Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of Allure editors and brandsSave this storySave this story
Ask any beauty editor, and they’ll tell you the best curling mascaras are like falsies in a tube. Unlike formulas that are more focused on dramatic volume or length, curling mascaras lift, fan, and define each lash like a lash curler would, so your eyes look wide awake even before your first coffee. These formulas strike the ideal balance of locking in lift without weighing lashes down or leaving behind a stiff, crunchy, or clumpy finish. Many are infused with hydrating and nourishing ingredients like vitamin E and castor oil to help strengthen lashes over time.
Our Top Curling Mascaras
- Best Overall: Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Mascara, $20
- Best for Brittle Lashes: Well People Expressionist Curling Mascara, $20
- Best for Short Lashes: Lancome Lash Idôle Curl Goddess Mascara, $30
- Best Volumizing: Kulfi Beauty Badi Lash Mascara, $26
- Best Lightweight: e.l.f. Cosmetics Lash N Roll Mascara, $7
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What should you look for in a curling mascara?
- What's the difference between curling mascaras and other mascaras?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
When it comes to curling mascaras, the brush matters just as much as the formula—think curved wands with a mix of short and long bristles designed to grip and create that eye-opening, lengthened effect. Whether you’re after a soft, fluttery look or full-on drama, there’s a curling mascara out there for you. We put countless tubes to the test to find the standouts that truly lift, hold, and leave lashes looking sky high and longer than ever.
Best Overall: Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Mascara
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Tower 28
MakeWaves Mascara
Amazon
Revolve
Sephora
Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner applying the Tower 28 Make Waves Mascara
Lily Wohlner
Why it’s worth it: The secret to Tower 28 Beauty’s lash-lifting MakeWaves formula? A curved, triple-wave wand designed with shorter bristles that hug the lash line to really grab onto your roots, and longer bristles to lengthen and define.
You may have heard of Aquaflex Technology in hair care (think: volumizers and hairsprays to create body and hold). It’s also featured in this mascara to help hold curl and lift in place, while a conditioning castor-oil blend keeps lashes conditioned and minimizes breakage. “The formula stays flexible so the curl never falls flat, affirms Renée Loiz, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles. (Translation: Your lashes won’t feel weighed down, nor will you have to deal with stray mascara specks, by midday.) We love how easy it is to build, too. Go in for a few extra coats and lashes still look airy and clump-free. And true to Tower 28’s sensitive-friendly core mission, the ophthalmologist-tested formula is gentle on sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers, so you can swipe on without a worry.
Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner before applying the Tower28 Make Waves Mascara
Lily Wohlner
Wohlner after applying the Tower28 Make Waves Mascara
Lily Wohlner
Tester feedback from commerce writer Lily Wohlner
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“This mascara always lives at the top of my drawer because I know my lashes will look long, fluttery, and lifted every time I swipe it on—and the curl actually lasts all day. I love a voluminous lash, but I can’t stand when formulas make them look thick or chunky, and this one never does. As a contact lens wearer, a lot of mascaras make my eyes water, but I’ve never had that issue here.”—Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
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"The hold on this mascara is incredible. I have short, dense, and straight lashes that are just so stubborn—but this coaxes some length and curl out of them! This is one of the few mascaras I can actually use without any kind of irritation. While it's not the most lengthening or curling formula you can get your hands on, it's so comfortable and doesn't flake or smudge. I love that it provides the perfect amount of natural-looking weight to my eyelashes so you can actually see them." —Shanna Shipin, shopping director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: Aquaflex technology, glycerin, cucumber extract
- Shades: 2 (Jet, Espresso)
- Waterproof: yes
- Who it’s for: everyone, especially those with sensitive eyes
Best for Brittle Lashes: Well People Expressionist Curling Mascara
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Well People
Expressionist Curling Mascara
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin applying the Well People Expressionist Curling Mascara
Sarah Felbin
Why it’s worth it: Made with plant-based oils and vegan waxes (hi, olive oil and carnauba), the Well People Expressionist Curling Mascara helps nourish lashes while delivering lightweight hold, making it a great pick for those with brittle, short eyelashes. The curved brush does most of the heavy lifting here, gently separating each lash one by one (without pulling!) to keep clumps at bay. The bristles are super flexible, so they move with your lashes instead of tugging against them for a smooth experience, from start to finish. One side of the brush features short, dense bristles that deposit rich black color and build volume, while the longer bristles on the other side help guide lashes upward. We like to gently wiggle the wand at the base of the lashes before sweeping upward to get even more separation and lift.
