The Best Lengthening Mascaras For Long and Flirty Lashes

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Long, flirty eyelashes are an iconic feature of Old Hollywood makeup, and it’s easy to get the look with one of today’s best lengthening mascaras. A far cry from the squeeze tube and solid “cake” mascaras of the past, modern mascaras come with innovative wand shapes that add volume, lift and length to lashes. A good lengthening mascara can provide all the drama your old school beauty-loving heart desires.

When I watch movies from the 1940s, one thing that stands out is how all of the starlets had long, beautiful eyelashes. Of course, this look was often achieved with the help of false lashes for the big screen. However, I’m not a fan of wearing falsies on a daily basis, so instead, I invest in a good lengthening mascara to complement my vintage makeup looks. Long lashes and red lipstick are a classic duo that can easily go from day to night; this has become my go-to lately, with soft brown eyeliner and a rosy blush.

Whether you’re trying out playful 1920s makeup or channeling a 1940s femme fatale, this list of the best lengthening mascaras will help you achieve a range of vintage-inspired makeup looks. You can also visit my Beauty Shop on Amazon for more of my favorite makeup products.

Best lengthening mascaras

Lancôme Lash Idôle Lash-Lifting and Volumizing Mascara

Years ago, I worked in a department store and frequently took advantage of the employee discount to try mascaras from cosmetics lines that were typically outside of my retail-employee budget. Lancôme Hypnose Buildable Volume Mascara was a favorite for a while, so I had high hopes for trying Lancôme Idôle Lash-Lifting and Volumizing Mascara.

I’ll be honest, the first time or two applying this mascara left me disappointed. It applied clumpy rather than separating lashes; however, this is often the case with new tubes of mascara so I hung in there and gave it another try. I’m glad I did because this has become a new favorite. It curls my lashes better than any other mascara I’ve tried and adds the length I want.

The unique curved wand adds lift to lashes with one side and fans out lashes for more volume with the other. It also doesn’t flake or smudge throughout the day. Here’s how Lancôme Idôle Lash-Lifting and Volumizing Mascara looks on my lashes:

ILIA Limitless Lash Lengthening Mascara

I first tried Ilia Limitless Lash Lengthening Mascara because I was looking for a clean beauty product that wouldn’t irritate my sensitive eyes. I was so pleased when I saw how well it performs. There’s a reason it’s an Allure 2019 Clean Beauty Winner. This mascara gives me the dramatic length that’s synonymous with 1940s glamour. It stays put throughout the day yet removes easily with warm water or eye makeup remover.

This lengthening mascara has keratin, shea butter and beeswax to nourish and condition lashes. It’s also cruelty-free and comes in recyclable packaging. Here’s how Ilia Limitless Lash Lengthening Mascara looks on my fair eyelashes:

Benefit Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara

When Benefit released their “Roller” line of mascara and liquid eyeliner, I was immediately suckered into trying it simply because of the cute packaging—it’s inspired by hair rollers! Fortunately, the products did not disappoint. Benefit Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara does exactly what it promises. Like many Benefit products, it comes in a mini-size for half the price of a full-size, which is great for traveling or if you want to try it out before fully committing.

I also love the Benefit Roller Liner Liquid Eyeliner. The black is perfect for creating a dramatic cat-eye while the brown is more suitable for everyday makeup looks.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara was one of my makeup bag regulars for the longest time. The 10 layers of bristles on the wand fan out lashes for a fuller look and the mascara comes in both waterproof and washable. I really think it’s one of the best drugstore mascaras ever made.

Another plus is that it comes in different colors, not just black. I usually wear Brownish Black because I think it looks less harsh on my fair skin than the Very Black.

Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara

Essence Lash Princess Fa lse Lash Effe ct Mascara is a cruelty-free mascara with a fiber brush that adds volume and length to lashes. At just under $5, it’s also one of the most budget-friendly mascaras on the market. Buzzfeed even called it “the best cheap mascara ever.”

Full disclosure, I have not tried this mascara, but my stepdaughter wears it and I’m always a bit taken aback by how long her lashes look! And judging by the glowing Amazon reviews, I think it’s worth a try.