Will mascara ruin my eyelash extensions?

Oil-based mascara is not recommended for eyelash extensions, but water-based mascara is. When used correctly, water-based mascara should be safe for eyelash extensions.

How do I know if my mascara is water-based?

To check if your mascara is water-based, make sure you look at the ingredients. If you come across ingredients like paraffin or hyaluronic acid, the mascara is likely oil-based.

Is water-based mascara waterproof?

Water-based mascaras tend to be water-resistant, but not waterproof. They typically come off much easier than waterproof mascaras but will stay on through rain and other minimal water activities.

The 6 Best Water-Based Mascaras of 2023

As a recent convert to lash extensions, one of the things I miss in my makeup routine is using mascara. As any lash expert will tell you, you must try to avoid using mascara to make your extensions last as long as possible. But if you're desperately wanting to add volume and color to your lashes, turn to water-based mascaras. "Water-based mascaras are free of added oils and are a neutral pH, which also means they are chemical-free," explains celebrity makeup artist Lisa Aharon. Plus, as celebrity makeup artist Brigitte Reiss-Andersen points out, it's the only type of mascara that's safe to use with lash extensions: "An oil-based mascara would break down the glue and loosen the extensions," she says.

In addition to being lash extension- and flash lash-friendly, water-based mascaras have other benefits, too. "Water-based mascaras contain fewer additives and chemicals than most mascaras, meaning they're usually easier to wear for people with sensitive eyes," says celebrity makeup artist Robert Sesnek. "They also come off more easily and dry faster than oil-based/waterproof mascaras." We asked several makeup artists to share their favorite water-based mascaras, and we also picked a few of our own.

Read on for the best water-based mascaras.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Benefit Cosmetics Bad Gal Lash at Sephora

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Best Budget:

Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara at Ulta

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Best Volumizing:

YSL Beauty Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils at Amazon

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Best Lengthening:

Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara at Sephora

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Best Brush:

Lancôme Lengthening Mascara at Nordstrom

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Best for Lash Extensions:

BeautyGARDE Oil-Free Mascara at Nordstrom

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4.6

Benefit Cosmetics BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara

Sephora

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What We Like

Long-lasting
Buildable
Great color payoff

What We Don't Like

Can flake

"It can be hard to find a water-based mascara that will also build your lashes and create volume. This brush and formula allows a range from natural to a false lash effect—I like to have options," says Aharon.

Price at time of publish: $28

Benefits: Volumizes, smudge-proof, lifts, lengthens, thickens, strengthens | Size: 0.14 oz. or 0.3 oz. | Shades: 2 | Waterproof: No, water-resistant | Cruelty-Free: No

4.7

Target

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What We Like

Ophthalmologist-tested
Affordable
Great color payoff

What We Don't Like

Can clump

"Maybelline Great Lash is a classic. It coats beautifully but won't give you much else. It's great for a natural look," says celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg. Reiss-Andersen also agrees: "I have been using Great Lash by Maybelline for years—no, make that decades," she says. "It's reliable because it works on literally everyone. It can be layered and layered again, and it's jet black."

Price at time of publish: $9

Benefits: Conditions, thickens | Size: 0.43 oz. | Shades: 2 | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

4.6

YSL Beauty Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils

Nordstrom

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What We Like

Great color payoff
Easy to remove
Buildable

What We Don't Like

Can clump

I Tried YSL's Volume Mascara and People Couldn’t Believe My Lashes Were Real

"YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils is another amazing mascara," says Sesnek. "The Black is super black and incredibly rich. It's a great mascara for people who really want to build a lash that after a few coats really gives the look of false lashes. Plus, the brush is incredibly full for building tons of volume."

Price at time of publish: $29

Benefits: Volumizes, lengthens, strengthens, defines, conditions | Size: 0.2 fl. oz. | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No

YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara — Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca

What Our Testers Say

“If you’re looking to create faux-looking eyelashes in just a few coats without the need to pay for eyelash extensions or strip lashes, the YSL Beauty Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils will help you achieve those results.” — Ashley Rebecca, Product Tester

Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara Jet Black

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Sephora View On Davidjones.com

What We Like

Doesn't flake
No clumping
Paraben- and phthalate-free

What We Don't Like

Some may prefer something more dramatic

This mascara lengthens and glosses lashes, but we love that it's formula claims to be flake-free without any clumping.

Price at time of publish: $42

Benefits: Defines, lengthens | Size: 0.2 oz. | Shades: 2 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No

4.8

LancÃ´me DÃ©fincils High Definition Lengthening Mascara

Ulta

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What We Like

Long-lasting
No clumping
Great color payoff

What We Don't Like

Can transfer

"Lancôme Defenecils mascara is a great one," says Sesnek. "It builds very good volume and density and has an amazing brush to define and separate each lash and hair."

Price at time of publish: $29

Benefits: Defines, lengthens, conditions | Size: 0.23 oz. | Shades: 4 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom

What We Like

Oil-free
Made in the U.S.
Long-lasting

What We Don't Like

Can clump

Great by itself or for when you have lash extensions or false lashes, this oil-free mascara gives your lashes major volume.

What to Look For in a Water-Based Mascara

Formula

Read the ingredients carefully to ensure that the formula is free of chemicals and added oils. Since they tend to be gentler, water-based mascaras are great for lash extensions, contact lens wearers, and those with sensitive eyes. Typically water-based formulas also dry faster and are simpler to remove than their oil-based counterparts.

Brush

Look for a mascara wand that's curved or tapered. These types of wands may help add volume and coat every lash for added definition. You can add plenty of oomph without pulling or tugging at your lashes.

Easy to Remove

Make sure your mascara is easy to remove, since harshly scrubbing or tugging may pull out some eyelash extensions. Opt for a formula that'll come off easily with a bit of soap and water, and staying away from anything water-proof is a good choice.

FAQ

Will mascara ruin my eyelash extensions?

Oil-based mascara is not recommended for eyelash extensions, but water-based mascara is. When used correctly, water-based mascara should be safe for eyelash extensions.
How do I know if my mascara is water-based?

To check if your mascara is water-based, make sure you look at the ingredients. If you come across ingredients like paraffin or hyaluronic acid, the mascara is likely oil-based.
Is water-based mascara waterproof?

Water-based mascaras tend to be water-resistant, but not waterproof. They typically come off much easier than waterproof mascaras but will stay on through rain and other minimal water activities.

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