Mascara used to be the one makeup product I could live without—mainly because every formula seemed to leave my lashes clumpy or weighed down. I naturally have long lashes, but they’re pretty straight, so I look for something that lifts, lengthens, adds volume, and most importantly, doesn’t clump or flake.

After trying a few cult favorites, I’ve finally formed some strong opinions worth sharing!

✨ LANCÔME Lash Idôle

This one surprised me! It’s marketed as a volumizing mascara, and the curved wand definitely plays a role in that. It lifts and fans out my lashes beautifully while still keeping them soft and clump-free. It’s become a new staple in my routine for fuller-looking lashes that don’t feel heavy.

💖 ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara

This is hands-down my top pick. The dual-sided wand allows for easy lash separation and buildable volume without that dreaded crunchy feeling. It’s incredibly reliable and works every time. I keep going back to it because nothing else separates and defines my lashes quite as well.

🖤 Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Mascara

Although this one is raved about, it just didn’t work for me. I picked up the mini version to test it out, but my lashes didn’t hold their curl and the formula didn’t seem to last. The wand is pretty standard for volumizing mascaras, but on my lashes, it felt a bit too heavy, and they dropped quickly after application.

When it comes to finding the right mascara, it really depends on your lash type and what you’re looking for, but these are the standouts in my current collection!