The 18 Best Lengthening Mascaras for Barbie-rific Lashes, According to the Pros

• Why We Love It: easy to remove, vegan, flake-free tubing technology
• What We Don't Love: may need a few coats
• Promising Review: "Best mascara I've ever used. Washes off very easy and makes my lashes incredibly long. Love this product."
• Clean?: yes

Meet the mascara that DiStasio swears replaces the need for false lashes. Thrive Causemetics' Liquid Lash Extensions is formulated with flake-free tubing technology that coats and lengthens lashes from root to tip while conditioning them with the brand's orchid stem cell complex. According to Thrive, the complex supports healthier, longer lashes over time. DiStasio says it doesn't leave any residue under her eyes and doesn't bleed throughout the day, which she notes is especially helpful if you have oily skin.

• Why We Love It: waterproof, lightweight
• What We Don't Love: can smudge throughout the day, not cruelty-free
• Promising Review: "Absolutely my favorite mascara ever. Looks the most natural, very feathery fluttery effect. The least clumpy waterproof mascara that I’ve found. Holds a curl beautifully all day."
• Clean?: no

Chosen by Perreux as her favorite lengthening mascara, this waterproof formula from Armani Beauty includes micro-waxes that are blended with a fineness agent so they'll go on smoothly while adding both volume and length. Perreux also calls attention to the brush, as it has a nice mid-size that she finds easy to handle. She also notes that the pigment is very rich to make lashes stand out.

• Why We Love It: water-resistant, smudge-proof
• What We Don't Love: can clump, not as volumizing
• Promising Review: "I am very particular about what type of mascara I choose and I have to say that Badgal BANG! is the most amazing mascara I have used to date! It immediately lifts my eyelashes without the feeling of being too heavy."
• Clean?: yes

When it comes to mascara, we're Benefit fans for life. PureWow Commerce Director Nicole Briese has a strong affinity for this pick, which she says makes her eyelashes instantly pop and looks amazing in photos. It's got that tapered brush that's thinner near the end, making it ultra-defining (and easier to get at those bottom lashes), and it's packed with ProVitamin B5 to thicken and strengthen, according to the brand. It's also formulated to be smudge-proof, so you won't have to worry about constant touch-ups throughout the day. Our one complaint? Briese likes a little more volume than it provides, so she tends to pair it with Mac's Macstack (also on our list below).

• Why We Love It: cruelty-free, vegan, smudge-proof
• What We Don't Love: not water-resistant
• Promising Review: "I love this mascara! It gives volume and length and stays put—even after a 13-hour work shift (with lots of yawning)."
• Clean?: no

Friends to the animals will appreciate that this one is cruelty-free, keeping furry friends safe in its formulation process. It will also appeal to fans of that fanned out look thanks to its molded applicator, which is intended to target each and every lash. Although it coats them in innovative “film-forming” technology for a dramatic lengthening look, reviewers note it's still easily removed with a simple face wash. Assistant Commerce Editor Natalie LaBarbera loved how it both separated her lashes and gave them volume in addition to lengthening them: "This mascara glides on easily, creating a natural-but-amplified look, and gave me both the volume and length I'd been looking for after my previous favorite mascara was discontinued."

• Why We Love It: cruelty-free, vegan, four-in-one formula
• What We Don't Love: can be clumpy
• Promising Review: "I love this mascara. I have been buying it for a few years. … You get what you pay for. Definitely would recommend, worth every penny!!!"
• Clean?: no

This vegan mascara is formulated with a plethora of useful ingredients, such as olive esters that aid in moisturizing, Pro Vitamin B to hydrate and rice bran wax, which can help bind the mascara to your lashes. What it's not formulated with? Nasties like mineral oil, parabens and phthalates. Lights, Camera, Lashes is also a reportedly smudge-proof and flake-free choice with a short-bristle brush to help with precise application.

• Why We Love It: cruelty-free, flake-resistant, 99 percent naturally derived
• What We Don't Love: not water-resistant
• Promising Review: "Love this mascara! Stays in place all day without smudging or flaking. I was so excited to find a clean mascara that makes my lashes look long and thick!"
• Clean?: yes

This buildable mascara from clean brand Ilia uses ingredients such as shea butter and beeswax to nourish your lashes while lengthening them. It also gives you a separated, natural look with its unique dual-sided brush, which Senior Director of Special Projects and Royals Rachel Bowie confirms allows for a clump-free application: "The brush mechanics make all the difference when it comes to … the top and bottom lashes," she says. "It has staying power, too, and is all natural. Huge fan!"

