After 5 Months of Testing 50+ Mascaras, Here Are the Must-Have Picks from a Beauty Editor!

MASCARA is the bane of my make-up bag – and I’m clearly not the only one who has a love-hate relationship with it.

The product’s popularity has declined sharply this year, down 38% in the last month alone, according to one of my favourite Insta accounts @Databutmakeitfashion – and I think I know why.

To begin with, avoiding mascara is the ultimate nod to no-make-up make-up.

It’s the first product most of us discover, and totally foolproof to apply, so not using one feels even more intentional than, say, swapping to a lightweight foundation or glossy lips.

Also, longer-term lash enhancements, like lash lifts or extensions, which make mascara redundant, are better than ever and more easy to access.

Finally, mascara can be pretty inconvenient – it flakes, smudges and runs, can irritate sensitive eyes and is often a pain to remove at the end of the day – which is the last thing make-up should be in 2026.

For much of this year, I’ve gone without, instead using a dark-brown eyeshadow, like Hourglass Curator Eyeshadow in Vow, £29 , to line my upper lashline, then curling my lashes with Dior Backstage Eyelash Curler, £26 , to add definition to my eyes.

I’ve tried many lash curlers, and it’s one of the best.

But nothing makes your eyes look better than long, full, fluttery lashes, so at the same time, I’ve been on a mission to find the perfect mascara to make wearing it as easy as the application.

Here’s everything I’ve learned…

Brown is better than black for a more natural finish, especially if you’re fair-haired like me.

The difference is subtle, but your features will look more balanced.

If you don’t believe me, get an inexpensive one like Catrice Hyper Lash Mascara in 020 Speedy Brown, £5.99 , and give it a go.

The brush is just as important, if not more so, than the formula.

Fibre brushes that are one width all along or gently taper at the end give more control and distribute product evenly to avoid clumps (one of my pet peeves).

The wiper in the bottle can remove product evenly, which isn’t possible with more intricate brushes, and the fibres hold on to it more effectively than a smooth, plastic surface.

A flexible, tapered plastic brush head, on the other hand, allows you to get right to the root of your lashes for dramatic lengthening.

As long as it has bristles of differing lengths, clumps shouldn’t be too much of an issue, although it might take you slightly longer to apply.

Using a tubing formula is the easiest way to avoid your mascara smudging, without needing a heavy-duty cleanser to take your make-up off at the end of the day.

I’ve tried between 50 and 100 mascaras since the start of the year, and the best are a combination of the above.

Here are the ones I’d repurchase…

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a cheaper mascara than this Credit: Collection

Collection Lash Lift Tubing Mascara, £3.99

This is the best budget mascara I’ve ever tried – and it costs less than my usual coffee order, which means if I tallied up the cost per wear, it would be pennies.

The brush has a slight curve to it, which helps fan out lashes, and the fibre bristles stop too much product from being deposited in one area or clumping.

If you have sensitive eyes, this won’t cause irritation or weeping Credit: UKLash

UKLash Tubing Mascara in Mocha, £16

You probably know UKLash because of its growth serum, but this mascara is seriously underrated.

Available in both black and brown, it makes my lashes look longer than ever, and can even withstand swimming, so it definitely won’t smudge during everyday life.

With 24-hour wear, this is completely melt-proof in warm weather Credit: Too Faced

Too Faced Ribbon Wrapped Lash Mascara in Chocolate, £28

Too Faced’s Better Than Sex Mascara, £28 is arguably one of the most popular mascaras worldwide, thanks to its volumising ability that rivals the thickest of false lashes.

Think of the Ribbon Wrapped Lash Mascara as its older sister – slightly more understated and grown-up, but not to be outshone, it promises 24 hours of smudge-proof wear that keeps lashes separated and curled.

This spiky brush leaves no lash untouched Credit: Maybelline

Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky Tubes Mascara, £13.99

As well as a flexible, tapered brush which allows you to get right to the root of lashes, this wand also has a spiky ball at the end which you can use to ensure the smallest, inner corner lashes are covered.

The formula won’t flake, and contains shea butter and castor oil to condition lashes during wear.

For smudge-proof volume, this is Tara’s best pick Credit: Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-Eyes Volume Mascara, £28

This is the mascara I turn to when having big lashes is my top priority.

The large brush gives me intense volume in one stroke, and can be layered to up the drama without making lashes look spidery or clumpy.

I’m a huge Charlotte Tilbury fan – – and this is by far its best mascara.

There’s no compromise with this mascara Credit: Beauty Pie

Beauty Pie Wrap Star Tubing Mascara, £20 for members

This is my winner.

The Chestnut shade has a warm undertone that makes my eyes look instantly more blue, but it’s also available in Black if that’s your preference.

It ticks all the boxes with its evenly sized fibre wand, it’s smudge-proof and really does come off with just warm water.

I thought I’d have to compromise on something, but this proves the perfect mascara really does exist.