Of the 100+ Mascaras We've Tried, These 18 Are in a League of Their Own

Best for: Everything—lengthening, defining, buildable volume

Brush type: Flexible comb brush

Pros: Affordable, buildable formula that lengthens and holds a curl

Cons: None

Why we love it: I recently wrote a review of the L'Oréal Paris Big Deal Mascara after my friends thought I was had gotten lash extensions. The truth? It was actually this mascara, which lengthens beyond belief and can be layered for more dramatic results without clumping, no matter how many coats you apply. My lashes are naturally long but stubbornly straight, and this holds the curl from my eyelash curlers all day and gives amazing length with a fanned-out, doe-eyed finish. I personally find one coat is enough for a natural flutter, but you can easily layer up for more drama and volume. I'm a big fan of the flexible comb brush, which deposits just the right amount of mascara each time. I can't get over how good it is for the price.

Best for: Oily eyelids, natural-looking effect that can be layered, those wanting a tubing mascara

Brush type: Narrow bristled brush

Pros: Natural-looking result, tubing mascara is easy to remove and doesn't smudge

Cons: Not the best for a dramatic look

Why we love it: On the days when only a natural look will do, I always reach for this mascara and I consider it one of the Merit's best makeup products, full stop. It imparts just the right amount of mascara to define my lashes by adding subtle length, volume and curl which doesn't detract from the rest of my makeup. As someone with hooded eyes, I find a lot of mascaras smudge onto my brow bone, but I've not experienced it with this one. It remains in place all day yet miraculously, it removes with just warm water. These types of tubing mascaras are great if you find most mascaras smudge, or you have sensitive eyes as they stay bulletproof all day and easily remove without rubbing. It's the ultimate low-maintenance yet hardworking mascara. I love that it can be built up for more of a volumised flutter without clumping or flaking.

Best for: Lengthening and definition, those wanting a tubing mascara

Brush type: Flexible silicone brush

Pros: Affordable, tubing formula is easy to remove and doesn't smudge

Cons: Not the most volumising

Why we love it: If you're after length and a fluttery result, try this. I recently discovered this mascara and it delivers incredible length to even the shortest of my lashes. The flexible comb glides through lashes while the stiff comb-like bristles grab onto every single lash to stretch it to its full potential while simultaneously separating lashes. It delivers a wide-eyed look while feeling lightweight on. It contains both carnauba and candelilla waxes, which left my eyelashes noticeably softer after wearing it for a couple of weeks. On one side of the brush is a tapered curve of longer bristles which I like to add length and curl, while the other side features a shorter comb of bristles which can add more volume are is useful for the lower lashes if you like to apply mascara there.

Best for: Those wanting a waterproof formula, lengthening and lifting, lasting curl and hold

Brush type: Flexible conical wand

Pros: Affordable, waterproof formula lasts all day, lengthens, volumises holds a curl

Cons: Often sold out in stores, needs an eye makeup remover to remove

Why we love it: Ask any beauty editor and they'll likely say Maybelline mascaras are some of the best around—and this mascara in particular. I buy this mascara regularly but I often have to visit a couple of different stores until I can find it in stock—it flies off the shelves. I personally find the waterproof formula holds a curl far better than the original, so I'd highly recommend trying this one if you want your mascara to offer long-lasting hold after curling your lashes. I have very watery eyes and can attest that it truly is waterproof, with it lasting all day without smudging or running. The flexible brush grabs every lash and stretches lashes to amazing lengths. The first time I tried this, I had never seen my eyelashes look so long and defined— it looked like I'd had a lash lift . The formula has an almost vinyl-like finish that coats and defines all of your eyelashes without clumping.

Editor review: "Whenever I'm wearing this mascara I find myself double-taking in the mirror. My lashes are very thick but are also poker-straight—they don't hold a curl at all, meaning the length of them gets lost. But with Sky High? Boy, oh boy do my lashes pack a punch. The length is delivers is second to none, and the curl stays in place all day," says beauty director, Shannon Lawlor.

