Bargain vs Bougie: 5 of the Best Mascaras for Straight Lashes
Sadaf Razi is Adore Beauty's Senior Beauty Editor.
She's a former fashion editor (who worked at various glossy mags) and stylist-turned digital beauty and lifestyle writer. She has been in the lifestyle/media industry for over 10 years and her work has also been featured on international covers like Elle France and Vanity Fair Mexico.
Some of her fave Adore Beauty products include Cicaplast B5, CeraVe Cleansing Oil and Lancôme Renergie Triple Serum.
I’ll be forever mystified by people who have naturally long, curly lashes.
I tend to stare at these genetically-blessed creatures for about ten seconds before I ask, “Sorry, are your lashes real?” with follow up questions - “Wow you don’t even have to use a curler?”, “What mascara do you use?”, “My straighter-than-an-A4-piece-of-paper lashes are very jealous.”
One of my most ambitious beauty feats is trying to get my always-in-horizontal-mode lashes to look 'naturally' curled and fluttery.
They have ZERO curl; so any mascara that can deliver even the slightest curl and length is already doing the Lord’s work in my eyes.
I usually like to rely on my heroic eyelash curler before I coat my lashes, but sometimes I just need a trusty mascara that can make me look awake (and like I actually have lashes) on days I forget to use or pack said heroic curler.
If there's anyone else out there dealing with the perils of having straight lashes, I have some fantastic news.
While I’ll always pledge my allegiance to a particular $22 Maybelline mascara (the same one Sofia Richie wore on her wedding day) for everyday use, I’ve recently come across five others that get my beauty-editor tick of approval as some of the best mascaras for straight lashes and best mascaras for volume and length.
Coming to you as the result of a question I posted on my Instagram stories asking if I should do an article on the best mascaras for straight lashes and just my top mascaras in general, to which a lot of people (ok like, four people) said YES PLEASE.
So to those four people - here you go! What is the best mascara in Australia? In my humble opinion, the below.
By the way (in a world first) I used all of these mascaras WITHOUT using a curler beforehand and they still performed, that’s why they’ve made this top list as a "most recommended mascara".
Best Mascaras For Straight Lashes.
Before we dive in, a little pro tip: I personally like using lash primers, I find they not only coat and prime my lashes before I apply mascara, they also help separate them nicely.
Not a must-have, but I have been a long-time user of the Lancôme Cils Booster XL Lash Primer.
It’s also worth noting that I personally prefer a more ‘natural’ look, so the images you’ll see are only with one or two slicks of mascara.
For more drama you can always build the intensity with more coats!
1. Maybelline Lash Sensational Lengthening Mascara, $24.99
Fast facts:
- Maybelline lash sensational has a liquid ink formula with a low wax level.
- Designed with a curved wand with inner bristles that reveal 100% of tiny lashes (can vouch for this).
- Outer bristles work to give lashes volume.
- Gives lashes a full, fanned-out look.
- Can be builded on coat after coat without any clumping.
- Best mascara for natural look.
My Maybelline lash sensational review:
Ye old faithful!
While I do rotate through these five mascaras, lash sensational Maybelline will always be my go-to, everyday mascara.
It gives a natural, fanned-out curl and adds just the right amount of depth and fluffiness for day time.
If I wear this at night where the occasion calls for more drama, I’ll apply a few extra coats to make them look fuller (and my lashes still look feathery, not clumpy).
I also layer this one over other mascaras sometimes to add some density and catch those end lashes that are so hard to get mascara on!
Fan of Maybelline mascaras?
It would be criminal of us not to mention Maybelline Colossal mascara which will also give you curl and is also a great volume mascara!
2. L’Oreal Paris Lash Paradise Mascara, $25.99
Fast facts:
- Is Lash Paradise good? It sas a whipped formula that delivers intense volume and dramatic length (boy does it ever!) minus any flaking.
- Is enriched with castor oil for soft, supple and healthy lashes.
