11 Volumizing Mascaras So Good, People Will Swear You’re Wearing Falsies

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By Pia Bhattacharya
Published on March 15, 2023
Close-up image of a woman applying mascara to her eyelashes
Close-up image of a woman applying mascara to her eyelashes

As beauty editors, we’re often asked what our holy grail, ride-or-die beauty products are—and while we’ve got our favorites in every category, there’s one makeup product we’ve entered into a permanent long term relationship with: volumizing mascara. Sure, false lashes are fun (and you bet we love ‘em), but when we want our eyes to look awake and gorgeous in a pinch, it’s volume-boosting mascara to the rescue. There are so many types of mascaras out there—lengthening, lifting, plumping, and multitaskers that do them all—but we always keep a volumizing mascara in our makeup bags. They’re our go-to for bolder, thicker lashes and a little (or a lot) of drama on demand.

Whether you’ve got fine lashes, or you’re blessed with long ones, and even if your eyes are on the sensitive side, there’s a volumizing mascara formula to give you the fullest, most fluttery lashes of your dreams. Continue reading on for 11 of the best volumizing mascaras we know and love from past Glam Bags, with the rave IPSY member reviews to back them up. Trust us, one swipe of these and you’ll never look back.

1. TARTE SUGAR RUSH™ lash treat™ volumizing mascara

TARTE SUGAR RUSH™ lash treat™ volumizing mascara
TARTE SUGAR RUSH™ lash treat™ volumizing mascara

Not only is this volumizing and curling mascara super conditioning for your lashes (thanks to hemp seed, castor, and avocado oils), the dual-sided wand features two brush lengths on each side—the short bristles help separate and define, while the longer bristles help to lengthen and curl. “SURPRISE!” said one IPSY member in their product review after receiving this mascara in a recent Glam Bag. “This little thing is brilliant at pulling up and out thin, sparse brows and giving them color and oomph.” Other IPSY members agreed. “Absolutely LOVE THIS MASCARA! My favorite part is the different size bristles so I am able to get an amazing application and separate lashes for a more defined look!” said another.

2. ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Lash Brag Volumizing Mascara

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Lash Brag Volumizing Mascara
ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Lash Brag Volumizing Mascara

Looking for a mascara that lives up to its name? Meet this major lash-booster from celebrity brow guru, Anastasia Soare with nearly 20,000 member reviews and a 4.5 / 5 rating. It’s made with flexible polymers that move and bend with your lashes (aka no flaking or breaking) for natural movement and lift, and the creamy formula coats every last lash from root to tip without weighing them down (great if your lashes are on the finer side) It’s also got a unique hourglass-shaped brush that separates and defines to prevent clumping, and it’s water-resistant so we love it in snow, rain, or hanging poolside.

3. UOMA Drama Bomb Extreme Volume Mascara

UOMA Drama Bomb Extreme Volume Mascara in Black
UOMA Drama Bomb Extreme Volume Mascara in Black

We’ve been obsessed with everything UOMA lately—from their super-pigmented eyeshadow palettes to lip colors and foundations for (literally) every skin tone. And this volumizing mascara had us at hello. “I love the wand on this mascara,” said an IPSY subscriber after receiving this mascara in a recent Glam Bag. “It helps to coat my lashes well for the voluminous lash look I want to achieve.” Not only is it flake-proof and water-resistant, so it lasts through any season, it’s packed with healthy ingredients like avocado oil, castor oil, and golden jojoba oil to strengthen, thicken, and help your lashes grow from the inside out. Swipe this on for instant volume and to give your lashes the dose of happy they deserve.

4. FLORENCE BY MILLS Built to Lash Mascara

FLORENCE BY MILLS Built to Lash Mascara in Black
FLORENCE BY MILLS Built to Lash Mascara in Black

Once we got over the adorable packaging (OK, still not over it), it was easy to see that this multitasking mascara from actress Millie Bobby Brown is the perfect formula for everyday wear. Blueberry and rose wax give lashes an ultra-plush finish, loads of volume, length, and lift. Plus, the easy-to-maneuver brush grabs every lash and coats it in mineral black pigments. Don’t hesitate to layer it on, it’s super buildable for voluminous lashes in no time. IPSY member says, “WOW!! For natural, everyday mascara it’s Vavavooooom!! Thoroughly surprised.”

5. BENEFIT COSMETICS Roller Lash Mascara

BENEFIT COSMETICS Roller Lash Mascara in Black
BENEFIT COSMETICS Roller Lash Mascara in Black

If there’s one mascara that repeatedly makes our lists, it’s this baby. Although it’s called a curling mascara, the way the unique Hook N’ Roll wand separates, lifts, curls, and boosts lashes makes it a must-have for major volume too. It’s the mascara that’ll give you that instant wide-eyed, plump lash effect, and it’s infused with good-for-you ingredients like b5 and serin that condition lashes to help them grow. Bonus: It lasts a full 12 hours with no need for touch-ups, when you apply it you can truly set it and forget it. One of our subscribers left this rave review: “I love this mascara. I normally only wear waterproof but I make an exception for this. It grabs every lash, coats them perfectly and does curl them a bit. If this was waterproof I would not consider using anything else. That shows much I like it.”