Use the longer side for ultra-long lashes that know no limits and the shorter side to curl and define. And if that's not enough, Commerce Editor Olivia Dubyak calls out how this formula stays flake-free throughout the day: "Limitless Lash is a hard-to-beat option. It makes my lashes so long and I never find little flakes on the bottoms or tops of my eyes throughout the day."

• Why We Love It: micro-precision applicator, keratin conditioning formula
• What We Don't Love: can take a while to dry
• Promising Review: "I'm amazed at how big my eyes look. It really opens up my eyes. It's as if have falsies on. The best part is even after two coats my lashes don't feel stiff and heavy, they still feel natural and looks naturally long and thick."
• Clean?: no

If you're craving length without the stickiness, Charlotte Tilbury's Pillow Talk mascara is here for you. Not too heavy and not too light, this award-winner isn't so dramatic that it looks like we're wearing falsies, but we certainly saw an improvement in our length when we tried it. Its formula features the brand's own Kerestore keratin ingredient, which is intended to condition and thicken lashes, and it stays put for a good long while. Plus, the unique applicator brush has micro-precision, diamond-shaped bristles that work to really fan lashes out as it makes them look longer.

• Why We Love It: tapered brush, hypoallergenic
• What We Don't Love: can smudge throughout the day
• Promising Review: "I have been wearing this mascara for many years. It is the absolute best on my very sensitive eyes."
• Clean?: no

Another favorite of Commerce Director Nicole Briese, Clinique's Lash-Doubling mascara has a tapered applicator brush that she says really does feel like it's doubling the fullness of your lashes as it lengthens, even for makeup newbies who aren't great with application. The formula has also been allergy-tested, so you can feel good about using it even on sensitive eyes, as confirmed by reviewers.

• Why We Love It: buildable, adds major volume
• What We Don't Love: micro and mega brushes bought separately, can smudge throughout the day
• Promising Review: "I am picky about mascaras and this one is becoming a favorite for sure. I love that I can layer it without making huge clumps. I have both the micro and the regular and I use both together to get my lashes exactly like I want them."
• Clean?: no

This long-lasting mascara from Mac is the customizable formula we've been looking for thanks to its buildability. It comes in both a micro and a mega size option, with the micro targeting definition and length and the mega aiming for volume. The micro brush is ideal for short and lower lashes because of its precise application and smaller size. (Briese swears by the larger one for fullness and often layers it on top of Benefit's Bad Gal Lash.) Note that the brushes must be bought separately if you want to use both, making this a pricer option.

• Why We Love It: budget-friendly, paraben-free
• What We Don't Love: can flake throughout the day
• Promising Review: "Dark and glides on the lashes very smoothly, I love it! Makes my lashes appear longer and thicker."
• Clean?: no

When it comes to cheap lengthening mascara, you simply can't beat Essence Lash Princess. From the very first swipe, you'll see a major sculpting effect, and at this price, it's a good contender for those looking to replace their pricier luxury mascaras. The formula is thick and heavy, however, so if you're the type who likes the no makeup look, it likely won't be for you. (Shoppers with weaker lashes mentioned it weighed down their natural curl, though we've had no problems with it.)

• Why We Love It: lightweight, allergy-tested
• What We Don't Love: can be difficult to remove
• Promising Review: "It glides on effortlessly, coating every single lash from root to tip. The consistency is perfect—not too wet or dry, striking the ideal balance for easy application."
• Clean?: no

We couldn't wait to try this mascara after it went so viral on TikTok that it sold out at most retailers. (Peep those 86,000-plus 5-star ratings.) Coming in the blackest of black (along with many other shades if that's not your thing), it has a flexible tower brush that allows you to coat your lashes in bamboo extract from multiple angles for a full, fluttery look that won’t feel too heavy. Having tried it for ourselves, we think Essence is the better buy overall when it comes to a budget-friendly option. However, bamboo extract is antimicrobial, so it may be a good choice for those who tend to get eye infections easily.

