An Ophthalmologist and a Makeup Artist Just ID'd the 9 Best Mascaras for Ageing Lashes

This mascara is formulated with carnauba and candelilla waxes (which help to curl and hold lashes throughout the day), while glycerin helps to nourish the lashes. The comb-like wand helps to lengthen and separate lashes for a fanned-out effect.

Customer Review: "I thought I’d give this mascara a go after reading the reviews. Wow, it really does lengthen lashes. Unlike other mascaras it firms up and holds lashes in place. I find the mascara on the tip of the lashes usually rubs off quickly but not this mascara. It stays put and makes lashes look long all day long. Also washes off with no black tell tale under eye marks. Definitely a new favourite."

Pros: Carnauba and candelilla waxes offer curl and hold, glycerin helps to hydrate and moisturise the lashes. Cruelty-free and vegan formula

Cons: None

Specs: 7ml tube

If you want a mascara that gives a lengthening effect while holding a curl all day long—and be easy to take off—then you need to try this mascara. It's more expensive than your typical drugstore mascara, but, it delivers incredible fanned-out lashes as the comb brush captures even the smallest eyelashes. Plus, this mascara doesn't smudge or flake throughout the day, and can easily be removed with warm water, making it great for sensitive eyes too.

Customer Review: "My lashes are already naturally long, but this mascara enhances my lashes even more! Love the extra length I get when using it, and how defined my lashes look. I get so many compliments every time I wear this mascara. Also it’s super easy to remove. I highly recommend."

Pros: Has a buildable formula that adds length and volume to the lashes, vegan and cruelty-free formula, ophthalmologist tested

Cons: More expensive than other mascaras

Specs: 10g tube

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Want volume? The spiral bristled brush of Beauty Pie's mascara coats lashes in a velvety black (or brown, if that's more your cup of tea), leaving even the finest lashes volumised with plenty of length and a long-lasting curl too.

Customer Review: "Make up at my age (76) can be problematic and I only wear lipstick and mascara. This mascara is superb and really enhances my eyes without clogging. Also easy to remove."

Pros: easy removal, no smudging, contains shea butter, vitamin E and natural waxes to condition lashes, also comes in brown

Cons: formula becomes clumpy with two or more layers

Specs: 7ml tube

If definition is what you're after, look no further than the Defining Mascara. It's formulated with a calming and protecting blend that effectively separates and coats the lashes for definition. It also has no parabens or synthetic fragrances—making this a must-have for anyone with sensitive eyes.

Customer Review: "I'm able to wear this mascara every day because it's very gentle on the eyes. It doesn't clump at all and gives a natural shine and wet look to my lashes. It also washes off very easily just with water."

Pros: glides onto the lashes effortlessly while also delivering shine

Cons: thin, watery formula is not buildable or ideal for bold eye looks

Specs: 6ml tube

The Milk Makeup Kush High Roll Defining & Volumizing Tubing Mascara separates and defines every lash for added definition, volume, and length without smudging or flaking. With a wear time of up to 24 hours, it uses High Roll Tubing Technology combined with a blend of nourishing oils and volume-boosting waxes.

Customer Review: "This is by far the best mascara I've used in a long time. Checks all my boxes: doesn't transfer/smear above my deep-set eyes even after sweating hard, doesn't flake, easily removes with just water, and makes my lashes look great in one coat. Will repurchase this for the foreseeable future."

Pros: gives the lashes a high volume, fanned-out finish

Cons: can look clumpy despite its creamy texture

Specs: 6g tube

For a waterproof mascara you can rely on, try the Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara. The 12-hour, non-smudging formula adds volume and length to short, brittle lashes while resisting clumping, sweat, and humidity. The brand recommends using this mascara by placing its brush at the roots of your lashes and wiggling it up to the lips, then repeating for build.

Customer Review: "I've always had a problem keeping mascara on, mostly rubs off below bottom lashes. This seems to go on smooth and stays on the best I've found in a long time. I'm over 60 and my skin seems to be changing a lot. I'm buying this as long as it still works on me."

Pros: allergy tested and 100% fragrance-free

Cons: none

Specs: 10g tube

The Limitless Lash Mascara has a buildable, flake-free formula infused with arginine (keratin) to fortify and reinforce the lashes from within, shea butter to condition the lashes for a soft feel, and more. Now, the best-selling mascara comes in a lighter mono-material tube for planet-friendly packaging.

Customer Review: "Buying mascara has always felt like a necessity for me to finish my makeup and not something I've reused happily. But this one is amazing! No clumping, lightweight, but bold! It's perfect!"

Pros: dual-sided wand for eye-opening length and definition

Cons: tends to lightly flake and smear

Specs: 8ml tube

Probst highlights this Maybelline mascara for its drugstore price point and falsie-like finish. This mascara is infused with fibres that deliver dramatic volume, length, and lift with a clump-free, ophthalmologist-tested formula. It also has a double-curved separator brush to grab lashes at the root for the false-eyelash effect.

Customer Review: "This waterproof lash lift is unmatched. Gives the most fluffy, long, volumised, separated, curled gorgeous lashes imaginable. I will never buy another mascara—this is the BEST Maybelline has to offer!"

Pros: does not clump, smear, or flake; all-day wear

Cons: none

Specs: 8.6ml tube

For a department-store option that works well for aging lashes, Probst favors the best-selling Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara by YSL Beauty. This one makes her list because it offers 200% more lash volume, a double-brush wand to lengthen the lashes, and intense color and extreme volume for 24 hours without smudging.

Customer Review: "Such a fun product, love the colour, length, and volume it adds to my lashes! Mascara lasted all day and hardly transferred. Also easy to remove and beautiful packaging!"

Pros: vegan, free of parabens, and contains less than 1% synthetic fragrance

Cons: luxury price point

Specs: 8ml tube

Customer Review: "This amazing mascara is always my favorite go-to in my makeup bag. It creates beautiful lashes... So good I never need to put on the false ones."

Customer Review: "This mascara does not smudge! It is the best. Comes off easily with water without making 'raccoon' eyes. I wear it all day without any smears or smudges."

Customer Review: "I love Sisley mascaras overall, but this one is definitely my favorite. It really opens up the eyes, does not smudge (which is a big one for me), and stays fresh all day long."