The best mascara for short lashes is the key to giving them that lengthened, fluttery look that lasts all day long. Whether you are looking for one that will totally transform your lashes, or want something that yields a subtly enhanced look, team woman&home has tested enough mascaras to know which ones will get those all-important results.
The hunt for the best mascara is one that can take a significant amount of time. With so many on the market, from the best volumizing mascaras to the best tubing mascaras, landing on the one that works perfectly for your lashes takes a bit of trial and error. Picking up any mascara and hoping for the best is unlikely to end in success, so it is essential to consider your lash type when shopping.
"The most common complaint I hear is fine lashes," says makeup artist and beauty expert Zoë Taylor, "So choosing a lightweight but buildable mascara is important – rather than a heavy, dense formula, which might clog and weigh down the hairs." Taking her advice on board, we tested the best mascaras on the market and here are the ones that genuinely curled, volumised and lengthened our short lashes.
The best mascara for short lashes, reviewed by our beauty team
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RRP: £31 Features: unique crown-tip brush, smudge-proof | Waterproof version: Yes
We're big fans of Shiseido at woman&home and this mascara is something of an obsession. Much like many of the best mascaras for short lashes, ImperialLash also uses a curvy, hourglass-shaped brush, but it's much slimmer than your typical mascara wand. This is great for those working with very short lashes as it allows for slightly more precision and control. The main thing we noticed when testing this mascara is how beautifully it fanned out our lashes, giving an even coat of pigment across the whole eye.
Buy if: You want lashes to look natural, defined, lengthened, volumised
Avoid if: You're on a budget
RRP: £9.99 | Features: Nourishing castor oil, vortex brush | Waterproof version: No
Revolution always strikes the right balance between quality and affordability. The brush's twisted 'vortex' shape impressively caught every lash when we tested this mascara, giving them a flawless, lengthened look. We're quite particular about a formula's consistency and found this one to be just right; not too wet or too dry, it applied smoothly to our lashes without being runny. We also loved that this mascara can be built up to make lashes look even thicker, thanks to the amount of volume it provides at the roots.
Buy if: You're looking for an affordable yet quality mascara
Avoid if: You prefer a synthetic brush
RRP: £25 | Features: Tubing formula, sweat and humidity resistant | Waterproof version: No
If you're looking for the best lengthening mascara to give that lash extension effect, we've found it. Thanks to this mascara's thin, curved wand, we found that our lashes were instantly curled and extremely lengthened with just a couple of swipes. The High Impact Zero Gravity formula is one of the drier consistencies we have tested with no clumpiness or smudging. We found that the formula spreads evenly on each lash, giving a fanned-out look. This provides a more natural, thinner finish that promotes length and curl above thickness or volume.
Buy if: You want the long, wispy effect
Avoid if: You prefer a dramatic look
RRP: £28 | Features: Humidity resistant, smudge-proof | Waterproof version: No
If you're after a mascara that will instantly provide length and volume, this is the product for you. When testing, we found that only one swipe on each eye was needed to get that thick, full look we were hoping for, requiring hardly an effort to transform our short lashes. This is definitely a buildable formula that can become as thick and dark as you want it to be, ideal for glam eye looks.
Buy if: You want a bold, long-wearing mascara
Avoid if: Loud lashes aren't your style
RRP: £12 | Features: Ophthalmologist tested, curved brush | Waterproof version: No
Not only is this Morphe mascara affordable, but it also delivers on its promise of creating lush, voluminous lashes. What we loved most about Make It Big is that it gave a lash extension look, providing length and definition without looking overly makeup-y. Ideal for natural makeup looks or full glam, there's no going wrong. Plus, it's ophthalmologist-tested, making it one of the best mascaras for sensitive eyes. For high-end performance with a budget price tag, Morphe has hit the nail on the head.
Buy if: You want an affordable mascara for sensitive eyes
Avoid if: You're looking for a waterproof option
RRP: £12.99 | Features: Two-sided wand, adds 5mm of length | Waterproof version: No
This is by far the most unique product in our best mascara for short lashes guide. What sets the L'Oreal Telescopic Lift apart from all other mascaras is the two-sided bristle brush that sits almost completely flat on one side, with spiked ridges on the other. A re-invention of the original L'Oreal Telescopic mascara, Telescopic Lift promises 5mm of visible added length. The even, fanned-out look it gave was also one of our favorite features, as it made lashes look healthy and full.
Buy if: You want good lift and a curl that lasts
Avoid if: The fiddly wand would put you off
RRP: £29 | Features: Paraben free, smudge proof | Waterproof version: No
From the best matte foundations to the best perfume for women, YSL makes some of our favourite beauty products. This is the first mascara we have tried from the brand and it's safe to say we weren't disappointed. From the gorgeous, sleek packaging to the buildable volume it provides, this mascara ticks all the right boxes for short lashes. When testing, we loved using the conical-shaped wand that caught every lash, yielding a thick and full finish.
Buy if: Your go-to is a smokey eye
Avoid if: You want to use on lower lashes, too
RRP: £28 | Features: Tubing formula, Fatty acids and olive oil esters | Waterproof version: No
Merit is known for easy-to-use beauty products that simplify your makeup routine – and Clean Lash Mascara is a favourite of our Head of Shopping, Millie Fender. "For lengthening while still keeping my lashes looking natural, I love the Merit Clean Lash," she says. "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."
