The 15 Best Fiber Mascaras of 2023 for a False-Lash Look

Our best overall pick is DHC Perfect Pro Double Protection Mascara

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Best Fiber Mascaras

Byrdie / Lecia Landis

If you like the full, fluttery look of false eyelashes but aren't thrilled about glue-on strips or the price of extensions, you might consider fiber mascara. Nicole Pigott, a brand manager for Rocasuba, Inc. a company that develops cosmetics, explains that fiber mascara formulas contain natural or synthetic microfibers (almost like teensy-tiny shreds of thread) made of rayon, nylon, silk, cellulose, or sometimes collagen."These fibers attach to the lash hair for a bulked-up effect and a more lengthened look," Pigott tells Byrdie.

Fiber mascara is similar to tubing mascara in that it coats the hairs with a plasticky material. However, it also usually contains the creamy waxes and silicones you'd find in regular mascara, so you'll get the best of both worlds.

We conducted hours of research on the best fiber mascaras and tried some of the top-rated formulas out there. Our testers took note of how the mascara went on, how it held up throughout the day, and how easily it came off. Our team then combined these results with our own research of fan favorites plus makeup artist-recommended picks to create this roundup.

These are the best fiber mascaras for extra-long, doe-like lashes.

Best Overall

DHC Perfect Pro Double Protection Mascara

DHC Perfect Pro Double Protection Mascara

Amazon

What We Like
  • Fine-bristled brush

  • Doesn't flake

  • Easy to remove

What We Don't Like
  • Contains PEGs

There are many great options available, but DHC Double Protection is in a league of its own. This Japanese mascara calls on polymer fibers to create a strong, flexible coating around each lash while adding length and fullness.

The fine-bristled brush ensures smooth, clump-free application on even your smallest, finest hairs, and a single sweep offers highly pigmented black color. We also like that the moisture-resistant formula is unlikely to smudge, smear, or flake but still washes off easily with warm water.

Price at time of publish: $19

Size: 0.2 ounces | Shades: Black | Waterproof: No (water-resistant) | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Budget

Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara

Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara

Amazon

What We Like
  • Affordable

  • Sculpted length

  • Resists smudging


What We Don't Like
  • Hard to remove

On a budget? Lash Princess is a solid choice. Promising a false-lash effect for only a few bucks, this waterproof mascara coats your hairs with tiny nylon fibers and a blend of waxes to bulk, sculpt, and lengthen.

Price at time of publish: $15

Size: 0.4 ounces | Shades: Black | Waterproof: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Drugstore

L'Oréal Paris Voluminous X Fiber Mascara

L’Oréal Voluminous X Fiber Mascara

Ulta

What We Like
  • Affordable

  • Primer included

  • Volumizing

What We Don't Like
  • Contains PEGs

  • Prone to flaking

L'Oréal X Fiber is your best bet from the drugstore. This dual-ended tube has an adhesive gel primer on one side (step one) and a nylon-infused black mascara on the other (step two) to deliver ultra-dramatic lashes with maximum volume.

Price at time of publish: $11

Size: 0.4 ounces | Shades: Black | Waterproof: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Premium

Dior Diorshow Lash-Extension Effect Volume Mascara

Dior Diorshow Lash-Extension Effect Volume Mascara

Amazon

What We Like
  • Strengthening

  • Buildable volume

  • Award-winning product

What We Don't Like
  • Pricey

  • Contains fragrance

Diorshow has many devoted fans, and for good reason. This iconic mascara now contains silk protein and nylon microfibers to strengthen and lengthen, while the beloved jumbo brush offers buildable volume.

Price at time of publish: $35

Size: 0.3 ounces | Shades: Black, brown, blue | Waterproof: No | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Wand

MAC Cosmetics Magic Extension 5MM Fibre Mascara

MAC Cosmetics Magic Extension 5MM Fibre Mascara

MAC Cosmetics

What We Like
  • Curling brush

  • Exaggerated length

  • Highly pigmented

What We Don't Like
  • Contains BHT

"When choosing a mascara, the wand is very important," says makeup artist Andreea Ali. In addition to the perfectly tapered brush that provides a curling effect from root to tip, this mascara leans on 5-millimeter-long fibers to provide exaggerated length.

