The Best Non-Clumping Mascaras on the Market

By
Noel Cymone Walker
byrdie contributor noel walker
Noel Cymone Walker
Noel Cymone Walker is an NYC-based writer specializing in beauty, fashion, travel, and cultural anthropology. She has written and produced visuals for notable publications such as Yahoo Lifestyle, Glamour, Allure, and Ebony.
Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on 06/13/22
We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.
Best Non-Clumping Mascaras

Byrdie / Sabrina Jiang

As someone who cringes at the sight of my high-school photos—all featuring spiky spider lashes, dark under-eye makeup, and muted lips—I can confidently say that clumpy, streaky mascara is no longer my thing. Sure, it was fun when I was young, and it always resurges every few seasons on the runways, but when it comes to an everyday look, natural-looking length, definition, and curl wins for me every time. 

Indeed, clumpy mascara can also be the result of your technique. With excess product on the mascara wand, too much pressure, numerous coats, and an expired formula, you, too, could end up with clumpy-looking lashes. Yet for the most part, there are some magic wands out there that make it extremely hard to mess up because of their wand design and formulation. In other words, they're mistake-proof, and you can swipe with abandon without fearing spider lashes.

Ahead, check out the best non-clumping mascaras on the market right now, all approved by Team Byrdie. 

Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Benefit Cosmetics Lengthening Mascara at Amazon
Jump to Review
Best for Straight Lashes:
Almay Mega Volume Mascara at Amazon
Jump to Review
Best Lengthening:
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Lengthening Mascara at Dermstore
Jump to Review
Best Volumizing:
Benefit Bad Gal Bang Mascara at Nordstrom
Jump to Review
Best Drugstore:
CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara at Amazon
Jump to Review
Best Budget:
Maybelline Push Up Angel Washable Mascara at Amazon
Jump to Review
Best Flake-Free:
Glossier Lash Slick at Sephora
Jump to Review
Best Waterproof:
Mary Kay Lash Love Mascara at Marykay.com
Jump to Review
Best Wand:
Tarte 4-in-1 Mascara at Amazon
Jump to Review
Best for a Cat-Eye:
Burberry Cat Lashes Mascara at Burberry.com
Jump to Review

Best Overall

Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Lengthening Mascara

4.8
Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Lengthening Mascara

Nordstrom
View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Sephora
What We Like

  • Defines and separates lashes

  • Brush grips lashes close to the roots

  • Long-wearing

What We Don't Like

  • A little difficult to remove

This is my original go-to for separating lashes. This Benefit mascara brush design has staggering bristles that grab each individual lash so close to the root to lift it up and out.

Price at time of publish: $25

Benefits: Defines, separates, lengthens | Size: 0.1 / 0.3 fl. oz | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best for Straight Lashes

Almay Mega Volume Mascara

Almay Mega Volume Mascara

Amazon
View On Amazon View On Walmart
What We Like

  • Holds a curl

  • Lashes look lifted

  • Adds volume

What We Don't Like

  • Brush can be difficult to use

For seriously stick-straight lashes that need a lift, Byrdie's editorial director Faith Xue reaches for Almay Mega Volume Mascara. It's the only mascara that completely lifted and fanned out her lashes with no clumps.

Price at time of publish: $13

Benefits: Defines, separates, curls, volumizes | Size: 0.3 fl. oz | Shades: 3 | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Lengthening

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Extension Lengthening Mascara

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Waterproof Mascara

Amazon
View On Dermstore View On Laroche-posay.us View On Skinstore.com
What We Like

  • Goes on smoothly

  • Separates and lengthens

  • Easy to remove

What We Don't Like

  • Strong scent

This super-lengthening pick from La Roche-Posay is a favorite of senior editor Hallie Gould. The wand separates each lash while it simultaneously sculpts every hair, extending them far beyond their natural length.

 Price at time of publish: $26

Benefits: Defines, separates, lengthens | Size: 0.8 fl. oz | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No

The 13 Best Lengthening Mascaras of 2023

Best Volumizing

Benefit Bad Gal Bang Volumizing Mascara

4.5
Benefit Bad Gal Bang Volumizing Mascara

Nordstrom
View On Nordstrom View On Sephora View On Ulta
What We Like

  • Comb wand separates each lash

  • Long-wearing, weightless formula

  • Water-resistant

What We Don't Like

  • Better at lengthening than volumizing

Reviewed: Benefit's Bad Gal Bang Mascara Seriously Lifts Lashes

According to editorial director Faith, this Benefit mascara brings your lashes to sky-scraping heights with its lengthening abilities. A few swipes is all it takes to get a falsie effect, without any clumping. Plus, the shape of the wang allows you to preserve your lash length and build subtle volume without any drooping.

Price at time of publish: $14 for 0.14 oz

Benefits: Defines, separates, lengthens | Size: 0.1 / 0.3 fl. oz | Shades: 2 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No

What Our Testers Say

“It delivers on the promise of length, definition, and subtle volume—plus, it wears incredibly well.” — Emily Algar, Product Tester

The 22 Best Volumizing Mascaras of 2023

Best Drugstore

CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara

5
CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara

Ulta
View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Target
What We Like

  • Inexpensive

  • Keeps lashes soft

  • Volumizes

What We Don't Like

  • Could be more lengthening

If you’re looking for a drugstore option, this beloved classic is a hit—no miss. Its fiery color stands out on the shelves, but the real trophy has everything to do with its cushion-y, silicone brush that adds volume and maxes out every single lash, cluster-free.

