The best volumizing mascaras for thick, dramatic lashes

Beyond alluring packaging and clever brand messaging, the best volumizing mascaras add dimension and fullness to your lashes, no matter how fine, thin, or short they are. But in a market that’s plagued by subpar options with outrageous claims, finding the best mascara is tricky business. That’s why we rounded up our favorite volumizing mascaras currently lining shelves that are bound to work with a simple swipe.

In the world of cosmetics, we're of the belief that a volumizing mascara is a must-have item in any makeup arsenal. We can easily wax poetic about its benefits, but simply put, an exceptional volumizing mascara can create thick, luscious lashes for those of us not #blessed with such, no fussy extensions or sticky falsies necessary. Not to mention, today's roster features impressive, long-lasting formulas, which can withstand everything from a good ol' cry to a sweaty gym session, much like the best foundation can.

With your convenience in mind, we've rounded up the best volumizing mascaras that are truly worth the online and offline hype, and kept in mind to suit most lash types and sensitivities, with many being vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free. We did our homework, considering both the mascara features offered as well as customer reviews to create a robust and well-rounded recommendation guide. 

Check out the top volumizing mascaras, which includes the cult-status Too Faced Better Than Sex , among other noteworthy options. And you could even pair one of these with your best eyeliner to add an extra touch of impact.

The best mascaras for volume

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara has amassed a substantial and loyal fanbase. Lauded as the #1 prestige mascara in the US, this intensely pigmented, holy grail item features a rounded, multi-functional brush that curls, lifts, and thickens individual lashes at every angle; the enduring formula combats smearing, flaking, and clumping from the get-go. The result: naturally defined and fluttered lashes that look dramatic and won't weigh down nor droop overtime. Truly better than sex?  Over 16,000 reviews on Sephora alone can probably attest!

By design, this nifty and highly versatile lengthening mascara captures individual lashes (yes, even the pesky corner ones) to deliver fullness, dimension, and much-needed length and definition to tiny hairs. The jet-black formula is difficult to beat, which lasts for hours without letting up in coverage. Plus, the brand recently launched Magnet Extreme Lengthening Mascara, the newest love child of the They're Real family. It has an extender brush that features a magnetically charged core that pulls formula up and out, creating length, lift, and curl. 

An elevated cult-status option, Diorshow Mascara features a dense and colossal brush that fully curves and covers lashes in rich pigmented color (and it conditions too!). For those with stick-straight lashes, this glossy tube precisely thickens and lifts, imparting the appearance of full lash extensions. It's also enriched with microfibers and silk proteins, which particularly make lashes thicker, longer, and darker over time.

L'Oréal Lash Paradise defends the argument that just because something is drugstore, doesn't mean it's down-market. The long-lasting formula makes lashes look full and feathery, and doesn't warrant a ton of coatings (though it is buildable to your liking). We'd say it performs at a similar caliber, if not better than, its prestige counterparts—for a fraction of the price.

It's no secret that Maybelline is one of our favorite mascara brands by virtue of remaining timeless, innovative, and offering a heap of options across the board. And Total Temptation is yet another Maybelline darling we'd recommend for your beauty repertoire: Its whipped, velvety texture leverages a dense formula to volumize and soften lashes, and won't make them clump or smudge.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Brag provides a light and airy formula, but don't be fooled: It's still considerably creamy and adds dimension and layers to baby lash hairs upon application. Thanks to flexible polymers, this formula won't smudge, smear, or run, try as you might. 

If French-girl lashes were a thing, then Chanel Le Volume has it bottled up to a T. We fell in love with how this smooth, super swipe-able formula nailed the defined, pumped-up lash aesthetic we all covet, all while still remaining on the everyday-chic end of the spectrum (we're definitely chalking this up as a quintessential LBD of mascara, for those that can shop within this price point). It's what our Beauty Channel Editor Eunice Lucero-Lee calls her check-all-boxes, "big-day mascara"—what you reach for when there's absolutely no room for any makeup mishaps, like during a hot date, big meeting, or, yup, even your wedding. And yes, it comes in a waterproof version too if you're all about that 9-to-5 perfect lash vibe.

For subtle dimension, Glossier Lash Slick elongates hairs without veering into the too-extra false-lash territory (although fun fact: It was what was used on Michelle Obama's lashes during the Biden inauguration last January, so it definitely does not lack in star power.). Lash Slick's tiny, svelte bristles lengthen and coat lashes from root to tip, while its formula holds lift and curl through continued wear. All in all, it elevates the look of natural lashes, without clumping or flaking like many dense formulas—something the brand playfully refers to as the "baby-extension" effect.