Price at time of publish: $26

Size: 0.4 ounces | Shades: Black | Waterproof: No | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best for Bottom Lashes

Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara

4.2
Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara

Amazon

What We Like
  • Skinny brush

  • Doesn't smudge

  • Easy to remove

What We Don't Like
  • Pricey

This mascara from Kevyn Aucoin has a skinny brush that's perfect for coating your bottom lashes. And since the volume-building polymer fibers primarily offer a tubing effect, you won't have to worry about smears or smudges in the tricky under-eye area. Although this pick is expensive, its quality formula is a hit with makeup artists, which makes it a win in our book.

Price at time of publish: $31

Size: 0.2 ounces | Shades: Black | Waterproof: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

What Our Testers Say

“I immediately noticed was that the formula did add more volume to my lashes, and they stayed that way throughout the day.” —Ashley Rebecca, Product Tester and Makeup Artist

Best Dual-Ended

Omolewa Dare to Dream Big Volume Dual End Mascara

Omolewa Dare to Dream Big Volume Dual End Mascara

Omolewa

What We Like
  • Two brush sizes

  • Resists smudging

  • Doesn't flake

What We Don't Like
  • Contains PEGs

Omolewa makes an excellent dual-ended option. While both sides contain the same fiber-infused formula, you'll have a larger brush on one side for your upper lashes and a skinner wand on the other for the bottom row.

Price at time of publish: $22

Size: 0.4 ounces | Shades: Black, blue | Waterproof: No | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Volumizing

Milk Makeup Kush High Volumizing Mascara

4.8
MILK Makeup KUSH Volumizing Mascara

Amazon

What We Like
  • Heart-shaped fibers

  • Bulks and thickens

  • Noticeable results

What We Don't Like
  • Slightly clumpy

"Volumizing formulas are great for everyone," says makeup artist Tony Tulve. "It's the quickest way to bring instant attention to the eyes." We like Milk's Kush formula, which calls on hollow heart-shaped fibers to bulk and thicken each individual hair.

Price at time of publish: $26

Size: 0.3 ounces | Shades: Blackest black | Waterproof: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

What Our Experts Say

"A good volumizing formula will add smokiness to the eye; the fuller lashes add natural shadowing and definition."—Tony Tulve, makeup artist

Best Curling

Fenty Beauty Full Frontal Volume, Lift & Curl Mascara

Fenty Beauty Full Frontal Volume Lift & Curl Mascara

Sephora

What We Like
  • Volumizing

  • Sculpted definition

  • Easy to remove

What We Don't Like
  • Contains BHT

Fenty's Full Frontal mascara is infused with nylon to pump up the volume and add length while keeping your lashes flexible. The unique formula and flat-to-fat brush also offer sculpted definition and sky-high curl.

Price at time of publish: $23

Size: 0.4 ounces | Shades: Black, green, burgundy | Waterproof: No (water-resistant) | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Lengthening

Maybelline Illegal Length Fiber Extensions Mascara

Maybelline Illegal Length Fiber Extensions Mascara

Ulta

What We Like
  • Affordable

  • Doesn't flake

  • Easy to remove

What We Don't Like
  • Contains PEGs

As its name suggests, Maybelline Illegal Length delivers visibly longer lashes. The fiber-infused formula not only coats each hair but also builds onto the tips to create the look of eyelash extensions.

Price at time of publish: $12

Size: 0.2 ounces | Shades: Black | Waterproof: No | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Waterproof

Smashbox Full Exposure Lash Volumizing Mascara

Smashbox Full Exposure Lash Volumizing Mascara

Ulta

What We Like
  • Sweat/humidity-resistant

  • Volumizing

  • Lengthening

What We Don't Like
  • Contains BHT

  • Hard to remove

Prefer a waterproof formula? Smashbox Full Exposure is a solid choice. This fiber-rich mascara delivers thicker, fuller, longer-looking lashes with each swipe, coating every hair with its perfectly tapered brush.

Price at time of publish: $28

Size: 0.4 ounces | Shades: Black | Waterproof: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Buildable

LORAC Pro + Fiber Mascara

LORAC Pro + Fiber Mascara

Amazon

What We Like
  • Flexible formula

  • Volumizing

  • False look

What We Don't Like
  • Prone to flaking

Though mascaras often get clumpy when you apply multiple coats, this is a non-issue with Lorac. The brand's fiber formula offers flexible, buildable volume and noticeably fuller, false-look lashes.

