Most of us have at least one go-to mascara when we want to add volume and pigment to boost our natural lashes. But for an understated look, the best clear mascaras can lift and define them for a little added "something" – so it's not too surprising that these mascaras are having a well-deserved resurgence.
When searching for the best mascaras for short lashes, you may have always gravitated towards black or brown shades. But, though often overlooked, clear formulas still make up some of the best mascaras on the market. These versatile buys can also serve more than one purpose in your beauty routine, either as one of the best natural-looking mascaras, to set your brows in place or to smooth down flyaway hairs.
Having tried most on the market, our beauty writer has separated the best from the rest in this detailed guide to the best clear mascaras available, sharing her in-depth reviews here. Whether you want a subtly enhancing mascara or a multipurpose brow and lash product, these are the cream of the crop...
The best clear mascaras, reviewed by our beauty writer
Reviewed by: Annie Milroy, Kenedee Fowler
RRP: £3 | Brush type: Bristle
As one of the cheapest products I tested for this guide, this 17. option took me by complete surprise. Upon unscrewing the lid, this slender brush was loaded with the clear formula but imparted just the right amount of product. I didn’t need to go back to apply more, which was a rarity with the other clear mascaras I tested.
The product dried pretty quickly and didn’t leave behind any sticky residue. It also did a decent job of adding texture to my brows, though it didn’t leave my eyebrow hairs feeling as flexible as it did my lashes.
Buy if: You're looking for an affordable mascara with easy application and natural results
Reviewed by: Annie Milroy, Kenedee Fowler
RRP: £13.09 | Brush type: Silicone
This was the product that changed my opinion of the clear mascara category. Before using this Physicians Formula buy, I never understood the point of clear mascara. A contender for one of the best volumising mascaras, this formula is packed full of nurturing and strengthening ingredients, including mineral water and vitamin E, which left my lashes conditioned and looking healthier.
I was shocked by how this clear gel formula lifted, defined and volumised my naturally short eyelashes. While it was too watery to smooth and set shorter hairs around my hairline, it worked great at lifting my brows.
Buy if: You're looking for a lengthening clear drugstore mascara that defines your lashes and is loaded with conditioning ingredients
Reviewed by: Annie Milroy, Kenedee Fowler
RRP: £15 | Brush type: Bristle
This product gets our vote as one of the top choices for nourishing and repairing lashes, thanks to a formula that's bursting with botanical extracts and hydrating ingredients. If you’ve developed bad habits that are ruining your lashes and feel they're looking a bit worse for wear, trust us that this caring formula will help to bring them back from the brink.
I loved this product because it made my lashes look curled and lengthened, plus I knew they were being treated to a mini treatment while wearing it.
Buy if: Lash health is your top priority and you want a formula that cares for it
Reviewed by: Annie Milroy, Kenedee Fowler
RRP: £3 | Brush type: Bristle
This translucent gel covers all bases, with one end of the tube designed to be used on brows and the other on the lashes. As for the lash side, the product seamlessly coated my lashes with its thick gel, meaning a little went a long way.
I only needed to apply one coat to notice that my lashes appeared instantly longer, curled and more defined – admittedly slightly tacky-feeling, but using less product may combat this. The alternate side left my brow hair bushy and brushed up hours after applying, while those shorter hairline hairs stayed slicked down (which is very out of character).
Buy if: You're on the hunt for a versatile 2-in-1 product to throw in your handbag for top ups throughout the day
Reviewed by: Annie Milroy, Kenedee Fowler
RRP: £7.82 | Brush type: Bristle
Similar to the original black formula, I saw the same intense lifting effect with Maybelline's Great Lash clear mascara, just with a more natural-looking finish. It's by no means the best lengthening mascara, but I think you'll enjoy the added lift and subtle volume boost if you already have naturally long lashes.
The brand notes you can also use this conditioning mascara to set your eyebrows in place but, although it works initially, it didn't keep mine in place through the day like the Physicians Formula's clear mascara did – but it did slick down those shorter flyaway hairs amazingly well.
Buy if: You like to opt for a lifted look for your lashes over length or volume
Reviewed by: Annie Milroy, Kenedee Fowler
RRP: £5.99 | Brush type: Silicone
First things first, the chunky silicone brush on this Barry M mascara was the largest in the selection I tried. I swept it through my lashes for natural definition, but also managed to create some of the best brushed-up bushy brows my face had ever seen.
However, the product really came into its own when I used it on shorter hairs and flyaway, frizzy hair, keeping them stuck down without looking greasy. It's worth noting I found this particular clear mascara did struggle to hold much product on the silicone brush, but for the price and respectable cruelty-free and vegan formula, this clear mascara is worthwhile buy.
Buy if: You're looking to slick down baby hairs, or want a vegan, cruelty-free formula
Reviewed by: Annie Milroy, Kenedee Fowler
RRP: £9.95 | Brush type: Bristle
Winning the top prize in the best lengthening mascara competition, this clear mascara impressed me across the board. The brush is small and angled, so you can easily get it into the root and corners, while the bristles separate your eyelashes well, meaning they don't clump together. I instantly saw it lift my lashes and it added the illusion of more length.
