Without a doubt, the one thing that can be overheard at any weekly Who What Wear beauty meeting is a conversation centered around one beauty product: mascara. Sure, we know the search for the ideal foundation for your skin tone or the perfect lipstick is equally as important, but finding the best volumizing mascara is an evergreen topic that just so happens to be more relevant than ever. With our continued need for face masks and our socializing and work typically being carried out via Zoom, having an excellent volumizing mascara to make your eyes pop IRL (and on the internet) now feels like an essential.
But with so many great mascaras on the market (there’s everything from lengthening to fiber formulas ), you may be asking yourself, “Where do I start?” Begin by scrolling ahead, as we’ve rounded up the 30 best volumizing mascaras sold at Ulta, Amazon, and Sephora. The best part is that every mascara in this story has 500+ reviews from actual customers, so you’ll know they’re the real deal. Get ready to ditch the conference filters (or false lashes) once and for all.
Average rating (1446 reviews): 3.9 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “I fell in love with this mascara instantly! It looks like I have falsies on, and that’s only with one coat.” — Ulta Reviewer
Average rating (1769 reviews): 4 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “My mom gave me this mascara, and I fell in love instantly! It adds so much volume and length, but it doesn’t flake, smudge, or budge even slightly throughout the day. This mascara held the test to many naps and tears and looked amazing no matter what.” — Ulta Reviewer
Average rating (597 reviews): 4.2 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “I love the creaminess of this mascara. It’s not like other volume mascaras that clump or are super thick, which makes for a natural look.” — Ulta Reviewer
Average rating (5856 reviews): 4.2 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “It’s been a bit since I’ve had a mascara that made my eyelashes reach to my eyebrows! I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on how great my lashes look since I started using it.” — Ulta Reviewer
Average rating (1264 reviews): 4.3 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “I have super-short lashes and super-sensitive eyes. Every mascara I tried has too large an applicator or had no impact on my lashes, except for this one. Definitely will be repurchasing!” — Ulta Reviewer
Average rating (1873 reviews): 4.3 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “Mascara is the one makeup item I’m picky about, and when I got a sample of this, I stopped using the other expensive full sizes I had because this was so good! The biggest thing I notice is the added length to my lashes, and I don’t even need to use my primer!” — Ulta Reviewer
Average rating (3142 reviews): 4.3 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “This is, by far, one of my favorite drugstore mascaras—will be repurchasing. Some high-end mascaras aren’t even as good as this one.” — Ulta Reviewer
Average rating (10,911 reviews): 4.3 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “If you want a false-lash look without the hassle of applying them, this is the stuff!! I have been using this for at least two years now, and I keep trying to find a drugstore dupe (to save a little money), but I’ve given up and just accepted that this is the OG, and no one can touch it because it’s that good.” — Ulta Reviewer
Average rating (4063 reviews): 4.4 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “I used to work at Ulta and have tried every high-end mascara there is; this mascara is, by far, the best. I always get compliments on my lashes, and people always ask me if they’re fake (when they’re not).” — Ulta Reviewer
Average rating (4229 reviews): 4.4 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “Everyone tells me that they think I’m wearing false eyelashes when I use this mascara. I get the best compliments.” — Ulta Reviewer
Average rating (1973 reviews): 4.1 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “I like this mascara. This is way better than some of the crazy-expensive cult favorites I have tried (and trashed because they were all awful and disappointing). No smudging, no flaking, no clumps. Does a pretty good job with length and volume.” — Amazon Reviewer
Average rating (2364 reviews): 4.1 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “I have sensitive skin, and if I’m not careful, sometimes, certain eye makeup will make my eyes water all day. I like this mascara because I can get long lashes that last throughout the day with no flaking, no eye watering or sensitivity, and it comes off so easily at night.”— Amazon Reviewer
Average rating (873 reviews): 4.4 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “I’m always on the hunt for a good mascara. I can say with certainty that this product does meet expectations. If you’re in any doubt, I would suggest trying it out for yourself. It won’t disappoint.” — Amazon Reviewer
Average rating (5330 reviews): 4.4 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “I am a green-beauty aficionado and have tried a lot of ‘nontoxic’ mascaras. I typically stay away from big brands because their standards aren’t always up to par, but I was pleasantly surprised by Honest’s ingredient list. I had heard rave reviews about this mascara and finally decided to give it a try. The primer and mascara in one wand design is genius for convenience, and they work perfectly together to provide you with fantastic separation and volume.” — Amazon Reviewer
Average rating (7372 reviews): 4.4 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “I usually need to use two types of mascaras to get both volume and length. This mascara does the job with one!” — Amazon Reviewer