Felbin before applying the Well People Expressionist Curling Mascara
Sarah Felbin
Felbin after applying the Well People Expressionist Curling Mascara
Sarah Felbin
Tester feedback from senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
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I use this product a few days a week, as part of my regular makeup routine. I curl my lashes and then apply two coats. My standards for mascara are pretty high—I have oily eyelids and watery eyes, so the formula needs to stay put all day (no flaking or transferring to my lower lash line) without irritating my eyes. Well People's Curling Mascara checks every box, and then some. I love that the brush is curved—the shape makes it super easy to coat every lash, from corner to corner. I also like that I can build up multiple coats for a more dramatic effect. And, the application lasts all day without smudging or running. This is a super-solid, daily mascara for me—it's just the right amount of lengthening and volumizing, rolled into one formula.”—Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
More to know
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- Key Ingredients: olive oil, caranuba wax
- Shades: 1 (Black)
- Waterproof: no
- Who it’s for: everyone, especially those with sensitive eyes
Best Volumizing: Kulfi Beauty Badi Lash Mascara
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Kulfi Beauty
Badi Lash Mascara
Sephora
Kulfi Beauty
Allure senior commerce director applying the Kulfi Beauty Badi Lash Mascara
Shanna Shipin
Why it’s worth it: Inspired by South Asian lashes—often naturally full and straight—this mascara turns the dial all the way up, delivering a lifted, eye-opening effect in just a few swipes. The instantly volumizing tubing formula wraps each lash for va-va-voom length without smudging, melting, or clumping. And, its flared-tip brush is shaped to mimic your natural lash line, so it can catch those tricky inner-corner hairs while fanning everything out for that wide-eyed, fluttery finish. With this formula, it's not just about the look: a conditioning blend of castor seed oil, rambutan extract, and a tripeptide complex works behind the scenes to soften and strengthen lashes over time. The tubing formula means it removes like a dream—just warm water and a gentle slide, with no rubbing required.
Shipin before using the Kulfi Beauty Badi Lash Mascara
Shanna Shipin
Shipin after using the Kulfi Beauty Badi Lash Mascara
Shanna Shipin
Tester feedback from Shipin
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"Kulfi's mascara gives me jet-black lashes with the kind of curl and volume they absolutely do not have naturally. I hardly ever use an eyelash curler, and really don't feel the need to when I have this mascara on me. It has hours of hold and with just the teeniest bit of fallout since it is technically a tubing mascara. One of my favorite things is that it wards off smudges—crucial for me since I reapply moisturizer, SPF, and sometimes use a misting spray when I'm feeling extra dry. If you want the drama, this will bring it."—Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: castor seed oil, rambutan extract, and a tripeptide complex
- Shades: 1 (Black)
- Waterproof: no
- Who it’s for: people with stubby and/or heavy lashes
Best Buildable: YSL Beauty Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara
Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann applying YSL Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara
Sarah Hoffmann
Why it’s worth it: A 2025 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner and one of our favorite mascaras ever, the YSL Beauty Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara delivers the kind of bold volume that’s hard to ignore—and the staying power is just as impressive. Some of our testers say the effect borders on falsies, thanks to an oversized brush that’s surprisingly easy to maneuver and grabs onto every lash. “It’s great for building fluttery volume with extra coats and really helps catch all the lashes,” says New York City–based makeup artist Sara Talias. It’s also seriously pigmented (even the brown color), so if you’re racing out the door, one coat still makes a big impact. That said, we’re partial to layering it up because it builds fluffy volume without tipping into clumpy territory.
Hoffmann before applying YSL Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara
Sarah Hoffmann
Hoffmann after applying YSL Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara
Sarah Hoffmann
Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann
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"Its thick, almost pasty texture adds so much volume and thickness that it's almost comical—I've been interrupted mid-conversation by people asking if my lashes are real while wearing this. The brush is giant, which makes it easy to coat every lash, and even though it's not curved, it magically adds a lifting curl to my lashes that rivals the best eyelash curlers I've tried." —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: N/A
- Shades: 3 (Black, Brown, Blue)
- Waterproof: no
- Who it’s for: people who want a volumizing, highly-pigmented option
Best for Short Lashes: Lancôme Lash Idôle Curl Goddess Mascara
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Lancôme
Lash Idôle Curl Goddess Mascara
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Lancôme Lash Idôle Curl Goddess Mascara
Sarah Han
Why it’s worth it: Skip the hours-only appointments and the high price tag of lash extensions. Lancôme’s Lash Idôle Curl Goddess Mascara gives you longer, more curled lashes in just a few swipes. The twisted brush is designed to grab even the shortest lashes for a separated, fluttery effect that still looks natural. It features low-density setting polymers, which make lashes appear thicker and add volume, but they also set them in place so they hold their curl all day without falling flat. The brand claims this formula can wear without smudging for up to 30 hours, and although we've never tried it for that long, our tester experienced only slight smudging during her all-day wear test, which, for a non-waterproof mascara, gets a big green check.
