Battle of the Mascaras: A New Favorite? 

Updated on July 25th, 2025

In my original post, I compared 13 drugstore and high-end mascaras that I have either received for free, in a subscription box, or purchased myself. I ranked the mascaras from worst to best based on clumping, lash lengthening and volumizing, and the cruelty-free status of the company. Since my original post, I have tried a total of 30 mascaras and ranked each one!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through my links, but there is no extra cost to you.

The Mascaras

#30 CoverGirl Plumpify BlastPRO Mascara

• Does it clump? Yes
• Does it add length? A little
• Does it add volume? Not really
• Is the company cruelty-free? No

First off the wand is too big and causes my lashes to clump even though the wand is guaranteed to “provide plumping without the clumping.” The mascara also does not lengthen or add volume to my lashes even though it claims to provide a “50x volume boost.” The price is also too high for a mascara that only clumps my lashes.

$10.49 at CoverGirl

#29 NYX Le Frou Frou Mascara

• Does it clump? No
• Does it add length? No
• Does it add volume? No
• Is the company cruelty-free? Yes

The tube appears to be empty because barely any mascara comes out on the wand. My lashes do not seem any different even though the mascara is supposed to add length and volume.

$6 at NYX

#28 Wet n Wild Mega Impact Mascara

• Does it clump? No
• Does it add length? Not really
• Does it add volume? No
• Is the company cruelty-free? Yes

The mascara is very dry which is the complete opposite of the Wet n Wild MegaProtein mascara. The mascara does not make any difference to the appearance of my lashes even though the mascara is supposed to provide “EXTREME volume and length.”

$3.99 at Wet n Wild

#27 Wet n Wild Maxfanatic Mascara

• Does it clump? Yes
• Does it add length? A little
• Does it add volume? Not really
• Is the company cruelty-free? Yes

The mascara has a horrible brush that is curved with two different types of bristles. The wand is difficult to use and clumps my lashes while only adding a little bit of length to them.

$4.99 at Wet n Wild

#26 CoverGirl The Super Sizer Mascara

• Does it clump? Yes
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? Yes
• Is the company cruelty-free? No

The mascara is very wet so it takes longer to dry than most mascaras. Even though the mascara does add length and volume to my lashes, it also clumps them because the mascara is so wet. The wand is also difficult to use because the bristles are short and the directions state to twirl the wand as the mascara is applied.

$6.85 at CoverGirl

#25 The Body Shop Happy Go Lash Mascara

• Does it clump? Yes
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? Yes
• Is the company cruelty-free? Yes

The mascara has a regular mascara brush that adds length and volume to the lashes, but it also clumps them. The mascara is also super wet and messy to use.

#24 CoverGirl So Lashy! BlastPRO Mascara

• Does it clump? Yes
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? Yes
• Is the company cruelty-free? No

The mascara has 2 different types of bristles, which makes the wand difficult to use and leads to my lashes clumping. The mascara does however add some length and volume to my lashes, but none of the CoverGirl mascaras I have tried are worth spending money on.

$10.49 at CoverGirl

#23 Make Up For Ever Excessive Lash Mascara

• Does it clump? A little
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? Yes
• Is the company cruelty-free? No

The mascara does add length and volume to my lashes, but it also slightly clumped my lashes. The price is way too high for a mascara like this one.

$25 at Make Up For Ever

#22 Tarte Gifted Mascara

• Does it clump? Yes
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? Yes
• Is the company cruelty-free? Yes

The mascara creates a similar effect as Lights, Cameras, Lashes, but the mascara is wetter and clumps my lashes. This mascara is not worth the price.

$27 at Tarte

#21 NYX Worth the Hype Mascara

• Does it clump? Yes
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? Yes
• Is the company cruelty-free? Yes

The mascara does add length and volume to the lashes, but I found that is also clumps the lashes. I do not think the mascara is worth the hype, and there are better drugstore brand mascaras for the money.

$9 at NYX

#20 Wet n Wild MegaProtein Mascara

• Does it clump? No
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? A little
• Is the company cruelty-free? Yes

The mascara applies smoothly, but it stays wet for too long, which caused mascara to get on my eyelid and under my eye. However, the mascara does not clump my lashes and instead lengthens them, which is great for the price.

$3.19 at Wet n Wild

#19 Essence I Love Extreme Mascara

• Does it clump? No
• Does it add length? A little
• Does it add volume? A little
• Is the company cruelty-free? Yes

The mascara has a big brush, but despite the name, it adds only a little length and volume to the lashes. However, the mascara does not clump the lashes, and Essence is cruelty-free. I do not think the mascara is worth the money as there are other drugstore brand mascaras that are more effective.

$4.99 at Essence

#18 NYX Doll Eye Mascara

• Does it clump? No
• Does it add length? Somewhat
• Does it add volume? Not really
• Is the company cruelty-free? Yes

The mascara is the complete opposite of the NYX Le Frou Frou Mascara in that I can actually see a difference in the appearance of my lashes. I am not a big fan of the brush, but the mascara does add some length to my lashes. However, the mascara does not add any volume.

$9.50 at NYX

#17 Rimmel London Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara

• Does it clump? No
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? Not really
• Is the company cruelty-free? No

The mascara does add some length and a little volume to my lashes, but the effect is not as bold as I expected. The mascara is decent for the price.

