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.

The 11 Best Fiber Mascaras of 2022

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When your goal is extra-long, extra-fluttery, doe-like lashes, you can get extensions. Or you could opt for a set of falsies. Or you can splurge on a lash lift. With so many options out there nowadays, it's easy to get the lashes of your dreams. However, these treatments, while effective, can be time-consuming, overwhelming, and expensive.

Why not take the easy way out and reach for a fiber mascara? True to the name, these formulas contain itty-bitty fibers—usually made of silk, rayon, or nylon—that adhere to the tips of your lashes. The result? Major length and volume, a big win for anyone, but particularly those with short, sparse fringe. Best of all: There’s no glue, tape, or cutting required, just some simple swiping.

See the effects for yourself with these standout fiber mascaras.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Dior Diorshow Mascara at Nordstrom

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Best Volumizing:

Milk Makeup Kush High Volume Mascara at Sephora

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Best Budget:

COVERGIRL Fiber Mascara at Amazon

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Best Curling:

Eyeko Black Magic at Amazon

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Best Drugstore:

Maybelline New York Gigi Hadid Mascara at Amazon

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Best Smudge-Resistant:

L’Oréal Fiber Mascara at Ulta

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Best Conditioning Formula:

DHC Perfect Pro at Amazon

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Best Long-Lasting:

Surratt Beauty Relevée Mascara at Amazon

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Best for Sensitive Eyes:

LORAC Cosmetics Pro+Fiber Mascara at Amazon

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Best Natural:

Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara at Thrivecausemetics.com

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4.7

Courtesy of Nordstrom

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What We Like

Optically creates effect of runway lash extensions
Lash-care action smooths lashes
Thickens lashes without clumping

What We Don't Like

Product dries up fast

Who else recommends it? Good Housekeeping also picked the Dior Diorshow Mascara.

What do buyers say? 900+ Nordstrom reviewers rated this product 4.3 stars or above.

The cult-favorite formula got even better when they added microfibers to the mix, particularly since they sit in between lashes, rather than on top, reducing irritation even for those who normally aren’t fiber fans. Also noteworthy: The tube, which touts a unique airlock system to keep air from getting in and drying out the mascara.

Courtesy of Milk Makeup

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What We Like

Mega-volume
Eliminates fallout
Keeps lashes soft, not stiff

What We Don't Like

Smudges a bit

Some fibers are long and cylindrical, great if you want extra length or that spidery lash effect. But for those who prefer a fuller-looking fringe, this formula is choice. The fibers are heart-shaped, specially made to lay on your lashes in each direction for both length and width. Bonus points for the tapered brush that lets you hit every part of your lashes—without clumps.

Courtesy of Amazon

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What We Like

Fills out even small lashes
Creates 400 percent more volume
Smudge-free

What We Don't Like

Brush is difficult to handle and use

Boosting volume and length by an impressive 400 percent, even those with the shortest and sparsest of lashes will be impressed with this fiber formula. Thanks to its reverse cone-shaped brush, you can also easily reach even those itty-bitty hairs out the corners of your eye, lifting lashes for a flirty, cat-eye look. And all that for just six bucks.

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What We Like

Holds color for up to 12 hours
Zero-waste squeezy tube
Mimics the lash line shape

What We Don't Like

Difficult to remove

Go ahead and ditch your lash curler. The curved wand lifts lashes at a 90-degree angle (and keeps them there for up to 12 hours), while tubing technology adheres to the tips of each hair for an easy, one-swipe, fiber effect.

Maybelline New York Gigi Hadid Fiber Mascara

Courtesy of Amazon

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What We Like

Provides cool added drama
Double-sided
Rich jet black color

What We Don't Like

Can clump a bit

Talk about high praise: Byrdie's editorial director, Faith Xue, credits this fiber mascara as being "the best one I've ever tried." Sweep on the mascara in the dual-sided tube first, then add the fibers, then apply one more coat of mascara. Reviewers are big fans too, citing both the increased volume and length.

Courtesy of Walmart

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What We Like

Makes lashes look seven times more voluminous
Applies evenly
Works in just two steps

What We Don't Like

Sticky texture

Calling all eye-rubbers and those with watery eyes. This formula is smudge-resistant, so you never have to worry about smears, and also makes lashes look up to seven times more voluminous. It comes in three black shades of varying intensity, too. Try soft black when you want a more natural look, black for every day, and blackest black for the most dramatic effect.

DHC Mascara Perfect Pro Double Protection

Courtesy of Dermstore

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What We Like

All-day wear
Washes off easily
Forms water-resistant shields around each lash

What We Don't Like

Very liquid consistency

It’s hard to decide what we like best about this pick. Is it the polymer fibers that wrap around each lash for extra length and volume? Or is it the beeswax and vitamin E-infused formula that conditions fringe and delivers a beautiful sheen? Happily, there’s no need to choose.

Courtesy of Sephora

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What We Like

Wards off smudges and raccoon eyes
Humidity-resistant
Effectively curls straight lashes

What We Don't Like

More natural than high impact in look

Celebrity makeup artist Troy Surratt drew major inspiration from Japanese beauty when creating the products in his eponymous line. Case in point: The Japanese tubing technology in this formula, which extends each and every lash with tiny microfibers for a defined and dramatic effect. It shrink-wraps the fibers onto the hairs to ward off smudges and raccoon eyes, and the formula is also humidity-resistant.

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Fast results
Oversized, tapered brush for easy lash combing
Has staying power

What We Don't Like

Slightly messy to apply

Ophthalmologist-tested, even contact lens wearers or those whose eyes are easily-irritated won’t have an issue with this formula. Nylon fibers pack length, curl, and volume in every swipe and the oversized, tapered brush is easy to comb through from root to tip and reach even the corners of your eyes.

4.6

Thrive Cosmetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara

Courtesy of Thrive Cosmetics

View On Thrivecausemetics.com

What We Like

Gives dramatic length
Swiftly curls the lashes
Non-irritating

What We Don't Like

Can be a bit sticky when applying

In the world of clean beauty, mascara formulas often fall short. But that’s definitely not the case with this paraben-, phthalate-, fragrance-, and sulfate-free pick. The buildable, liquid fiber technology makes for dramatic length and curl (and doesn’t flake or smear), while natural Korean plant extracts help boost the strength of your lashes.

Physicians Formula Eye Booster Instant Lash Extension Kit

Courtesy of Amazon

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What We Like

Easy to apply
Creates longer, thicker lashes in 3 weeks
Lasts up to 24 hours

What We Don't Like

May irritate the eyes

Instant gratification fans will appreciate that it takes just minutes to score longer lashes (that last for up to 24 hours). But there are long-term benefits, too; use it regularly for thicker, fuller, and longer appearing lashes in three weeks. We’re in.

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.

The 12 Best Mascaras at Walmart That Provide Lush Lashes on a Budget

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.

11 Best Fiber Mascaras for Impossibly Long Lashes. Good Housekeeping. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty-products/g36088030/best-fiber-mascara/
Hlisníková H, Petrovičová I, Kolena B, Šidlovská M, Sirotkin A. Effects and Mechanisms of Phthalates' Action on reproductive Processes and Reproductive Health: A Literature Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(18):6811. doi:10.3390/ijerph17186811
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 Metropolis. J Toxicol. 2020;2020:8875167. doi:10.1155/2020/8875167