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Byrdie / Lecia Landis
If the rise of Glossier has taught us anything, it's that the natural-looking, less-is-more makeup trend isn't going anywhere anytime soon. From fuller, "down-to-earth" brows to anti-foundations, effortless, no-makeup makeup is really taking off. Makeup artist and Hairy Little Things founder Alix Taylor agrees. "Everyone is joining the wellness movement, and I believe the makeup trends are going to reflect this," she told us. "We will all be covering up our skin less and using tinted moisturizers and CC creams rather than full foundations."
To get behind the movement, we decided to round up 12 of our favorite natural-looking mascaras. Lengthening, defining, and lash-enhancing, these formulas are everything you need to achieve that coveted your-lashes-but-better look.
Keep reading for our top natural-looking mascara picks.
Best Overall
Lancôme Défincils High Definition Lengthening Mascara
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Lancôme
Award-winning formula
Long-wearing
Chic packaging
Some may prefer something more volumizing
This award-winning mascara creates lengthened, ultra-defined lashes with just one coat. The formula contains bio-selective polymers, which cling to the lashes through electrical attraction, making each one appear longer and more striking. And the best part? It doesn't smudge, flake, or clump.
Price at time of publish: $29
Benefits: Lengthens, defines, conditions | Size: 0.23 oz. | Shades: 3 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Drugstore
COVERGIRL Clump Crusher Waterproof Mascara
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COVERGIRL
Affordable
Doesn't clump
Coats every lash
Can flake
The specially designed, molded wand of this mascara ensures that there will be zero clumping, which is crucial for a natural-looking mascara. The fine bristles ensure that each lash is lifted and coated but not spidery. "Doesn't clump at all and separates lashes for a crisp, natural look," assures one Ulta customer.
Price at time of publish: $9
Benefits: Volumizes | Size: 0.44 oz. | Shades: 4 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Drugstore, Runner-Up
Maybelline New York Lash Discovery Waterproof Mascara
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Amazon
Affordable
Coats every lash
Lightweight
Can flake
This drugstore find comes recommended by makeup artist Lisa Aharon. The lash-catching mini brush works to reach, define, and coat each lash with the lightweight formula. And the waterproof aspect means that it'll never smudge or transfer under the eyes and ruin the illusion of your natural-looking lashes.
Price at time of publish: $10
Benefits: Defines, lengthens | Size: 0.16 oz. | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Budget
Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara
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Target
Affordable
Long-wearing
Doesn't clump
Can be drying
Made with olive and sweet almond oils, this mascara plumps each lash to create incredible volume. "I picked it up in the brown color, which really emphasizes the formula's natural effect. But most importantly, it's smudge-proof and very defining (it never clumps—it's amazing)," our wellness editor, Victoria Hoff, explains.
Price at time of publish: $16
Benefits: Volumizes, defines | Size: 0.21 oz. | Shades: 3 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Water-Resistent
Glossier Lash Slick
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Glossier
Lightweight
Doesn't clump
Long-wearing
Results aren't as drastic as other options
A natural-looking newcomer this year that's quickly spawned into a fan favorite, this offering from Glossier had to make the list. It curls and sculpts the lashes as it lengthens to enhance the appearance of your natural lashes. "I love this mascara for daytime because not only does it look really natural, but it also literally doesn't budge, which is one of my all-time biggest pet peeves when it comes to most mascaras I try," our senior editor, Hallie Gould, shares.
Price at time of publish: $26
Benefits: Lengthens, lifts | Size: 0.29 oz. | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: No, water-resistant | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
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Byrdie / Avery Stone
What Our Editors Say
"If you love your mascara to have a thickening, volumizing effect, then this probably isn't the one for you. But if a natural, off-duty look is what you're after, instead, you can't go wrong with Lash Slick. Its innovative formula, clump-free applicator, and chic packaging are all major wins in our book." — Byrdie Editors
Best No-Makeup
Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara Jet Black
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Courtesy of Amazon
Lightweight
Great for no makeup makeup
Ophthalmologist-tested
Not as long-wearing as other options
Start at the base of the lashes and wiggle this mascara on for separated, longer lashes. The gel-based formula gives the lashes a naturally glossy and silky appearance-the no-makeup, makeup look. "This mascara is great for lengthening and giving them some major volume without the 'look, I'm wearing mascara!' intake," one Sephora buyer explains.
