A girl could live without blush and just about go a day without bronzer. But mascara is a universal makeup must-have. Creating enviable lashes is a sure-fire way to look beautiful fast. Mascara opens up your peepers and transforms even the most tired eyes. But all mascaras are different. Some are better for lengthening. Others give long-lasting curl. And still other mascaras aim to deliver dramatic volume.
If you want the best mascara for achieving both length and volume, look no further. We’ve rounded up some of our favourites from the best beauty brands. Find out everything you need to know about mascara by reading our
Ultimate Guide to Mascara. Then discover our
100 top-rated mascaras.

What Does Volumising Mascara Do?
If you’re wondering which mascara is best for volume, you’ll first want to understand how a volumising mascara works. Volumising mascaras are designed to help anybody who wants thicker lashes. Just as some people have fine hair on their head, some people have naturally finer lashes than others do. If you want to amp up the body, then a buildable thickening mascara is the best option for you. These are often denser formulas that adhere easily to the lashes. Volumising mascaras can also contain hair-conditioning ingredients to plump up individual lashes and encourage hair growth such as:
Provitamin B5
Aloe Vera
Keratin
Biotin
Oatweed
Fatty Acids
Panthenol
How to Apply Mascara for Volume
When it comes to building the volume and body of your lashes, the key is to apply multiple coats of mascara. It’s best to layer your mascara while the previous layer is still a touch wet. Otherwise, things can get a little dry and flaky.
What Does Lengthening Mascara Do?
To get the best mascara for length, you’ll want to pick both your formula and your mascara wand carefully. Lengthening mascaras are designed to glide through and coat each lash from root to tip, maximising length for a fluttery finish. Lengthening mascara wands often have thin, comb-like bristles to ensure you can get right to the root. Lengthening mascara formulas may contain water-resistant tube-like fibres that wrap around your individual lashes to add length and volume, these are often known as tubing mascaras. Lengthening mascaras contain ingredients such as:
Nylon Fibres
Rayon Fibres
Waxes
Polymers
How to Apply Mascara for Length
For lengthening your lashes, you want to ensure that each lash is coated from the root. Be sure to get the wand as close to the lash line as possible. Then, glide through with the wet formula. Give the wand a little wiggle when you get to the tips to stretch those lashes out as long as they can go!
Volume vs Length Mascara
The good news is that choosing a mascara doesn’t have to be an either/or decision. There are plenty of amazing mascaras out there designed for both volumising and lengthening at the same time. Whether you’re looking for a daytime or evening mascara, read on to discover the best mascaras for volume and length.
Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Eyes Mascara in Waterproof is all about achieving that wide-open look. It’s a perfect fit for small eye shapes and tired eyes, ensuring maximum lift and curl for every single lash. This advanced mascara uses FiberShine Technology and a unique cone-shaped brush to stay ahead of the game in mascara innovation. Never going clumpy, dry, or flaky, the waterproof formula is ideal for oily lids and for taking your makeup look from morning to night.
Best Luxury Mascara for Volume If drama is what you’re after, then you won’t be disappointed with the iconic Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils Waterproof. With its unique Triple Film Complex, this volumising mascara is enriched with nylon fibres of varying sizes to deliver maximum volume. Ingredients Pro-Vitamin B5 and Aloe Vera strengthen and protect existing lashes for healthier growth. Oozing luxury, this gorgeous mascara is a must-have if you want to add intensity and depth to your peepers.
Best Mascara for Length and Separation Eye Of Horus Bio Lash Lift Mascara doesn’t just make your lashes look longer; they’ll feel long and fluttery too. The formula is boosted with hair-growth ingredients to actually strengthen and lengthen your lashes. This organic mascara nourishes lashes with natural botanicals, including Oatweed and fatty acids, to moisturise, protect, and hydrate while promoting hair growth and collagen production. Paired with a lengthening comb/brush, the lightweight formula ensures a soft and natural finish with long-lasting length and volume.
If volume is what you’re after, then BADGal Bang Volumising Mascara may be your Holy Grail. Providing an amazing 36 hours of supreme volume without weighing down lashes, this pitch-black mascara delivers body and drama from day to night. Containing innovative aero-particles derived from space technology, this Benefit mascara effortlessly builds drama for that falsies look.
When it comes to cult classics, this Benefit mascara takes the crown. It’s an absolute bestseller when it comes to volumising and lengthening lashes. The unique staggered-bristle brush has been designed to grab and coat every lash. This mascara will amplify your lashes no matter if they’re naturally full or sparse. The extra-small bristles also help ensure easy application. You don’t have to be a beauty expert to reap the rewards of this one!
Best Low-Priced All Rounder Achieving incredible lashes doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. Maybelline Great Lash Mascara Waterproof is an iconic, affordable mascara designed to volumise, separate, and lengthen lashes. This clump-free, non-drying, waterproof mascara has remained unchanged for years by Maybelline due to its much-loved cult formula. You won’t be able to get enough of it—and because of the insanely friendly price, you can go all out!
So, let's recap the 10 Best Mascaras That Give Length and Volume 2020
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