Best Mascaras: Top Picks & Buying Guide

Compare the best mascara side by side. Browse 770 in-depth reviews, head-to-head comparisons and guides to find your perfect match. Updated regularly.

Finding the right mascara changes everything about your eye makeup. Whether you want dramatic length, bold volume, or natural definition, the formula matters as much as the brush. We compare drugstore favorites and high-end icons side by side, looking at how they wear through a full day, whether they smudge or flake, and how easily they come off at night.

Our mascara guides cover waterproof versus washable formulas, tubing mascaras that slide off with warm water, and lash primers that boost every coat. We also test for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers, because comfort should never be an afterthought. Browse our head-to-head comparisons to see which mascaras actually deliver on their promises, and read our buying guides for tips on application, layering, and making your mascara last to the very last drop.

We also compare lash primers, which add an extra layer of volume and help mascara grip better, plus lash curlers that lift before you even open the tube. Our waterproof testing is thorough: we check wear through workouts, humidity, and happy tears, then rate how easily each formula removes without harsh rubbing. For contact lens wearers and sensitive eyes, we flag ophthalmologist-tested options and note which formulas caused irritation in our testing. Price matters too, so every comparison includes drugstore standouts that rival luxury picks.