Along with ticking the basic boxes of a good formula in line with your lengthening and volumising preferences, the best mascaras for straight lashes must be able to lift your lashes and give them a lasting curl. It's a lot to ask but, fortunately, we've tested enough mascaras to know which ones will do exactly that.
This is the kind of best mascara formula that I, too, have been searching for as my natural lashes are completely and utterly poker-straight. So much so that if you look at me straight-on, it’s difficult to tell if I have upper lashes. When it comes to mascara, then, what I’m looking for is something that’s going to make them more visible. I want length, yes, but mainly I’m after lift, curl, volume - anything to give my lashes the oomph they naturally lack.
"For straight lashes, it’s really the combination of formula and wand that makes the best mascara," explains pro makeup artist Lan Nguyen-Grealis. “You want something wet; not so heavy that it will weigh the lashes down, but a product you can layer and build so there is more control." So, with those criteria in mind, I and my beauty team colleagues have tested a range of mascaras to pinpoint those that will really enhance straight lashes. Here are our detailed reviews of the top-performing buys...
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The 6 best mascara for straight lashes, reviewed by our beauty team
Reviewed by: Jess Beech and Fiona McKim
RRP: £13.99 | Colours: Black
The first end of this mascara has a straight brush and a priming formula designed to lengthen your lashes, which it does very nicely and without clumps. If you want more of a no-makeup makeup look, then you could stop there. But if you have very straight lashes, like mine, this is where the real magic happens. The second end has a curved brush, which allows you to get close to the roots to draw the lashes upwards, and is packed with tiny fibres that add volume and length. The lift is the most impressive and long-lasting of any mascara I’ve tried without the help of eyelash curlers.
Pros
- Dual-ended mascara with two wands in one
- Creates an impressive lift that lasts
- Reasonable price tag
Cons
- Longer application process with two brushes
Reviewed by: Jess Beech and Sennen Prickett
RRP: £28 | Colours: Black
The Huda Beauty mascara is very similar to the L’Oréal Paris Pro XXL Lift Mascara in that it has two ends – one that’s a volumising mascara and one that curls and lengthens. What’s slightly different here, though, is that both of these are mascaras in their own right, so you can layer them, or you can pick and choose just one depending on the look you’re going for.
This mascara impressed me straight away; the volumising end gave my lashes extra volume and length, with a fanned-out effect that made it look like I had loads more lashes than I actually do. It’s a big claim, but by the time I finished applying, it genuinely looked like I could have been wearing false lashes at the edges. Using two wands is a bit fiddly, but worth the extra time in my opinion.
Pros
- Two separate mascaras in one tube
- Creates a volumised, fanned-out effect
Cons
- More time consuming application process than a 'one and done' mascara
Reviewed by: Aleesha Badkar
RRP: £37 | Colours: Black, brown and blue
Equipped with a lovely soft brush that has been designed with the perfect shape to catch all lashes, the Diorshow Iconic Overcurl mascara is a stellar option for those seeking out an all-rounder formula. Its texture isn't super wet, like other mascaras I've previously tested, meaning the application process isn't too messy.
As for the all-important results, this mascara does a great job at simultaneously boosting the length and volume of the lashes for lifted and fluttery effect. For those who prefer more drama and definition, I found that the formula is easily layered for more intense volume.
Read Fiona's full Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara review.
Pros
- Soft brushes that catches even the smallest lash
- Not messy
- Easily layers for more volume
Cons
- Won't suit those who don't want a decent amount of volume
Reviewed by: Jess Beech, Lucy Abbersteen and Rhiannon Derbyshire
Lancôme mascaras are pretty iconic and they really are some of the best on the market. The brush on the Lash Idôle is curved and angled, which means you naturally hold it with the narrow part facing downwards, and the wider part fans the outer lashes as you go. Every edge of the brush is peppered with teeny tiny bristles, which managed to capture even my smallest and stubbiest lashes and persuade them skywards.
We also found the formula is quite waxy and builds nicely. It’s not super wet, which I personally liked (as I feel very wet formulas weigh my lashes down) but not everyone will be a fan – those after a lighter, slicker formula should try the Iconic London Enrich & Elevate Mascara instead. Lash Idôle also comes as one of the best waterproof mascaras, one of contributing beauty editor Lucy Abbersteen's personal favourites.
Pros
- Angled, tapered brush fits into roots of lashes easily
- Captures even the smallest of lashes
- Builds well
Cons
- Not everyone will get on with the wet formula
Reviewed by: Aleesha Badkar
RRP: £32 | Colours: Black
After trialling this mascara, I was met with a symphony of oohs, ahs and oh wows. It arrives equipped with a large curved comb brush that is unlike any other mascaras in this guide, hugging the lashes as you apply the product. Although its oversized, inflexible design makes it slightly trick to get the hang of initially, practice does make perfect.
