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Our Favorite Cle​​ar Mascaras to Create a Natural Makeup Look

Clare Holden
Written by Clare Holden
Best Cle​​ar Mascaras

For those who favor a no-makeup makeup look, clear mascara is essential. In addition to giving your lashes volume, curl and lift — they can also be used as a primer to create a thickening effect under your regular black or brown mascara.

Makeup artist Caitlyn Dominic explains why she always has clear mascara in her kit: “A clear mascara can be great if you want your lashes to appear more elevated, without the pigment or bulkiness of a traditional colored mascara. It gives a similar look as curling lashes with a lash curler, except the clear mascara helps keep them lifted throughout the day.”

To help you find the best clear mascara, we’ve rounded up the top tried and tested expert recommendations below.

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Finding the Best Clear Mascara

Whether you’re just starting to wear makeup or looking to refresh your current look with a more natural finish, clear mascara is an excellent staple product. Makeup artist Natalie Dresher explains why it’s a beauty essential: “Clear mascara is perfect for those looking for a true no-makeup makeup look. I think it's also a great way to compromise teens starting to wear makeup, since there isn’t any pigment in it.”

From ingredients to application methods, check out our guide on everything you need to know when buying clear mascara.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Clear Mascara

Purpose

Before deciding on a product, think about how you want to use clear mascara. If you’re looking to create a low-maintenance, natural makeup look, any of the drugstore options on our list will more than suffice. If you need a multi-purpose pick that also works on brows, choose a clear mascara that creates a strong hold. If you want to grow your lashes, look for formulas with ingredients like peptides and proteins.

Brand

We have included a mix of brands on our list to ensure there’s an option for every budget. We love Wet n Wild, e.l.f and Milani’s offerings for their high-quality formulas at affordable prices. If you have sensitive skin, Physicians Formula or Kosas are always a safe bet.

Ingredients

If you feel like your lashes could benefit from some conditioning, vitamin E and B5 along with chamomile are ideal for softness. Peptides work to strengthen lash hairs while proteins promote growth.

Application

Clear mascara is extremely easy to apply as there is less room for error than when using a pigmented mascara. Ensure your lashes are clean and free from any other products to ensure a clump-free finish.

Removal

Always ensure you remove your clear mascara with a gentle eye makeup remover. While it may not have a heavy-looking appearance, the eye area is extremely sensitive, making it essential to remove makeup products to avoid infection.

What are the Different Types of Clear Mascaras?

Conditioning

Many clear mascaras are infused with lash-enriching ingredients like vitamins and keratin. These ingredients help soften and strengthen lashes while leaving them looking healthier.

Priming

Some clear mascaras are designed to be used as a primer before applying pigmented mascara. Primers add volume and thickness to lashes and extend the wear of your eye makeup. They can also prevent flaking and smudging.

Growth Enhancing 

If your lashes need a boost in length or density, clear mascaras delivers a dose of proteins and peptides to fortify existing lashes and promote growth.

1

Best Overall: e.l.f. Cosmetics Clear Brow and Lash Mascara

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Dual-sided
  • Conditioning formula

Cons

  • Slightly small tube

This dual-ended clear mascara has everything you need to ensure lashes and brows look groomed and stay conditioned all day long. The nourishing formula contains vitamins B and E, as well as algae extract to give you soft and healthy-looking lashes.

We love to use this pick for achieving a no-makeup makeup look or on eyebrows to help hold their shape. This mascara defines and emphasizes lashes, giving you a clean, natural finish to your makeup.

2

Best Budget: Essence Lash & Brow Gel Mascara

Pros

  • Fragrance-free
  • Can also be used on brows
  • Lifts lashes

Cons

  • Some reviewers say it works better as mascara versus brow gel

Whenever we’re looking for high quality beauty products that don’t break the bank — we always turn to Essence. Their clear gel mascara rivals more expensive options by providing hold and superior definition.

The specially designed bristles make achieving a professional finish easy. In addition to being suitable for both lashes and brows, we love how well this product works to tame flyaways when wearing a slicked back ponytail or bun.