$5.97 at Rimmel London

#16 Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Lash Muliplying Volume Mascara

• Does it clump? No
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? A little
• Is the company cruelty-free? No

The mascara is decent in that it applies evenly and adds length to my lashes without clumping them. The mascara is very expensive though, and there are better mascaras for the money.

$33 at Estee Lauder

#15 Doucce Boombastic Lash Volumizer Mascara

• Does it clump? No
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? A little
• Is the company cruelty-free? Yes

The mascara makes a noticeable difference in the appearance of my lashes, but it is not as dramatic as I expected especially for the price.

$24 at Doucce

#14 GOSH Catchy Eyes Mascara

• Does it clump? No
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? Not really
• Is the company cruelty-free? Yes

The mascara has similar results as the Gosh Rebel Eyes Mascara in that it adds length to my lashes, but this mascara adds much less volume. I also find the curved brush difficult to use.

€10.99 at GOSH

#13 W7 Absolute Lashes Mascara

• Does it clump? No
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? A little
• Is the company cruelty-free? Yes

The mascara reminds me of the Benefit They’re Real! Mascara in that this mascara has a similar brush and adds both length and volume to my lashes. However, the Benefit Mascara gives much more dramatic results.

£4.50 at W7 Cosmetics

#12 Buxom Lash Mascara

• Does it clump? No
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? A little
• Is the company cruelty-free? Yes

The mascara has one of the best brushes I have tried. The mascara does add length to my lashes, and multiple layers can be applied to give a more dramatic effect without clumping my lashes. However, the mascara does not add much volume.

$26 at Buxom

#11 It Cosmetics Superhero Mascara

• Does it clump? No
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? A little
• Is the company cruelty-free? Yes

The mascara adds length and a little volume to the lashes. The mascara does not clump the lashes, but I did find it messy to use. I also read reviews about the mascara flaking, but I have not had that experience. That said, there are better mascaras for the price.

$28 at It Cosmetics

#10 Nilens Jord Extension Mascara

• Does it clump? No
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? A little
• Is the company cruelty-free? Yes

The brush for the mascara is very small compared to most other brushes. However, the mascara applies evenly and adds both length and volume to my lashes without clumping them.

€25,30 at Nilens Jord

#9 Nars Climax Mascara

• Does it clump? No
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? Some
• Is the company cruelty-free? No

The mascara has a big brush, and it adds length and some volume while not clumping the lashes. It is a nice mascara, but there are better mascaras for the price. Also, Nars is not cruelty-free.

$25 at Nars

#8 Max Factor Masterpiece Max Mascara

• Does it clump? No
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? Some
• Is the company cruelty-free? No

The mascara has a standard brush, and it adds length to the lashes, but I did not find it added a lot of volume even though it is supposed to be a high-volume mascara. However, Max Factor has now changed the brush, and many are complaining the new brush is horrible.

£12.99 at Max Factor

#7 L’Oreal Voluminous Miss Manga Rock Mascara

• Does it clump? No
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? Yes
• Is the company cruelty-free? No

The mascara applies smoothly and evenly, dries quickly, and makes a noticeable difference in the appearance of lashes. This mascara used to be the best drugstore mascara I tried.

$7.99 at L’Oreal

#6 L’Oreal Telescopic Mascara

• Does it clump? No
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? Yes
• Is the company cruelty-free? No

The mascara has a thin brush, but it is easy to use and apply to the lashes. Furthermore, the mascara adds length and volume to the lashes, and it does not clump. Also, I thought the mascara seemed quite wet, but it was not messy to use. It is a fine mascara for the price, but the only downside is that L’Oreal is not cruelty-free.

$11.99 at L’Oreal

#5 GOSH Rebel Eyes Mascara

• Does it clump? No
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? Yes
• Is the company cruelty-free? Yes

The mascara is similar to the GOSH Catchy Eyes Mascara, but this mascara provides better results. The mascara applies evenly and adds both length and volume to my lashes, but I find the curved brush difficult to use.

€12.99 at GOSH

#4 Ulta Twisted Volume Mascara

• Does it clump? No
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? Yes
• Is the company cruelty-free? Yes

The mascara provides great results by adding both length and volume to my lashes. I love the brush because it reminds me of the Benefit They’re Real! Mascara. This mascara is now the best drugstore mascara.

$11 at Ulta

#3 Benefit They’re Real! Mascara

• Does it clump? No
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? Yes
• Is the company cruelty-free? No

The mascara adds lots of length and volume to my lashes, and it does not clump. This mascara would probably be my #1, but Benefit is not cruelty-free.

$29 at Benefit

#2 Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

• Does it clump? No
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? Yes
• Is the company cruelty-free? Yes

The mascara applies evenly, smoothly, and clump-free. The mascara also only requires one coat to make my lashes appear longer and thicker. This mascara is worth the price.

$29 at Too Faced

#1 Tarte Lights, Cameras, Lashes Mascara

• Does it clump? No
• Does it add length? Yes
• Does it add volume? Yes
• Is the company cruelty-free? Yes

This mascara was my original holy grail mascara, and it still is. Even though I go through periods of using other mascaras like the Too Faced or Benefit mascaras, I always come back to this one. This mascara adds both length and volume to my lashes to create a dramatic look that I expect and desire from a mascara. The brush is perfect because it applies the mascara evenly and smoothly to my lashes. I have also used this mascara in numerous makeup looks, including my 6 Minute vs 60 Minute Makeup Challenge and My Daughter Picks My Makeup Challenge. I would definitely recommend this mascara to everyone.

$27 at Tarte

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What is your favorite mascara?