Price at time of publish: $24

Size: 0.5 ounces | Shades: Black | Waterproof: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Hybrid

RapidGlam RapidLash Enhancing Mascserum

RapidGlam RapidLash Enhancing Mascserum

Ulta

What We Like
  • Built-in primer

  • Lengthening

  • Fortifies lashes

What We Don't Like
  • Pricey

Pigott stands behind this serum-mascara hybrid. "The fibers in RapidGlam are extremely fine, non-irritating, and ideal for building a longer-looking, fuller appearance," she tells Byrdie. "They don't poke and protrude but blend beautifully into the formula and adhere smoothly onto the lashes."

Price at time of publish: $35

Size: 0.15 ounces | Shades: Black | Waterproof: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best High-Drama

Dejavu Fiberwig Ultra Long Mascara

Dejavu Fiberwig Ultra Long Mascara

Japanese Taste

What We Like
  • Thickening

  • Lengthening

  • False look

What We Don't Like
  • Slightly messy

If it's thicker, fuller, longer lashes you're after, this Japanese mascara won't let you down. Fiberwig coats each hair with a smooth, plasticky film to create the look of high-drama, full-flutter extensions.

Price at time of publish: $24

Size: 0.3 ounces | Shades: Black, brown, navy | Waterproof: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Short Lashes

EM Cosmetics Pick Me Up Volume + Length Mascara

EM Cosmetics Pick Me Up Volume + Length Mascara

EM Cosmetics

What We Like
  • Lifts and lengthens

  • Encourages lash growth

  • Doesn't flake

What We Don't Like
  • Pricey

If your eyelashes are naturally short or growing back, this one's for you. True to its name, Pick Me Up Mascara lifts and lengthens with lightweight fibers and tubing technology while fortifying the hairs with vitamins and plant proteins to encourage healthy growth.

Price at time of publish: $24

Size: 0.2 ounces | Shades: Black | Waterproof: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Final Verdict

The best fiber mascara is undoubtedly DHC Perfect Pro Double Protection Mascara, a polymer-infused formula that creates strong, flexible fullness while adding noticeable length . But if you're looking for something a bit more affordable or prefer waterproof mascara, Essence Lash Princess False Effect.

Meet the Expert

What to Look for in a Fiber Mascara

Ingredients

When selecting a fiber mascara we suggest looking for a vegan formula that’s free of potentially harmful ingredients like phthalates and formaldehyde. Since fiber mascaras are more prone to flaking—and thus potentially entering your eye—you'll want to be very mindful of the ingredients.

Formula

Opt for a formula that is medium weight so that your eyelashes don’t get weighed down. Thick mascaras are known to clump, whereas thin mascaras don’t hold onto the lashes, especially when infused with fibers.

Brush

Everything goes back to the brush when choosing a mascara. You’re going to want a brush that separates the eyelashes and infuses them with volumizing fibers. A tapered brush does a good job of grabbing lashes at the root to create volume and length.

FAQ
  • What does fiber mascara do?

    Fiber mascaras are infused with tiny fibers (silk, rayon, or nylon) that attach to the lash tips when applied. These tiny synthetic fibers work to extend, build, and plump up the lashes.

  • Is fiber mascara safe?

    Yes, but be mindful that the lash fibers are prone to flaking, and may invade the eye.

  • How do I apply mascara for the best results?

    The key is to start at the base of your lashes and slowly wiggle the brush from the roots to the ends until fully coated. From there, you can add a few more coats for a dramatic finish.

Why Trust Byrdie

Theresa Holland is a contributing commerce writer at Byrdie. For this story, she compiled insights and product recommendations from three experts, including two makeup artists and a brand manager for a cosmetics distributor. She pored over ingredients lists on dozens of mascaras, combed through reviews, and looked at remarks from our home testers before narrowing down the final products. She has tried mascaras from several brands on this list and is particularly fond of DHC, Kevyn Aucoin, Dejavu, Milk, and Dior.

Article Sources
Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
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  2. Asare-Donkor NK, Kusi Appiah J, Torve V, Voegborlo RB, Adimado AA. Formaldehyde exposure and its potential health risk in some beauty salons in Kumasi metropolisJ Toxicol. 2020;2020:8875167. doi:10.1155/2020/8875167

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