There are mascaras for every look and lash type these days, but the best mascara for short lashes should be exceptional at amplifying natural lashes with lasting, fluttery length.
But that's not to say your requirements begin and end with length. The best mascara for you may combine flutter-enhancement with the lash-thickening properties of the best volumising mascaras, or perhaps the smudge-proof powers of the best tubing mascaras. You're unlikely to strike gold by picking up a random mascara and hoping for the best, so it's essential to consider what truly makes a great mascara for lashes that lack natural length.
"Choosing a lightweight but buildable mascara is important," advises makeup artist and beauty expert Zoë Taylor, "rather than a heavy, dense formula, which might clog and weigh down the hairs." Armed with Taylor's advice and after much testing, here we've reviewed the tried-and-true options that genuinely curled, volumised, and lengthened our short lashes to perfection.
Best mascaras for short lashes deals
The best mascara for short lashes, reviewed by our beauty team
RRP: £30 | Waterproof version: Yes
Tested by: Jess Beech, Amelia Yeomans
Much like many of the best mascaras for short lashes, ImperialLash also has a curved, hourglass-shaped brush, but it's still much slimmer than your typical mascara wand.
This mascara is a great choice for those working with very short natural lashes, as it allows for slightly more precision and control. The main thing we noticed when testing it was how beautifully it fanned out our lashes, resulting in an even coat of pigment across the whole eye.
Pros: You want lashes to look natural, defined, lengthened, and volumised
Cons: You're on a budget
RRP: £12.99 | Waterproof version: No
Tested by: Sennen Prickett, Amelia Yeomans
What sets L'Oréal's Telescopic Lift Mascara apart from all other mascaras is its two-sided bristle brush. This sits almost completely flat on one side, with spiked ridges on the other.
A reinvention of the original L'Oréal Telescopic mascara, Telescopic Lift also promises to yield 5mm of visible added length. The even, fanned-out look it created was one of our favourite features, as it made our lashes look healthy and full.
Pros: You want lift and a curl that lasts
Cons: The fiddly wand would put you off
RRP: £25.50 | Waterproof version: No
Tested by: Naomi Jamieson, Amelia Yeomans
If you're looking for the best lengthening mascara to create that lash extension effect, we've found it. Thanks to this Clinique mascara's thin, curved wand, our lashes looked curled and extremely lengthened with just a couple of swipes.
High Impact Zero Gravity formula is one of the drier options here, though there's no clumpiness or smudging with this formula. It spreads evenly on each lash for a fanned-out look and has a natural finish that promotes length and curl above thickness or volume.
Pros: You want to create a long, wispy effect
Cons: You prefer a dramatic look
RRP: £12.99 | Waterproof version: yes
Tested by: Naomi Jamieson, Fiona McKim
As a brand, Maybelline always strikes the right balance between quality and affordability. This bestselling formula comes with a flexible, rubbery brush that grabs every single lash, fans them out, and gently stretches them as it layers on formula, creating beautiful lift and curl.
We're quite particular about a mascara formula's consistency, and this one is on the drier side, which means it applies smoothly to lashes without any mess or smudging. While this may not be the most volume-packed mascara, that is a benefit for short lashes, as it doesn't weigh them down.
Pros: You're looking for an affordable mascara with bags of flutter
Cons: You prefer volume to length
RRP: £28 | Waterproof version: No
Tested by: JSarah Cooper-White, Amelia Yeomans
If you're seeking a mascara that will add length and volume in what feels like an instant, this Charlotte Tilbury number might be perfect. While testing, Only one swipe on each eye was needed to get that thick, full look we were hoping for.
The fact that this requires hardly any effort to transform short lashes is incredibly efficient. This is definitely a buildable formula too, if you prefer, and can make your lashes as thick and dark as you want - making it an ideal pick for glamorous eye looks.
Pros: You want a bold and long-wearing mascara
Cons: "Loud" or bold lashes aren't your style
RRP: £29 | Waterproof version: No
Tested by: Rhiannon Derbyshire, Amelia Yeomans
From the best matte foundations to the best perfume for women, YSL makes some of our beauty team's favourite beauty products. It's safe to say this mascara does not disappoint. From its gorgeous, sleek packaging to the buildable volume it provides, this mascara ticks all the right boxes for short lashes. Our testers loved using the conical-shaped wand that caught every lash with ease, yielding a thick and full finish - although this was perhaps a bit dramatic for lower lashes.
Pros: Your go-to look is a smoky eye
Cons: You want something ideal for lower lashes
RRP: £23 | Waterproof version: No
Tested by: Millie Fender, Annie Milroy
After first hitting the UK in 2023, MERIT has quickly built a legion of loyal fans and is known for easy-to-use beauty products that simplify your makeup routine. This is a tubing formula, meaning lashes are "wrapped" with polymers (rather than layering on pigment), which resist smudging and soak off with warm water at the end of the day.
