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Best mascaras in Australia

We read hundreds of customer reviews to find the 10 best mascaras you can buy in Australia right now.

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Ericka Pingol
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The best mascaras in Australia

How did we pick this list?

For this list, we picked mascaras based on actual customer reviews and ratings on Amazon, Adore Beauty and Mecca. For every category, we carefully chose parameters based on our research and determined products with the highest review score within those parameters.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

Best overall mascara: Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

Pros

  • Lengthens and volumises lashes
  • Buildable

Cons

  • Brush is too big for bottom lashes
  • Tends to get clumpy
Price (RRP): $39.45
Amazon Price: From $69.00
Buy at Amazon
Buy at eBay

Why we chose it

We picked the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara as the best overall mascara you can get right now in Australia. On Mecca, it's rated 4.2 out of 5 stars from over 4,000 reviews.

The Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara is an award-winning volumising, curling and lengthening mascara formulated with collagen, film-forming polymer and Acacia Senegal tree extracts. Its hourglass-shaped brush is designed to coat each lash for a separated, lifted effect. Apart from being vegan and cruelty-free, this mascara is formulated without parabens and gluten.

The Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara provides volume, curl and length that looks natural. Customers liked that it can be layered for a more glamorous look. It also doesn't smudge and lasts all day despite being easy to remove. Reviewers loved that it feels weightless and non-irritating. The brush also coats each lash evenly without any flakiness. However, it is too big to coat bottom lashes. Several customers also found that the mascara gets clumpy after a couple of layers.

Best drugstore mascara: Maybelline Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect Mascara

Pros

  • Suitable for contact lens wearers
  • Easy to use brush

Cons

  • Not smudge-proof
  • Doesn't lengthen
Price (RRP): $10.50
Amazon Price: From $11.47
Buy at Amazon
Buy at eBay
Buy at Chemist Warehouse

Why we chose it

We selected Maybelline's Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect Mascara as the best drugstore mascara you can get right now in Australia. It has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon US.

The Maybelline Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect Mascara is infused with rosehip oil and mineral pigment for thicker-looking, conditioned lashes. According to the company, the liquid formula also captures lashes from root to tip for intense volume. Its brush has 10 layers of bristles to evenly coat and separate lashes while delivering great volume and curl. This mascara is also ophthalmologist tested and suitable for those who wear contact lenses.

This mascara is a great, everyday product for volumised and curled lashes that look natural. Apart from being affordable, customers liked that it's long-lasting and doesn't weigh down lashes. The formula is thin but darkens and thickens strands in a single coat. The fanned-out brush also helps separate lashes, leaving them clump-free. It is easy to use on the bottom hairs as well. There were a few complaints about the mascara smudging after just a few hours. Others also wished it was lengthening. However, these seem to be minor concerns.

Best waterproof mascara: L'Oreal Paris Paradise Waterproof Mascara

Pros

  • Long-lasting
  • Doesn't make lashes brittle

Cons

  • Wand is too big for some
  • Difficult to remove
Price (RRP): $14.99
Amazon Price: From $17.90
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Adore Beauty
Buy at Chemist Warehouse

Why we chose it

If you're looking for the best waterproof mascara, we recommend the L'Oreal Paris Paradise Waterproof Mascara. It has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from reviews on Adore Beauty and Amazon US. This product is also one of our picks for the best waterproof mascaras available online.

The L'Oreal Paris Paradise Waterproof Mascara has a smooth formula which glides onto the lashes evenly and easily. According to the company, it doesn't flake or clump and leaves lashes soft and conditioned. Its brush has 200 bristles to catch each hair for even volume and length as well.

Customers liked that this mascara is easy to use and gives dramatic volume with just a couple of swipes. The bristles coat every lash without clumping. A few others added that its curling effect stays all day. The waterproof formula is also a winner, with some reviewers mentioning that it has withstood many sweaty gym sessions. However, customers say that this mascara is difficult to remove and recommend using a potent eye makeup remover. The wand is also bigger than other brushes out there, which may not be suitable if you're new to mascaras.

