21 Mascaras That Will Dramatically Improve Your Lashes (and Your Life!)

POPSUGAR Photography | Maria del Rio
POPSUGAR Photography | Maria del Rio
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Even if you're not a major beauty junkie, you know that limiting yourself to just one mascara is virtually impossible . . . and almost masochistic. It doesn't matter how satisfied you are with your current formula. Chances are, you still have a deep, nagging feeling that pushes you to question what other lash-lengthening opportunities are out there.

I myself always have a minimum of three tubes on rotation in my makeup bag, and while I love them all, they each serve different purposes. Sometimes, I want a more doe-eyed look. There are other moments that I want to appear as if I'm wearing thousands of dollars' worth of eyelash extensions. But regardless of my love for the products I currently use, I'm always open to trying something new.

I know I'm not alone in my fringe fanaticism, so I reached out to my editor colleagues about their favorite mascaras. They run the gamut from drugstore classic to recently launched luxury formulas, but they're all incredible in their own right. Read on! You might just find your new lash love.

L'Oréal Voluminous Mascara
POPSUGAR Photography / Maria del Rio

L'Oréal Voluminous Mascara

"Ever since I started wearing makeup, my favorite of all has been L'Oréal's Voluminous Mascara. It's basically the chosen one among all of the women in my family — kind of like a tradition!" — Samantha Netkin, assistant editor, Native Content

"I swear by L'Oréal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black ($8). It has the deep saturated color that I love and it makes my lashes extra thick. In the Summer I rock the waterproof version and never have to worry about a single smudge." — Macy Williams, assistant editor, Love and Smart Living

Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Super Curling & Lifting Mascara
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Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Super Curling & Lifting Mascara

"I'm a fan of Benefit's Roller Lash Super Curling & Lifting Mascara ($24). It keeps things simple since I don't need to use an eyelash curler with it." — Michele Foley, senior editor, Fitness

Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara
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Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara

"If a mascara promises to lengthen, I'll buy it. I love Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara ($9) not just for its price tag, but also because of the crazy fiber brush and sealing formula — it's fun to just keep building and building until my lashes finally touch my eyebrows." — Brittney Stephens, lead editor, Celebrity

Chanel Inimitable Mascara
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Chanel Inimitable Mascara

"It looks like a simple wand, but it offers impressive results. I like really long, defined lashes and this glossy formula keeps my flutter clump free. Magically, it also curls lashes just a bit on its own." — Lauren Levinson, senior editor, Beauty

"I've been using Chanel Inimitable ($32) for YEARS and I SWEAR by it. Everyone always asks me if my eyelashes are real. No joke, all the time. Old friends, new friends, strangers — are you wearing extensions? Nope, just my Chanel. It's the one thing I'll shell out extra cash for — my Chanel mascara is a permanent mainstay." — Dominique Astorino, assistant editor, Fitness

CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara
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CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara

"I swear by CoverGirl Lash Blast ($9)! I've always had a lot of problems with mascara smudging under my eyes and clumping my lashes. Then I discovered this. It doesn't get under my eyes at all, washes off very easily, and doesn't clump my lashes — in fact, it lengthens them. It's WAY more affordable than the expensive formula I used to buy and it's easier to get since you can pick it up at a drugstore." — Hilary White, editor, Love and Smart Living

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
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Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

"Too Faced Better Than Sex ($23) has lasted in my rotation for over three years now, which is a new record for this mascara addict. It leaves my lashes fat, fluttery, and above all, soft. Some formulas make a fringe feel crunchy or hard, but not this one. It's also weightless, so I can keep layering it on without subjecting my eyelids to a workout every time I blink." — Emily Orofino, assistant editor, Beauty

Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils Babydoll
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Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils Babydoll

"I think there are some really great affordable mascaras out there, but there's no denying that Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils Babydoll ($32) is worth the money and delivers on every single level. It gives the perfect combo of length, volume, and separation with zero clumping. It doesn't smudge too easily but also doesn't take ages to remove at the end of the day." — Gemma Cartwright, editor, UK and Europe

Trish McEvoy Lash Curling Mascara
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Trish McEvoy Lash Curling Mascara

"I swear by Trish McEvoy Lash Curling Mascara ($32). It never runs! When you want to remove it, just rub water on your lashes and it will come off in tubes." — Lindsay Badcock, executive assistant

Dolce & Gabbana Passion Eyes Mascara
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Dolce & Gabbana Passion Eyes Mascara

