Best Mascaras for Longer, Thicker, Blacker Lashes
The Best Mascaras for Thick, Dramatic Lashes
MAC Plushlash ($11.00) is my all-time favorite mascara. It’s exactly what it says: plush. I always get ultra black, thick lashes with this mascara. No matter how many mascaras I try, I always end up coming back to Plushlash. I think, ultimately, I might make the switch to Chanel Exceptionnel if it weren’t so pricey (and not 2.5x better than Plushlash). MAC’s Zoomlash is another good one, though I feel it’s a little more prone to clump, though it has the super black color I love.
Givenchy Phenomen’Eyes ($28.00) is one of those new-fangled mascaras, because it has a crazy mascara “wand” which looks more like a spiky ball. This works best without a primer, as when I used it with MAC’s Prep + Prime, I found it smudged.
Dior DiorShow Iconic ($27.00) beats out the original DiorShow for me, because Iconic doesn’t smudge or flake like DiorShow (the original) did for me. DiorShow is a classic mascara, known for its dramatic lengthening, thickening, and ultra rich pigmentation of black.
Lancome Oscillation ($34.00) is a moving mascara. Oscillation doesn’t come cheap, but it really does work well to give you long lashes without clumping them up. It does take several applications to get the hang of it, and you’ll have to figure out what technique works best for you. You can read my full review if you please.
Chanel Exceptionnel ($28.00) is a deliciously luxe formula that gives you incredibly dark, lush lashes with insane length. You can read my review and see how it looks!
CoverGirl Lash Exact ($8.00) is a mascara that really proved drugstore mascaras often are better than high end products. Good level of color richness in the black, plus lengthening and thickening to make your lashes that much more enviable. If you need more volume, check out Volume Exact. (Oh, and I’ve heard good things about LashBlast, though I haven’t personally tried it.)
To learn more about or purchase these mascaras, check out Drugstore.com, Nordstrom.com
, Prescriptives, and Sephora.com
.
What are your favorite mascaras for thick, dramatic lashes?
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Totally agree with you about Plushlash! I love it!
Yay for Plushlash fans
Yes, Cover Girl Lash Blast is pretty incredible. I have been using it religiously for almost a year now and am not sure I ever see myself switching unless something a lot better comes around. It has won a ton of beauty awards & is very affordable. Most drug stores have it in the $7-$8 range but Target sells theirs for $6.50. Can’t beat that. I am someone who trys to go low budget on certain makeup items so that I can justify in my mind splurging on others. Try it and enjoy!!!
I want to say I have a tube of it, but I can’t remember, LOL.
I looove loove loove CG Lash Blast. I have sparse lashes and I feel like Lash Blast does a good job of separating all the lashes because I need each and every one. I’ve never ever splurged on lashes, splurge on everything else but I always go drugstore for mascara, even though it is the one product I wear everyday. Must be waterproof because I wear contacts and my eyes are prone to watering. I would like to try Plushlash but I don’t think it is waterproof. (insert sad face)
Glad to hear it, Tatiana
I love BADgal Lash Mascara by Benefit Cosmetics its my all time fav!!!
Nice! Do you like the colored ones?
Fresh Supernova is my absolute fave. Major thickness, rich black, super dramatic, and soft to the touch. I won’t go back to other mascaras (even Plushlash!).
2nd!
You make me want to try it
I also recommend Fresh’s Firebird – it doesn’t give a whole lot of volume, but it does wonders for length and curl. It gives me very flirty, fluttery 70s fan lashes – which is lots of fun, especially for Spring and Summer.
Fiberwig!
Never tried this one!
i just wanted to say that iconic doesn’t really give a lot of volume, but it does give really nice length, curl and definition. it also works as a great base mascara.
It gave me decent volume when I tried it, but I haven’t tried it many times
Lancome’s Pro Custom Design Double Mascara. Hand’s DOWN
I don’t think I’ve tried that one yet! Hmm!
I’ve tried many mascaras already from drugstore to high-end and nothing beats DiorShow
Do you like the original or Iconic or Blackout?
I tried Cover Girl volume exact and WOW it’s soo much better than my Chanel en Clinique mascaras.
Glad you found a winner, Kim!
Nothing beats L’Oreal Voluminous in Carbon Black
Glad you found a good one!
I’ve been using The Body Shop’s Super Volume mascara. I haven’t tried many others though. I find it makes my lashes super full and long without clumping. It is a very wet mascara and take a bit of time to dry. I’m interested in trying CG LashBlast.