• Why We Love It: waterproof, cruelty-free
• What We Don't Love: can smudge throughout the day
• Promising Review: "One of my favorite mascaras [because it] works super well and stays on great. Even though it's waterproof, you don't have to scrub it to take it off. This is a little clumpy when you first open it, but the more you use it, it gets better."
• Clean?: no

The waterproof version of this cult-loved mascara (which DiStasio calls out as a great option for girls' night thanks to not only its lengthening effects, but the dark color and volume it offers, too) delivers decent length in even the wettest of conditions. This version comes with an extra-stiff hourglass shaped brush to deliver results that stay put all day, according to 94 percent of users.

• Why We Love It: smudge-shield formula, reported 15-hour wear
• What We Don't Love: not cruelty-free
• Promising Review: "This is the only mascara that I have ever used that hasn’t transferred to my under eye area ... and I have tried A LOT of different mascaras. This is the one I keep going back to. It remains the best."
• Clean?: no

For those who prefer to get their long lashes without looking like Alice Cooper by the end of the day, there's this tubing formula. According to the brand, it won’t budge for a whopping 15 hours due to its “special polymers,” aka molecules, that are designed to withstand even the most humid (or sweatiest) of days. The applicator is designed with micro-fiber bristles that are intended to detangle and separate lashes to deliver a rich coat of color, and shoppers say the brush's larger size makes it "easy to get into corners."

• Why We Love It: non-clumping formula, precise application
• What We Don't Love: not good for sensitive eyes, may need several coats
• Promising Review: "I have tried other brands but I keep coming back to this one. It's always perfect. Doesn't bother my sensitive eyes and washes off easily."
• Clean?: no

With a brush that has innovative, precise “hedgehog” like bristles, this lengthening mascara gives you ultimate separation and definition for a natural-but-long look without pesky flaking, according to the brand. Formulated without sulfates or formaldehydes, it comes in a deep black shade, but has a softer brown option if subtlety is your thing. Just note that the retailer, Ulta, writes this mascara may be challenging for sensitive eyes, so if you find mascara to be easily irritating, you may want to opt for another pick.

• Why We Love It: cruelty-free, vegan, smudge- and flake-proof
• What We Don't Love: can be clumpy
• Promising Review: "I'm very happy with the mascara just for how it goes on and makes for a naturally beautiful look—no clumps or mess, just subtle build and strong separation."
• Clean?: yes

While many mascaras claim to make your lashes healthier, this one is unique, because it reportedly keeps maximizing growth even after removal with its red clover peptide serum. In one clinical study conducted by the brand, 100 percent of users reported that their lashes felt stronger and noticed less fallout. Not only that, its brush with five rows of bristles evenly distribute pigment for a lengthened, lifted look.

• Why We Love It: cruelty-free, water-resistant
• What We Don't Love: can dry out quickly, may be too subtle for some
• Promising Review: "This is my absolute favorite mascara for everyday use. I prefer natural makeup looks for most days and this mascara does just the right amount of tinting, separating and lifting without any heaviness."
• Clean?: no

If you’re looking to simply enhance the appearance of your natural lashes, then Glossier has the product for you. This water-resistant, weightless mascara coats and conditions them with tiny fibers for a mini lifting and lengthening effect to make you the queen of the “no-makeup makeup” vibe, as shared by PureWow's Senior Food Editor Katherine Gillen. "I'm more a fan of natural looking mascara that adds length without looking spidery, and this checks those boxes," she says. The mascara has also been deemed suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

• Why We Love It: buildable, conditioning formula
• What We Don't Love: not cruelty-free, pricey
• Promising Review: "This is my favorite, and I mean ALL-TIME FAVORITE mascara. My eyes pop when I use this. No other mascara functions like this and when you wear it, your eyes stand out."
• Clean?: no

Yes, this one is pricey. At $34, it's one of the most expensive mascaras on our list. But it's also formulated by pro makeup artist Pat McGrath herself and features hydrating and conditioning peptides that condition to maintain the softness of your lashes while protecting from free radical damage, according to the brand. It's also buildable, leading to a more custom length and lift for your lashes.

• Why We Love It: natural look, budget-friendly, suitable for sensitive eyes
• What We Don't Love: may need to add primer for a full effect
• Promising Review: "I cannot believe how long my lashes look. I tried this and people asked me if I got lash extensions."
• Clean?: no

DiStasio calls out this L'Oreal mascara for its ability to add some life to your lashes at a budget price, giving them a long-yet-natural look. According to the brand, the mascara is also formulated to resist clumping while reportedly thickening lashes by up to five times their natural state. To get even longer, fuller lashes, the brand suggests pairing it with the Voluminous conditioning primer ($17).