5 best Maybelline mascaras that lengthen, volumise and curl lashes

Best for: Length and volume

The brand’s newest wand launched in January 2021 and has been flying off the virtual beauty shelves since going viral on TikTok. In fact, it’s been the number one selling make-up product in Superdrug ever since it came out. The sky’s the limit with this mascara, promising full volume and limitless length, and if social media is anything to go by it really delivers. 

We found out for ourselves when we gave it our own test drive. The long, thin brush head is soft and flexible, which did take some getting used to if, like us, you normally prefer a rigid, fatter brush. It’s easy to master though and once you have you’ll love how it can catch every single lash, and even get to those annoying teeny tiny ones. While the bamboo extract and fibres do create weightless volume, it’s the lengthening of the lashes we were most impressed by. Our tester’s short, straight lashes have truly never looked so elongated and fanned-out. You can believe the hype.

Best for: Natural soft definition

After half-a-century of being swiped on lashes around the globe, this formula must be doing something right. Before the pandemic, one Maybelline great lash mascara sold every three seconds in the US. For some of us, it’s a nostalgic beauty product spanning generations. Even as a teen in the Nineties, this was a firm favourite beauty staple, next to the Lancôme juicy tube lip gloss and the Calvin Klein CK one perfume.

It’s been a long time since we tried this legendary formula, so we couldn’t wait to see if it lived up to our fond memories. The brush looks very small and simple at first glance but after putting it to use we’d forgotten how precise it is at getting to every lash for a full look. You have to move fast with it and build thicker lashes quickly if that’s your desired look, but no matter how many coats you apply this is only for people who want a natural look. Think fine, well-separated and defined lashes.

Best for: All-round length, volume and curl

This is the UK’s best-selling mascara. It launched back in 2015, so is another formula that’s standing the test of time. Its consistent consumer praise shows people turn back to it time and time again. Perhaps it’s the unique “layer-reveal” brush with different lengths of bristles that works for so many. It creates a fuller, longer and fanned-out effect, and its low-wax formula delivers a true black colour.

At first, we actually found the curved brush a bit confusing to use but we soon got the knack when we realised that, with the right turn of the wand, you not only get to the root but can cover the ends quickly too. We loved how buildable this mascara is, making it great for creating different day to night looks. If you’re looking for a do-it-all formula, this is it.

Best for: Dramatic volume 

For next-level, attention-grabbing volume, this is the wand that’s really going to “va va voom” your lashes. The oversized brush, combined with the collagen-infused formula that plumps the hairs, makes this a super quick and easy to use mascara. Just one wiggle from root to tip and there’s, well,  a colossal difference – lashes look lifted, longer and super thick. We like to add a few extra coats for a real dramatic effect. A great pick as an alternative to lash extensions.

Best for: Lift and volume 

Inspired by the popularity of lash lift salon treatments that colour, curl and make lashes look thicker, this mascara launched last year. It contains hair polymers, which are often found in hair styling products like hairspray to create hold. It also carries adhesive properties to stretch, lift and hold lashes in place, mimicking the salon treatment.

We can see why this is the UK’s second favourite mascara. It certainly creates an eye-opening effect with the big double-curved brush that lifts lashes at the roots. We loved how long-lasting this formula is too, lashes stayed lifted all day without any drop or panda eyes. This did make it a little more difficult to remove, but nothing a good cleansing oil couldn’t handle.