Best volumising mascara: Full lashes in just a few sweeps

Amplify lashes from root to tip with our pick of the best volumising mascaras
Written By
Ellis Cochrane
Reviewed By
Published on 27 December 2023

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If you would like your lashes to look thicker and fuller, then you neednt resort to falsies: you just need the best volumising mascara. With the right mascara, you can achieve a dramatic frame for your eyes quickly and easily, without the faff of false lashes or the expense of getting permanent lash extensions.

From options for sensitive or irritable eyes, plus waterproof formulas, many volumising mascaras even include ingredients to nourish and improve the condition of your lashes. Available in a range of colours including intense black hues that deliver instant impact and formulas that promise to curl and lengthen lashes, there really is a volumising mascara for every need and budget.

But which volumising mascaras are the best? Weve made our way through an array of tubes to discover the options that will work best to add definition and drama to your lashes. Read on for some key information to consider before you make a purchase

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What different types of volumising mascaras are available?

Volumising mascaras come in a variety of different colours, formulations and price points. There are formulas that will happily see you through a full day, from work to drinks in the evening, alongside those that will stay put if you get caught in a rain shower, with numerous waterproof options available. And if youre looking to apply several coats of a true black shade without any clumping, then there are mascaras on our list that have you covered, too.

What should a volumising mascara do?

As the name suggests, a volumising mascara is designed to thicken and plump lashes. Their thicker consistency binds to individual lashes, to help them appear fuller. Many volumising mascaras also come with the added benefit of curling or lengthening the lashes, too.

Are they suitable for sensitive eyes?

Those with sensitive or irritable eyes, and contact lens wearers, too, should keep an eye out for words such as ophthalmologist tested or allergy tested on the packaging or added information online.

If you have previously experienced issues with stinging or irritation of eyes on applying a mascara in the past, we suggest carrying out a patch test before you apply a mascara all over your lashes. Swipe a small amount of mascara onto your outer lashes and then leave it on for a few hours. If you dont suffer any irritation or discomfort, or see any redness, then youll likely be fine to apply the product across the entirety of your lashes.

How many coats of volumising mascara should I apply?

This will depend on the overall effect youre striving for. For a daytime look where you simply wish to frame your eyes, a single sweep will suffice. However, for a more dramatic, faux-lash look, apply several coats of mascara to achieve eyelashes with more impact. Each of the mascaras on our list works well applied as a single coat, or layered several times.

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How do I remove volumising mascara?

When removing mascara, especially if youve applied several coats, its important that you dont vigorously rub or pull at the eye area. The skin around our eyes is particularly delicate, and harsh removal of product could cause damage to the eye area and hasten the appearance of wrinkles or fine lines.

We recommend using a cotton or reusable makeup-removal pad to gently press onto your closed eye, gently swiping it down your lashes to remove any makeup or mascara. If your mascara is a waterproof formula, invest in a bi-phase makeup remover, which combines oil and water to dissolve even the toughest of waterproof formulations.

How often should I replace my mascara?

This may be of surprise to many, but mascara actually has one of the shortest shelf lives of any makeup product. Since its a product that comes in direct contact with the eyes and has air introduced to it every time we remove and reinsert the wand, its recommended that we replace our mascara every three months.

This short timescale may inform how much youre willing to spend on a tube of mascara.

How much should I spend?

A tube of volumising mascara can range in price from a few pounds to upwards of £50 or £70. In our opinion, you shouldnt need to spend any more than £30 for a super- impressive formula of volumising mascara, particularly when you consider how quickly youll need to replace it. Think of it this way: over the course of a year, you should be swapping out your mascara for a new tube four times, so youll want to spend an amount that you feel comfortable to shell out several times over.

All of our picks come in under £30, with our budget buy costing just over £10. And since this is a makeup product youll likely be using daily or more than once a day, if youre topping up for nights out its worth choosing an option that makes sense for your wallet.

At Expert Reviews, we know that hands-on testing delivers the most complete information about a product. To put the various formulations of mascaras through their paces, we apply each product to the eyelashes to evaluate the overall ease of application and how well it boosts their look. To test volume in particular, we paid specific attention to how each product coats the lashes and its impact on the depth of colour, thickness and curl of natural lashes. In order to make a clear comparison, each mascara is applied to one eye while the other is left bare to assess the difference.

We also note how well a mascara lasts through a typical day of wear, how comfortable it is to wear, and whether any of the product flakes, sheds or smudges as the hours progress. Finally, we confirm whether or not the mascaras are vegan, ophthalmologist/dermatologically tested, and if theyre available in a waterproof formulation.

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Price when reviewed: £25 | Check price at Look Fantastic

This is one of the most lightweight volumising mascaras weve tested. Even with several coats applied to lashes, they continue to feel soft and fluffy to the touch. The unique curved brush successfully captures individual lashes, working particularly well to coat bottom lashes for an overall wider appearance to the eyes. And despite adding serious volume to lashes, this mascaras shade of black is one of the most natural-looking, matching that of your lashes.

Our only small gripe with this mascara is the fact that the formulation can dry out more quickly than many of the other volumising mascaras on test. However, in our experience, this was around the three-month point or later, which provides a handy indication that its time to replace your current tube of mascara with a new one.