The award-winning Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara creates visibly longer, thicker, and fuller lashes, courtesy of its unique glossy polymer formula and proprietary Flake-Free Tubing Technology™. Designed to combat raccoon eyes and typical mascara woes, this formula is easily buildable, incredibly long-wearing, and prevents clumping, flaking, and smudging. 

Both adaptable and flexible, IMMACULASH® 360 leverages a novel dual wand that coats both top and bottom lash hairs, while building noticeable volume, lift, and curl. This wand, by design, enables detailed coating, even for your hard-to-reach inner corners and lower lashes. It's truly one-of-a-kind, offering a distinctive and inventive twist to mascara application.

Honorable Mentions

We'd be remiss if we didn't call out our other favorites, which have also earned a permanent spot in our shopping carts. They similarly leverage exceptional formulas and ingredients to lift and provide volume; and are backed by happy shoppers. Here are our runner-ups we love:

For overall volume: Lancôme Hypnose Drama Instant Full Body Volume Mascara 

For volume and length: Urban Decay Perversion Mascara

For volume and curl: It Cosmetics Hello Lashes and Yves Saint Laurent

The Shock Volumizing Mascara

For volume and length drugstore: Essence Bye Bye Panda Eyes! Mascara

For volume and curl drugstore: Maybelline Lash Sensational Washable Mascara and Maybelline Colossal Big Shot Mascara

For volume and separation: CoverGirl LashBlast Clump Crusher

For natural volume: Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-In-1 Mascara

A luxury option for volume and lift:  Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara 

A cruelty-free option for volume: Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara

An innovation option that features unique technology and design for volume: IT Cosmetics Lash Blowout Mascara

How do I choose the best volumizing mascara?

When searching for mascaras, it's imperative to consider your eye shape, wand preferences, and overall design, your eye sensitivities, and specific call-outs, such as whether the mascara lengthens, volumizes, curls, or achieves all of the above. You'll also want to factor in your lash type, as different formulas work better with certain types of lashes. Fine lashes, for example, need buildable formulas that create dimension and fullness.

And although not too common a practice, it's equally important to examine the ingredients. Some ingredients work better than others at eliminating flakes and clumps, all while lasting throughout the day and night. This consideration is especially crucial for those with eye sensitivity, as certain ingredients are more irritating.

If you have sensitive eyes, look out for the terms like ‘allergy-tested,’ ‘ophthalmologist-tested’ and ‘ophthalmologically tested” on the packaging—these phrases generally denote that they’ve been tested and analyzed by eye specialists. We also recommend carrying out a patch test. Swipe a little mascara on your outer lashes and leave it there for a few hours. If it doesn’t give you any discomfort, take it as a green light to apply it all over your eyelashes or, if you’re still anxious, apply it from the mid-lengths upwards.

What are common mascara problems and solutions to follow?

Your mascara can seriously make or break your look, so it’s important to address these common quandaries as they come—and thankfully, we’ve provided sound solutions to keep in mind:

Smudges and fall-out: This happens when mascara pigment stains and bleeds under eyes and/or on your brow bone. The solution: opt for long-lasting formulas with ingredients like silicone and minerals that dry faster, last longer, and prevent dreaded panda eyes post application.

Clumping: Choose a moisturizing formula with a shaped brush that hugs lashes and evenly distributes product. Also, be sure to wipe off excess product!

Stiffness: Stiff lashes are prone to flaking, breakage, and nasty “spider eyes” (which happens when your lashes clump together unflatteringly). To combat this, be sure to look out for conditioning ingredients, like jojoba oil or vitamin E.

Flaking: This occurs when mascara leaves a trail of residue under your eyes and typically feels crusty, crunchy, and sticky to the touch. Go for a mascara with a high concentration of waxes, which hold product in place and make the formula less “tacky.” To safeguard further, you can:

1. Go over your mascara with a waterproof top coat to seal in the formula;

2. Apply a building primer base; or

3. Wait for your mascara to dry completely.

Irritation: Certain mascara formulas may cause eye irritation, such as itching, watering, etc. Luckily, we’ve created a best mascaras for sensitive eyes guide, which serves as a useful destination that addresses your concerns.

How often should I replace my mascara?

Compared to other beauty products, mascaras have the shortest shelf life, so it's recommended to replace them around two to three months after opening (behind each tube, you'll find a small icon with a number inside it, which indicates the number of months that it's safe to use the product after opening). Over time, your mascara brush will collect bacteria and germs, which may cause irritation, discomfort, and even infection if not properly addressed. 

Good luck and happy shopping!