Best for: A natural-looking effect, those wanting a tubing mascara

Brush type: Flexible conical wand

Pros: Natural-looking result, tubing mascara is easy to remove and doesn't smudge

Cons: Not for you if you want a false lash effect

Why we love it: The whole Who What Wear team rates Glossier's Lash Slick mascara for it's ability to bestow a natural-looking flutter and I agree wholeheartedly. It won't provide bucket-loads of length or volume, but it will instead give lashes an inky-black colour and definition—a bit like the look of someone who has naturally dark and glossy lashes. While it's not totally waterproof, it is water-resistant, which means it will stay put if you're caught in an impromptu downpour, but it will wash off easily when you want to take off your makeup at the end of the day.

Editor review: "I never want to look like I'm wearing mascara— this is just a nice lick of something light that lifts and lengthens but keeps your lashes looking super natural," says senior shopping editor, Emily Dawes. "It never clumps under the eye or rubs off during the day, but melts off seamlessly with my face wash in the evening."

Best for: Dramatic curl, lift, volume and a false lash effect

Brush type: Curved and densely bristled

Pros: Buildable formula that lengthens, volumises and holds a curl

Cons: Can transfer onto upper lids

Why we love it: This mascara was apparently 10 years in the making and I can see why—Charlotte Tilbury really nailed this mascara. I struggle to find mascaras that provide curl and lift that lasts, but this one really does keep lashes standing to attention all day long. The curved and tightly packed bristles deposit the formula right into the lashes to lift and curl while delivering knockout volume. I find one coat is just enough, otherwise it can end up looking spidery, but when I require more of a dramatic mascara look that lasts, I keep this mascara on standby. The formula is a very inky black, which really adds to the false lash effect.

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Best for: Those who find most mascara smudge or flake, sensitive eyes, those wanting a tubing mascara

Brush type: Helix bristle wand

Pros: Affordable, buildable tubing formula that lengthens, volumises and holds a curl without smudging, easy to remove

Cons: Need to be a member to access lower price

Why we love it: Smudging and flaking are one of my biggest annoyances when it comes to mascaras, but Beauty Pie's Wrap Star Tubing Mascara is in a league of its own, with a formula that's come straight out of Korea—AKA, the motherland of amazing mascara formulas. Tubing mascaras work by wrapping polymers around each last which create a tiny 'tube' around each lash. Not only does it mean they're more long-lasting, but it also makes them effortless to remove with just warm water. This mascara harnesses the technology to deliver a bulletproof formula that won't smudge or flake, while delivering length, definition, subtle volume and curl.

Editor review: "My eyelashes are fairly long and curl easily with the quick squeeze of a curler, so I generally find that most products flatter them—the problem is typically the smudging," says news writer, Natalie Munroe. "I was pleasantly surprised to find minimal transfer below my eyes—I had begun to think that no mascara could deliver this. My lashes stayed long and lifted all day, and the removal with a little bit of warm water went as smoothly as promised. As someone who has forked out much more than this mascara only to find myself looking like a panda come lunchtime, I would definitely purchase this product."

Best for: Those with straight lashes that don't hold a curl

Brush type: Tapered flexible comb

Pros: Lifts and lengthens lashes with all-day hold

Cons: Can be prone to flaking

Why we love it: Many mascaras give my stubbornly straight lashes initial curl and lift, but few actually hold it all day long. This is one of the exceptions, which not only makes my lashes look long and defined, but gives the effect of a lash lift. I'm talking all day hold and curl that remains past lunchtime—no drooping lashes here. The flexible wand features 252 tiny bristles that grab onto even the smallest of lashes to lift and deliver a beautiful curl and fanned-out flutter that rivals that of a Disney princess. It also comes in brown if you find black is too harsh.

Best for: Volumising

Brush type: Spiky plastic wand

Pros: Volumises and curls lashes without clumping

Cons: More expensive than others

Why we love it: Chanel's mascaras never disappoint, but if it's volume you're after I recommend you try this one. The wand features short, spiky bristles that impart just the right amount of product at the base of the lashes before sweeping in the midnight black formula through the lashes. It delivers dramatic volume without clumping, and is easily layered up depending on the overall intensity you want to achieve. It dries quickly in between coats and locks in a curl that lasts all day long.

Editor review: "I've used this for about a decade, and whenever I try another, it pales in comparison," says senior fashion & beauty editor for branded content, Rebecca Rhys-Evans. "What I want from mascara is the amount of lashes—I don't need them to appear thick, or even particularly long, just that I have a lot of them! Chanel's Le Volume De Chanel wand really defines and enables you to get into the corners of your eye without catching the skin causing mistakes and blotches. Plus, it lasts ages, doesn't flake by 4pm and is buildable if you want to add more for the evening.”

