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The Best Non-Clumping Mascaras to Keep Your Lashes Looking Voluminous and Defined

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Written by Clare Holden
Best Non-Clumping Mascaras

There is nothing worse than catching a glimpse of yourself in the mirror halfway through the day and discovering that your carefully applied mascara has now clumped up. Not only does it ruin your makeup look, it also feels incredibly uncomfortable on your lashes.

Luckily, the market is now full of innovative formulas and specially designed wands to keep your lashes separated in addition to adding length and curl. Makeup artist Natalie Dresher explains to Us her expert technique to maintain clump-free lashes, saying, “I like to start at the base or root of the lash and wiggle the wand up towards the ends of the lashes. This ensures no clumping and that you are covering each lash completely. I also keep a clean spoolie close by to comb through any clumps.”

After getting expert recommendations and testing out the options, we put together this selection of the best non-clumping mascaras to enhance your lashes.

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Finding the Best Non-Clumping Mascaras

With so many options available, deciding on a mascara that will work for you can seem slightly overwhelming. In addition to our curated list above, we have also put together this shopping guide containing everything you need to know about non-clumping mascaras to help you narrow down your choice.

Keep reading to discover the best method to apply mascara to avoid clumping, along with what ingredients to look out for and how to remove it at the end of the day.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Non-Clumping Mascaras

Application Method

Ensure that your lashes are completely clean before you start your application. One of the reasons mascara clumps is due to leftover products not having been removed properly. With a hand mirror looking down, wiggle the wand from side to side then comb from root to tip to ensure every lash is covered and separated.

Skin Type

Skin type can affect how your mascara holds up as well as how it looks. Those with oily skin should choose an oil-free product to prevent smudging or transferring while those with dry skin should go for a beeswax-based product. If you have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses, ophthalmologist-tested mascara might be your best bet.

Occasion 

For your day-to-day mascara, a humidity and sweat-resistant option will most likely suffice, but if you’re looking for a mascara for a big event (like a wedding or an anniversary where there may be tears involved) definitely go for a waterproof pick to avoid ruining your makeup.

Ingredients

To give your lashes some extra softness, choose a mascara with conditioning ingredients such as jojoba or castor seed oil. This will ensure that the hairs and the skin around the eyes are kept nourished.

Removal 

At the end of every day, always remove your mascara and makeup. The eyes are the most sensitive area on the face and even the smallest bit of bacteria can lead to irritation. Be gentle enough to not damage the skin by massaging in your cleanser in small circular movements, then rinsing with warm water.

What are the Different Types of Non-Clumping Mascaras?

Volumizing

It’s not surprising that the most popular type of non-clumping mascara is one that also lengthens and thickens your lashes. Volumizing products give your lashes the effect of density and can generally be built up to your desired level of thickness.

Tubing

Tubing mascaras work differently from regular mascaras; instead of covering your lashes in pigment, they coat the hairs with mini polymer tubes. They work amazingly to separate your lashes and add definition while also being smudge-resistant.

Waterproof

While not everyone may require a waterproof mascara, depending on your lifestyle it is often the only solution to keeping your eyes smudge-free all day. Waterproof mascara is designed to stay put against rain, tears and sweat, so you will need a special eye makeup remover to take off.

1

Best Overall: Milani Highly Rated Lash Extensions Tubing Mascara

Pros

  • Doesn’t smudge
  • Easy to remove
  • Great value

Cons

  • Not everyone may want a tubing mascara
  • Brush is slightly thinner

Nothing keeps your lashes clump-free qui tubing mascara from Milani. With just a couple of strokes your lashes are coated from root to tip in a rich black pigment that stays put all day.

This pick takes the top spot on our list not just for its ability to extend the look of your lashes and define your eye shape, but also because it has the added bonus of containing moisturizing castor seed oil and hydrating shea butter for extra softness.

2

Best Drugstore: e.l.f. Lash XTNDR Mascara

Pros

  • Lightweight formula
  • Cruelty-free
  • Comes in 3 colors

Cons

  • Some shades sell out
  • No waterproof version

This mascara’s specially designed tapered silicone brush ensures that every single one of your lashes is individually separated and wrapped in the lengthening formula, creating a voluminous and defined effect.