Key details Vegan: Yes; Ophthalmologist/Dermatologist tested: No; Waterproof option: Yes

Check price at Boots

Price when reviewed: £12 | Check price at Look Fantastic

Available in Brown, Black and a waterproof formulation, its the Intense Black option of this Paradise mascara that you should opt for to achieve the most voluminous, dark black lashes. While it is possible to pick up a volumising mascara under £10, we think its worth spending the additional £1.99 for a budget volumising mascara that really delivers.

Paradises new castor oil enriched formula keeps lashes feeling soft and silky, remaining clump-free even after its been layered several times. It works just as well applied in a single sweep for a more natural look. Lashes look defined and separated, and importantly, we didnt experience any flaking or fallout as the day progressed. Its also suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

Key details Vegan: No; Ophthalmologist/Dermatologist tested: Yes; Waterproof option: Yes

Check price at Boots
best volumising mascara bareMinerals Lashtopia

Price when reviewed: £21 | Check price at LookFantastic

Volumising mascaras can cause panda eyes, making it difficult to find a good smudge-proof option that’s easy to remove. bareMinerals Lashtopia fits this bill perfectly. It has a soft, buildable formula that separates, curls and lengthens in one coat while adding impressive volume. Its thick brush can create thicker, fuller lashes without making them look clumpy.

The mascara wears beautifully throughout the day because it doesnt set rock solid. That means it feels comfortable and weightless while being flake and transfer-free. For £21, its an investment but is well worth it if cheaper mascara always transfers onto your eyelids and under your eyes.

Key details Vegan: Yes; Ophthalmologist/Dermatologist tested: Yes; Waterproof option: No

Check price at LookFantastic

Price when reviewed: £19 | Check price at Look Fantastic

You may be aware of La Roche-Posays impressive dermatologist recommended skincare and bodycare products. But did you know that the brand also sells makeup? Designed specifically with sensitive eyes in mind, the Toleriane Volume Mascara is also suitable for contact lens wearers. Including ingredients such as ceramides and carnauba wax, which are said to strengthen and thicken lashes over time, the formulation is 100% hypoallergenic and free from fragrance, preservatives, parabens, alcohol and colourants.

The fluffy brush coats lashes evenly, for a dramatic black finish, while ensuring lashes feel soft and feathery to the touch. We didnt experience any smudging or fallout throughout a full day of wear, yet the mascara was easy to remove at the end of the day using a bi-phase makeup remover, such as the brands Respectissime waterproof eye makeup remover.

Key details Vegan: No; Ophthalmologist/Dermatologist tested: Yes; Waterproof option: Yes

Check price at LookFantastic

Price when reviewed: From £25 | Check price at John Lewis

While a few of the other picks on our list are available in waterproof formulations, the Lancôme Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara easily takes top position. With a waterproof formula that didnt budge through scenarios from an unexpected rain shower to an hour of sweating in the gym, we were super-impressed by this mascaras staying power.

The large curved fibre brush helps with clump-free application, separating lashes and even slightly curling them while adding volume in just one coat. Note that youll definitely need to invest in an oil-based waterproof makeup remover for use alongside, or youll struggle to get it all off at the end of the day. For those who dont need a waterproof formula, the original version performs just as well.

Key details Vegan: No; Ophthalmologist/Dermatologist tested: No; Waterproof option: Yes

Check price at John Lewis

Price when reviewed: £31 | Check price at Boots

This unique squeezable mascara is unlike any that weve tried before. Before removing the wand, you squeeze the tube a few times to make the mascara more fluid and ready for application. Doing this results in a mascara thats super-creamy on application, but one that wont budge once it has dried.

We love the classic black shade, but this mascara is also available in fun colours such as blue and coral, a natural shade of brown and theres a waterproof option, too.

Key details Vegan: No; Ophthalmologist/Dermatologist tested: Yes; Waterproof option: Yes

Check price at Boots

Price when reviewed: £28 | Check price at Sephora

If you have a special event or party coming up, or are looking to recreate the fanned-out lash look, this incredibly pigmented black mascara from world-famous makeup artist Pat McGrath is a brilliant option.

The gel-hybrid formulation clings to each individual lash, lifting while simultaneously adding a little bit of extra length to your lashes. One coat can transform lashes, but this mascara really comes into its own when its layered with several coats. It doesnt flake or dry out lashes, and even with several coats applied, lashes dont feel especially heavy or laden with product.

Key details Vegan: No; Ophthalmologist/Dermatologist tested: Yes; Waterproof option: No

Check price at Sephora

Written by

Sarah is a senior staff writer and has worked at Expert Reviews since 2021. Alongside testing and reviewing heaps of health and beauty tech, she has completed the SCS Introduction to Cosmetic Science course. This equips her with a comprehensive understanding of cosmetic formulation, which means she’s great at separating the wheat from the chaff in hair care, skincare and dental care.

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Reviewed By

Ellis Cochrane

Ellis is a freelance digital writer and journalist, with a specific expertise in the homes, interiors and gardens sector. She's contributed to and freelanced at the likes of Ideal Home, House Beautiful, Country Living, Daily Express, Cosmopolitan and Stylist over the past five years, with her reviewing everything from makeup and skincare to books, dehumidifiers and jewellery for Expert Reviews.

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