Best for: Lengthening, holding a curl, false lash effect, those wanting a tubing mascara

Brush type: Flexible tapered comb

Pros: Lengthens, curls with all-day hold, tubing formula is easy to remove

Cons: More expensive than others

Why we love it: I can confidently say this is my holy grail mascara. It imparts length, holds a curl all day long and making my lashes look incredibly fluttery and defined. It's a tubing mascara, so it doesn't smudge—even on my oily eyelids—or flake underneath my eyes throughout the day, which is a big bonus. The flexible wand features tiny bristles that capture even the smallest of your lashes to stretch them to amazing lengths. It also looks and feels glossy on the lashes thanks to the nourishing formula. It's perhaps not the most volumising of mascaras around, but for that I'd highly recommend Hourglass's Caution Extreme Lash Mascara (£32).

Best for: Lengthening

Brush type: Flexible comb

Pros: Affordable, lengthening and lightweight on lashes, doesn't smudge

Cons: Not the most volumising

Why we love it: This L'Oréal Paris mascara is considered a drugstore icon, which has now been around for well over a decade. The long, flexible comb brush is amazing for adding lightweight length that rivals lash extensions, yet somehow is still manages to remain clump-free. That being said, it isn't the most volumising but if you want a lengthening mascara under £15, this is a very reliable buy that you'll come back to time and time again.

Editor review: "You really can't go wrong with a L'Oréal Paris mascara," says junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay. "Although I like all the formulas, this one is my absolute fave. I don't like a super statement finish, but this mascara separates and lengthens lashes and adds a natural, fluttery effect. Plus, it doesn't smudge under my eyes which is a big plus for me."

Best for: Adding subtle colour and volume

Brush type: Large hourglass-shaped bristled wand

Pros: Deep brown hue is a great alternative to black mascara, volumises and curls

Cons: Can become dry with time

Why we love it: Brown mascara is a great alternative to black is you find it too harsh, and we particularly love Too Faced's brown version of its iconic Better Than Sex Mascara, which coats lashes in a rich, deep brown. Tongue-in-cheek name aside, this formula delivers sultry yet natural-looking volume, multiplying lashes for a full fringe of flutter. It also contains polymers that ensure the curl lasts all day without drooping or smudging onto your eyelids. One coat is great for everyday, but it's easily layered up for more volume and volume and miraculously, you can keep layering this up and it's won't clump.

Editor review: "I’ve always been a brown mascara girl—it’s one of the first makeup rules my sister taught me—it makes my light brown eyes pop," says junior branded content editor, Humaa Hussain. "The Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara has been the one I reach for lately because it gives me the volume that I want without being spidery.”

Best for: Adding lightweight volume and length

Brush type: Classic bristled wand

Pros: Volumises, feels lightweight during wear

Cons: Can be prone to clumping

Why we love it: If you want you lashes to be feathery and fluttery, then you'll like this one from Rare Beauty, which is Selena Gomez's beauty range. It has a very slight hourglass shaped brush that deposits a minimal amount of product to the lashes with each swipe, so there's no risk of clumping. The result is lightweight and doll-like eyelashes that makes you look like you just had a fresh set of eyelash extensions.

Best for: Defining, curling and lengthening, those wanting a tubing mascara

Brush type: Flexible curved comb

Pros: Separates and defines for an eye-opening effect

Cons: Not the most volumising

Why we love it: I try a lot of mascaras in my job, but every time I try this I often think I could easily stick with it forever—I almost forget just how phenomenal this mascara is (and all of Lancôme 's mascaras in general, to be honest). The flexible curved wand effortlessly separates and defines lashes, leaving them looking fanned-out and curled enough to make even Bambi jealous. It delivers long-lasting curl and hold all day without flaking, and it's easily removed with just warm water. As if that wasn't enough, it does an excellent job at lengthening and adding subtle volume without clumping, even after a couple of coats. If you want a mascara that leaves lashes perfectly defined while bestowing length and curl, this is a great all-rounder to try.

