If you have naturally shorter lashes that need some TLC, a good mascara will make all the difference. It’s important to find a formula that works for what you need, so we’ve rounded up the best mascaras for volume and length just for you. If you’re ready for dramatic, show-stopping lashes you can rock from day to night, you’re going to want to read on!
How to Apply Mascara for Volume and Length
1. Choose the Right Product
Everyone’s mascara preference is different, but the general rule of thumb is to look for a lengthening mascara with a spikey, rubberized wand if you lack length. And if your lashes are sparse, look for a volumizing formula with a fluffier applicator. There are also amazing mascaras that combine length and volume for a gorgeous end result.
2. Curl Your Lashes
Before you apply your mascara, curl your lashes with an eyelash curler. This will give you the illusion of length and also create a more open eye. If the padding on your eyelash curler is wearing down, replace it as soon as possible. Curling your lashes with an old curler can result in damage and breakage to your lashes.
3. Swipe the Top and Bottom of Your Lashes
To set your lashes up for the most volume and length, get your mascara wand as close to the root of your lashes as you can, then pull upward. Repeat this on the top of your lashes, moving the wand from your upper lash line through the tip of your lashes.
4. Fan Your Mascara
The fanning technique is one of the best for getting a full lash look. Wiggle your mascara from the root outward and in a fan-like style. The outer lashes brushed out towards the temples, the centre lashes out forward and the inner lashes combed towards the nose.
5. Don’t Forget Your Bottom Lashes
Less is more when it comes to your bottom lashes. Try not to re-dip your mascara after doing the top. Use what’s left on the brush. Hold the mascara wand vertically and use the tip for better precision. You can also try tilting your head downward slightly and looking up into a mirror. This will pull the lashes farther away from the skin, making it easier to apply without smudging.
8 Best Mascaras for Volume and Length
1. Wet n Wild Big Poppa Mascara
This mascara contains castor oil, which is rich in omega-6 fatty acids and essential proteins to help boost and strengthen your lashes. The hourglass brush grabs, lifts and coats lashes for fuller, longer looking lashes with every swipe. It’s a volumizing, lengthening and intensely black mascara that will really make your eyes pop!
2. L’Oréal Lash Paradise Mascara
This volumizing and lengthening mascara delivers a full lash fringe that’s feathery soft, with no flaking, smudging or clumping. Get the long, full lashes you’ve been looking for, no matter your lash type. Infused with caring floral oil for soft and conditioned lashes, you’ll get breathtaking volume and intense length from day to night.
3. Lancôme Monsieur Big Volume Mascara
This volumizing mascara delivers gorgeous volume with up to 24 hours of wear. It’s an ultra-creamy formula that glides on like silk and delivers up to 12x more volume than bare lashes. No need for touch-ups and you won’t notice any flaking or smudging, just gorgeous volumized lashes that look lengthened as well.
4. Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara and Lash Primer
This is a double-sided mascara and lash primer for ultimate length and volume. Infused with moisturizing jojoba esters and free of parabens, paraffins and silicones, this clean mascara builds extreme length and gives you sky-high lift. The primer creates an even base that enhances the mascara’s performance, while boosting length and staying power.
5. Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Mascara
This mascara gives lashes instant and long lasting volume, length and a 24-hour vertical lift effect. It features an exclusive ‘Load, Comb and Lift’ technology brush designed with a flat side for loading and coating the lashes and a bristle side for combing the mascara through your lashes. It’s smudge and humidity proof for eye-opening lashes that last.
6. CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara
With an innovative curved brush and fine toothed comb bristles, this mascara will give you plenty of volume. It amps up your lashes, provides root to tip volume and even mascara distribution. It’s 100% vegan and is perfect for those with naturally small lashes that need an extra boost.
7. Dior Diorshow Iconic Mascara
This mascara is a bit of a splurge, but it’s worth it for the lengthening and volumizing effects. Enriched with a unique lifting formula, it sculpts, stretches and curls lashes with impeccable hold and beautiful definition.
8. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
This gorgeous formula thickens, lengthens and curls after just one coat. It features an hourglass brush for voluptuous volume and makes your lashes look fuller and longer. Formulated with ingredients like acacia senegal tree extract to set volume, and collagen to provide a plumping effect, you’ll get dramatic, defined lashes that seriously wow.
If your lashes need help in the volume and length department, try out these application tips and products for the full, long and defined lashes you’ve always wanted.
