12 Super-Effective Curling Mascaras—Perfect for Stick-Straight Lashes

Gigi Hadid

(Image credit: @gigihadid)

If I were to choose only one type of makeup product to wear for the rest of my life, it would undoubtedly be mascara. It's the first product I ever used, and it's truly the makeup item I'm most passionate about. (I have a substantial collection of at least 50.)

Having said that, discovering a mascara that can effectively curl and lift my long, stick-straight lashes is indeed a challenge. While I adore and value the natural length I was born with, this blessing comes with the curse of lashes that tend to droop dramatically. Consequently, even though I appreciate mascaras that promise length, volume, and definition, my primary concern is always achieving a curl. Unfortunately, most mascaras I've experimented with over the years (even prior to being a beauty editor) have fallen disappointingly short. Creating the best curling mascaras involves a significant strategy, and while I'm no expert in terms of chemistry, production, or design, I have noticed consistent patterns in brush design, texture, and ingredients. (For instance, heavy and excessively wet mascaras will never provide the lift and curl you desire from your wand.)

Because I'm so passionate about finding, testing, and recommending the best curling mascaras in the beauty biz, I've put together a list of foolproof options for anyone who's ever been convinced their lashes are resistant to curl. Keep scrolling! Your ultimate lash-curling mascara soulmate is waiting for you just below, along with some of my favorite eye-enhancing products to pair with each.

Essence Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara

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Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

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Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara

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MAC Cosmetics Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara

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Fenty Beauty Full Frontal Volume, Lift and Curl Mascara

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Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara

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Glossier Lash Slick Mascara

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Kosas The Big Clean Volumizing + Lash Care Mascara

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Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Curling and Lifting Mascara

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Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara

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Dior Diorshow Iconic Mascara

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Merit Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara

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This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

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Beauty Director

Erin has been writing a mix of beauty and wellness content for Who What Wear for over four years. Prior to that, she spent two and half years writing for Byrdie. She now calls Santa Monica home but grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and studied writing, rhetoric, and communication at University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. She studied abroad in Galway, Ireland, and spent a summer in L.A. interning with the Byrdie and Who What Wear family. After graduating from UW, she spent one year in San Francisco, where she worked as a writer for Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen before moving down to L.A. to begin her career as a beauty editor. She considers her day-to-day beauty aesthetic very low-maintenance and relies on staples like clear brow serum (from Kimiko!), Lawless's Lip Plumping Mask in Cherry Vanilla, and an eyelash curler. For special occasions or days when she's taking more meetings or has an event, she'll wear anything and everything from Charlotte Tilbury (the foundations are game-changing), some shimmer on her lids (Stila and Róen do it best), and a few coats of the best mascara-type product on earth, Surratt's Noir Lash Tint.