People Always Ask If I Got a Lash Lift When I Use These Volumizing Mascaras (2025)

TL;DR

The Iris&Romeo Lash Up Peptide Mascara was the most impressive, delivering major volume, lift, and length. During testing, the Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-Eyes Mascara also stood out from the pack, offering a level of fullness and volume I’ve only ever experienced with falsies. For something more affordable, the Essence Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara is not to be missed—it withstands rain and sweat without smudging and easily stacks up against more expensive formulas.

Our Top Picks

Size: 0.16, 0.39 oz | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Finding the perfect makeup product is rare, but I think I just did. This mascara from Iris & Romeo does everything right: the bristles offer an impressive lift and curl, while the formula (which is packed with a strengthening peptide serum) makes lashes appear longer, fuller, and more defined. Plus, even with oily eyelids like mine, the mascara doesn’t budge except when it’s being removed. It came off easily with makeup remover (I used a cleansing balm) and didn’t blur my vision or leave a dark residue around my eyes. The only thing left to be desired are a few more shades, like a chocolate brown or a softer black shade.

Size: 0.28 oz | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

To put it plainly, this mascara is insane. In just two swipes, I achieved a level of fullness and volume that I’ve never experienced with mascara; the only other time my lashes were this long and fluttery was when I wore falsies to a friend’s wedding. The crescent-shaped wand picks up every lash—even the smaller, harder-to-reach ones in the inner corners—and coats each with rich pigment. The mascara stayed smudge-free for the entire day through a sweaty Pilates class and dinner prep (which involved chopping onions, which always makes my eyes water), a testament to its staying power. The only gripe I have is with the packaging. Don’t get me wrong, the glass tube is stunning, but it can shatter if it’s dropped or rolled onto the floor.

Size: 0.4 oz | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When it comes to budget mascaras, I’ll admit that I’m a little weary. I have concerns about the ingredients; I worry that cheaper mascaras contain lower-quality ingredients that could irritate my eyes. I’m also not entirely sold on the performance of most affordable mascaras. Despite all my preconceived notions, this $5 mascara from Essence proved me wrong. Not only is the formula paraben- and cruelty-free, the design is also top-notch. The wand fits the shape of my eyes perfectly, effectively scooping up each lash and volumizing them with one pass. It’s also buildable—I added three coats without clumping—to achieve a falsie-like finish. Best of all, it’s high-performing. I wore it to a football tailgate in the pouring rain, and somehow, the mascara remained smudge-free when I got home. My hair may have become a sopping wet mess, but my mascara was fully intact. Just keep in mind that the curling effect can wane over time, especially if you have thicker, straighter lashes.

Read Full Review: True Story: Essence’s $5 Mascara Delivers the Same Results as Fancy Brands

Size: 0.22 oz | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Posh Spice knows a thing or two about dramatic eye looks, so it makes total sense that Victoria Beckham’s eponymous makeup line includes this impactful yet sleek mascara. The mascara—which arrives in a luxe dust bag, mind you—relies on a crescent-shaped brush that volumizes lashes in a single swipe. One upward motion coats lashes from root to tip, combing the lashes into a fuller, more fluttery finish. Honestly, it performs better than most other mascaras I tried in terms of length, volume, and fullness—it made my lashes look so dramatic yet natural (no falsie look here!). Plus, it was easy to wash off (the brand recommends using just warm water) and didn’t make my eyes burn after. The only thing to be aware of is that the formula is on the wetter side, so although it’s buildable, you’ll have to let each coat dry down before layering more.

Size: 0.3 oz | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

With a tapered wand full of tiny, strategically placed bristles, this mascara coats each individual lash in rich pigment and gives ‘em one heck of a lift. The combination of the wand and the formula made my lashes look fuller and created a pushed-up, fanned-out finish that brightened up my eye area in just a swipe or two. In fact, I looked more awake after application, and it stayed that way throughout a long, rainy travel day. While it took a little bit more effort to remove, it’s a small price to pay for the unmatched lift and curl. Also nice: The bright orange packaging is adorable and easy to spot at the bottom of your makeup bag.

Size: 0.3 oz | Shades: 3 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This couture mascara from YSL has been the longstanding star of my makeup kit. It’s the mascara I reach for almost daily, and it’s because it works so well for curling and lengthening my lashes. The oversized brush (it’s literally huge) picks up loads of product and coats lashes in volume-boosting pigment without making a mess. One or two coats are all you need for a finished product that looks like you spent 10 minutes playing around with a heated lash curler—the curling effect is that good. Plus, it comes in three colors—black, brown, and cobalt blue—so there’s something in the lineup for every preference. Take it from me: You’ll want to use it up in a month or two; if you let the tube sit open for longer than that, the formula tends to get clumpy. But don’t let that deter you from trying it—you’ll probably end up using it often when you see its lash-multiplying powers at work.

Size: 0.44 oz | Shades: 5 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This drugstore favorite promotes longer, more defined lashes thanks to its patented spoon-shaped brush and lightweight, buildable formula. The line includes several shades of black, a brown, and a blue—each of which coats lashes in pigment that lasts for hours. Although it’s marketed to have dramatic effects, I found this Maybelline mascara suitable as a solid everyday option. The volume didn’t wow me, but I did like the cat eye shape that accentuated my eyes. It went on nicely (thanks to the flexible brush) and dried quickly without major clumping; I only noticed a bit of smudging after a workout later in the day.

Size: 0.17, 0.27 oz | Shades: 2 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If filling out your lash line is your biggest concern, allow me to direct you to this iconic mascara from Too Faced. Not only do the long hourglass-shaped bristles curl and lift lashes, but they also help create the appearance of fullness and density. And the fact that it’s loaded with conditioning ingredients such as polymers and peptides, you can count on it to help lashes (rather than hurt them) during wear. I was impressed by how much fuller and pigmented my lashes looked after two coats, so I can get behind this mascara’s hype. The only thing I wasn’t totally obsessed with was the minimal flaking. Nevertheless, the lash density and definition I achieved is undeniable; just look at the photos yourself.

Read Full Review: This Too Faced Mascara Is My Secret to Curled, Defined Lashes

FAQ

• What is a good mascara for sparse lashes?

  The best mascara for sparse lashes adds volume and thickness. For best results, we recommend a mascara that also nourishes your lashes, keeping them healthy and strong.

• How do you volumize your lashes?

  For the most voluminous lashes possible, we recommend using an eyelash curler, a mascara primer, and a volumizing mascara. “I like to do light layers quickly, one after another to achieve volume,” Sewell says. “I try to focus on lengthening and defining the inner corner lashes while building up the outer corners.”

• What is the difference between volume and length in mascara?

  Volume is the appearance of lashes as thicker and denser. Length in mascara is how long your lashes look. Some mascaras are designed to provide length, some will thicken and volumize to a greater extent, and some will offer all these benefits.