Very nice
Out of the ones mentioned above I only own the Givenchy one, but it really is great and makes my short and thin eyelashes look lovely and long. Not so thick, but still really nice.
I also really like Max Factor’s mascaras, especially More Lashes and Masterpiece Beyond Length, they make my lashes a lot bigger as well (and don’t clump/smudge either).
Which of the Max Factor’s would be you fave?
I used to use something by Maybelline (that I don’t even think they make any more), but now I really love mark. Make it Big mascara in Espresso (http://tinyurl.com/cbpzcm). It’s super cheap but works really well for me. I should add that I already have fairly long lashes so I just like a little volume. There is a teeny bit of flaking but I think that’s mostly because I really comb through my lashes after I apply mascara. I like more of a natural look.
Oh, wow! I haven’t heard of this mascara before, I will have to look into it!
Cover Girl Lash Blast is amazing. It gives really thick long luxurious lashes, and its cheap to purchase. My other faves are Maybelline Great Lash & Rimmel Volume flash….however I would love to try a MAC mascara, I’ve heard mixed reviews about MAC’s mascara’s but I can always return it if it doesn’t work out
I have to say chanel inimitable. I am not impressed by exceptionel (smudge, dried up quicker, just not as good at all!). sheseido mascara base is a must thought!
Oh no! It sucks that yours smudged and dried up quickly. I haven’t had those issues yet!
Diorshow Iconic is my favorite, i literally threw out every other mascara when i got it. i have small eyes & they make them look HUGE & lovely. it’s perfection. i actually am surprised you like plushlash over that!
LOL! Wow, it MUST be good for you
Iconic just doesn’t do that for me, ha!
LASHBLAST! Diorshow flakes on me
The original DiorShow flakes on me, too!
I loooove the Phenomen’Eyes and the CG Lash Blast. I actually like the Diorshow waterproof more than the Iconic.
Interesting! Is the Waterproof version hard to get off? What makes it better?
I only waterproof because I have annoying smudging issues, but I find that with an oil based remover it comes off pretty quickly. I really like cleansing oils or the MUFE waterproof makeup remover.
Great reviews Christine, I might try one of the MAC ones you’ve mentioned.
My HG Mascara is Diorshow Blackout, love it. It’s all about big fluffy fibre wands not plastic, they don’t do anything fo my lashes.
People don’t seem to like Diorshow Blackout that much, but that’s because the formula doesn’t work well during the initial fortnight or so of using it, after that it’s a dream!! Don’t know where this was all my life!
Before that I was using Lancome’s flextencils which was just as much a dream, used it for years on end.
Those big fluffy brushes always stab me in the eye, LOL! Well, *I* stab myself in the eye. Or get mascara all over my eye lid and the bridge of my nose!
I wonder why it doesn’t work well at first…
i love CG lashblast! also benefit’s “get bent” is amazing!! mac’s plushlash is okay.. not the best i’ve ever tried. get bent, lashblast, and l’oreal volunious are my favorites!
I haven’t tried Get Bent before!
ZOOM LASH!
I did not like Plush Lash at all.
Why didn’t you like Plushlash? I used Zoomlash for awhile, but it always got a bit clumpy for me!
I agree that Plushlash is great. I have short, sparse lashes, so I’m always looking for a great mascara. Before Plushlash, I pretty much only used drugstore brand mascaras, but now I am totally sold on Plushlash. I also recently purchased Lashblast and was not impressed. It’s not a bad mascara, but Plushlash gives me more length.
Glad to hear it works for you, Rachael!
What was your fave drugstore mascara before Plushlash?
I didn’t really have a favorite, they all were pretty much the same to me.
Benefits Bad Gal lash.. the new waterproof one I like more than the original annnnnnnnd MUFE Smokey Lash which I can’t get enough of!
What makes the waterproof version better, Amanda?
Oh, I’m so interested in MUFE mascara.
I tried yesterday and it is sooo black. But I don’t like so much the applicator.
What’s off about the applicator, Elisa?
I love Max Factor’s Volume Couture. On me, I find this delivers the same performance as Chanel’s Inimitable. It is fun to put a little Fiberwig on top of it…crazy lashes!:).
How do you like Fiberwig? I haven’t tried that one!
