![collage of popular Non-Clumping Mascaras](jpg/byr-best-non-clumping-mascaras-tout-61f564249eec43658c5070c8d49d89ce-2.jpg)
Byrdie / Kristin Kempa
TL;DR
Our favorite non-clumping mascara is the Benefit They're Real! Lengthening Mascara thanks to the way it lengthens, volumizes, and separates the lashes without getting clumpy or smudging throughout the day. If you're in the market for a more affordable option, we highly recommend the Covergirl LashBlast Volume Mascara.
Mascara is deeply personal—what works for one person might be an utter disaster on someone else's lashes. While some people desire lengthening benefits, others crave a boost of volume. But one thing we likely all have in common is a universal dislike for a clumpy formula. Mascaras that create unflattering clumps while you're trying to build them up can quickly ruin a great makeup look.
Indeed, clumpy mascara can also be the result of your technique. With excess product on the mascara wand, too much pressure, numerous coats, and an expired formula, you, too, could end up with clumpy-looking lashes. Yet for the most part, there are some excellent options out there that make it extremely hard to mess up because of their wand design and formulation. In other words, they're mistake-proof, and you can swipe with abandon without fearing spider lashes.
To help you find one that's right for you, we compiled a comprehensive list of the best non-clumping mascaras based on our research and testing. We evaluated each one, taking into consideration its formula, wand, application, and wear, and ahead, we're sharing our favorites, all approved by Team Byrdie.
Best Overall
Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Lengthening Mascara
Defines and separates lashes
Brush grips lashes close to the roots
Long-wearing
A little difficult to remove
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."
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
Best Drugstore
CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara
Affordable
Keeps lashes soft
Volumizes
Could be more lengthening
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
Defines and lengthens lashes
Nourishing ingredients
Keeps lashes soft
Not buildable
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."
![Glossier Lash Slick Lift and Lengthening Mascara](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/gARUSHGfy2zlgOABzCc-vhXGSCM=/750x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/glossier-lash-slick-lift-and-lengthening-mascara-fe6ae6d496884b66b16a95755a2c8452.jpg 750w)
Byrdie / Leah Wyar
Best Lifting
Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Mascara
Curved brush helps to grip and lift lashes
Adds length and volume
Smudge-resistant
Tube dries up relatively fast
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
Adds length in addition to buildable volume
Mess-free application
Dual-sided brush
Can smudge for some
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
Smudge-proof
Separates lashes
Adds length and volume
Affordable
Difficult to remove
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. "
Buildable
Separates lashes
Adds length and volume
Smudge-proof
Can flake a bit on the bottom lashes
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.
Dual-sided brush
Rich black pigment
Easy to remove
Minimal smudging
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.
What to Look for in Non-Clumping Mascaras
- Wand type: Even within the category of non-clumping mascaras, there are different wand types. Wands can vary in shape, size, number of bristles, and material from which they are made. If you struggle to use wands that are curved or thick-bristled, remember to check the wand included with the non-clumping mascaras you’re considering. Otherwise, you’ll find your non-clumping mascara isn’t as effective as it could be.
- Color: It’s all about personal preference. Some people swear by jet black mascara, while others might find coffee-colored mascara to be more complementary. If mascara color is of great importance to you, don’t forget to look at the shades available in every non-clumping mascara you’re considering. For a more dramatic look, opt for dark black.
Why Trust Byrdie
Noel Cymone Walker is a beauty and fashion writer based in New York City. She's contributed to Byrdie since 2022, where she covers skincare and makeup. For this story, she evaluated dozens of formulas to find the best of the best on the market. Byrdie commerce writer Alyssa Kaplan also contributed to the story, adding new tested picks and providing editor insights.