When you reach the outer and inner corners of your eyes, tilt the wand vertically and brush outwards with the tip of the wand to ensure each eyelash is covered. The only downside is that we noticed a pretty strong fragrance, which isn’t ideal, especially for eye products, since it can be irritating. However, it is very common in waterproof formulas.

For an optimal base, apply a layer of eyelash primer. Not only will this help mascara go on smoother (read: no clumping), it can also hold mascara in place so it lasts longer. The only con worth noting: Some online reviewers say that it can take several coats to achieve significant volume. However, we noticed fuller, elongated lashes after one swipe.Curl your lashes, focusing on the ends and corners. Make sure to clamp down for at least 15 seconds to allow the curl to set. Maybelline’s Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara is neither lightweight nor chunky. In just one coat, it noticeably lengthened and lifted our lashes. Also, the wand is made with spiked plastic, rather than with bristles, which we believe adds to the ultra-defined, easy-to-apply nature of the mascara. That said, the wand is very flexible (purposefully so), and the formula itself is lighter than we expected—both of which made it more difficult to adequately coat lashes from base to ends in one fell swoop. Instead, it required a few coats to achieve noticeably darker and defined lashes. But once we did apply a few coats, the results were noticeable.

If I could only use one makeup product for the rest of my life, it would be mascara. I can have no other makeup on, but a simple swipe instantly opens my eyes, making me look more youthful and awake. With how often I — and pretty much every other makeup wearing person uses it — it makes sense to invest in a tube that truly delivers in length, volume, and staying power. Everyday there seems to be a new mascara on the market, though, giving me FOMO over whether I’m truly using the best one. Sure, there’s always space for some smudge-proof tubing mascaras for folks with oily eyelids (hi, it's me) or clear mascaras for when you wanna go ~au naturale~, but I personally want my go-to daily mascara to give me fluttery, extension-worthy length all the time—which is where lengthening formulas come in. Feel the same? I got you. Ahead, the 17 best lengthening mascaras tested and reviewed by our beauty editors (and selected with the help of celeb makeup artist Renée Loiz) for lashes so good, you won’t wanna wear any other makeup. When it comes to mascara, everyone has their own preference in what they are searching for. Personally, I love a full and voluminous lash look, combined with a formula that doesn't flake throughout the day and won't transfer onto my eyelid. A lot to ask for, I know. Long, lengthy lashes are usually a favourite. My go-to is Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara, but I am always testing new releases to find the very best out there, because who doesn't want to find the best mascara? Trying to find the best mascara for your lashes can feel like a daunting task; so many launches, so many questions... what's the best high-street mascara, what's the best for short lashes? Is it worth paying more for extra volume and length? Which waterproof formulas really withstand a hot summer's day, or even a few lengths in the swimming pool, but still come off easily with eye make-up remover?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. Smudge-proof formula: It goes without saying that you should seek out a mascara formula that won’t smudge, bleed, or run when an unexpected rain shower (or cry session) crops up. Each of the mascaras on this list has been rigorously tested to withstand showers of all kinds. Rachel Nazarian is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. She specializes in a range of medical and cosmetic dermatology services and is also a faculty member at Mount Sinai Medical Center’s Department of Dermatology, where she completed her dermatology residency. Lastly, while this mascara isn’t marketed as a tubing formula, that’s exactly the result it seems to deliver. As such, removing it was a bit more difficult—in fact, it was the most difficult formula to remove among those we tested. The results make it worth a few extra swipes of micellar water, though. Neil Scibelli is a makeup artist and beauty expert based in New York City. His clients include major supermodels, recording artists, and fashion houses. His work has been featured on national television, in print and online magazines, on the red carpet, and on runways during New York Fashion Week.