Best volumising mascara: Maybelline The Falsies Lash Lift Volumising Mascara

Pros

  • Holds curl all day
  • Makes lashes look fuller and lifted

Cons

  • Flakes after a few hours
  • Not smudge-proof
Price (RRP): $13.50
Amazon Price: From $15.00
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Adore Beauty
Buy at eBay

Why we chose it

The Maybelline The Falsies Lash Lift Volumising Mascara is our pick for the best volumising mascara available online. It has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon US.

This Maybelline mascara contains fibres for volumised and lifted lashes that look like false eyelashes. The double-curved brush also catches lashes at the root for added lift and thickness. According to the company, this mascara doesn't clump, smear or flake.

The Maybelline Falsies Lash Lift Volumising Mascara creates intense volume and length that lasts all day. People also liked that it holds a curl and doesn't feel heavy. At only $13.50, it is quite affordable. Some customers added that it performs just as well as pricier volumising mascaras. The brush is perfect for separating each lash for a more fanned-out effect as well. But despite its claims, several customers said the mascara flakes and smudges after a few hours.

Best lengthening mascara: Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara

Pros

  • Easy to remove
  • Smudge-proof

Cons

  • Not cheap
  • Too clumpy for some
Price (RRP): $44.00
Amazon Price: From $77.02
Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

With a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Mecca, the Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara is our choice for the best lengthening mascara.

This lengthening mascara promises the look of lash extensions in an instant. It features film-forming technology that helps coat each lash with fibres that stay put for a high-impact, fanned-out finish. According to the company, the mascara also provides definition, lift and length to transform lashes. It is also ophthalmologist tested, vegan and cruelty-free.

According to customers, one coat of the Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara gives dramatic length, perfect if you have short lashes. Its brush also separates and lifts lashes that last all day. The wand is easy to navigate, even for bottom lashes. The mascara's formula is thin and weightless but doesn't run all over the place. Despite being smudge-proof, reviewers also loved that it removes easily with warm water. It's pricier than other mascaras in the market, but people seem to enjoy its quality and effect. However, a few customers found it too clumpy for their liking.

Best mascara for sensitive eyes: Clinique High Impact Mascara

Pros

  • Formulated without parabens, phthalates and fragrance
  • Volumising and lengthening

Cons

  • Doesn't hold curl
  • Not waterproof
Price (RRP): $43.25
Amazon Price: From $37.28
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Adore Beauty
Buy at Clinique

Why we chose it

For sensitive eyes, we recommend Clinique's High Impact Mascara as the best one available right now in Australia. It has an average rating of 4.35 out of 5 stars from reviews on Adore Beauty and Mecca.

The Clinique High Impact Mascara helps create full lashes that look plump and bold. Its deep colour also adds to the impact, drawing attention to the eyes. The straight wand is easy to use and coats each lash with just enough pigment for a volumising effect. This mascara is ophthalmologist tested, allergy-tested, and is safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. It is also free of parabens, phthalates and fragrance.

This mascara is a long-time favourite for many. It provides dramatic length and volume without flakiness. Customers loved its simple, straight brush that catches each lash from the tip for added lift and length. The mascara also layers nicely and doesn't clump. However, it isn't waterproof. Several reviewers also said it doesn't hold a curl.

Best natural mascara: Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara

Pros

  • Lengthening and thickening
  • Easy to remove

Cons

  • Too flaky according to customers
  • Doesn't create dramatic-looking lashes
Price (RRP): $42.00
Buy at NET-A-PORTER

Why we chose it

The Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara is our choice for the best natural mascara. On Mecca, it's rated 4.8 out of 5 stars.

The Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara is made of 99% natural ingredients to help lift, curl and lengthen lashes. It has organic Bee and Carnauba waxes to condition lashes. Its shea butter and keratin content help enhance lashes as well. The dual-sided wand is suitable for a natural application; the short side helps curl and volumise, while the longer bristles lift, separate and lengthen.

This mascara is cruelty-free, ophthalmologist-tested and safe for sensitive eyes. It contains 100% natural dye that darkens and thickens lashes for a natural look, suitable for every day. Customers also loved that it is lightweight and helps soften lashes over time. The brush is easy to use for both upper and bottom strands. According to some reviewers, the mascara doesn't smear but is still easy to remove with soap and water. Despite claims, a few others said it gets very flaky throughout the day, but this seems to be an isolated concern.