With this mascara, I also liked that you couldn't tell I was wearing anything on my lashes; it has a lovely natural-looking finishing effect. It's best used as a primer before mascara, but it also works well when worn alone.
Buy if: You prefer lengthening mascaras or are in need of a formula that's suitable for sensitive skin
Reviewed by: Annie Milroy, Kenedee Fowler
RRP: £2.49 | Brush type: Bristle
This mascara comes with interesting instructions on how to apply it, suggesting doing so over the top of your usual mascara to help maintain its colour all day.
Though I hadn’t tried this technique with any of the other clear mascaras, I was definitely surprised by this one's results. It made my lashes look thicker and less understated, locking in the colour and preventing fading or smudging. However, it didn't have great results when used as lash primer before mascara, making my mascara flake where it usually wouldn’t.
Buy if: You want a mascara boasting a formula that lasts all day long
Reviewed by: Annie Milroy, Kenedee Fowler
RRP: £25.20 | Brush type: Silicone
This little beauty encourages overnight use to help boost lash health and strength. So, after dousing my lashes in the gel formula before bed, I woke up to perfectly separated lash hairs that also looked magically curled, too.
The small silicone brush coated my lashes in just enough product, while also being the ideal size for my not-so-bushy brows and holding down shorter hairline hairs. While I wish the brush could hold more product at once, it was still one of the best clear mascara formulas I tried. It is on the pricey side compared to others in this guide, but if your budget permits, it's a really great investment.
Buy if: You're after a low-effort mascara that curls and separates the lashes
How we tested the best clear mascaras
A selection of the clear mascaras we tested for this guide
Each clear mascara on this list has been thoroughly tested and worn by woman&home beauty writers Annie Milroy and Kenedee Fowler in order for them to write detailed reviews on truly the best products based on their authentic recommendations and opinions. Each one was tested over a couple of weeks to ensure we had the most well-rounded view and could really observe the product's longevity and impact.
We tried to sample products from a range of brands, price points and styles. Some of the clear mascara options also had more than one purpose and were designed for multi-use, so we wanted to make sure we had tested all of a product's functions in order to review it fairly.
How to choose the best clear mascara
As with selecting a traditional mascara to purchase, you always choose the best clear mascara for you based on your individual needs and lash requirements. Here are some tips for helping you choose the best clear mascara for you:
- Brush: The shape of your clear mascara brush can make or break your lash look. Check a clear mascara has the right design and shape for your lashes; opt for a smaller and angled brush head if you have short lashes and a longer and thicker brush head if you have longer lashes.
- Ingredients: We love a multi-purpose product, but especially one that helps care for the health of our lashes while wearing it. Look out for ingredients like green tea extract, peptides, botanical extracts and vitamin B5, all of which help to nourish and strengthen lash hairs.
- Lash curler: One of the best eyelash curlers will really help to bolster the effect a clear mascara creates on your lashes. Gently curl your lashes for 10 seconds before applying and you’ll notice a massive difference – they will look longer, curved and accentuated.
What does clear mascara look like on eyelashes?
In general, clear mascaras work to separate and define the eyelashes, giving them a slightly darker and more glossy finish. However, just like with any other mascara, it depends on the specific buy you opt for; some may specifically work on boosting volume and definition, while others may curl, lift and lengthen.
How to incorporate a clear mascara into your routine
Although you may think clear mascaras belong on the eyes and the eyes only, there's actually a multitude of ways you can incorporate the product into your beauty regime. These nifty transparent formulas can not only be used to immediately lift, define and darken your eyelashes, but you can also use it as one of the best eyebrow gels to keep the hairs locked in place or even on your baby hairs and flyways to keep your strands in tip top condition.
Is it worth investing in a clear mascara?
Boasting versatility and a naturally enhancing formula, we'd say clear mascaras are a worthy addition to anyone's beauty collection. As NYX Professional Makeup's expert makeup artist Emma Kirk puts it, "Clear mascara is great for incorporating into ‘no makeup' makeup looks which have become super popular over the past year. I think people are still gravitating to the ‘clean girl aesthetic', so clear mascara is a great addition to this overall look."
Makeup artist Ere Perez agrees, adding that the product comes into its own for low-key days working from home when natural make-up looks may be your preference. “[They] are popular for touch-ups before a Zoom and for fresh-looking eyes for a quick catch-up with someone.”
Our expert panel
Annie Milroy is the Beauty Writer for woman&home and other publications. After eight years working in the fashion & beauty industry, she's left the fashion world behind and now writes about everything from lightweight foundations, her favourite perfumes, to natural-looking fake tans.
Kenedee Fowler was formerly woman&home's shopping writer, where she advised readers on the best deals and reviews across multiple categories, including beauty. Alongside Annie, she contributed to this guide with tried and tested insights to support the reviews of the best clear mascaras.
Emma Kirk is a professional makeup artist who serves as National MUA for Nyx Professional Makeup. As part of this guide, she shared some of makeup artistry expertise to advise on the benefits of clear mascara.
Ere Perez is a professional makeup artist and the founder of the beauty brand of the same name. She also shared her thoughts on the benefits of a good clear mascara for this piece.