Buy if: You're looking for the best tubing mascara
Avoid if: You want lots of volume
RRP: £7.95 | Features: Vegan, 12-hour wear | Waterproof version: No
Another budget-friendly option, Lottie London's Superfake Mascara stands out from the crowd thanks to its thin and very flexible wand. When testing we loved this mascara's consistency, which made for quick and easy application with no tugging or mess. Thanks to the smaller wand that bends, we could get right into the lash line and work through every lash to stretch and lengthen. The smaller spikes on the wand also mean no clumping occurs, which is always a bonus.
Buy if: You want a low-maintenance mascara
Avoid if: You have hooded eyes (we got some on our lids)
RRP: £31 | Features: Unique film-forming technology | Waterproof version: No
If you're on the hunt for the best mascara for hooded eyes, look no further. woman&home's senior writer Amelia Yeomans says this Hourglass mascara is smudge-proof and works wonders for lengthening. "It's my favourite mascara at the moment. 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.
Buy if: You have hooded eyelids and short lashes
Avoid if: You want a thickening mascara
RRP: £27 | Features: Clump-resistant, non-flaking | Waterproof version: Yes
The MACStack mascara very handily comes in two brush sizes, Mega and Micro, to cater to different volume preferences and promises infinite buildability, too. When testing, we loved that we could build up the volume and thickness of our lashes or keep them more natural. The thinner, lighter formula is not only comfortable to wear, but also means that you can add a lot of product to your short lashes without weighing them down or getting clumps. If you're torn between the two brushes, Mega is better for your top lashes and a volumised look, while Micro creates a more understated look and is well-suited to bottom lashes or short eyelashes that may need some TLC.
Buy if: You want a lightweight, flake-free mascara
Avoid if: You're looking for a cruelty-free option
RRP: £28 | Features: Sensitive-eye friendly, nourishing ingredients | Waterproof version: No
The ILIA Fullest mascara is known for its volumising and thickening lash effect, but according to our shopping writer Hannah Holway, it's also one of the best lengthening mascaras. Thanks to its clean formula, it defines and enhances your natural lashes while keeping them conditioned and healthy-looking.
Buy if: You want a mascara that will keep lashes healthy
Avoid if: You have shaky hands, as the wand could be a little messy
How we tested the best mascara for short lashes
A selection of the mascaras we tested for this guide
To gauge how well each mascara really performs, we tested all of them on our short lashes. We paid particular attention to mascara brush types, formula and the ease of application, as well as looking at how they wore after a few – keeping a particular eye on any flaking or smudging. (How to apply mascara on short lashes is the same as most formulas – but it can be easier to smudge, so this was crucial.) Then, the main factor we looked at was lengthening ability, examining whether each product could revive our short lashes and provide that much-desired fluttery look.
How to choose the best mascara for short lashes
When shopping for mascara, particularly if you have short, sparse or fine lashes, there are a few key factors to consider, which we've expanded on below. By assessing against these criteria, you can be almost certain that you will find a mascara that will work for you and your lashes.
- Wand type: The results you get from a mascara depend largely on the type of wand the product has. While volumising mascaras tend to have thicker, more hourglass-shaped wands, lengthening products typically have thinner, tapered wands. Think about what look you are going for and pay attention to the accompanying brushes while shopping.
- Formula: If you have hooded eyes, oily skin or often struggle with mascara smudging, you will probably benefit from a tubing formula (which "wrap" the lashes in polymers that only come off with warm water) or a slightly drier consistency. If you want something buildable or that's less likely to dry out, opt for thinner, wetter consistencies that apply easily.
- Ingredients: Another important factor for those with sensitive eyes is ingredients. If you are prone to irritation or want to improve your lash health, you may want to go for a mascara that contains nourishing oils, but some of these can be irritating to sensitive eyes, so do some research into the ingredients before you buy.
How to make short lashes look longer
Taylor is very clear about this: "Always curl your lashes!" As with almost all makeup, how you prep before application is key to getting the best results. "It doesn’t matter how long or short your lashes are, really take your time on getting them as curled and perfect as possible, she says. "Once mascara is on, you mustn’t use eyelash curlers on the lashes as it can damage them."
How do you apply mascara to short, sparse lashes?
After finding your perfect mascara match, the next step is mastering its application. "Once you have curled, apply mascara starting in the root, wiggling the wand deep into the base of the lashes," Taylor explains. "Then, draw out the wand through the lashes to the tips, spreading the lashes as you would like them to sit." Don't be afraid to take your time with this, as it's a technique worth perfecting to ensure your lashes look exactly how you like them.
"The second layer should be [applied] mostly into the roots, and the third starting again in the roots and drawing through to the tips," she 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 just like that, you will have lengthened, full lashes.
Can mascara damage short lashes?
If you are wondering is mascara bad for your eyelashes, a common belief is that wearing it can harm your natural lashes, especially those that are already quite fine. However, with the right products and removal processes, there is no reason why mascara should harm your lashes.
"Choose your mascara carefully," says Taylor. "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 yours need some nourishment.
As well as using the best mascara for short lashes, pay close attention to how you remove your eye makeup, 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 the best cleansing balms, therefore, can make a huge difference in keeping your lashes healthy.
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