6. COMPLEX CULTURE EXECUTIVE LEVEL Mascara

COMPLEX CULTURE EXECUTIVE LEVEL Mascara
COMPLEX CULTURE EXECUTIVE LEVEL Mascara

Fact: Most mornings we have about 15 minutes before heading out the door or hopping on that Zoom call—this mascara was made for those days. The no-fuss formula does exactly what it’s meant to—lifts, separates, defines, lengthens, and adds major volume thanks to the cool curved wand that swoops up your teeniest lashes. Sensitive eyes? The formula is safe for you, too. One IPSY subscriber says, “This mascara has been very impressive. It is a very wet formula, so you have to be aware when applying but it does dry down nicely. I haven't had any issues with racoon eyes and it seems to add length and volume to my lashes. I'm very pleased by how it is working and I love that the brand is cruelty-free.”

7. CIATÉ LONDON Triple Shot XXL Mascara

CIATÉ LONDON Triple Shot XXL Mascara in Black XXL
CIATÉ LONDON Triple Shot XXL Mascara in Black XXL

Some days we just want to look like we slept a few, other days we want to wow. When it’s sky-high lashes and head-turning volume you’re looking for, reach for this baby. It’s called XXL for a reason—it’s infused with diamond powder and flower-shaped fibers that wrap your lashes to visibly triple their volume. It’s the one we reach for when we’re feeling a little extra, but it’s totally gorgeous for every day. Swipe it on and for all-day, mega volume in one step. ”Love Ciaté cosmetics and mascaras,” said one member after trying this out in a recent IPSY subscription. “Great formula and brush shape for getting lashes with lots of volume and length! Love this mascara!.”

8. IT COSMETICS Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara Mini

IT COSMETICS Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara Mini
IT COSMETICS Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara Mini

We love makeup with a sciency side like this super volumizing mascara, and so do our members. One even left this shining review: “This is it, y'all! I wear mascara every day, and this is the best one I've received from an IPSY bag by far. It doesn't flake or run!” The amazing formula is made with a ton of lash-boosting ingredients including biotin and peptides to help strengthen your lashes, polymers to lift, and collagen to plumps. This stuff doesn’t just add visible volume, it builds your lashes up from the inside out—a total win win.

9. BENEFIT COSMETICS BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara

BENEFIT COSMETICS BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara in Black
BENEFIT COSMETICS BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara in Black

Don't be fooled by how lightweight this volumizing mascara feels—the tiniest amount of this smudge-proof formula will lift and fan out lashes like you've never seen before. Infused with aeroparticles (a material used in space technology), one swipe of this water-resistant mascara will coat every eyelash from root to tip. The bristles are designed to be ultra-slim and grab onto those hard-to-reach lashes without clumping or smudging. Layer it on for gravity-defying, buildable volume that'll last from morning to night, and beyond. One IPSY member left this review: “Best mascara I’ve ever tried. Really makes your eyelashes pop!”

10. THRIVE CAUSEMETICS Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara™

THRIVE CAUSEMETICS Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara™ in Brynn
THRIVE CAUSEMETICS Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara™ in Brynn

When it’s a true false lash-effect you’re looking for, this mascara doesn't just talk the talk–one swipe lengthens, curls, and defines eyelashes so they look as bold and full as lash extensions. Infused with an Orchid Stem Complex and super soft fibers, this lengthening mascara separates and volumizes without clumping or flaking, so your eyelashes look defined (but not spidery). The best part? It’s a tubing formula (meaning the fibers form a tube-like coat around your eyelashes), but it's washable and totally easy to remove—a small amount of makeup remover is all you need to wash it away. This IPSY subscriber agrees: “I really like this mascara. I applied two coats and had very nice extensions. It doesn't smear or smudge throughout the day, and washes off very easily without pulling lashes like some lengthening mascaras do.”

11. TARTE™ Maneater Voluptuous Mascara

TARTE Maneater Voluptuous Mascara
TARTE Maneater Voluptuous Mascara

TARTE always makes our list for their innovative products that just really work. This inky jet-black mascara lifts, lengthens, curls, and volumizes all at once, so you can get bold, statement-worthy eyelashes with just a few swipes. “Absolutely LOVE this!” said an IPSY member in their product review. “It makes my lashes look full and really brings them out.” Not only is it cruelty-free, but it's also formulated with good-for-you ingredients, like jojoba and carnauba wax to strengthen and condition your lashes whenever you wear it.

Want in on all the fun? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own IPSY beauty subscription. Already a member? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY.

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