As a stubby-lashed beauty editor, these are the 9 best mascaras for short lashes I've tried
Trust me: I've tried countless mascaras to whittle down this shortlist
Amelia Yeomans
The best mascaras for short lashes essentially have to do one thing, and one thing only: deliver length.
Having said that, as a beauty editor with disappointingly short lashes, I know there are a few more elements at play. It's safe to say that the best mascara for most people, regardless of lash type, will be long-lasting and clump-free. But some other aspects come down to preference. Many people want a full look, as well as length, so reach for the best volumising mascaras, while others prefer natural-looking, low-maintenance tubing mascaras.
Either way, it's an idea to follow makeup artist Zoë Taylor's advice that "choosing a lightweight but buildable mascara is important, rather than a heavy, dense formula, which might clog and weigh down the hairs." Lucking, our team has a lot of experience with this particular genre of mascara, and keeping Taylor's advice in mind, these are the nine we recommend, having tried them all.
Mascara for short lashes deals
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The 9 best mascaras for short lashes, reviewed by our beauty team
RRP: £12.99 | Waterproof version: No
Tested by: Annie Milroy, 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 Paris 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 noticeably healthier and fuller.
Pros: You want lift and a curl that lasts
Cons: The fiddly wand might put you off
RRP: £13.99 | Waterproof version: No
Tested by: Fiona Mckim
This skinny, curved comb-style wand is designed to apply small amounts of pigment and fibres via the small gaps between its short, flexible bristles. These gently pull the lashes up and out as you comb through them, giving a clump-free, lifted and defined finish that's very natural-looking.
This is great for short lashes as it goes hell for leather on the length front, without weighing lashes down or looking in any way OTT. The formula isn't waterproof or tubing (a go-to for maximum smudgeproof powers) but still manages a full day transfer-free, and removes easily with micellar water at night.
Pros: Budget-friendly with an elegant finish that's great for everyday
Cons: Not ultra volumising, if that's your preference
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: £13.99 | Waterproof version: No
Tested by: Fiona McKim
Tubing mascaras work differently to others, by wrapping lashes in tubes that then never smudge and are removed using warm water - so far, so appealing, right? The only issue is that said tubes can't hope to achieve the length and volume of trad non-tubing formulas - but this one comes as close as any I've found.
Maybelline's first tubing formula does a pretty good job of replicating it's non tubing namesake (also on this list) giving a decent kick of flutter and curl, more so than other tubes I've tried. It's also extremely long wearing and transfer-proof, so perfect for hot days and holidays - and a bargain to boot.
Pros: You want a natural-looking mascara that never smudges
Cons: Loud or bold lashes are more your style
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 and curved wand, our lashes looked curled and extremely lengthened with just a couple of swipes of the formula.
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: £23 | Waterproof version: No
Tested by: Annie Milroy, Millie Fender
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: £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: £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, which we've detailed below. With these in mind, you'll almost certainly find the best mascara for you and your short lashes.
- Wand: As well as formula, mascara results hinge largely on the wand. Volumising mascaras tend to have thicker, hourglass-shaped brushes, while lengthening ones often have thinner, tapered wands. Keep this in mind and look at 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: Especially important for sensitive eyes, but useful generally. If yours are prone to irritation or you want to improve lash health, you may get on better with a mascara formula 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
A huge part of this is mastering your application. "Once you have curled [them], apply mascara starting in the root, wiggling the wand deep into the base of the lashes," 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 help you get your lashes to look exactly as you'd like, every time.
"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 lifts the lashes, making them appear longer, and really helps to open up the eyes. "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 stresses, "once mascara is on, you mustn’t use eyelash curlers on the lashes as it can damage them."
Can mascara damage short lashes?
Many people wonder if mascara is bad for your natural eyelashes, especially those that are already quite fine. But experts say that with the right products and proper removal, there's 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.
Pay close attention to completely removing your 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, ensuring that you remove every last scrap of mascara from them.
Our expert panel
Amelia is an experienced shopping editor with a specialism in beauty and fashion who has written for woman&home, Marie Claire UK, OK!, New!, and Notion. During her time as woman&home's fashion and beauty writer, Amelia tested hundreds of products to sort the best from the rest, and has a particular penchant for hardworking makeup. She was the main reviewer for this guide but sought the insights of her W&H beauty colleagues to ensure a well-rounded edit.
Annie Milroy is the Beauty Writer for woman&home and Future plc's other women's lifestyle publications. After eight years working in the fashion & beauty industry, she's left the fashion world behind and now writes about everything from lightweight foundations, her favourite perfumes, to natural-looking fake tans. She tested and reviewed a number of the short lash-friendly mascaras featured here.
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 mascaras suited to shorter lashes.
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. Drawing on her testing expertise, she shared her thoughts on many of the mascaras for short lashes featured here.
Fiona McKim has been part of the woman&home beauty team for more than a decade. During that time her work has included interviewing countless experts, reporting from backstage at Fashion Week and judging the woman&home Beauty Awards. She's tested hundreds of mascaras over the years, sharing her thoughts on those particularly great at boosting short lashes.
Rhiannon Derbyshire is Senior Beauty Editor at woman&home and other women's titles. During her career, she's specialised in beauty, fashion, interiors and health, but beauty remains her favourite topic – meaning she's reviewed several of the very best mascaras over the years, including stellar picks for short lashes.
Zoë Taylor is an experienced makeup artist with a career spanning more than two decades, having worked on everything from beauty campaigns to celebrity clients over the years. Here, she's shared her expert insights into what maeks a great mascara for short lashes, plus how to get the most out of your chosen formula.