The 17 Best Mascara Formulas to Try in 2021, According to the Pros

Pro makeup artists weigh in on their favorite mascara formulas for volume, definition, and length.

The 17 Best Mascara Formulas to Try in 2021, According to the Pros

When in a time crunch, reaching for the best mascara you have in rotation is often easier and more time efficient than, say, a lipstick. Not to mention, is all the more practical now as we're wearing face coverings whenever we leave our homes.

“I love mascara because it makes the eyes pop and enhances your eye shape,” says celebrity makeup artist Anthony Nguyen, whose clientele includes Kali Uchis, Jessie J, and Lizzo. “It's an essential item for an everyday look, whether it’s worn alone for a natural or dramatic look!” A swipe of mascara is also a foolproof strategy if you just want to look a little bit more awake for that morning Zoom call after a late night binge-watching your favorite Netflix show. As far as application goes, Nguyen suggests swiping on mascara “at the base, and less at the tips to create a more dimensional look,” he says. Another thing to always remember: “Comb the lashes outwards at the end to enhance the shape of the eye.”

To help you choose the best mascara for your lashes, whether it's volume, definition, or length you're looking for, here makeup pros weigh in on 17 favorites to help you decide.

Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extension Mascara

Lately, Bob Scott, go-to makeup artist for Aurora James, has been reaching for the Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara. “It's a slick and deeply pigmented formula that sets quickly as it thickens and lengthens lashes,” he explains. “The formula won't flake, wears for hours, and washes off easily without taking your lashes with it. My clients and I love this mascara.”

Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara

Kevyn Aucoin Volume Mascara

For makeup artist Amber Amos, who works with Lil Nas X and Travis Scott, Kevyn Aucoin's Volume Mascara works wonders thanks to its special wand. “It has a tiny brush, which allows you to coat every lash for instant volume, and it also does not smudge, crumble or run, but washes off super easily,” she explains.

Kevyn Aucoin Volume Mascara

KVD Beauty Go Big Or Go Home Volumizing Mascara

While on the job, Nguyen also keeps KVD Beauty's vegan Go Big Or Go Home Volumizing formula on hand as it “delivers fast lash drama in just a few swipes, and it truly means what it says!” he says.

KVD Beauty Go Big or Go Home Volumizing Mascara

Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara

Donni Davy, the mastermind behind the beauty looks on Euphoria, says she gravitates towards Hourglass's Unlocked Instant Extensions mascara. “It's a beautiful black shade and defines, lengthens, and separates the lashes,” she says. “It also comes off really easily so you don’t get the raccoon eyes. The wand has little spikes rather than fluffier fibers, which makes for nice precision in application, especially when coating shorter and finer lashes.”

Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara Volumizing Mascara

“I absolutely adore the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara because it simply brings all the drama to a look!” says makeup artist Mata Marielle, founder of Mata Labs and the mastermind behind director Melina Matsoukas's looks. “As the formula is quite thick, I like to apply it using a spoolie.”

Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing Mascara

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara

For Lizzo's go-to makeup artist Alexx Mayo, you can't go wrong with Charlotte Tilbury's Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes mascara. “There is something about the brush that really grabs every single lash and really stretches the length in such a clean way," explains Mayo.

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara

Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Noir Mascara

“I like a product that creates full and fluttery lashes in just one coat,” says Adele’s makeup artist, Michael Ashton. “My absolute go-to is Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Noir Mascara; I love that it gives both volume and lift to the lashes, as well as a rich carbon-black color payoff."

Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Noir Mascara

Givenchy Noir Couture 4 in 1 Mascara

When crafting “soft glam” looks, Givenchy's Noir Couture 4 in 1 mascara is a tried-and-true favorite for Marielle. “I like applying this mascara using a small shadow brush and gently brushing each lash, which colors the lash perfectly,” she explains. “Keep doing this a few times to get more definition!”

Givenchy Noir Couture 4 in 1 Mascara

Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Mascara

“I love it because it’s an intensely black mascara that does it all!” explains Andrea Tiller, the pro behind some of actress Ilfenesh Hadera's most show-stopping looks, of Chanel's Le Volume de Chanel Mascara. "With only two coats you can get a dreamy false lash effect. It’s a staple in my kit that I can’t live without."

Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Mascara

Benefit They're Real Mascara

MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara

Marcelo Gutierrez, the pro behind Christopher John Rogers and Barragán's stunning backstage looks, loves this mascara because it's “perfect for separated, long, fluffy extension-like lashes.”

Pat McGrath Labs FetishEyes Mascara

Simply put, Pat McGrath Labs's FetishEyes Mascara “delivers supermodel drama and sex appeal,” says Gutierrez.

Pat McGrath Labs FetishEyes Mascara

IT Cosmetics Tightline 3-in-1 Black Primer-Eyeliner-Mascara

“IT Cosmetics is my go-to for under-eye and inner lashes—when you want a no-mascara look,” says Pati Dubroff, who works with Margot Robbie  and Dakota Johnson. “Also, Benefit’s mascara builds a really good fill and gives a long-lasting look. The ball at the end is great for building more product at the base.”

IT Cosmetics Tightline 3-in-1 Black Primer-Eyeliner-Mascara

Giorgio Armani Beauty Eyes to Kill Mascara

“Eyes to Kill is beautiful—it’s not too much, it’s just enough,” says Mary Phillips, the woman responsible for many of Jennifer Lopez's looks. “Because sometimes it’s 7:00 a.m. and you aren’t looking for a full-blown lash after your workout, just an effect that’s way better than your own bare lashes.”

Giorgio Armani Beauty Eyes to Kill Mascara

Benefit They’re Real Mascara

After a base layer of lash primer, Tracee Ellis Ross swipes on Benefit’s They’re Real for a super-lifted set. “Even when I get my makeup done, I do my own mascara,” she reveals. “It’s so funny, by the time you get to this age—I’m 46—you’ve got the things you do.”

MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara

Dior Diorshow Pump ‘N’ Volume HD Mascara

"I always wipe it once, cause I don't want it to be too thick," says model and actor Kiko Mizuhara of her favorite mascara choice. To complete the perfect cat eye, the Japanese beauty swipes on Dior's Pump N'Volume mascara on her top and bottom lashes.

Dior Diorshow Pump ‘N’ Volume HD Mascara

Marc Jacobs At Lash'd Lengthening and Curling Mascara

“This mascara is the perfect piece of opulence for the eyes,” says makeup artist Sean Harris, who works with Lori Harvey and Chloe x Halle, of Marc Jacobs's At Lash'd Lengthening and Curling Mascara. “It creates luxurious voluminous lashes with true staying power.”

Marc Jacobs Beauty At Lash’d Lengthening and Curling Mascara

Armani Beauty Black Ecstasy Mascara 

“This mascara is definitely my favorite,” says Keita Moore—makeup artist for Mary J. Blige, Issa Rae, Iman, and more. "It really creates lush, thick, and long lashes. The brush coats every lash. It is the type of mascara where you only need one swipe and you're good to go."

Armani Beauty Black Ecstasy Mascara

This story originally appeared on: Vogue - Author:Jenna Rennert,Akili King