Not only do your lashes stay clump-free, the product has the added benefit of being flake and smudge-resistant. We also love how the jojoba oil-infused formula leaves our lashes feeling conditioned.

3

Best Luxury: Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-eyes Volume Mascara

Pros

  • Provides a curling effect for lashes
  • Long-wearing
  • Humidity-proof

Cons

  • Slightly more expensive
  • Not everyone may like the curved brush

This long-lasting pick from renowned makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury works to give your eyes a bigger, brighter appearance by separating and curling each lash. The volumizing formula stays on for hours without smudging or flaking — no matter how hot or sweaty it gets.

This mascara contains innovative lash-amplifying polymers that provide a thickening and lengthening effect without ever feeling heavy.

4

Best Budget: Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Conical-shaped fiber brush
  • Ophthalmological tested

Cons

  • Not for those looking for a waterproof option
  • Only available in black

If you are looking for a budget-friendly mascara with a high-quality formula, you can’t go wrong with a bestseller from Essence. This mascara provides everything from volume and length to curl — all while keeping your lashes clump-free.

Formulated without any harsh ingredients such as fragrance or parabens, the ophthalmological-approved mascara is also suitable for sensitive eyes.

5

Best Volumizing: Lancôme Monsieur Big Volumizing Mascara

Pros

  • Volumizing effect
  • Doesn’t flake
  • Smudge-proof

Cons

  • Slightly more expensive
  • Not everyone may like the wavy bristle brush

For those who want the look of false lashes without the effort of applying them, this extra volumizing mascara from Lancôme is the one to reach for. The buildable formula pumps up the thickness of your lashes while also remaining clump-free all day.

This mascara looks amazing on its own due to how voluminous it makes the lashes look. However, if you want to take your eye makeup to the next level, a few coats of this product will elevate any beauty look.

6

Best Waterproof: Yves Saint Laurent Lash Clash Extreme Volume Waterproof Mascara

Pros

  • Softens lashes
  • Long-wearing
  • Boosts volume

Cons

  • Not everyone may want a waterproof mascara
  • Slightly more expensive

If you need a mascara that doesn’t budge, Yves Saint Laurent’s waterproof option will keep your lashes looking voluminous and defined until you decide to remove it. The larger brush delivers an intense black pigment to lashes with just a couple of strokes.

Unlike other waterproof mascaras, this pick doesn't clump or flake and the iris florentina extract-infused formula ensures your lashes are kept soft and conditioned while you wear it.

7

Best Thickening: L’Oréal Telescopic Original Washable Mascara

Pros

  • Ophthalmologist-tested
  • Sensitive-eye friendly
  • Adds volume and length

Cons

  • Some may prefer a bigger brush
  • Not waterproof

The formula of this mascara glides smoothly onto your lashes, instantly making them look thicker and longer. The specially designed brush gently separates each lash for added definition and to prevent clumping throughout the day.

In addition to the two black shades, it also comes in a black-brown option, which works amazingly for those who prefer more subtle, natural eye makeup.

8

Best Lengthening: Benefit Cosmetics Fan Fest Fanning & Volumizing Mascara

Pros

  • Easy to apply
  • Lash conditioning ingredients
  • Water-resistant

Cons

  • Slightly more expensive
  • Only comes in one color

Give your lashes length and volume with this fanning effect mascara from Benefit. The full-flex fiber brush makes sure your lashes are coated from root to tip in one swipe while also giving them a lift.

The ophthalmologist-tested formula is packed full of pro-vitamins and fruit extracts to keep your lashes soft and nourished while you wear it. It also stays smudge-free all day, even through humidity and sweat.

9

Best for Sensitive Eyes: Honest Beauty 2-in-1 Extreme Length Clean Mascara + Lash Primer

Pros

  • Cruelty-free
  • Natural ingredients
  • Two products in one

Cons

  • Not everyone may need a primer
  • Not as widely available

Those with sensitive eyes have to be extra careful when choosing a mascara, which is why we love Honest Beauty’s gentle formula. Free from harsh ingredients such as parabens and fragrance, the dual-ended wand also comes with a conditioning primer.

The formula’s staying power is increased by the jojoba ester-infused primer, which ensures that your mascara looks freshly applied all day and your lashes are kept soft and conditioned.