Average rating (13,767 reviews): 4.4 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “First off, you should know that I’m a makeup fanatic. I buy a lot of it and love to experiment because I’m always searching for the holy grail of everything! I’ve been using this mascara for the last several years. Even during this time, I’ve purchased other brands from designer to drugstore, just in case something better is out there. Well, for me, there isn’t. I honestly love this mascara.” — Amazon Reviewer
Average rating (15,075 reviews): 4.4 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “After staring at a friend’s lashes obsessively, I finally asked what she was using that was different, and it was this mascara! I won’t lie: I do have good lashes, but I couldn’t believe how well this went on. There was no burning when I got close to the waterline, and after just one coat, I was already sending pictures to friends to recommend this mascara!” — Amazon Reviewer
Average rating (33,464 reviews): 4.4 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “I only buy drugstore mascara because I am way too cheap to spend more than $10 on any single makeup item. I have tried a lot of drugstore brands and formulas, and this is, hands down, my favorite. It creates fantastic length without any clumping so that it looks somewhat natural but also dramatically long, which I love.” — Amazon Reviewer
Average rating (2004 reviews): 4.5 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “This is, hands down, the best mascara. I have worked in the cosmetic industry and still follow all the latest products. Price is no issue, so I have tried them all, from the drugstore to high-end. I received a sample of this at Sephora and was blown away—I have never used such a fantastic mascara! You won’t be disappointed with this one and won’t ever need to try a different mascara. The search ends here for perfect long lashes!” — Amazon Reviewer
Average rating (2262 reviews): 4.6 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “For years, I have tried various mascaras, trying to find a go-to favorite, and after coming across this one, I now have my favorite! I have been using this for a year or two now, and it is the best one I have tried. It goes on nicely and can be layered to your taste.” — Amazon Reviewer
Average rating (1302 reviews): 3.7 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “This mascara adds just as much volume and length as mascaras that cost twice as much. It’s become my go-to.”— Sephora Reviewer
Average rating (16,341 reviews): 3.7 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “I’ve tried so many different mascaras over the years; this one wins, hands down. Never clumpy, it adds the perfect amount of volume in one application. You can apply a second time or a third time when you’re feeling bold. I’ll never repurchase another mascara unless they come out with this one in another hue!” — Sephora Reviewer
Average rating (1440 reviews): 3.8 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “I love this mascara! I usually prefer a soft-bristle brush compared to this one, which is rubber. However, it still did the trick. It provided great volume and lift, and it is also so pigmented.”— Sephora Reviewer
Average rating (6546 reviews): 3.8 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “First off, the packaging is so sleek and fierce. I’m used to mascaras a little more than half this size, so I was delighted by the amount of product. It’s easy to apply and did not weigh my eyelashes down or feel messy. It didn’t irritate my eyes at all, unlike most eye products. It gave my eyelashes a lot of volume and made me look like I was wearing falsies.” — Sephora Reviewer
Average rating (2652 reviews): 4 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “I’ve never loved a mascara with the first use until this one! One coat and my hard-to-curl lashes were longer, curled, and more voluminous. They even stayed looking great after an intensely sweaty workout.” — Sephora Reviewer
Average rating (3197 reviews): 4 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “This mascara is so good; it’s, by far, the best I’ve tried in years. After removing my lash extensions, nothing made my lashes look long and full anymore until this! I am so happy I bought this and will not be buying any other mascara for a very long time.” — Sephora Reviewer
Average rating (6587 reviews): 4.2 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “So mascara is my thing. I love volumizing mascaras especially, and I have played around with a bunch of different brands. I switched over to this one, and I’m so happy about it because it’s super buildable, and the brush works well. Even after one coat, the mascara definitely makes a difference, and putting on a couple of coats gives me the dramatic eye look that I want.” — Sephora Reviewer
Average rating (9181 reviews): 4.4 out of 5 stars . Standout review: “I have tried almost every top-brand mascara, and this is the best! You can control the amount of product used. The brush is a perfect size, not too big! This does not smudge at all.” — Sephora Reviewer
Average rating (594 reviews): 4.3 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “Absolutely amazing volume! I love how easy this mascara applies and glides along your lashes. It makes them look so full and bold. I couldn’t believe it. It stays on all day long, and when it’s time to take off, it comes off easily on a makeup wipe.” — Sephora Reviewer
Average rating (694 reviews): 4.3 out of 5 stars. Standout review: “I love this mascara! It’s so lightweight and not clumpy at all, but it gives great length and volume! I also like the drier formula because it doesn’t smudge under my eyes.” — Sephora Reviewer
Still not sure what’s the best volumizing mascara for your needs? We recommend getting a mascara gift set to test the waters.
If you prefer drugstore mascaras, there’s a gift set to find your perfect mascara, too.
If you’re really into trying new mascaras and products all the time, you’ll want to sign up for a Birchbox subscription.