3

Best Drugstore: Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara

Pros

  • Oil-free formula
  • Defines lashes
  • Can also be used on brows

Cons

  • Only available with a straight brush
  • Tends to sell out

Maybelline’s Great Lash Black Mascara has been a staple in our makeup bags for years, so it only makes sense to add the clear version to our collection for days when we’re going for a more natural look.

Providing the same level of definition as the pigmented version, this clear mascara shapes and grooms lashes, making it the ideal finishing touch to everyday makeup.

4

Best Luxury: Augustinus Bader The Eyebrow and Lash Enhancing Serum

Pros

  • Lash softening formula
  • Promotes lash growth
  • Adds length and definition

Cons

  • Investment-worthy price point

If you’re looking to invest, look no further than this luxurious pick from Augustinus Bader. Everything from the packaging to the formula product feels elevated.

Suitable for all skin types, this clear mascara uses a potent combination of roselle, safflower extracts and biotin to promote hair growth and improve lash strength. It also contains special curling agents to give lashes a voluminous and thick appearance.

5

Best Lash-Conditioning: wet n wild Mega Clear Brow and Lash Mascara

Pros

  • Infused with proteins and vitamins
  • Cruelty-free
  • Strong hold

Cons

  • Slightly scented

If your lashes need some extra TLC, this pick from Wet n Wild not only sculpts and shapes lashes, but infuses them with nutrient-dense ingredients for added softness. The result? Fuller-looking and healthier lashes and eyebrows.

Soy protein and vitamin B5 strengthen lashes while holding them in place, sans stiffness. This pick also works great as a lash primer or top coat.

6

Best for Lash Growth: Kosas GrowPotion Fluffy Brow and Lash Boosting Serum

Pros

  • Promotes lash growth
  • Contains three essential peptides
  • Strengthens lashes

Cons

  • More of a serum than a clear mascara

This clean beauty pick is the perfect option for anyone looking to accelerate lash and brow growth while revitalizing damaged hair. It uses 97% natural ingredients to promote thicker, healthier and fluffier looking lashes.

Vegan keratin, vitamin B5 and a trio of peptides fortify lashes from root to tip, leaving them looking shiner and feeling softer.

7

Best for Sensitive Eyes: Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Diamond Mascara Lash and Brow Diamond

Pros

  • Gentle formula
  • Nourishing ingredients
  • Lightweight hold

Cons

  • Some may prefer a thicker brush

The eye area can be extra sensitive, which is why those with delicate skin need to be extra careful when choosing a clear mascara. We adore this lightweight pick from Physicians Formula, which has been both dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested.

This formula tames, grooms, primes, conditions and holds lashes and brows in place without ever feeling stiff or heavy. It also contains diamond dust to illuminate eyes while peptides strengthen lashes.

8

Best Voluminous: L’Oreal Paris Cosmetics Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara

Pros

  • Volumizes lashes
  • Conditioning formula
  • Can also be used as a primer

Cons

  • Tends to sell out

This mascara uses a special wavy brush with over 200 bristles to ensure each individual lash is completely coated. Suitable for both contact lens wearers and those with sensitive eyes, this formula contains vitamin E and chamomile extract to nourish and condition lashes.

This pick can be worn on its own, or use it as a primer before applying pigmented mascara.

9

Best for Hold: CoverGirl Professional Natural Lash Mascara

Pros

  • Defines and holds lashes and brows
  • Natural finish
  • Adds volume

Cons

  • Some reviewers say it sometimes makes lashes stick together

Whether you have wayward brows or want to add definition to your lashes while still maintaining a natural look, this clear mascara from CoverGirl is the one we reach for when we want to achieve a polished finish.

The hypoallergenic formula provides a featherweight hold that feels comfortable while also taming brows and lashes. Bonus: It’s ophthalmologically-tested, making it suitable for sensitive eyes.

10

Best Primer: Lancôme Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Primer

Pros

  • Contains lash conditioning vitamins
  • Suitable for sensitive skin
  • Lift and volumizes lashes

Cons

  • Slightly more expensive
  • Needs to be combed through a few times

Get the most out of your mascara with this enhancing primer that uses micro-fibers and vitamin E to prime lashes and give them a volumizing effect. Designed to be applied before your regular mascara, this pick from Lancome is the ideal alternative to false eyelashes.

It separates, defines and coats lashes with a nourishing formula, leaving them looking longer, fuller and thicker.

