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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.
Best Overall: Dior Diorshow Mascara
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Courtesy of Nordstrom
Optically creates effect of runway lash extensions
Lash-care action smooths lashes
Thickens lashes without clumping
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.
Benefits: Buildable volume, lash-care action helps smooth lashes | Size: 0.33 oz. | Shades: Black, blue | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Volumizing: Milk Makeup Kush High Volume Mascara
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Courtesy of Milk Makeup
Mega-volume
Eliminates fallout
Keeps lashes soft, not stiff
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.
Benefits: Keeps fibers locked onto lashes, tapered brush hits every part of the lashes | Size: 0.13 oz. | Shades: Black | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Budget: COVERGIRL The Super Sizer Fiber Mascara
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Courtesy of Amazon
Fills out even small lashes
Creates 400 percent more volume
Smudge-free
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.
Benefits: Lash Styler finds and transforms even small lashes | Size: 0.4 oz. | Shades: Blacks, browns | Waterproof: Yes, depending on shade option | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Curling: Eyeko Black Magic Mascara Drama & Curl
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Holds color for up to 12 hours
Zero-waste squeezy tube
Mimics the lash line shape
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.
Benefits: Curved wand lifts lashes at a 90-degree angle, conditions with infused keratin and shea butter | Size: 0.29 oz. | Shades: Carbon black | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Drugstore: Maybelline New York Gigi Hadid Fiber Mascara
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Courtesy of Amazon
Provides cool added drama
Double-sided
Rich jet black color
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.
Benefits: Creates long, supermodel-ready lashes | Size: 0.17 oz. | Shades: Black | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Smudge-Resistant: L’Oréal Voluminous X Fiber Mascara
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Courtesy of Walmart
Makes lashes look seven times more voluminous
Applies evenly
Works in just two steps
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.
Benefits: Two-step volumizing mascara and a lengthening mascara for an extreme lash fringe effect | Size: 0.43 oz. | Shades: Soft black, black, blackest black | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Conditioning Formula: DHC Mascara Perfect Pro Double Protection
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Courtesy of Dermstore
All-day wear
Washes off easily
Forms water-resistant shields around each lash
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.
Benefits: Fine-bristled, flexible wand reaches the tiniest lashes, even on the lower lash line, beeswax strengthens and solidifies | Size: 0.17 oz. | Shades: Black | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Long-Lasting: Surratt Beauty Relevée Mascara
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Courtesy of Sephora
Wards off smudges and raccoon eyes
Humidity-resistant
Effectively curls straight lashes
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.
Benefits: Microfibers provide added density, hyperextends lashes | Size: 0.2 oz. | Shades: Blonde, brunette, raven | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Sensitive Eyes: LORAC Cosmetics Pro+Fiber Mascara
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Courtesy of Amazon
Fast results
Oversized, tapered brush for easy lash combing
Has staying power
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.
Benefits: Helps lashes curl up, look noticeably longer, distinctly lusher and instantly fuller | Size: 0.47 oz. | Shades: Black | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Natural: Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara
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Courtesy of Thrive Cosmetics
Gives dramatic length
Swiftly curls the lashes
Non-irritating
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.
Benefits: Stem cell technology strengthens lashes | Size: 0.71 oz. | Shades: Deep blue, brown black, rich black | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best With Benefits: Physicians Formula Eye Booster Instant Lash Extension Kit
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Courtesy of Amazon
Easy to apply
Creates longer, thicker lashes in 3 weeks
Lasts up to 24 hours
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.
Benefits: Creates thicker, fuller, longer, more dramatic looking lashes after three weeks of consistent use | Size: 0.21 oz. | Shades: Ultra black | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
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.