Best cruelty-free mascara: Chantecaille Mascara Faux Cils

Pros

  • Water-resistant
  • Clump-free

Cons

  • Not cheap
  • Difficult to remove
Price (RRP): $78.25
Amazon Price: From $140.50
Buy at Catch
Buy at eBay

Why we chose it

For the best cruelty-free mascara, we picked Chantecaille Mascara Faux Cils. It has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from over 200 Mecca reviews.

This cruelty-free mascara has a waterproof formula that doesn't smudge while delivering even coverage minus the clump. It contains rosehip oil that nourishes and conditions lashes. It also has natural waxes to add length and curl without being heavy. This mascara is made without parabens, GMOs, palm oil and artificial colour and fragrance as well.

You can get fuller and thicker lashes with the Chantecaille Mascara Faux Cils. The brush grabs the lashes from the roots, providing volume and lift for a dramatic effect. It doesn't smudge, flake or clump as well. Customers also loved its water-resistant formula, adding that it's perfect for humid days. But at $78.25, this mascara is more expensive than most competitors. It is also quite difficult to take off. Reviewers suggested using cleansing oil or balm to completely remove the product without tugging or irritating the eyes.

Best smudge proof mascara: Covergirl LashBlast Volume Mascara

Pros

  • Doesn't clump or flake
  • Separates and volumises

Cons

  • Wand is too big for some
  • Doesn't provide a dramatic effect to the lashes
Price (RRP): $15.50
Amazon Price: From $11.97
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Catch
Buy at eBay

Why we chose it

With a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon US, we selected Covergirl's LashBlast Volume Mascara as the best smudge-proof mascara you can get online.

The Covergirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara is designed to give lashes 10 times more volume than bare lashes, according to the manufacturer. It has a patented volume-boosting hypoallergenic formula that doesn't clump or smudge. The brush also evenly coats lashes for a separated and curled look.

Customers loved the mascara's thin formula, helping them achieve naturally volumised lashes for no-makeup makeup days. This mascara also holds curl and lengthens lashes, according to some reviews. It is non-irritating and suitable for sensitive eyes as well. The wand is easy to use and grabs each strand for an even coating, but it is too big for bottom lashes. The formula doesn't smudge and removes easily with soap and water. However, it doesn't provide a dramatic effect, which may be a con if you love thicker-looking lashes.

Best tubing mascara: MAC Extended Play Giga Black Lash Mascara

Pros

  • Long lasting and waterproof
  • Grabs even the tiniest lashes

Cons

  • Smudges easily
  • Not for straight lashes
Price (RRP): $44.34
Buy at Adore Beauty
Buy at eBay

Why we chose it

If you're looking for the best tubing mascara, we recommend MAC's Extended Play Giga Black Lash Mascara. It has an average rating of 4.25 out of 5 stars from customer reviews on Mecca and Adore Beauty.

This mascara features an advanced lifting formula with a saturated black colour for thicker-looking lashes. It also helps define, lift and lengthen lashes without the clump. Apart from being waterproof, this mascara holds up to 16 hours while being easy to take off. It also has a slimline brush that helps grab even the tiniest hair for a fluttery effect and glossy finish.

This tubing mascara is created to give your lashes intense length minus the flakiness. Its slim brush helps separate and coat each hair, resulting in dark and dramatic lashes. The wand also effortlessly coats bottom lashes. Customers loved its thin formula and glossy finish. They also loved that it dissolves easily upon contact with warm water. However, several reviewers said it smudges easily despite claims of being waterproof. It also doesn't hold a curl, which may be a disadvantage if you have straight lashes.

Amazon prices last updated on 16 June, 2021 at 12:08 pm

Methodology

38
Brands considered
72
Products compared
10
Best products chosen
  • We compared mascaras from over 30 brands and more than 70 products.
  • We then assessed hundreds of customer reviews and ratings on Amazon, Adore Beauty and Mecca.
  • The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.

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