I Have Naturally Short Lashes, But No One Knows Thanks to These 12 Mascaras

I'm tragically on the shallow end of the gene pool when it comes to long, voluptuous lashes. I've always dreamed of lashes long enough to skim my eyebrows, but my natural eyelashes are pretty much as short and stubby as they come. To compensate, I've been religiously using mascara since I can remember. For me, mascara is one of the products I refuse to leave the house without—I feel incomplete without it.

To amp up my short lashes, I always opt for lengthening mascaras (bonus points if they also pack on the volume). When looking for mascaras to make your lashes look longer, pick a formula that calls out lengthening specifically (though my favorite formula calls out volume). Each formula is different, but tubing mascaras that build on each coat and wands with thin bristles that grab on and coat each individual lash can be helpful for adding the most length possible. Keep reading for the best lengthening mascaras out there, coming from someone who has tried just about every mascara on the market.

Best overall: Yves Saint Laurent Lash Clash Mascara

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(Image credit: @ktberohn)

Wearing YSL Lash Clash.

Best drugstore: Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara

Best volumizing: Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara

Best for definition: Ami Colé Lash-Amplifying Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara

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(Image credit: @ktberohn)

Wearing Ami Colé Lash-Amplifying Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara.

Best curling: Tower 28 MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara

Best natural-looking: Glossier Lash Slick

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(Image credit: @ktberohn)

Wearing Glossier Lash Slick.

Best thickening: Ilia Limitless Lash Lengthening Clean Mascara

Best tubing: Caliray Come Hell or High Water Volumizing Tubing Mascara

Best buildable: L'Oréal Telescopic Lift Washable Mascara

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(Image credit: @ktberohn)

Wearing L'Oréal Telescopic Lift Washable Mascara.

Best lifting: Benefit They're Real! Lengthening Mascara

Best for a bold look: Bakeup Tarantulash

Best wand: Surratt Noir Lash Tint

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Associate Beauty Editor

Katie Berohn is the associate beauty editor at Who What Wear. Previously, she worked as the beauty assistant for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her master's degree at NYU's graduate program for magazine journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan; a digital editorial internship at New York magazine's The Cut; a social good fellowship at Mashable; and a freelance role at HelloGiggles. When she's not obsessing over the latest skincare launch or continuing her journey to smell every perfume on the planet, Katie can be found taking a hot yoga class, trying everything on the menu at New York's newest restaurant, or hanging out at a trendy wine bar with her friends.