Top 10 Mascaras That Actually Live Up to the Hype in 2025

WHY IT MADE THE LIST

With its intense black pigment and lengthening, volumizing, and curling effects, it doesn't get much better than this makeup-artist favorite.

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW

In a consumer study of 30 women after three coats of mascara, 97% said it created a false lash effect.

WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT

This luxe formula is super multitasking. It delivers serious volume, and thanks to a blend of plant botanicals and waxes, it also conditions lashes long after makeup removal.

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW

Put down the falsies—this top-rated mascara is clinically proven to up lash volume by 424% in just one application.

WHY IT MADE THE LIST

This product is formulated to last all day without causing any flaking, fading, or clumping problems. The conic shape fiber brush delivers maximum drama and sculpted length.

WHY YOU NEED IT

Did you notice that $5 price tag? Honestly, you have nothing to lose from giving this drugstore fave a try.

WHY IT MADE THE LIST

This mascara hits different. The oversized brush with those wavy bristles doesn't mess around, grabbing every last lash and coating them in the blackest, most dramatic pigment we've ever seen. It's the kind of volume that makes people ask if you're wearing falsies, except it actually stays put all day without turning you into a raccoon by 3 PM.

WHY YOU NEED IT

The mascara promises up to 12x more volume, which honestly sounds like marketing hyperbole until you actually use it and see those dramatic results first hand.

WHY WE LOVE IT

Finally, a clean mascara that doesn't compromise on performance. It builds beautiful volume and length without any of the sketchy ingredients, plus it actually removes easily at the end of the day instead of requiring industrial-strength makeup remover. Your lashes and your conscience will thank you.

PRODUCT DETAILS

This mascara is made with organic beeswax and arginine (an amino acid that actually helps strengthen your lashes), so you're literally conditioning your lashes while making them look amazing.

WHY WE LOVE IT

If you're tired of mascaras that clump your lashes together like spider legs, this is your new best friend. The precision brush separates and defines every single lash so perfectly you can literally count them. It's the mascara equivalent of HD television for your eyes.

FUN FACT

The brush has exactly 204 bristles arranged in a specific pattern that was designed using mathematical precision to ensure perfect lash separation–yes, someone actually counted and calculated the optimal brush design.

WHAT TO KNOW

Add a little luxury to your routine via YSL's Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara. With an extra large brush to ensure even product distribution, this mascara claims to provide 200% more volume and up to 24 hours of smudge-proof wear.

MORE DETAILS 

If you're in the mood for a fun makeup look, try the Electric Blue version of this mascara. 

Pros: Dramatic lengthening, long lasting, nourishing ingredients

Cons: Possible clumping if applying multiple coats

EDITORS TAKE

After testing countless mascaras over the years, Thrive’s Liquid Lash Extensions is the one I always come back to—and have personally used for over three years. What sets it apart isn’t just the dramatic length or the smudge-proof wear (though both are stellar); it’s that it consistently performs like a prestige mascara while doubling as lash care. The formula is infused with shea butter and castor oil, which actually help condition your lashes over time, making them feel healthier even after daily use. And unlike many tubing mascaras that can flake or fall flat, Thrive’s never lets me down—it defines, lifts, and stays put all day without a single raccoon-eye moment. For me, it’s the rare product that checks every box: long-wearing, easy to remove, clean ingredients, and genuinely lash-enhancing. Don’t just take my word for it; this tubing mascara has a 4.5 star average rating out of a whopping 65,723 reviews. That’s why it’s not just good—it’s the best.

STANDOUT REVIEWS

It’s hard to pick just one rave review out of the nearly 66,000 options, but this Amazon user sums it up beautifully: “This is hands down the best mascara on the market! Lashes look big, beautiful, and real! The product is also easy to take off without damaging your own lashes.”

WHAT TO KNOW

If the "Sky High" part didn't spell it out for you, this mascara from Maybelline excels at lengthening lashes. At $9.99, it's one of the most affordable choices on the list, and because it's been allergy- and ophthalmologist-tested, it's a great mascara for sensitive eyes.

REVIEW HIGHLIGHT

There's nothing more promising than a repeat buy, and according to shoppers, this product is worthy: "I have been repurchasing this mascara for the past seven years, and I just keep going back for it. I’ve never found anything better!"

WHAT IT DOES

With an extended lasting power of up to 24 hours, this mascara has a curved wand that fans out lashes that brightens your eyes.

WHY IT MADE THE LIST

This mascara has 360 micro-sized bristles that grab and lengthen every lash (even the tiniest ones), while the lightweight gel formula leaves lashes feather-soft without flaking, clumping, or smudging.