10

Best Smudge-proof: ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara

Pros

  • Cruelty-free
  • Sensitive-eye friendly
  • Lightweight feel

Cons

  • Slightly more expensive
  • Only comes in black

Avoid having panda-esque eyes throughout the day with this non-clumping and non-smudging option from clean beauty pioneer Ilia. The sleek, minimalist packaging contains a dual-sided wand that ensures your lashes are entirely coated from the inner to the outer corner.

Along with the non-irritating ingredients, what we love most about this mascara is how lightweight it is. Even though it adds volume, length and definition to your lashes it almost feels like you aren’t wearing eye makeup.

11

Best Tubing: Tarte Tartelette XL Tubing Mascara

Pros

  • Ophthalmologist tested
  • Contains lash-nourishing ingredients
  • Transfer resistant

Cons

  • Not waterproof
  • Wand is slightly shorter

If you have always struggled to keep your lashes from clumping together, it might be time to switch to a tubing mascara. This pick from Tarte works to completely coat and separate lashes, giving your eyes a brighter appearance.

The formula is also smudge- and flake-free, so it keeps your eye makeup looking clean and freshly applied all day. We also love how it contains niacinamide, shea butter and panthenol to maintain your lashes' softness and shine.

12

Best Brown: Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara Makeup

Pros

  • Great price
  • Available in 5 shades
  • Lightweight feel

Cons

  • Excessive packaging
  • Slightly thinner texture

For those who prefer a more natural look, brown mascara is the perfect option to add volume and length to your lashes without looking too harsh or overdone. We love this pick from drugstore giant Maybelline and it's our go-to brown mascara anytime we want to create a no-makeup makeup look.

Suitable for both contact lens wearers and those with sensitive eyes, this bestselling mascara is a beauty bag staple that prevents your lashes from clumping for up to 24 hours.

13

Best Clean: Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara

Pros

  • Available in mini size
  • Cruelty-free
  • Formulated with clean ingredients

Cons

  • Brown shade doesn’t come in mini size
  • Not as widely available

If most eye makeup products tend to cause you irritation, this gentle mascara from Tower 28 Beauty has been tested extensively to ensure it is safe to use on even the most delicate skin. In addition to being clump- and humidity-resistant, this mascara leaves your lashes feeling softer than ever with its castor oil blend formula.

It also uses haircare-inspired ingredients to curl and hold your lashes in place, leaving them looking longer while also opening up the appearance of your eyes.

14

Best Extending: Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara

Pros

  • Comes in mini size
  • Uses curling technology
  • Long-lasting

Cons

  • Only comes in one shade
  • Not for those looking for a waterproof mascara

Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty has to be our favorite celebrity makeup line. We’ve tried everything from the collection and absolutely love the texture, finish and lasting ability of their products.

The volumizing mascara uses an eye-hugging brush to add length, volume and curl to your lashes in just a few strokes. If you are looking to extend your lashes while also ensuring they stay free from clumps, this is the one to reach for.

15

Best Transfer-Proof: Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara

Pros

  • Curling formula
  • Conditions lashes
  • Ophthalmologist tested

Cons

  • Not everyone may like the brush shape
  • Some may prefer a more lightweight feel

This bestselling, do-it-all mascara adds volume, curl, length and thickness, all while staying in place and not transferring. It also contains conditioning peptides to leave your lashes feeling soft and looking healthy.

The unique hourglass-shaped brush effectively separates and defines your lashes, completely covering them in the voluminous formula for an exaggerated eye look that flatters every eye shape.

People Also Ask

  • Q: How do I stop my mascara from clumping?

    A:Make sure your mascara is in date — expired products won’t glide on smoothly and start to go lumpy. Don’t over-apply your mascara as too much product results in clumps.

  • Q: What is the best mascara brush for no clumps?

    A:All of the picks on our list have been selected due to their ability to stay clump-free all day.

  • Q: How much should I spend on non-clumping mascara?

    A:Whether you are looking for a drugstore bargain or a luxury treat, there are non-clumping mascaras for every budget. Take a look back over the list above. which includes our favorite options at various price points.

Why trust Us

At Luxury Handbag Shopping, 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.

Author photo

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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