I Want Long, Lush, Fluttery Lashes, so I Polled MUAs and Editors on Their Favorite Lengthening Mascaras

Who What Wear's beauty director, Erin Jahns, and assistant beauty editor, Sabrina Talbert, both swear by this lash-lengthening mascara. I can also attest to its (underrated!) greatness. It gives my lashes the most natural-looking length thanks to a unique wand that features dual-sided bristles. The short side lifts and defines lashes like a brush. The long side lengthens and separates like a lash comb. You can use both to create a bespoke lash look. Either keep it natural-looking for daytime, or build it up for a more dramatic look.

Size: 0.27 oz

Shades: Two (black and brown)

Pros: Lengthens, separates, defines, no smudging, no flaking, clean formula

Cons: Some people might prefer a more dramatic look.

This is one of my favorite lengthening mascaras ever, and yes, that counts formulas that are double and triple its price. It delivers incredible length, to the point where people have complimented my lashes and asked what lash serum I use to make them look like that. They're always shocked when I tell them it's a drugstore mascara.

Apparently, I'm not the only one who thinks this mascara is *that girl.*Best Knockoff Luxury Clothing 's beauty director, Erin, counts it as one of her longtime favorites, and celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney also recommends it. "It layers beautifully for extra long lashes, and its drugstore price point makes it more affordable," she says.

Size: 0.24 oz

Shades: Eight (black, brown, and other colors)

Pros: Lengthens, separates, defines, no smudging, no flaking, no clumping, affordable price point

Cons: It may not keep a curl as well as other mascaras.

I've seen Thrive Causemetics' Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara all over the internet, so I'm not surprised Erin counts it as another one of her longtime faves. It's a tubing mascara, which means it creates tiny polymer-based "tubes" around the lashes, rather than just depositing pigment. The effect is dramatically long, defined lashes. And I mean it when I say "dramatic." It looked like I had individual falsies or lash extensions. Oh, did I mention it's sweatproof and water-resistant?

Size: 0.38 oz

Shades: Six (black, brown, and other colors)

Pros: Lengthens, separates, defines, no smudging, no flaking, water-resistant, tubing formula

Cons: It doesn't offer as much volume or separation as other mascaras.

The entireBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing beauty team is obsessed with this mascara. It's technically marketed as a volumizing and lash-lifting mascara, but it lengthens like a dream. It's a true do-it-all formula, so if you want your mascara to lengthen, volumize, and lift your lashes all in one swipe, this is it.

Size: 0.27 oz

Shades: Two (black and brown)

Pros: Lengthens, volumizes, lifts, defines, no clumping, multipurpose formula

Cons: Expensive, not as "natural-looking" as other formulas

If you have stick-straight lashes like mine, you know how difficult it can be to find a mascara that actually keeps a curl. According to Henney, this is it. "This mascara has serious lengthening and curl retention in the formula, and the wand allows you to really build the lash," she says. I like that it's available in two wand sizes—mega and micro, depending on your preferences. Personally, I like the micro side for lash-lengthening purposes.

Size: 0.42 oz

Shades: Two (black and brown)

Pros: Lengthens, volumizes, lifts, defines, no clumping, holds a curl, two wand sizes, multi-purpose formula

Cons: Some people say it can smudge if you don't let it dry on the lashes.

When I askedBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing 's fashion and beauty editor, Aniyah Morinia, what her favorite lash-lengthening mascara was, she responded, "Tarantulash!!!" The formula, which comes from celebrity makeup artist Jo Baker's makeup brand, is known for creating big, bold lash looks. It has a featherweight formula that contains hyaluronic acid and vegan collagen, and it's easy to layer. Apply one to two coats for a simpler look or three to four for a dramatic look. It's essentially the mascara equivalent of a statement clothing item.

Size: 1.23 oz

Shades: One (black)

Pros: Lengthens, volumizes, lifts, defines, no smudging, dramatic effect

Cons: Expensive, only one shade, not as "natural-looking" as other formulas

If you like the minimal, no-makeup makeup look, I can't recommend Refy's Lash Sculpt Mascara enough. It has a sleek, modern formula that I'd call an "anti-mascara"—think long, fluttery lashes that look deceptively natural. Thanks to a curved, crescent-shaped wand, it lifts and separates lashes for a fanned-out effect. Can you see why it's my go-to mascara for low-key, day-to-day makeup looks?

Size: 0.338 oz

Shades: Two (black and brown)

Pros: Lengthens, lifts, separates, no clumping, no smudging, good for a no-makeup makeup look

Cons: Not as bold or dramatic as other mascaras

Looking for a lengthening mascara that's budge-proof, aka, it doesn't smudge, flake, or fall out onto your cheeks? Henney recommends Victoria Beckham Beauty's Vast Lash Mascara. Even though it's technically marketed as a volumizing formula, it lifts and lengthens each lash while staying there, right where you put it. "This is so beautiful for every day or an event," Henney says. "It’s lengthening and does not smudge, even when worn on the bottom lashes. I use this a lot on my clients."

Size: 0.22 oz

Shades: One (black)

Pros: Lengthens, volumizes, lifts, defines, no smudging, no flaking, no fallout

Cons: Expensive, only one shade

Who What Wear's senior beauty editor, Jamie Schneider, loves Tower 28's Makewaves Mascara. It's another do-it-all formula that lengthens, volumizes, and defines the lashes in a simple swipe. Seriously, all it takes is one coat for long, lush-looking lashes. And thanks to a gentle yet water-resistant formula, it won't irritate eyes, smudge, or flake. Success.

Size: 0.29 oz

Shades: Two (black and brown)

Pros: Lengthens, volumizes, lifts, defines, no smudging, no flaking, water-resistant, safe for sensitive eyes

Cons: It may not hold a lift/curl as long as other mascaras.

Who What Wear's associate beauty editor, Alyssa Brascia, loves Grande Cosmetics' Grandewrap Tubing Mascara. It has a lightweight formula that won't weigh lashes down and a tapered wand that wraps each individual lash in tiny, length-extending tubes. And thanks to provitamin B5 and mango butter, it actually cares for your lashes as you wear it.

Size: 0.27 oz

Shades: One (black)

Pros: Lengthens, lifts, defines, no smudging, no flaking, lash-benefitting ingredients, easy to remove

Cons: Only one shade.