A classic lash-lengthening mascara is essential for any makeup routine. “Whether you want to go full glam or just need a little something for your ‘no makeup’ makeup look, lengthening mascara is very versatile,” says Elena Nurbabayeva, a licensed clinical aesthetician at LovelySkin Spa.

With so many choices out there, however, it can be a challenge to find the best lengthening mascara for everyday use or special occasions. To help you with your search, we’ll cover all the basics you need to know about lengthening mascara, including:

• How does lash-lengthening mascara work?

• What is the best lengthening mascara?

How does lash-lengthening mascara work?

Though mascaras don’t change the length of your actual lashes, they can give them a lengthening boost. Traditional mascaras use a combination of ingredients—pigment, wax and fibers—that stick to the end of your eyelashes, making them instantly appear longer.

There’s also tubing mascara, which works a little bit differently than traditional lash-lengthening mascaras. Tubing mascara formulas contain polymers that help form a tube around each individual lash, making your eyelashes appear thicker and longer. When you remove it, the mascara will actually slide off your lashes in tubes.

Changing up the way you apply lengthening mascara can help you achieve different looks, as well. “When applying mine, I like to start on the outer corners of the eyes and work my way in when I want a more ‘cat eye’ look or I like to start in the middle and work my way out for a more ‘doll eye’ look,” Nurbabayeva says.

7 picks for the best lengthening mascaras in 2023

Ready to add a lengthening mascara to your beauty arsenal? Here are seven of our favorite lash-lengthening mascaras from a variety of trusted beauty brands.

Laura Geller at Long Lash Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara

From New York City makeup artist Laura Geller’s eponymous brand, this lash-lengthening mascara is a 3-in-1 product designed to volumize, lash, and curl your eyelashes with each application. Fortified with a blend of synthetic beeswax and phyto wax, this lengthening mascara is buildable, allowing you to pump up the drama on even thin, short eyelashes with each additional coat. This formula also contains vitamin B5 to help nourish and hydrate your eyelashes.

Color: Black

Glo Skin Beauty Lash Lengthening Mascara

For natural-looking eyes with just enough definition, look to this lengthening mascara from Glo Skin Beauty. A tapered silicone brush reaches even the smallest lashes to bring definition to your entire lash line while a formula containing vitamin B5 and other conditioners helps keep your eyelashes feeling soft and healthy. Apply a single coat for natural-looking lengthening or wait thirty seconds and add a second coat for a more dramatic effect.

Color: Black

jane iredale Longest Lash Duo

Double up your lash-lengthening efforts with this duo from jane iredale, which contains both the PureLash Lash Extender & Conditioner and the Longest Lash Thickening and Lengthening Mascara. The conditioner is your first step to prime your lashes for long-lasting wear of your mascara. It also helps moisturize and protect your eyelashes against breakage so they can grow longer on their own with a blend of algae extract, glycerin and vitamin B5. Your second and final step is to apply one to two coats of the lengthening mascara, which features a fluffy applicator brush and a natural blend formula of beeswax and plant fibers that’s designed to thicken and lengthen your eyelashes for a dramatically defined look.

Color: Black Ice

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Outrageous Lashes Mineral Lengthening Mascara

A conditioner and lash-lengthening mascara in one, this formula from mineral makeup brand Youngblood helps nourish your eyelashes with aloe vera and vitamin B while also adding length and fullness. With jet-black mineral pigment for maximum drama, this lash-lengthening mascara is designed for long-lasting wear without flaking or smudging.

Color: Blackout

RevitaLash Double-Ended Mascara and Primer Duo

This two-step set combines one of the best lengthening mascaras with a deep blue primer that helps deepen and intensify the black shade of the mascara itself. Biotin and natural plant extracts help moisturize your lashes while peptides and panthenol work together to condition lashes to prevent future breakage. Plus, the unique hourglass-shaped brush of the mascara is designed to separate and evenly coat your eyelashes for thicker, longer-looking eyelashes.

Colors: Black. The primer is a deep indigo, and can be worn on its own for a colorful switch-up.

Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Long Lush Treatment Mascara

A favorite on Japanese film sets, Tokyo-based makeup brand Koh Gen Do makes one mascara in a ruby red tube that’s sure to stand out in your makeup bag. This lengthening mascara uses tubing technology to coat each of your lashes in a lash-lengthening formula that provides smudge-free wear that’s easily removed with warm water at the end of the day. Additionally, its arched brush helps life and separate lashes for maximum impact.

Colors: Indigo Blue and Urushi Black

Now that you’re well acquainted with the best lengthening mascaras out there, take your makeup knowledge to the next level at the LovelySkin Blog by learning how to pick the right shade of red lipstick for your skin tone.