Benefits: Lengthens, glosses | Size: 0.2 oz. | Shades: 2 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Conditioning
Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Curling Mascara
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Sephora
Long-wearing
Lightweight
Easy to remove
Can clump
Inspired by hair rollers, this mascara features a unique brush that's designed to catch, lift, and curl each lash. Once applied, it maintains a curl for 12 hours. Formulated with provitamin B5 and serine, Roller Lash conditions the lashes as you wear it.
Price at time of publish: $30
Benefits: Lifts, curls | Size: 0.14 oz. or 0.3 oz. | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: No, water-resistant | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Conditioning, Runner-Up
BareMinerals Love Every Lash Micro Defining Mascara
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Coats every lash
Gentle formula
Easy to remove
Product can dry out quickly in bottle
This mascara's skinny brush is specifically designed to reach and fan out every individual eyelash. It allows lash-fortifying ingredients to condition every single lash with each application. The intense, jet-black pigments will draw attention to your newly enhanced lashes.
Benefits: Defines, conditions | Size: 0.27 fl. oz. | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best with Clay
Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara
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Great color payoff
Lightweight
Ophthalmologist-tested
Can clump
In addition to delivering lengthened yet understated eyelashes, this mascara from Tarte offers some serious lash benefits. It contains Amazonian clay to nourish and hydrate and works to prevent future lash loss. Fans praise its clump-free appearance in creating the illusion of all-natural lashes.
Price at time of publish: $24
Benefits: Conditions, lengthens, volumizes | Size: 0.16 oz. or 0.25 oz. | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
What Our Testers Say
"It gives great length and nice, clean volume thanks to the firm bristles." — Emily Algar, Product Tester
Best Lash Primer
IT Cosmetics Tightline 3-in-1 Lash Primer
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Multi-purpose product
Coats every lash
Paraben-free
Some may prefer something more volumizing
A lash primer, eyeliner, and mascara in one, this unique product from It Cosmetics works to coat your lashes from root to tip thanks to its super-skinny wand. By starting at the root, it's able to create the look of a naturally fuller lash line. As if that weren't enough, this mascara is also infused with collagen, biotin, and keratin to support lash strength.
Price at time of publish: $26
Benefits: Lengthens, conditions | Size: 0.12 oz. | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Flake-Free
Wander Beauty Unlashed Volume and Curl Mascara
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Coats every lash
Long-wearing
Paraben-free
Can clump
Hallie also can't say enough good things about this mascara from Wander Beauty. "As someone who has chronically smudgy, watery eyes (especially during winter), I'm always looking for a mascara that won't flake, smudge, or run down my face. Wander Beauty's offering does just that, with a ton of added volume. The brush is curved to actually create fuller-looking lashes, and the tip is meant to grab and coat even the tiniest of hairs," she comments.
Benefits: Volumizes, curls, strengthens, conditions | Size: 0.31 oz. | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: No, water-resistant | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Splurge
Perricone MD No Makeup Mascara
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Perricone MD
Coats every lash
Lightweight
Fragrance-free
Doesn't provide much length or volume
The name says it all here. Indeed a no-mascara mascara, this formula enhances your natural lashes for a longer, thicker appearance. Biotin and neuropeptides work to condition and can promote lash growth, while the unique wand works like a fine-tooth comb to reach every single lash.
Price at time of publish: $30
Benefits: Thickens, conditions, strengthens | Size: 0.28 oz. | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
What to Look for in a Mascara
Ingredients
When scanning the back of your mascara, check to see if it’s cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny certified. Another thing to look out for? Beneficial ingredients for the lashes like vitamins and oils.
Lightweight Formulas
Lightweight formulas that don’t clump and come with a good brush/applicator are the secret sauce to a good mascara. Heavy formulas may weigh your lashes down.
Applicator
When it comes to your mascara needs—curling, volumizing, or defining—it’s all about the applicator brush. If you’re looking to curl your lashes opt for a curved shaped brush. If you want to thicken or volumize, opt for a jumbo or hourglass-shaped brush. Those looking to lengthen might want to purchase a pointed tip brush.
How We Researched & Tested
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. We then used these insights from our research and testing to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
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