Beauty tips & inspiration
The best mascaras of 2025, according to our buyers
The only formulas you need for length, volume, curl and definition
Ask anyone what their ride-or-die makeup is and, chances are, they’ll say mascara. Arguably the most-used makeup product, it is a true can’t-leave-the-house-without item. But which is the best mascara on the market?
What makes a good mascara depends on your lifestyle, your lash type and even your mood. One occasion may call for waterproof and long-lasting, another non-clumpy and natural, and other times you might want a formula that’s lengthening and volumising, with zero clumping or flaking. We asked our buyers for their top recommendations; here’s how to find your perfect lash match.
Best for plumping sparse lashes: Yves Saint Laurent Lash Clash Mascara
Best for plumping sparse lashes: Yves Saint Laurent Lash Clash Mascara
An intense black mascara with a unique double-conical brush to build oversized, volumised lashes (minus clumping or smudging) from root to tip.
Best for curl: DIOR Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara
Best for curl: DIOR Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara
An intense black mascara with a unique double-conical brush to build oversized, volumised lashes (minus clumping or smudging) from root to tip.
Best for short lashes: Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara
Best for short lashes: Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara
Designed for all types of lashes (but especially short ones), Charlotte Tilbury’s magic wand gives length and weightless volume for glossy, lifted and separated lashes.
Best for volume: Benefit BADgal Bounce Volumising Mascara
Best for volume: Benefit BADgal Bounce Volumising Mascara
Probably the best mascara for instantly offering the look of lash extensions, without the added hassle. This Benefit formula promises fluffy, fluttery lashes with 242 per cent more volume.
Best for fine lashes: Too Faced Ribbon Wrapped Lash Mascara
Best for fine lashes: Too Faced Ribbon Wrapped Lash Mascara
Like a morning coffee for your lids, this wraps and stretches your lashes in intense black mascara that frames your face with no smudging or flakiness. Simply WOW.
Best for a natural-looking finish:
Sculpted By Aimee MyMascara
Best for a natural-looking finish:
Sculpted By Aimee MyMascara
Volume-boosting, nourishing and long-wearing; for eyes that look awake and defined, minus the weight of too much product. Basically your lashes, but much, much better.
Best for high drama: Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara
Best for high drama: Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara
This sleek mascara is formulated with film-forming technology that coats each lash with lightweight fibres, resulting in high-definition, extension-like lashes that resist smudging. Instant glam.
Best for intensity: Gucci Mascara L'Obscur
Best for intensity: Gucci Mascara L'Obscur
If you’re feeling fancy, this is a masterclass in achieving glossy black, super-defined, lifted lashes in one quick application. Customers rave about the sumptuous results, calling it ‘a splurge that’s worth it’.
Best for sensitive eyes: Laura Mercier Caviar Extravagant Mascara
Best for sensitive eyes: Laura Mercier Caviar Extravagant Mascara
Want great volume and lift but worried about irritation? This is The One. Featuring conditioning ingredients that promote lash strength, it protects sensitive eyes while giving flawless, fluttery lashes.
Best for long-lasting results: Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara
Best for long-lasting results: Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara
This kohl-pigmented formula gives extremely black, full lashes that hold their own against sweat, humidity – or whatever else you throw at them – without flaking, smudging or transferring onto eyelids.
6 expert tips that stick
6 expert tips that stick
CURL ‘Eyelash curlers are the most underrated step in your getting-ready routine. First blast them with a hairdryer on a warm setting for two seconds to set and hold the curl and help open up the eyes.’ Pati Dubroff
COLOUR ‘Apply an electric-blue mascara on to lashes first, allow it to dry then apply two coats of jet-black mascara over the top to boost the whites of your eyes.’ Lisa Potter-Dixon
CREATE ‘Want to change the shape of your eyes? While your mascara dries, lightly press the side of your index finger against the outer lashes – it’ll set them and elongate the eye. Alternatively, press against the top middle lashes while wet, for a wider-eye look.’ Charlotte Tilbury
WATERPROOF IT ‘If you have straight lashes, a waterproof mascara is a must – quick-drying formulas will hold the curl in place for longer.’ Athena Efstathiou
COLOUR 2.0 ‘The best coloured mascaras effortlessly level up your look, helping eyes appear brighter or richer. Blue, green and violet will brighten blue eyes while brown, burgundy or plum mascara will add depth to brown eyes.’ William Scott
HOW TO APPLY ‘Wiggle mascara in from root to tip. When applying mascara to lower lashes, use a tissue to clean excess product off the wand to prevent clumping, then apply mascara along the outer half of the eye.’ Pati Dubroff