Despite its fluid texture, the formula leaves little no mess, instead adding length, volume and curl in one swipe for a large impactful fanned out look. It is described as delivering ‘clean volume’ which is very accurate, however it can be easily layered to ramp up the drama. Plus, I have to give credit to its beautiful packaging, which is equally sophisticated and playfully feminine.
Pros
- Not messy in the slightest
- Layers nice for buildable volume
- Curved comb brush hugs the lashes
Cons
- Brush is quite large and hard to control
Reviewed by: Jess Beech and Naomi Jamieson
RRP: £24 | Colour: Black
Just one swipe of this mascara (with a little wiggle as you pull the wand up) is enough to deliver intense black colour, volume, lift and length to your lashes. If you want to go even further, it’s buildable too, but I'd recommend doing so when it’s still wet to avoid creating unnatural-looking clumps.
Now, this is a mascara for people who like it to look like they’re wearing mascara, so if you prefer a more natural look, it’s not going to be for you – try the Iconic London Enrich & Elevate Mascara instead. This Stila one doesn’t flake, but I did find it smudged ever so slightly during the day, so keep an eye on that if you have long bottom lashes.
Pros
- Creates a dramatic, standout effect
- Layerable while wet
Cons
- Can smudge on longer lower lashes
How we tested the best mascaras for straight lashes
A selection of the mascaras we tested for this guide
To bring you a reliable list of the best mascara for straight lashes, we tested each mascara for at least a full day, assessing their performance based on the following factors.
- Packaging: Does it look and feel worth the cost? Is it easy and comfortable to use?
- Price: Is the mascara generally affordable? If it costs more, does it still offer value for money in line with its performance, making it worth the price tag?
- Mascara brush type and design: Does it function and perform well? Is it easy to use and manouevre?
- How easy they were to apply - was the mascara straightforward to work with?
- How it looked and felt on the lashes: Did it deliver the desired effect initially and visibly add lift?
- How it wore with time: Could the product be trusted to look good all day?
- Smudge resistance: Did it stay in place all day without getting messy or smudged?
- Ease of removal: Is it easy to remove without causing irritation?
How to choose the best mascara for straight lashes
If you're struggling to settle on one, there are a few different factors you can consider when choosing the best mascara for straight lashes.
- Wand: Curved, medium-sized wands will help to lift your lashes from the root, giving your eyelashes immediate lift and curl.
- Formula: Ideally, you want a formula that's light and buildable, i.e. something that won't weigh down straight lashes. Consider any other concerns too, such as sensitive eyes proneness to smudging. For the latter, tubing mascaras are worth exploring; Nguyen-Grealis notes: "Tubing mascara holds longer and doesn’t flake, so is great for building an even layer."
- Price: As with any beauty purchase, your budget plays a huge role in which mascara you choose. Have an idea of what you can and want to spend before you begin browsing.
- Your makeup routine: Some of the best mascaras for straight lashes work well by layering several coats. If you're a little less meticulous or like to get ready in a flash, consider buying one that delivers with a single swipe, like Stila's HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara. If you're willing to dedicate more time to the process, some two-wand products, such as the L’Oreal Paris Pro XXL Lift Mascara, can provide stellar results.
How to apply mascara to straight lashes for best results
The application technique you use matters hugely, as straight lashes don’t play ball quite as easily as ones with a natural curl. “Straight lashes can be quite stubborn depending on the type of hair, so an eyelash curler will give a head start in getting some lift,” says Nguyen-Grealis.
“If there’s no time for that, simply apply middle to tip, wiggling the wand left to right to get an instant curl, then [comb] from the root all the way through to the tips. A few coats are needed for maximum results.”
Our expert panel
Jess Beech is an experienced fashion and beauty editor with more than 10 years of experience in the publishing industry. She has written for woman&home, GoodtoKnow, Now, Woman, Woman’s Weekly, Woman’s Own and Chat, and was formerly deputy fashion & beauty editor at Future plc. Having tested dozens – if not hundreds – of mascaras in her decade-plus-long career, and with stubbornly straight lashes herself, she was the main tester and reviewer for this guide.
Naomi is Digital Beauty Writer at woman&home, where she covers everything from skincare to makeup but specialises in fragrance and nail trends – sharing her expertise on the latest beauty buys and must-have manicure styles. As well as showcasing her beauty knowledge, she reviews products and shares personal shopping recommendations – including insights on some of the mascaras for straight lashes featured here.
Lucy Abbersteen is a freelance beauty editor and one of woman&home's contributing beauty editor. With close to a decade of experience in the industry, she's tested a lot of makeup over the years, including many mascaras that are great for straight lashes and those that drop easily.