Price at time of publish: $9

Benefits: Defines, separates, lengthens | Size: 0.4 fl. oz | Shades: 3 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The 11 Best Drugstore Mascaras of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Budget

Maybelline The Falsies Push Up Angel Washable Mascara

Maybelline The Falsies Push Up Angel Washable Mascara

Amazon
View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Riteaid.com
What We Like

  • Fun packaging

  • Inexpensive

  • Lashes look lifted

What We Don't Like

  • Brush can be difficult to use

Quoted as the “push-up bra for your lashes” by Maybelline makeup artist Grace Lee, this mascara serves up incomparable curling and lifting abilities. Hallie and Faith both love it because it’s good for building volume on top of other mascaras and lifting lashes after your first initial coat.

Price at time of publish: $22

Benefits: Defines, separates, lengthens | Size: 0.3 fl. oz | Shades: 3 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Flake-Free

Glossier Lash Slick

4.5
Glossier Lash Slick

Glossier
View On Sephora View On Glossier.com
What We Like

  • Defines and lengthens lashes

  • Nourishing ingredients

  • Keeps lashes soft

What We Don't Like

  • Gives subtle results

4 Byrdie Editors Tried Glossier's Lash Slick Mascara—Here's What Happened

Senior editor Hallie doubted this Glossier mascara at first, then was completely swooning over it by the end of her week of trying Glossier products. Lash Slick won’t give you huge night-out-on-the-town lashes, but it does offer powder-puff, fluffy length to your existing lashes and doesn't cake or flake.

Price at time of publish: $27

Benefits: Defines, separates, lengthens | Size: 0.3 fl. oz | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Glossier Lash Slick

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

The 13 Best Glossier Products, From Brow Pomades to Exfoliants

Best Waterproof

Mary Kay Lash Love Mascara

Mary Kay Lash Love Mascara

Mary Kay
View On Marykay.com
What We Like

  • Water-resistant

  • Won't flake or smudge

  • Lengthens

What We Don't Like

  • Not waterproof

Mary Kay products have withstood the test of time, and it's safe to say that this Lash Love Mascara is one of the brand's best. Byrdie senior editor Lindsey Metrus can attest that this water-resistant formula is clump-resistant and flake-free—she even has senior editor Hallie hooked. 

Price at time of publish: $16

Benefits: Defines, separates, lengthens | Size: 0.3 fl. oz | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No

The 9 Best Waterproof Mascaras of 2023

Best Wand

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara

Tarte Cosmetics
View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Ulta
What We Like

  • Dual-sided brush

  • Keeps lashes soft and fluttery

  • Natural looking

What We Don't Like

  • Not for dramatic volume

The unique brush in this mascaras has two different sides, both of which work wonders at separating lashes for a completely clump-free look. If you want major volume you might have to double up, but for natural-looking length, this is a winner.

Price at time of publish: $19

Benefits: Defines, separates, lengthens | Size: 0.2 fl. oz | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for a Cat-Eye

Burberry Cat Lashes Mascara

Burberry Cat Lashes Mascara

Burberry

View On Burberry.com View On Saks Fifth Avenue
What We Like

  • Lifts lashes

  • Holds a curl

  • Volumizes

What We Don't Like

  • Pricey

Creating a cat-eye doesn’t always have to do with eyeliner—you can certainly channel a more feline effect with a fuller lash line. This mascara from Burberry lifts every lash and curls them upwards and outwards. 

Price at time of publish: $30

Benefits: Lifts, lengthens, volumizes | Size: 0.2 fl. oz | Shades: 4 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No

What to Look For in Non-Clumping Mascaras

Wand Type

Even within the category of non-clumping mascaras, there are different wand types. Wands can vary in shape, size, number of bristles, and material from which they are made. If you struggle to use wands that are curved or thick-bristled, remember to check the wand included with the non-clumping mascaras you’re considering. Otherwise, you’ll find your non-clumping mascara isn’t as effective as it could be.

Color

It’s all about personal preference. Some people swear by jet black mascara, while others might find coffee-colored mascara to be more complementary. If mascara color is of great importance to you, don’t forget to look at the shades available in every non-clumping mascara you’re considering. For a more dramatic look, opt for dark black.

Occasion

On what occasions will you be wearing your non-clumping mascara? And what look are you trying to achieve? If you’re purchasing non-clumping mascara to wear every day, for instance, extreme volume might not be a top priority. Of course, if subtlety isn’t your flavor, you’ll want a non-clumping mascara that makes your lashes stand out when applied.

FAQ
  • How do non-clumping mascaras work?

    Non-clumping mascara is designed to evenly coat each of your lashes so that they don’t cling to each other.

  • How do you apply and remove non-clumping mascaras?

    To apply, wiggle the wand horizontally from the root to the tip of your lashes. Then, run the wand upward from root to tip until your lashes are covered. You can layer as much as you’d like.

  • How do you remove non-clumping mascara?

    It depends. If your non-clumping mascara is waterproof, you’ll likely need a standard makeup remover. If it’s water-resistant or not designed to withstand getting wet, you may be able to remove it with soap and water, or perhaps even water alone.

  • Do non-clumping mascaras expire?

    Non-clumping mascara should be replaced more often than other makeup products because of the dangers of microbial growth and the chance of eye infection. The FDA suggests you replace your mascara three months after purchase.

    Pay special attention to non-clumping mascara made of only natural ingredients as it might lack preservatives, making it more susceptible to microbial growth. If your non-clumping mascara feels dry or as though it’s expired before the three-month mark, you shouldn’t hesitate to replace it.

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.

The 12 Best Mascaras of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Related Stories