Mascara often tops people’s ‘one product I won’t leave the house without applying’ list (after sunscreen, of course), though it’s not always a one-size-fits-all. There are thin and thick wands, or bristle and fibre wands; waterproof formulas and tubing formulas, or those spiked with lash-enhancing serums. Whichever you choose, mascara is a literal eye-opener. Applied in a single coat or loaded up in layers, mascara will tint your lashes (black, usually, but also whatever colour you like), and then do something else: add volume, curl, lift or length, separate and define, or offer waterproof wear for reduced smearing. And because mascara is a product we should all be replacing regularly (the dark and wet environment of a mascara tube is a breeding ground for bacteria and the product is designed to be worn very close to the eyes – and you want to protect your eyes!), it’s an excellent product to experiment with across different brands and formulas.
So whether you're a strictly one-mascara-forever kind of person, or a one-for-every-occasion mascara wardrobe type, we've rounded up the best wands you can buy right now.
Best tubing mascara
![https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/i-002418-m1-kevynaucoin-thevolumemascara-rYPVE17BmkO1f9W7EgvdQ.jpg?v=750b2a98](https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/i-002418-m1-kevynaucoin-thevolumemascara-rYPVE17BmkO1f9W7EgvdQ.webp?v=750b2a98&t=blur)
Best volumising mascara
![https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/i-052755-m1-meccamax-eyemaxmegavolumemascara-Gborhf6NlkK7s2dbxTFLtA.jpg?v=933fe9c3](https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/i-052755-m1-meccamax-eyemaxmegavolumemascara-Gborhf6NlkK7s2dbxTFLtA.webp?v=933fe9c3&t=blur)
Best waterproof mascara
![https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/i-052052-m1-byredo-mascara-tearsinrain-t8jtvvqe6U2TejYZzP2Wnw.jpg?v=d3e9ac5c](https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/i-052052-m1-byredo-mascara-tearsinrain-t8jtvvqe6U2TejYZzP2Wnw.webp?v=d3e9ac5c&t=blur)
Best lengthening mascara
![https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/i-006836-m1-ellisfaas-mascara-CLw4fhiqiEeYAxpJsZxF9Q.jpg?v=633c2741](https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/i-006836-m1-ellisfaas-mascara-CLw4fhiqiEeYAxpJsZxF9Q.webp?v=633c2741&t=blur)
Best all-rounder mascara
![https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/i-016521-m1-toofaced-betterthansexmascara-jCz4QdVVlUaRNiXBgTusZw.jpg?v=6439fb2b](https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/i-016521-m1-toofaced-betterthansexmascara-jCz4QdVVlUaRNiXBgTusZw.webp?v=6439fb2b&t=blur)
Best smudge-proof mascara
![https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/i-015680-m1-bobbibrown-nosmdugemascara-qzIDUj17CEy0e0QY6c9RMw.jpg?v=2c638676](https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/i-015680-m1-bobbibrown-nosmdugemascara-qzIDUj17CEy0e0QY6c9RMw.webp?v=2c638676&t=blur)
Best mascara for sensitive eyes
![https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/i-031902-m1-ilia-limitlesslashmascara-srYTU4OkqkaAZ7D1xaWFxQ.jpg?v=9f6644d3](https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/i-031902-m1-ilia-limitlesslashmascara-srYTU4OkqkaAZ7D1xaWFxQ.webp?v=9f6644d3&t=blur)