Fiberwig is good to add on top of other mascaras. I don’t particularly care for it by itself. I does not add enough volume.
stila major lash is excellent! :]
-Renee
Right now I am using Fatale from Lancome(my freebie from the court case!) It seems to work really well, although it builds up on the tip of the wand sometimes. But when this tube is empty I will be scootin back to the store to buy my CG Lashblast and maybe some of the new Lashblast Luxe! This makes my lashes look amazing! (in all fairness my lashes are pretty long and dark to begin with), but I love the drama of long, thick , lashes. I have even been accused of wearing falsies while wearing it!
Lashblast Luxe! What’s this, LOL!
It is just like Lashblast but it has sparkle/glitter, and it comes in Platinum(silver) Garnet, Emerald and Saphire….oh and the tube is red not orange. I saw it the other day at Target and had to scope it out!
I got plushlash based on ur recommendation christine and I am so happy with it! I only used 2 mascaras before Plushlash, one was from Loreal, i forgot the name already because it isn’t even worth remembering hehehe and the other one was EL Magnascopic. I liked magnascopic but it clumps even after just 2 coats. I just love Plushlash! thanks Christine!
Yay! I am so happy you like it
I get excited when people like my recs!
I am soo loving max factor 2000 calorie mascara right now!! (:
Ohh, that’s an oldie!
oops sorry about the typo lol
I swear by Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash! I have naturally long lashes so it’s boosts them up more, makes them super black, and curls just right.
You are so lucky to have naturally long lashes!
My all time fav is Prescriptive’s false lashes which made mine look just like false lashes. I stopped buying it though because it dries up really quickly-like in 3 weeks. Plushlash is ok but doesn’t give me enough length. I like Dazzlelash for length but doesn’t give me enough volume. I end up using both but am still on the quest for my Holy Grail Mascara.
Oh, wow — three weeks and it’s all dry? That sucks!
My current fav is Rimmel’s Glam Eyes in extreme black, it layers on well and gives my tiny asian lashes curl, volume and length
I also love Clinique’s lashpower for my bottom lashes, the wand is tiny so it grabs all my tiny lashes.
It’s amazing how many different mascaras there are! I want to try Rimmel’s now!
I think my all-time favourite mascara for long, thick, curled black eyelashes is Loreal Lash Architect in Blackest Black. I’ve been using it for ages and it gives the most amazing long, thick, black eyelashes.
I’m still on the look out for a mascara which gives more natural long, thick, curled lashes, as I sometimes like a more natural lash look. I really liked Maybelline Sky High Curves for this but they discontinued it
( and I’ve still not found one that I like as much. I tried Estee Lauder Projectionist and Sumptuous and loved those two but they’re a bit pricey for me for regular use. Any suggestions?
I haven’t tried this one — think I might have to!
I find drugstore mascaras work just as well or even better than high-ends. That being said, i did try Dior iconic, which is great at lengthening my lashes, separating and accentuating them, but lacks the volume. I found Rimmel Gam’eyes AND a Prestige one work really good at bringing volume on me. My fav natural mascara is Neutrogena Healthy volume and it looks effortlessly, not to mention that it doesn’t clump.
I also like Lash Blast and I got one online and shipped totaling at $5.50 USD.. one mascara worth mentioning is L’oreal telescope (original one) I don’t like how the brushes deposit too much glob on my lashes, but after separating my lashes with a comber, I look great! but it’s too much work, or I’ll make it work.
I definitely feel that high end isn’t always the best way to go for mascara (though there’s nothing wrong with it), too!
Lancome works best for me!
Which Lancome mascara?
Aww I went through so many tubes of Zoomlash before I went out and started experimenting with more mascaras. I’ve heard a lot of great things about the Diorshow Iconic and the Chanel Exceptionnel. Those are on my list of mascaras to buy next, along with YSL’s Everlong. I’m currently using Lancome’s Oscillation but I’m a bit disappointed because it’s only been about 2.5 months and then the battery started becoming so weak. For a mascara that is $34 I would have hoped it would have lasted a full 3 months at least!
I do like Exceptionnel quite a bit!
Oscillation is nice, but I agree – it’s $$ and the battery part is annoying.
MY HG mascara is L’Oreal’s Voluminous Carbon Black mascara. It thickens my lashes like no other mascara can (so far, anyway). Also it’s true to it’s name as the the black is very dark. I sometimes feel like I’m wearing false lashes with this and the cheap price is a plus too.
DiorShow was amazing but it gave me an horrible allergic reaction. I had puffy eyes for a week. :/ I need to try MAC’s Plushlash soon.