Some days just call for one of the best natural-looking mascaras, be it a low-key working-from-home morning or meeting friends for a casual lunch. These mascaras are ideal for those relaxed days when you want to look "done" but not too done.
The best mascaras often promise huge, exaggerated results that are all about enhancing things. MEGA lashes. XXXL Volume. MILES of length. But some days you don’t necessarily want or need that full-blown lash look – and that’s when it’s handy to have a natural-looking mascara or two at your disposal. According to makeup artist James Butterfield, it's possible to use buys you already own for a lower-impact effect. "Removing excess mascara from the wand prior to application will achieve a fresher look," he confirms. "If your natural lashes are fair, then you may prefer to use brown mascara rather than black."
I'll admit, my preference has historically been the best volumising mascaras – I like products that are low-effort, high-impact. However, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed using these natural-looking mascaras. They looked chicer, understated and felt comfier to wear. Consider me converted. To that end, I’ve narrowed down the very best buys for this list. Whether you’re looking for a bit of extra definition, or are looking to try the best brown mascara, there’s an option here for every budget, preference, and style.
The best natural looking mascaras, picked by our beauty editor
RRP: £20 | Features: Long-wearing, lengthening | Waterproof version: No
This is so subtle that you'd have to use one of the best clear mascaras if you wanted something even more natural-looking. Ranked as one of the best tubing mascaras, it's made for that undone-done look; the cone-shaped wand pushed my lashes up while adding volume without too much bulk. It's also available in brown for an even softer finish.
Buy it if: You want to avoid clumps at all costs
Don't buy it if: Your budget is under £20
RRP: £12.99 | Features: Lightweight, whipped formula | Waterproof version: Yes
The wide, spaced-out bristle brush of this Max Factor pick allows you to be as minimal (or maximal) as you like when applying. This slotted nicely into my comfort zone of mascaras - low effort, high impact, but I was most impressed with how natural it could look when applied with a lighter hand.
Buy it if: You want a black-brown mascara
Don't buy it if: You want a maximally natural option
RRP: £25 | Features: Ultra-thin wand, includes biotin | Waterproof version: Yes
This mascara features a brush that borders on – which means you can be really precise with your application. It works incredibly well for that "tightlined" look, giving you a defined-yet-subtle lash look. It's also an ideal design for appliyng mascara on bottom lashes. Though it's a little slow at building volume, purely because of the size of the brush, it's a dream for a natural look.
Buy it if: You want extreme precision
Don't buy it if: You prefer a larger brush
RRP: £32 | Features: Hypoallergenic, long-wearing | Waterproof version: No
The first thing I noticed about this mascara was the weight of the tube; it's quite heavy, almost like a paperweight, which adds to its luxe feel. So far, so VB. It also features a slim, curved wand (about the size of a cotton bud), which allows you to curve the lashes up while grabbing each one. It's easy to remove, too, and the perfect accompaniment to a swish of kohl. Expensive, yes – but worth it if your budget is a bit roomier.
Buy it if: You want to lift short lashes
Don't buy it if: You're after a range of colours
RRP: £18 | Features: Conditioning, with easy removal| Waterproof version: No
Trinny London's Lash2Lash is a lot smaller than most mascaras. The formula is the same as one end of the brand's Lash2Brow, which features mascara and a brow gel in one easy tub and is therefore ideal for travel. It still packs a punch in long-wearing, lightweight performance that you can build up for a more dramatic look, if you choose. This mascara-only version is limited edition, though, so be quick if you want to get your hands on it.
Buy it if: You already have naturally dark lashes
Don't buy it if: You don't want a jet black mascara
RRP: £21| Features: Nourishing castor oil, water-resistant| Waterproof version: No
This Rare Beauty mascara is specially formulated to prevent irritation, which is perfect for those with sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. One swipe gives a nice natural look, but the formula is buildable and can create a more voluminous look, too. My eyes err on the sensitive side but I can vouch that my eyes remained content and weep-free after trying this one. Bonus: there's also a mini version available.
Buy it if: You separated lashes with added volume
Don't buy it if: You're after a brown mascara
RRP: £6 | Features: Vegan, double-sided wand | Waterproof version: No
This mascara's wand has different textures on each side, so you can twist it to get the effect you wand – one for volume, one for length, one for curling. The three shades available mean you can personalise the exact look you want. (Actually for this price you could possibly stretch to all three for a kind of mascara wardrobe!)
Buy it if: You want something buildable
Avoid if: You're after something luxe
RRP: £30 | Features: Sweat and humidity-resistant | Waterproof version: No
This petite option makes a great natural-looking mascara, working especially well to lengthen short lashes. I tend to prefer a bristle brush and this slim shape made light work of lengthening my stumpy lashes, pushing them up and coating each one with nice, non-clumpy volume with just one sweep. The size also means it's great for coating bottom lashes smudge-free.
Buy it if: You want natural-looking lift
Avoid it if: You want a wide colour range
RRP: £38 | Features: B5 to protect and fortify lashes | Waterproof version: No
This luxe Chanel pick has a black pigment with just a touch of red, yielding a more vibrant tone that flatters the eyes. It's something I've never seen before in a mascara and I have to say it's noticeable when applied. The brush is pretty clever, too – slim but flexible, you can build up as little or as much volume as you want, which makes it a great multitasker.
Buy it if: You want something slightly different to a classic black shade
Don't buy it if: You want something very affordable
How we tested the best natural-looking mascaras
To compile a guide to the very best buys, I individually tested all of these natural-looking mascaras (as well as a range of others that didn’t make the cut). I tested each one over the course of a few days to make sure they had a rigorous but fair trial and definitely gave the best possible natural lash look.
I tried formulas and mascara brush types from different brands, price points and styles to ensure I'd tested a wide range of formulas. To narrow down the very best, I assessed whether they went above and beyond in terms of the following factors.
- Ease of application
- Comfortability of wear
- Brush size
- Inclusion of any beneficial ingredients
- Colours available
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