The best mascaras for long, lifted lashes are ones that combine lengthening power with a curl-holding formula that doesn’t smudge their look. If your lashes fall flat by noon, having the right mascara can open up your entire face in seconds and give you that wide-awake look.

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Mascara is almost always the one product we can’t leave the house without. It quickly transforms eyes. But not every mascara will do just that. Some formulas feel too heavy, others will leave dramatic black, raccoon-like smudges under your eyes by lunchtime, or, let’s be honest, lash-lifting mascara can be expensive and overcomplicated. All you want is a mascara that lifts, separates, and lasts, right?

A brief overview

1 What Makes a Mascara Lengthen and Lift?
2 Things To Avoid
3 Advice for an Extra Lift

What Makes a Mascara Lengthen and Lift?

The shape and bristle of the wand are both crucial to the fun and lift of mascara. The curved brush helps to shape and hold your curl while fine bristles coat each lash without clumping the lashes together. The formula feels weightless, but is still strong, able to stretch your lashes upward and hold them there all day long.

Things To Avoid

If your lashes droop quickly, avoid wet and heavy mascaras! If smudging is a problem for you, there is a water-resistant or smudge-proof mascara for you. Also, if volume is a priority, choose a buildable formula that doesn’t stick lashes together.

Advice for an Extra Lift

You may want to curl your lashes beforehand with a gentle lash curler. Then, take your mascara and apply from the base of your lashes wiggling the wand slightly back and forth in order to separate and lift the lashes. If you add a second coat to only the outer corners, you would get that instant eye-lift effect.