Got stubbornly straight lashes? These are the 6 best mascaras that'll lift and curl all day long
Our beauty team has dubbed these the very best mascaras for straight lashes – for lifted, lengthy and volumised results
If you have naturally straight lashes, you'll know that a quality mascara not only needs to tick the basic boxes in line with your lengthening and volumising preferences, but also offer lift and curl that lasts all day.
The formula we deem the best mascara often depends on personal preference in line with our unique lashes. For example, those wanting to boost length will gravitate towards the best mascaras for short lashes, whilst those who are smudge-prone often reach for the best tubing mascaras. But those with poker-straight lashes will be on the hunt for a lightweight formula that doesn't cause your lashes to droop, instead giving them the standout oomph they naturally lack.
"For straight lashes, it’s really the combination of formula and wand that makes the best mascara," professional makeup artist Lan Nguyen-Grealis tells us. “You want something wet; not so heavy that it will weigh lashes down, but one you can layer and build so there is more control."
That's where this guide comes in as, luckily enough, our beauty team have tested enough mascaras to know which ones fit that exact criteria. Paired with one of the best eyelash curlers, you'll be left with longer, lifted, luscious looking lashes. Here are our detailed reviews of the top-performing buys to shop now.
The best mascara for straight lashes deals
These deals were last checked on 15/10/26, and we will continue to do so to ensure that all of the products below are still in stock, still discounted and, most importantly, are the very best deals around at the moment.
The 6 best mascara for straight lashes, reviewed by our beauty experts
RRP: £13.99 | Colours: Black
Reviewed by: Jess Beech, Fiona McKim
This mascara is a 2-in-1 option. The first end contains 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 natural-looking or 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
RRP: £28 | Colours: Black, Brown
Reviewed by: Jess Beech, Lucy Abbersteen, Rhiannon Derbyshire
Lancôme mascaras are pretty iconic and truly some of the best on the market. The brush on Lash Idôle is curved and angled, meaning 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
RRP: £28 | Colours: Black
Reviewed by: Jess Beech, Sennen Prickett
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
RRP: £38 | Colours: Black, Brown, Blue
Reviewed by: Aleesha Badkar
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
RRP: £24 | Colour: Black
Reviewed by: Jess Beech, Naomi Jamieson
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
RRP: £32 | Colours: Black
Reviewed by: Aleesha Badkar
After trialling this mascara, my day was filled with "oohs", "ahs" and "oh, wows". It's 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 the 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
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 additional spend?
- Mascara brush type and design: Does it function and perform well? Is it easy to use and manouevre?
- Application: Was the mascara easy to apply and 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 through the day: Could the product be trusted to look good all day? Did it smudge or flake?
- Ease of removal: Is it easy to remove without too much hassle or 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 lashes more lift and curl.
- Formula: Ideally, you want something light and buildable and that won't weigh down straight lashes. Consider any other concerns, like sensitive eyes proneness to smudging, too. For the latter, tubing mascaras are ideal. "Tubing mascara holds longer and doesn’t flake, so is great for building an even layer," Nguyen-Grealis says.
- 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 mascaras work well by layering several coats, so if you're a little less meticulous or like to get ready in a flash, consider buying one that delivers in just a few swipes, like Stila's HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara. If you're happy to take your time, some two-step formulas, such as the L’Oreal Paris Pro XXL Lift Mascara, get great results.
FAQs on mascara for short lashes
How to apply mascara to straight lashes for best results
Application technique matters hugely, as straight lashes don’t always play ball as easily as those with a natural curl. “Straight lashes can be quite stubborn, depending on the type of hair, so an eyelash curler will give you a head start in getting some lift,” says Nguyen-Grealis. “If there’s no time for that, simply apply from 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.”
Should you use an eyelash curler before mascara?
In our opinion – and those of most makeup artists – the answer is a resounding yes. Using an eyelash curler will lift your natural lashes, making them look longer, as well as opening up the eyes. If your main priority is longer-looking lashes, you'll probably find you won't need to layer on quite as much mascara to get your desired end result.
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 here.
Sennen is Digital Beauty Writer at woman&home, where she shares the latest beauty launches, trending buys and personal product recommendations, from makeup and hair to skincare and nails – including many a mascara.
Lucy Abbersteen is a freelance beauty journalist and one of woman&home's contributing beauty editors. With 10+ years of experience in the industry, she's tested a lot of makeup over the years, including many mascaras that are great for straight lashes that tend to drop easily.
Lan Nguyen-Grealis is an award-winning makeup artist whose celebrity clients have included Paloma Faith, Jameela Jamil and Raye, and is the author of two makeup books.