Han before applying the Lancôme Lash Idôle Curl Goddess Mascara
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Lancôme Lash Idôle Curl Goddess Mascara
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“My lashes are short, straight, and stubborn. I never apply mascara without a curler, but for this story, I went without—and I was pretty darn impressed. While my lashes weren’t crazy-curled (again, they’re super stubborn!), I definitely noticed a lifting effect, and it held throughout the day, which is even more notable. I dealt with a little smudging but that’s not uncommon with non-waterproof mascaras, especially if I’m not maximizing application with a curler. In short, I don’t plan on ditching my curler but, if I’m really in a rush, I can count on the Curl Goddess to do the job on its own.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: film-forming polymer
- Shades: 1 (Black)
- Waterproof: no
- Who it’s for: those who want a false-lash look
Best Color Options: Benefit Cosmetics BadGal Bang Volumizing Mascara
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Benefit Cosmetics
Benefit Cosmetics Badgal Bang Mascara in Wild Plum
Ulta Beauty
Benefit Cosmetics
Allure former content director Kara McGrath applying Benefit Cosmetics BadGal Bang Volumizing Mascara
Kara McGrath
Why it’s worth it: Packed with ultra-light aero-particles, the Benefit Cosmetics BadGal Bang Volumizing Mascara delivers ample volume without making lashes feel heavy or stiff, while provitamin B5 helps strengthen them over time. The ultra-slim wand reaches from corner to corner to coat every lash. It’s also impressively long-lasting—once it’s on, the brand claims it stays put for up to 36 hours without smudging or flaking. Another bonus: Along with classic black and brown, there’s plum (a deep burgundy that adds subtle drama with just one swipe) and a bright electric blue that’s especially fun for concerts or nights out.
McGrath before applying the Benefit Cosmetics BadGal Bang Volumizing Mascara
Kara McGrath
McGrath after applying the Benefit Cosmetics BadGal Bang Volumizing Mascara
Kara McGrath
Tester feedback from former content director Kara McGrath
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"BadGal Bang is one of my favorite lash mascara formulas of all time, so it wasn't exactly shocking that I love the burgundy version too. I know wearing purple eye makeup (even eyeshadow) to contrast green eyes is the oldest trick in the book, but this plum-y brown really does make mine ‘pop’ without it being super obvious that I'm wearing a colorful mascara."—Kara McGrath, former content director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: beeswax, carnauba wax
- Shades: 4 (Wild Plum, Power Blue, Rebel Brown, Intense Pitch Black)
- Waterproof: no
- Who it’s for: those who want long-wearing, buildable volume or colorful options
More Curling Mascaras We Like
Best Tubing: Grande Cosmetics GrandeWrap Tubing Mascara
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Grande Cosmetics
GrandeWrap Tubing Mascara
Nordstrom
Dermstore
Ulta Beauty
Why it’s worth it: We love how easily tubing mascaras rinse off, but they don’t always have the best staying power. Thankfully, that’s not an issue with the Grande Cosmetics GrandeWrap Tubing Mascara. The formula uses smudge-proof tubing polymers that wrap around each lash and hold up through long days without flaking or smudging. Conditioning ingredients like provitamin B5 and mango butter help lashes feel soft and flexible.
In terms of design, the brush features domed bristles at the tip that reach into the inner corners so you can define the entire lash line without missing those tiny hairs. Los Angeles-based makeup artist Nicholas Wlodarski says it’s the best mascara for a “mini lash-lift effect” that makes eyes look wider and more awake. And, when it’s time to take it off, the tubes slide right off with warm water—no rubbing required.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: provitamin B5, mango butter
- Shades: 1 (Black)
- Waterproof: no
- Who it’s for: those who want volume and curl that comes off in one swipe
Best Lightweight: e.l.f. Cosmetics Lash ‘N Roll Mascara
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E.L.F. Cosmetics
Lash ‘N Roll Mascara
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it’s worth it: E.l.f. Cosmetics Lash ‘N Roll Mascara is the mascara Loiz personally reaches for because it delivers a “lifted, wide-eyed look without feeling heavy or crunchy.” Even better, it’s budget-friendly at a mere $7. The curved brush hugs the lash line and lifts as you swipe, while the lightweight, castor seed oil-infused formula helps hold that curl in place without weighing lashes down. Once it’s on, it stays put—lasting all day without flaking, even if you go back in for a second or third coat.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: castor seed oil, carnauba wax
- Shades: 3 (Pitch Black, Black, Deep Brown)
- Waterproof: no
- Who it’s for: those who want visibly lifted lashes
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you look for in a curling mascara?
Loiz always looks for a lightweight formula when it comes to curling mascaras, because too-heavy formulas will drag the curl straight down. “A curved brush that fits along the lash line helps lift from the root,” she adds. She also prefers formulas that dry down to a flexible finish, so the lashes stay lifted without feeling crunchy or flaking, which is also what Wlodarski calls “the sweet spot.” Another key tip: Looking for a waterproof formula will help your lift last through the end of the day.
What's the difference between curling mascaras and other mascaras?
Curling mascaras are specifically designed to hold shape rather than just add volume or length, says Loiz. “They usually have a lightweight formula and a curved brush that helps guide the lashes in an upward direction,” she explains. Similar to how an eyelash curler shapes and lifts your lashes, Wlodarski says curling mascaras help your eyes look more open.
Meet the experts
- Nicholas Wlodarski is a makeup artist based in Los Angeles.
- Renée Loiz is a makeup artist based in Los Angeles.
- Sara Talias is a makeup artist based in New York City.
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best curling mascaras, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and professional makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
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