mascara?

“Lengthening mascaras typically have a thinner spiny brush, while volumizing mascaras will have a thicker brush,” Natalie Dresher, professional makeup artist who specializes in special event and bridal makeup, told The Post. “Lengthening mascaras typically have a no-clump formula, and volumizing mascaras may get a bit more clumpy after a few coats.”

It’s all in the brush, too. “The denser the bristles, the more products get on the lashes, and look more volumized,” King noted. “The more spaces between the bristles, the cleaner and more lengthened look.”

How should I apply mascara?

The golden question, right? According to King, it’s best if you look down instead of looking straight or up to the mirror. “You can apply both under and over the lashes,” she added. “On average, consumers use 14 strokes per eye when they apply mascaras.”

Dresher applies two coats and makes sure to get each lash in the direction she wants from root to end. “I definitely pay more attention to my outer lashes because I prefer them thicker and longer- a natural cat eye effect,” she added.

How many coats of mascara do I need?

Though this will vary, think about the look you want to achieve. “If you want to look natural, one to two coats is ideal,” King said. “If you want a more dramatic appearance, you can layer up to five to six coats.”

How should mascara be removed?

With a range of makeup removers on the market, you’ll be sure to have a variety of options to take the day off. However, our makeup artists recommend specific routines.

“My favorite way is using a cleansing balm, and then following up with an oil based cleanser,” Dresher noted. “If I’m using waterproof mascara, definitely micellar water.”

Some mascaras require an oil to remove while others can be rinsed off simply with soap and water. “If you’re not sure, read the direction on the package or always use an eye makeup remover,” King recommended.

How does waterproof mascara differ in formulation and wear?

“Waterproof mascara is made with solvents, polymer and wax,” King explained. “This type adheres stronger to the lashes thus more resistant to humidity.” Plus, if you tend to sweat or even cry a lot or being poured by rain without an umbrella, waterproof mascara can avoid ruining your face makeup with black or black or brown streaks coming down the face. 

“Waterproof mascara is definitely good for long wear days or days you’ll know you’ll be crying but I wouldn’t recommend them for daily use,” Dresher advised.

When does mascara expire?

Typically, your skincare or makeup containers will have a tub icon with a number, signaling how many months a product is good for. With mascara, sometimes, that icon isn’t on the bottle.

“Mascara typically expires three months after opening,” Dresher said. “If mascara ever has a rancid smell or is dry when inserting the wand, definitely replace it.”

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This article was written by Victoria McDonnell, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what’s truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria’s latest conquests include testing the best vitamin C serums on the market, and a rinse-and-repeat review of the best shampoos of 2025. Victoria, who received a beauty industry essentials certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology, has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.

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