11

Most Versatile: Kaja Wink Lash Trio Mascara

Pros

  • Protects lashes
  • Nourishing formula
  • Adds length and volume

Cons

  • Smaller tubes

Whether you prefer a natural makeup look or desire something more daring (or a mix between the two), this lash trio provides three different mascara with endless possibilities.

Layer them one by one to volumize and perfect each lash, or wear each one on their own. Each formula contains conditioning ingredients like panthenol, biotin and avocado peptides to keep lashes looking their best.

12

Best Top Coat: Rabanne Famous Topcoat Mascara

Pros

  • Luminous finish
  • Sweat-proof
  • Subtle shimmer

Cons

  • Slightly more expensive

This pick takes clear mascara to the next level with its silver and gold micro-pearl finish. Designed to be used as a top coat, this formula illuminates lashes and elevates any makeup look.

All it takes is one stroke over your regular mascara to add dimension and subtle shimmer. Bonus: The buildable formula enhances lashes without looking clumpy.

13

Best Natural Finish: Pacifica Beauty Vegan Collagen Lash Serum and Clear Mascara

Pros

  • Recyclable packaging
  • Adds volume
  • Contains lash conditioning ingredients

Cons

  • Brush bristles could be more dense

This is our absolute favorite clear mascara for achieving lifted lashes. The hydrating formula is packed with lash nourishing ingredients like vitamins B and E and vegan collagen.

This is also a great choice for those with sensitive eyes or contact lens wearers since it’s ophthalmologist-tested and formulated without harsh chemicals like parabens and phthalates.

14

Best Clean Beauty: Ere Perez Natural Aloe Gel Lash and Brow Mascara

Pros

  • Formulated with natural ingredients
  • Sweat-proof
  • Stimulates lash growth

Cons

  • Slightly smaller brush

Ere Perez is our go to brand for all the best clean beauty products, and the brand’s lash and brow mascara is our top pick for anyone who likes their makeup to be formulated with natural ingredients. This mascara leaves your lashes looking shiner and healthier due to its nutrient dense formula.

Aloe vera combines with vitamin B5 to fortify, condition and promote lash growth. The lightweight feel of this mascara makes it comfortable for all day wear.

15

Best Curling: ETUDE Dr. Mascara Fixer For Perfect Lash

Pros

  • Waterproof
  • Cruelty-free
  • Long-lasting curling effect

Cons

  • Slightly smaller tube

This K-Beauty mascara uses a powerful clear wax to lift and curl lashes, making eyes appear wider and brighter. It also delivers your lashes with a potent dose of caffeine and iris ensata extract for extra softness.

The water and smudge proof formula can also be used as a base layer under your regular mascara to increase its hold and add volume.

People Also Ask

  • Q: Does clear mascara smudge?

    A:No, this is one of the main benefits of clear mascara — it enables you to create volume, curl and definition without worrying about it smudging throughout the day.

  • Q: What is the point of clear mascara?

    A:Clear mascara is a versatile product that’s best used for achieving a polished finish to your eye makeup. It also works great for grooming eyebrows.

  • Q: How much should I spend on clear mascara?

    A:The amount of money you spend on clear mascara is entirely up to you! There are plenty of under $20 formulas available that achieve polished, full eyelashes.

Why trust Us

At Us Weekly, we aim to inform readers to make smart purchasing decisions, saving you both time and money. Our editors are obsessed with finding products in a variety of categories from fashion and beauty, to home and fitness.

We try various products, so we can recommend our favorites, and we also summarize feedback and data from other customers. Data, like product reviews and ratings, helps us recommend the best product choices for individual price points and needs.

On top of that, we highlight unique product features for special use cases, ingredients preferences, and more. We strive to make sure you are discovering new products that can make your life easier, while keeping you up to date with the best product choices for types of items you already know and love.

Clare Holden

By Clare Holden

Beauty and style writer Clare has been a fan of makeup and fashion ever since she was a child. While studying for her degree in Journalism and Communications, Clare worked part-time on cosmetic counters. After graduating she went back and trained as a makeup artist after falling in love with beauty and skincare. She now splits her time between writing about all things makeup and running her own womenswear brand White Night.
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