The 9 best clear mascara for that clean, ‘no-makeup makeup’ look

RRP: £3 | Bristle brush | Can use on lashes and brows

Honestly, being one of the cheapest in the pack, I naturally assumed it might not live up to the standards of the other best clear mascara formulas, but boy, was I wrong. The thin wand and brush were the first things that impressed me, meaning the application was a total dream. The slenderness of the design meant that the formula swept onto my lashes with zero drama and instantly (I mean instantly) curled and defined the hairs. I’m pretty sure I audibly gasped when it trying out. 

The brush emerged from the tube fully loaded with the clear formula and didn’t oversaturate my lashes, applying just the right amount of product. I didn’t need to go back for anymore, which was a rarity among the other clear mascaras I tested. The product dried pretty quickly and didn’t leave a sticky residue. It also did a decent job of adding texture to my brows, although it didn’t leave my eyebrow hairs as flexible as my lashes. 

RRP: £5.99 | Silicone brush | contains Green Tea Extract and Vitamin B5 to hydrate and strengthen

Barry M can do no wrong in my eyes, offering some of the best mascaras under £10, in vegan and cruelty-free formulas. The brand consistently delivers and this clear mascara did not disappoint. The chunky silicone brush was the largest in the selection I tried, and this meant that after I had swept across my lashes for some natural definition, I also managed to create some of the best brushed-up bushy brows that my face had ever seen. 10/10. 

The product came into its own though when I used it to tame my unruly baby hairs and frizzy hair. Managing to stick them down without looking greasy and it held all day long, whilst looking like I had zero product in. Despite its multi-tasking qualities, this particular clear mascara did struggle to hold much product on the silicone brush. However, for the price and respectable cruelty-free and vegan formula, this clear mascara is well worth adding to your beauty collection.

RRP: £3 | Bristle brush | Dual sided

This translucent gel covers all face bases, with one side designed for brows and the other for lashes. I started with the lash side, and the product seamlessly coated my lashes with its thick gel, meaning a little went a long way. I only needed one coat to notice that my lashes were instantly longer, curled, and more defined. Immediately sold. 

I then smothered my brows and baby hairs in the same product, which again impressed me. After a couple of hours, I noted that my brow hairs were still bushy and brushed up, and my baby hairs were under control (very out of character). The formula on my lashes did dry a little tacky, but I think if you used less product and gradually built it up, you could avoid this. For the price and the multi-use of purposes it promises, this handy clear gel is a handbag essential for just about anyone and everyone.

RRP: £9.23 | Bristle brush | Available in black, brown and blue

It's no surprise that Maybelline's iconic Great Lash mascara has a clear shade. Similar to its original black colour, I saw the same intense lifting effect but in a natural, clear way. It's not the best lengthening mascara, but you'll enjoy the added lift and subtle volume if you're someone with naturally long lashes. 

The brand says you can also use this conditioning mascara to set your eyebrows, and although it works, it didn't keep my brows in place and tamed throughout the day like Physicians Formula's clear mascara. But, it does sleek my curly baby hairs amazingly. This mascara has no unique ingredients like vitamin B5 or green tea extract, but it is formulated with propylene glycol and glycerin, which helped keep my eyelashes soft and conditioned. 

RRP: £2.49 | Bristle brush | Protein enriched formula

This clear mascara had an interesting take on how to wear it, suggesting it can be worn over the top of your mascara to help maintain the colour all day. While I hadn’t tried this technique with any of the other clear mascaras, I did with this one, and the results were surprising. I popped on my favourite mascara as usual and left it to dry; once it was ready, I applied a light layer of this clear mascara over the top. While it made my lashes thicker and less natural, I enjoyed how it locked in the colour to prevent fading and smudging. Acting like a setting agent for my mascara, it worked hard to make sure my lashes looked in top condition all day long. 

I also tried this out as a lash primer before applying my mascara, but it didn’t have such great results. It made my mascara flake, which it usually wouldn’t do, which was disappointing. Overall, I loved that this acted as a protective layer on top of my mascara, and I would confidently say that it was the best clear mascara for locking colour in place all day.  

RRP: £9.95 | Bristle brush | Suitable for sensitive skin

Winning the top prize at the best lengthening mascara competition, this clear mascara impressed across the board. The brush is small and angled so you can easily get into the corners, and the bristles separate your eyelashes well so they don't clump together. I instantly saw it uplift my eyelashes and add the illusion of a bit more length. I also enjoyed that you couldn't tell I was wearing anything on my lashes, meaning it had such a lovely natural finishing effect. 

It's also been formulated to be suitable for sensitive skin, so alongside using your best mascaras for sensitive eyes, this product will make sure delicate eyes are looked after. It's best used as a primer before mascara, but it also works really well on its own.

RRP: £25.20 | Silicone brush | Vitamin-rich formula

This little beauty of clear mascara encourages you to use it overnight to boost lash health and strength. Not one to break the rules, I did just as I was told and generously doused my lashes in the gel formula pre-slumber. Not only did I wake up to perfectly separated lash hairs, ready and waiting for my black mascara application, but they looked magically curled, too. Consider this a lazy-girl move for time-saving in the mornings.

Managing to coat my lashes in just about enough product, this nourishing formula is perfect for the no-makeup makeup look. The small silicone brush was the ideal size for my not-so-bushy brows and also did a solid job at holding down my misbehaving baby hairs. While I wish it could hold more product on the brush for a less time-consuming application, this still was one of the best clear mascara formulas I tested. You don't have to spend this much on a clear mascara, but if your budget permits, it's a really great option. 

RRP: £13.09 | Silicone brush | Vitamin E, UV protection

I never understood the point of clear mascara, but that all changed once I applied Physicians Formula Clear Mineral Wear Diamond Mascara. Although the mascara's impact would be more noticeable in the brand's black shade, I was shocked by how this clear, gel formula lifted, defined, and volumised my naturally short eyelashes. 

Along with being one of the best volumising mascaras, this gorgeous diamond-like tube is packed with nurturing and strengthening ingredients such as mineral water and vitamin E. My lashes were left conditioned and looked healthier and shiny. This mascara also works as a gel for your baby hair and brows. It was too watery for my curly baby hairs, but if you have straight, fine hair, you'll likely see the hold and sleekness the brand promises. On the other hand, it lifted and kept my brows in place the entire day without feeling sticky and dry. If you're looking for a lengthening clear drugstore mascara that defines your lashes, is vegan, cruelty-free, and loaded with conditioning and skin-benefiting ingredients, this is the mascara for you. 

RRP: £15 | Bristle brush | Enriched with botanical ingredients

The luxe-looking packaging was the first thing to impress me, I really liked that it stood out from the pack as the only one that didn’t have a transparent tube. This product gets our vote as one of the best clear mascara options for nourishing and repairing, thanks to the formula bursting with botanical extracts and hydrating ingredients. If you’ve developed bad habits that are ruining your lashes, like wearing old mascara or extensions, this caring formula will help bring your natural lashes back from the brink.

In my opinion, it was one of the best clear mascara buys as it has lash health as a top priority. I also loved this product because it made my lashes look curled and lengthened and I knew my lashes were being treated to a mini treatment while I wore it. I would happily wear this whenever I WFH and need something to make me look a little more polished for a work call.