"For lengthening while still keeping my lashes looking natural, I love the Merit Clean Lash," says E-commerce writer, Millie Fender. "The tubing formula makes it super easy to remove, and I also love using it on my lower lashes for a separated, clump-free look."
Pros: You're looking for the best tubing mascara
Cons: You want lots of volume
RRP: £31 | Waterproof version: No
Tested by: Fiona McKim, Amelia Yeomans
If you're on the hunt for the best mascara for hooded eyes, look no further; tester Amelia Yeomans says this Hourglass mascara is both smudge-proof and works wonders for lengthening.
"It's my favourite mascara at the moment," she says. "It's a tubing formula, so it works amazingly to add instant length that could rival falsies and won't smudge at all – which is great for hooded eyes like mine. It is definitely for those who want length above all else, as it isn't hugely thickening."
Pros: You have hooded eyelids and short lashes
Cons: You want thicker-looking lashes
RRP: £27 | Waterproof version: Yes
Tested by: Fiona McKim, Amelia Yeomans
MACStack Mascara very handily comes with two brush sizes, Mega and Micro, to cater to different lash look preferences – and it promises infinite buildability, too. It's a real plus to be able to build up the volume and thickness of lashes or keep them more natural-looking.
The thinner and lighter formula is not only comfortable, but a lot can be applied to short lashes without weighing them down or clumping. If you're torn between the two, Mega is better for top lashes and for creating a voluminous look, while the Micro wand creates a more understated look that's also well-suited to lower and shorter eyelashes.
Pros: You want a lightweight, flake-free mascara
Cons: You're looking for a cruelty-free option
How we tested the best mascara for short lashes
A selection of the mascaras we tested for this guide to the best mascara for short lashes
To gauge how well various mascaras really perform on short lashes and, therefore, write as thorough possible a guide to the very best for the job, we tested each contender on several members of the beauty team, with short lashes. We paid particular attention to mascara brush types, formula, and ease of application, as well as looking at how each one looked after a few hours of wear – keeping a particular eye out for any flaking or smudging.
After that, the main thing we assessed was the mascara's lengthening ability, examining whether each product could amplify our short lashes and provide that much-sought-after fluttery look.
How to choose the best mascara for short lashes
There are some key factors to consider when shopping for an ideal mascara to suit short, sparse or fine lashes. By understanding what you need from your mascara in the following areas, you'll almost certainly find a mascara that works well for you and your lashes.
- Wand: As well as formula, mascara results hinge largely on the wand. Volumising mascaras tend to have thicker, hourglass-shaped wands, while lengthening ones usually have thinner, tapered wands. Keep your desired look in mind and pay attention to the accompanying brushes while shopping.
- Formula: Those with hooded eyes, oily skin or both often struggle with mascara smudging. Tubing formulas, which "wrap" lashes in polymers that only come off with warm water and have a slightly drier consistency, are useful here. If you want something buildable or less likely to dry out, however, opt for thinner, wetter consistencies that layer more easily.
- Ingredients: Another important factor for sensitive eyes is the ingredients. If yours are prone to irritation or you want to improve lash health, you may get on better with something containing nourishing oils. However some of these can irritate sensitive eyes, so do some research into the formula before you buy.
How to make short lashes look longer
This is all about mastering your application. "Once you have curled [them], apply mascara starting in the root, wiggling the wand deep into the base of the lashes," Zoe Taylor advises. "Then, draw out the wand through the lashes to the tips, spreading the lashes as you would like them to sit." Take your time here; it's worth perfecting the technique to get your lashes to look exactly as you'd like.
"The second layer should be [applied] mostly into the roots, and the third starting again in the roots and drawing through to the tips," Taylor continues. "Moving onto the other eye, repeat. Once you are happy, apply a tiny extra bit onto the tips in an upwards and downwards motion." And voilà – longer and fuller-looking lashes.
How do you apply mascara to short, sparse lashes?
Taylor is very clear on this: "Always curl your lashes!" As with most makeup, how you prepare for applying mascara is key to great results – and one of the best eyelash curlers will help with that. "It doesn’t matter how long or short your lashes are, really take your time on getting them as curled and perfect as possible," Taylor continues. "Once mascara is on, you mustn’t use eyelash curlers on the lashes as it can damage them."
Can mascara damage short lashes?
A common belief is around is mascara bad for your natural eyelashes, especially those that are already quite fine. But with the right products and proper removal, there is no reason for this to be the case.
"Choose your mascara carefully," Taylor advises. "Yes, some are very expensive, but the reason is that they [often] have nourishing serums in the formulations to help encourage lash growth." It is usually true that you get what you pay for, so it is worth investing in the right product if your lashes are in need of some nourishment.
As well as the formula, pay close attention to how you remove mascara, too. "Eye makeup removal is so important for the health of your lashes," Taylor confirms. "I love to remove my mascara with a face balm; [this] doesn’t require heavy rubbing with a cotton or re-usable pad." Using one of the best cleansing balms, therefore, can make a huge difference in keeping your lashes in good health.
