The 8 Best Non-Clumping Mascaras of 2024, Tested & Reviewed

Best Overall

Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Lengthening Mascara

$16 at Sephora $29 at Ulta $16 at Target

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

Considering how popular and well-loved this mascara is, it's not surprising that it was a favorite when it was put to the test. It works beautifully at separating, lifting, lengthening, and volumizing the lashes, making it a great all-around option for a wide range of lash types. "The comb-like wand sweeps through each teeny tiny lash to deposit an inky black formula for length and volume," says associate editorial director Shannon Bauer. "The ball brush on the tip is great for separation or layering on oomph. It's an industry bestseller for a reason."

Best Drugstore

CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara

$9 at Amazon $13 at Ulta View on Target

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

If you’re looking for a drugstore waterproof mascara, this beloved classic is a hit that's definitely worth trying out. Its fiery color stands out on the shelves, but the real trophy has everything to do with its cushiony, silicone brush that adds volume and maxes out every single lash, cluster-free. Another favorite of Bauer's, she adores it for her thin, blonde lashes. "Boosting the thickness and color is key to achieving my ideal false lash appearance and this formula delivers every time," she says. "If I ever forget mascara on a trip and need one in a pinch, it's easy to find at all drugstores and under $15."

While it's not going to deliver the most dramatic results, it's a fantastic option for boosting the overall look of your lashes without making them look spidery or clumpy.

Best Natural-Looking

Glossier Lash Slick Mascara

$20 at Sephora $20 at Glossier.com

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

Editor in chief Hallie Gould 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 fluffy length to your existing lashes and doesn't cake or flake. "I love that using this mascara on my true no-makeup makeup days," adds beauty commerce writer and co-author of this piece Alyssa Kaplan. "While you can't build it up for a ton of volume, it's perfect for adding some color and definition to your natural lashes and you absolutely never have to worry about it clumping."

Best Lifting

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Mascara

$12 at Sephora View on Tower28beauty.com View on Credo Beauty

Benefits: Defines, lifts, lengthens, volumizes | Size: 0.3 oz | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you're looking for a mascara to hug the base of your lashes and give them a real lift (without clumping, of course), this is the one we recommend for you. The curved wand fits across the lash line perfectly, making it easy to coat every eyelash in just a few swipes. Commerce writer Caitlyn Martyn loves it, saying she wears it every day. "I wear it daily because of how well it defines, lengthens, and volumizes my lashes," she explains. "I also have very oily eyelids and find many formulas leave behind smudges by mid-afternoon. With this formula, however, it's very rare—usually on super hot days or if I forget to remove my makeup before going to the gym!—and I love the finished product every single time. "

Best Volumizing

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara

$29 at Sephora $15 at Nordstrom View on Charlottetilbury.com

Benefits: Defines, lengthens, volumizes | Size: 0.33 oz | Shades: 2 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Finding a mascara that has the capability to provide intense volume while also not creating clumps isn't easy, but this one totally fits the bill. It features a dual-sided brush that looks like a paddle—this helps to load product into the lashes, comb it out, and then build it up. During testing, it added both length and volume to the lashes nicely, wore well without flaking, and didn't clump when several coats were applied. While we didn't experience smudging, it's worth noting that some online reviewers say it smudges on them, so take this into consideration. But if you're in the market for a super buildable mascara to add drama to your lashes, we recommend checking this one out.

Best Waterproof

L'Oreal Paris Telescopic Waterproof Mascara

$11 at Amazon $13 at Ulta $11 at Target

Benefits: Defines, lengthens, volumizes | Size: 0.24 oz | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

The original version of this iconic mascara is an editor favorite, but if you're looking for a completely budge-proof option, we also like the waterproof formula. The thin brush makes targeted application easy, and we love that it separates, lengthens, and adds volume to each lash without creating clumps.

"It provides both length and definition, doesn't smudge or flake, and has a smooth formula that applies easily and clump-free," says commerce writer Shannon Stubbs. "I'm consistently trying new mascaras, but one has yet to take Telescopic's place in my makeup bag because it really is the best of the best. I love that it darkens and emphasizes my thin lashes without making them stick together, while adding extreme length that has yet to be rivaled by other formulas. "

Best Tubing

Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara

View on Thrivecausemetics.com

Benefits: Defines, lengthens, volumizes | Size: 0.38 oz | Shades: 3 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Tubing mascaras are incredible for those who can't seem to find formulas that don't smear and smudge all over the place. "I'm late to the game on this one but I recently fell madly in love with it," says Kaplan. "I can separate, volumize, and lengthen my lashes in one or two quick coats, and the best part is that I can wear it for more than 12 hours without any signs of smudging." The long, narrow brush makes it easy to target every lash, and we appreciate that it does an excellent job at building up volume, which isn't the case for many tubing formulas.

Best Clean

ILIA Limitless Lash Lengthening Clean Mascara

$13 at Sephora $28 at Nordstrom $28 at Iliabeauty.com

Benefits: Defines, lengthens, volumizes | Size: 0.27 oz | Shades: 1 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you're on the hunt for a clean mascara that gives your lashes a boost while not clumping or weighing them down, we recommend this one. The dual-sided brush is fantastic because one side has long, comb-like bristles that work to separate the lashes, while the other side helps to curl the lashes and add volume. The end results are a happy medium between natural and dramatic. Plus, we love that the jet black pigment is easy to remove at the end of the night.