The 18 Best Mascaras ELLE Editors Will Never Stop Buying

“Many things have come and gone from my beauty routine over the years, but CoverGirl’s Lash Blast Volume mascara is not one of them. It gives me volume, length, and never smudges. What more could I ask for?” — Carine Lavache, Senior Social Media Editor

“Kim Kardashian and I have exactly one thing in common and it is that our lashes are most likely swaddled in Chanel Inimitable Waterproof Mascara. This mascara isn't new, but both I and her makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic swear that this is our favorite waterproof mascara. Just one coat makes my lashes look so bright, perky, separated, lengthened, and voluminous. There are no clumps, not even if you zoom in (for Kim) or Zoom in (for me). When I curl my lashes after using this, they maintain their perfect swoopy wave all day and night–so much so that a makeup artist once asked me if my lashes were permed. Much like a bra, I don't love using this mascara all the time even though it looks great, as it does require a little more effort. You need a little time with a real makeup remover to take this off, because it won't come off with a regular face wash, but it's worth it.” — Kathleen Hou, Beauty Director

“I have been using the same drugstore mascara combo for years now, and it's still my go-to. I'm telling y'all—Essence is the hidden gem at Ulta. I get compliments all the time about my eyelashes; sometimes people even think I'm wearing falsies." — Meg Donahue, Associate Commerce Editor

“I'm team skinny brush when it comes to mascaras. This thin bristly brush catches just the right amount of the super-black mascara with each swipe so you can build your own eye look—one pass feels lengthening and natural, two is va va voom, and three (my favorite) gives you go-go dancer level of definition.” — Margaux Anbouba, Beauty Editor

“I have a decent amount of lashes, but they all have different needs. Some are extra long, some are medium-length, others are babies. What they have in common is that they're all fine, point straight down, and prone to a little unruliness. Tower 28's Making Waves mascara is sort of like Julie Andrew in the Sound of Music and corrals my lashes, making them stand up straight and at attention. And much like Maria, the formula and wave-shaped brush ensure that each lash (even the itty bitty ones at the corner) get love, don't stick together, but work cohesively together to create a pretty, fanned-out look.” — Kathleen Hou, Beauty Director

“I've experimented with high end and designer makeup brands intermittently when I run out of these tubes, but I always go back to my Essence roots. They can't be beat. Run, don't walk!” — Meg Donahue, Associate Commerce Editor

“The first time I wore this mascara, friends of mine starting asking me what was on my lashes. My beauty-averse boyfriend asked, dismayed, if I was wearing falsies. Anything that generates that much attention is a win in my book.” — Tatjana Freund, Beauty Commerce Writer

“I’m always on the hunt for a mascara that adds volume and length without excessive clumping. The Spectator Sport Mascara from Gen See does exactly that even after several layers, while also being water resistant…and trust me, it actually is.” — Emily Burns, Assistant Beauty Editor

“I'm not above drugstore beauty products at all. Case in point is L'Oreal's Voluminous Original Mascara, aka the only mascara I'll ever need. It lengthens, separates, and adds volume sans clumping or irritation and it costs under 10 bucks. What more could you want?” — Claire Stern, Digital Deputy Editor

“I’m very specific about mascaras, and this is the only one in recent years that I’ve actually run out of. It has a curved wand that makes separates my lashes, lengthens them till they touch my brows, all without looking clumpy. For me, the best part is that it’s super easy to take off at the end of the day, but still doesn’t smudge under my eyes.” — Tatjana Freund, Beauty Commerce Writer

“Lately, I’ve been obsessed with all things Rare Beauty. As someone with big brown eyes, my go-to everyday look is minimal makeup and tons of mascara. Luckily this one builds quite nicely and stays on all day. After two coats I’m good to go!” — Leah Romero, Senior Digital Designer

“I love a makeup product that multitasks, like this mascara that is infused with a red clover peptide serum to promote stronger and longer lashes. While the serum is doing its work, the mascara adds volume and length that lasts all day.” — Emily Burns, Assistant Beauty Editor

“A makeup artist friend recommended this lengthening mascara to me few years ago, and I’ve been using it ever since! I like having long dramatic lashes and this delivers. It stays on at the gym, but washes off easily at home, which is definitely a plus.” — Rose Minutaglio, Senior Writer

“I really didn’t care for any of the cannabis-infused beauty products being released at lightspeed but Milk Makeup’s Kush Mascara is THE TRUTH. One swipe of this gave my little eyelash hairs more volume than I could ever imagine. Plus, I can layer without clumping or smudging.” — Nerisha Penrose, Beauty Commerce Editor

“This Thrive mascara makes my eyelashes so long that they're at risk of constantly touching my eyelid. It also comes off easily with water at the end of the day so I'm not standing there rubbing my eyes.” — Madison Feller, Senior Staff Writer

“When you want your eyelashes to tickle your eyebrows, Sephora Lashcraft is the one mascara that you grab from your make-up bag. The bristles on this brush are spaced out and tease each strand outward and upward. The mascara itself is thick enough to add volume but light enough that your eyelashes aren’t clumpy and weighed down.” — Yousra Attia, Visuals Editor

“I've tried many mascaras, but I don't know if I've ever been this blown away by the way one transforms my lashes. It really adds so much volume and fullness to my natural lashes I don't even need to curl them to get compliments. This really is a game-changer.” — Alyssa Bailey, Senior News and Strategy Editor

“It's embarrassing how tiny (read: microscopic) my lashes are and I'm not quite yet the lash extension connoisseur I strive to be. But the Uoma Beauty Drama Bomb mascara is literally "fake it 'til you make it" in a bottle. A few coats of this mascara makes it look like I have way more lashes than I actually do. Plus, it doesn't clump together and it's not runny, so no Lauren Conrad mascara tear 'round here!” — Nerisha Penrose, Beauty Commerce Editor