- Designed with a soft, wavy brush that’s gentle and comfortable to use.
- Is ideal for thin or sparse lashes.
- Best mascara for length.
My L’Oreal Paris Lash Paradise Mascara review:
Length, length, length! That promise is something L'oreal lash paradise one hundred percent delivers on.
I recently discovered this classic and after posting about it on Instagram, a lash paradise fan immediately slid into my DMs saying, “Oh my gosh how have you only just tried this? It’s the best mascara!”
She was right. It has a nice creamy formula that feels nice to apply on lashes and the first time I used this without my curler I couldn’t believe how long and thick my lashes looked.
Being the overachiever she is, she also delivers on drama and volume. I did find this slightly clumpier than the others, but not in a flaking or looks-like-spider-lashes kind of way.
So next time your friend asks you what the most affordable and best mascara for short lashes is - point them in this direction.
3. L'Oreal Paris Telescopic Lift Mascara, $31.99
Fast facts:
- Lifts, lengthens adding up to 5mm visible lash length (that lasts for up to 36 hours).
- Also adds volume and curl without clumping, smudging or flaking.
- Designed with a double-hook brush to deliver maximum lift and separation.
- Formulated with ceramides, is ophthalmologist-tested and suitable for sensitive eyes.
My L'oreal Telescopic lift mascara review:
Made famous by #lashgate (if you know you know) and after reading this BIQ review I was curious to try L'oreal telescopic lift.
Admittedly, I found the wand a little confusing to use at first and felt like I was coating my lashes with air.
So I opened up the TikTok and after watching a couple of videos, I realised there’s a trick to using both sides of the wand to achieve the lift and definition you want.
After that, I was so impressed with the result.
It gave me length (I love how long it makes my end lashes look) in spades!
And just look at how transformative this telescopic mascara before and after picture is from our other road-tester Megan...
Highly recommend and this would be my pick for the best mascara for short straight lashes.
4. Maybelline New York Falsies Surreal Meta Black Mascara, $27.99
Fast facts:
- Loads lashes from root to tip to extend every lash.
- Maybelline flasies is clump-resistant and smudge, flake and smear resistant.
- Is designed with an extended helix brush with long twisted bristles.
- Is made with hybrid fiber technology and promises up to 24-hour wear.
My Maybelline Falsies Surreal Meta Black Mascara review:
I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again: Maybelline makes the best mascaras. And not just the best mascaras, but the best affordable mascaras.
When it comes to what is the best mascara for volume and everyday wear, this Maybelline mascara should be awarded the Medal of Valour.
This Maybelline falsies mascara really puts in the work for its humble price point. Its high-performing formula delivers curl, volume and density, making this zero-curl lash girl look like she has more lash hairs than she actually does.
This is the one I currently have on highest rotation (Lash Sensational is still a go-to for everyday wear when I want something slightly more pared back), but when I need some added drama and for my lashes to really come alive, this is the one.
High impact at a low price - brilliant.
5. Lancôme Lash Idôle Mascara.
Fast facts:
- Volumises, lifts and wears up to 24 hours.
- No clumping, gel emulsion formula for a lightweight feel.
- Delivers fanned-out fullness but still catches every lash.
- Features a specially designed brush with 125 different bristle sizes and 360 micro-bristles.
- How do I apply Lancôme Lash Idôle Mascara? Swiping from the base of the lash to the tip and layer as needed to build volume.
Lancôme Lash Idôle mascara review:
I really wish the Lancôme Idôle mascara wasn’t good because it’s $57. But it is, it's *really* good. Sorry.
If you want one of the best mascaras with a rich formula and a dark pigment, this is it.
My straight lashes revelled in this fancy mascara as the contoured wand caught every lash on the first coat then delivered just the right amount of drama on the second and third coats.
Whenever I wear this mascara it looks like I have those individual false lashes on, so good!
You’re welcome. If you know someone who's on the hunt for the best mascara for length and volume, send them this article ASAP. Their lashes will thank you forever.
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