Editor review: "When it comes to mascaras, I have high expectations. I want long, defined lashes with a curl that look natural but also like I’m either 1) genetically blessed or 2) I have expensive extensions in," says deputy editor, Maxine Eggenberger. "You might think this is too tall an order but, after years of testing, I’ve finally found a formula that delivers. I actually recieved Lancôme Lash Idôle Mascara as part of a PR gift (a big perk of the job) but I was already very loyal to another mascara. It wasn’t until my faithful ran out that I decided to give this a whirl—and I’m so glad I did. Tubing mascaras are my favourite type of mascara to build and extend lashes beyond their natural length. There is no flaking, no clumping, no smudging, just serious length, definition, volume and curl; I consider this to be the holy grail of mascaras. I also like the wand and brush shape—it’s narrow design was ideated to reach even the smallest of lashes either side of your eye, creating a wide fan-like flutter."

Best for: A false lash effect, fanned-out lashes

Brush type: Flexible tapered comb

Pros: Affordable, creates a wide-eyed effect, can be layered for a false lash look

Cons: Can transfer onto upper lids

Why we love it: I reviewed the L'Oréal Paris Panorama Mascara when it launched and it remains one of my favourite affordable mascaras to this day. L'Oréal Paris says that the mascara makes eyes look 1.4 times bigger, and as someone with smaller eyes I do think this gives me a wide-eyed effect. The flexible brush gives amazing volume, but it also lengthens and solidly holds a curl which gives a great false lash effect. I really like that it captures even the tiniest of my lashes—from the inner corners all the way to the outer lashes—and equally fans them while leaving them individually defined. At £13, this is a seriously good mascara that makes you look like you just dropped £200 on lash extensions.

Best for: Sultry, fanned-out lashes and definition, those wanting a tubing mascara

Brush type: Curved comb

Pros: Creates fluttery definition, doesn't clump or smudge

Cons: Not the best for a dramatic look

Why we love it: Sometimes you don't want crazy levels of drama from a mascara. Instead, you may favour more of smouldering cat-eye kind of lash look. And when legendary makeup artist Lisa Eldridge launched this mascara, I knew it would deliver, but it over-performed. The curved brush hugs the base of the lashes to deliver just the right amount of volume and length while grabbing onto every lash for a fanned-out effect. I love using it to elongate the lashes at the outer corners for a feline-look. The formula is beautiful, feeling weightless on the lashes while imparting a deep, inky black to each and every lash as it effortlessly combs through your lashes.

Best for: Those who find typical mascaras smudge, fanned-out lashes and curl with a subtle volume, those wanting a tubing mascara

Brush type: Curved bristled comb

Pros: Subtly volumises, lifts and curls lashes without smudging

Cons: More expensive than others

Why we love it: I reach for Victoria Beckham Beauty's Vast Lash Mascara a lot day-to-day. A lot of mascaras smudge onto my upper lids throughout the day, but I'm pleased to report that this is not one of them. The long-wearing formula is smudge and flake-resistant, yet effortlessly removes at the end of the day (another great tubing mascara). The curved brush contours the base of the lashes and sweeps them upwards, bestowing just the right amount of natural-looking yet defined volume and stretching each lash with beautiful length and curl. One coat gives a natural flutter, but it's effortlessly buildable for more drama.

Editor review: "In my opinion, Victoria Beckham Beauty has never produced a dud product, and Vast Lash is one of the best mascaras around," says Shannon. "It has a truly black formula, adding subtle volume that doesn't blow your socks off, but makes all of the difference. I love that I can just swipe it on in a couple of strokes and be on my way—it works really hard in not much time at all."

Best for: Lasting hold, long-wearing formula

Brush type: Flexible tapered comb

Pros: Lengthens, volumises, curls and holds lashes all day without smudging or flaking

Cons: Can clump after applying more than 2-3 coats

Why we love it: If you want a mascara with incredible impact that lasts from your morning matcha to long after sundown, you'll love this one. I've never known a mascara formula like it. It coats lashes in a vinyl-like film that locks lashes in place for hours on end without flaking or smudging. It can be layered up from a pretty, lengthening flutter with one coat to false lash-levels of volume with additional coats. I've introduced a few friends to this mascara since it launched a few years ago and they now consider it their ride-or-die mascara.

Editor review: "One mascara I always come back to is Benefit BADGal Bang! Volumising Mascara," says managing editor, Poppy Nash. "It ticks every box for me: it's volumising, never clumpy, the brush is nimble and the formula is lightweight. It combs through lashes to dramatically lengthens and deposits right amount of mascara on to lashes—it is never heavy or clumpy."