"I fell in love with Dolce & Gabbana Passion Eyes Mascara ($30) a few years ago. I keep trying new mascaras, but they each have their own unique fatal flaw and further reinforce why this under-the-radar tube is the most magical one on the market. It gives me the trifecta of insanely long (like, they touch my top lids long), voluminous, and defined lashes. The curved wand shape eliminates the need for a lash curler (which I previously used daily) and the formula lasts all day and night without smudging during allergy season. Game over." — Joanna Douglas, editorial director, Native

L'Oréal Telescopic Mascara
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L'Oréal Telescopic Mascara

"I will wear L'Oréal Telescopic Mascara in Blackest Black ($10) until the day I die. I have long eyelashes to begin with (thank you, Italian mom!) and I have tried tons of mascaras over the years, from drugstore staples to pricier brands. I come back to Telescopic every single time because of its ability to lengthen, thicken, and separate my eyelashes to perfection thanks to the thin wand. Only when I'm wearing this mascara do I get asked if my eyelashes are real." — Erin Cullum, assistant editor, Food

Lancome Oscillation Vibrating Infinite Powermascara
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Lancome Oscillation Vibrating Infinite Powermascara

"I'm obsessed with Lancome Oscillation Mascara ($37). I've been using it for years, and every time I stray and try another brand I immediately regret it. When you wear it, you're virtually guaranteed to get asked if your lashes are real!" — Maggie Winterfeldt, editor, Home

Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara
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Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara

"Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara ($20) will forever and always be my favorite. It legitimately thickens my lashes without making them clumpy. Also, I've always loved the name." — Hedy Phillips, copy editor

Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express
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Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express

"My go-to mascara for years has been Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express ($7), which is the perfect combination of lengthening and volumizing for my lashes. Even when I'm in a mascara slump, I can always count on this makeup-bag mainstay to apply flawlessly." — Brinton Parker, assistant editor, Trending

Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara
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Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara

"Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara ($28) is my favorite! It has a tiny brush so you can really extend your lash from the base for a falsies effect, proving good things do come in small packages. It doesn't flake or transfer but it isn't difficult to take off, either." — Aimee Simeon, editorial assistant, Trending and Social Media

MAC Cosmetics Toledo Modern Twist Lash in Tarot
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MAC Cosmetics Toledo Modern Twist Lash in Tarot

"I have been desperately holding on to this limited-edition mascara since it came out in February 2015. The unusually shaped brush grips every single lash and coats it with the vibrant purple formula for a unique, eye-catching effect. The hue makes the green flecks in my hazel eyes pop — I hope MAC brings it back soon!" — Sarah Wasilak, assistant editor, Fashion

Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara
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Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara

"Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara ($23) does everything I want: separates (but not too much), lengthens (so much so that I'm not sure how it's possible), and lifts (which is great since I am terrible at using an eyelash curler). It also doesn't smudge or feel heavy or stiff." — Nancy Einhart, vice president and executive editor

Becca Ultimate Full Lash Perfecting Mascara
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Becca Ultimate Full Lash Perfecting Mascara

"Becca Ultimate Full Lash Perfecting Mascara ($25) coats my long lashes totally evenly, leaving me with no clumps or patches of lashes stuck together. It volumizes without being too crazy and has proved the ultimate test throughout allergy season — the stuff doesn't budge." — Alessia Santoro, assistant editor, Moms

Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Lashes Mascara
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Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Lashes Mascara

"I only bought this recently (thanks, POPSUGAR Beauty!) but I fell in love fast and hard. Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Lashes ($32) truly reaches and stretches every lash, and the formula has tons of ingredients that help to lengthen and strengthen. It smells amazing, too!" — Brittney Stephens, lead editor, Celebrity

Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara
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Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara

"Lancome Hypnose Drama won't clump and makes my lashes pop. It also never rubbed off during the day — not one little bit — but it's also easy to remove." — Samantha Sutton, assistant editor, Fashion

"I absolutely can't live without Lancome Hypnose Drama ($28). It gives me the best volume and length and makes my eyes really pop. It definitely lives up to its name." — Monica Sisavat, assistant editor, Celebrity and Entertainment

Maybelline Volum' Express Falsies Big Eyes Mascara
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Maybelline Volum' Express Falsies Big Eyes Mascara

"Not only is the formula on Maybelline Volum' Express Falsies Big Eyes Mascara ($8) supersmooth, but it has separate brushes for upper and lower lids. The upper brush is contoured and the bristles vary in size, ensuring that they cling to every last lash, and the lower one is this bitty little brush that can squeeze into the inner corners to get those tiny lash hairs. It's not kidding around with this 'Big Eyes' stuff, you will look like a doll — in a great way." — Maggie Pehanick, editor, Entertainment