13 Best Mascaras For Short Lashes, According To Reviews (2024)

Not all are blessed with naturally long and fluttery eyelashes. However, if you have short eyelashes, there is no need to feel disheartened, as we can help you find the best mascara for short lashes. A good quality, non-clumping mascara can make your lashes look fuller and longer. However, the regular everyday mascaras do not work well on wispy and short eyelashes. In this case, you have to look for a formula with lash-enhancing ingredients that can provide intense volume and length and transport those short lashes to the next level sans smudging and flaking.

Whether you want to keep it subtle or go for a dramatic and bold eye makeup look, luscious eyelashes are a sure-fire way to give your eyes the necessary boost. So, check out our list of the 13 most amazing mascaras for short lashes. Scroll down.

Top 13 Mascaras For Short And Thinning Lashes – 2024

1. Mia Adora 3D Fiber Mascara – Ultra Carbon Black

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Image: Mia Adora

BUY ON AMAZON | $17.88

Buy on Walmart

A mascara with a three-step process may seem a bit too much. But if it can lend your lashes incredible length and volume, nothing should stop you from trying it out. This makeup artist kit contains an eyelash comb and 2 tubes – one with magnifying gel and the other with dry natural fibers. While the thickening gel is made of beeswax, the 3D microfiber formula features natural green tea fibers that work like tiny extensions to give you long and volumized lashes. Swipe on the wet magnifying mascara on your lashes, followed by a coat of dry 3D fibers, and seal it all in with another coat of the gel. All you will be left with is lush, beautiful lashes that offer a false lash effect. Though the process might be a little time-consuming, the end result is totally worth it. But if you still are not sure, let the countless positive reviews on Amazon convince you otherwise!

• Hypoallergenic
• Cruelty-free
• Water and smudge-resistant
• Easy to remove
• Adds length and volume to short, thin lashes
• Paraben-free and non-toxic wet magnifying gel
• Green tea micro lash extensions
• Eyelash comb applicator keeps your lashes clump-free

• Might be difficult to use
• May not work well for long lashes

Quick Tip

Replace your mascara every 3 months to avoid using a clumped up product.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

The extensive 12,768 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are vouching for this product.

2. L’Oreal Paris Makeup Telescopic Original Mascara – Blackest Black

This Telescopic Original Mascara by L’Oreal Paris Makeup is considered to be one of the best drugstore mascaras for adding depth to short lashes and for a good reason. This mascara has the ability to add dramatic length and separation to your lashes. All while the patented, flexible Dual Precision Brush grabs every lash, even the hard-to-reach ones to separate and define them. Not only is it perfect for lash-enhancing short, stubby lashes, but is also tested for allergens, making it suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. It delivers an intense black finish with its smooth, clump-free formula.

• Ophthalmologist-tested
• Offers smooth application
• Allergy-tested
• Does not clump
• Lengthens and separates lashes
• Includes a flexible Precision Brush

• It may take longer to dry after application.

Pro Tip

To dilute clumped up product, place your tube in a glass of hot water to warm up and thin out the formula.

3. Mege 4D Silk Fiber Lash Mascara And Fiber 2-In-1 Set

What’s not to love about this mascara that is formulated to last for 24 hours and guarantees to give your natural lash maximum thickness and length? Rest assured, you won’t have to worry about smudging or smearing, thanks to its waterproof quality that ensures the mascara stays put, come rain, tears, or sweat. This 2-in-1 set features a mascara and fiber formula, which work together to boost volume and lend you natural-looking bold lashes. Plus, this thickening formula can be easily washed off with warm water or removed using a facial cleanser. All the reasons why you should try out this product but if you still wish to check some honest customer reviews before purchasing, Amazon would be the ideal site to explore.

• Long-wearing for 24 hours
• Gives you thicker and longer lashes
• Waterproof and smudge-proof
• Hypoallergenic and non-toxic
• Suitable for contact lens wearers and sensitive eyes

• The mascara may be thick and greasy.

Pro Tip

Apply one coat of mascara followed by a layer of translucent powder using a Q-tip, and then follow up with another layer of mascara for really thick lashes.

	Mia Adora 3D Fiber Mascara - Ultra Carbon Black	L'Oreal Paris Makeup Telescopic Original Mascara - Blackest Black	Mege 4D Silk Fiber Lash Mascara And Fiber 2-In-1 Set
	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
Color	Ultra Carbon Black	Washable Blackest Black	Black
Dimensions	-	7.05 x 2.68 x 0.63 inches	-
Weight	-	0.32 Ounces	-
Rating
Reviews	12,768	47,343	247
Price	$17.88	$9.89	$14.9

4. Ellocy 4D Silk Fiber Lash Mascara

With Ellocy 4D Silk Fiber Lash Mascara, you will be able to create any lash look – be it natural or seriously dramatic. It comes with 2 types of brushes to help you achieve the look you want. While the Step 1 wand features a gentle and long brush head to add a little volume and length without clumping, the Step 2 wand will help create a voluminous look with its dense brush head. Formulated with lash-enhancing ingredients like natural beeswax, this volumizing formula can hold a curl, making it one of the best mascaras for short, straight lashes. It also stays put all day until you are ready to take it off. It is smooth, super creamy, and coats the lashes without creating lumps. Plus, this lash curling mascara is hypoallergenic, making it safe for everyday use for people with sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. The product has also garnered multiple positive reviews on various E-commerce sites for offering exceptional results.

• Lends a long-lasting curl
• Non-irritating formula
• Waterproof mascara
• Ophthalmologist-tested
• Does not flake or smudge
• Equipped with 2 types of wands – slim and thick

• May be slightly sticky

Pro tip

Remove excess product from the pointed end of your mascara brush and go vertically at the tips for extra length.

5. theBalm Mad Lash Duo Set – Black

Want to give your short lashes a fluttery lash look, a multidimensional effect without using eyelash extensions? theBalm Mad Lash mascara is the one for you! Just one coat of this perfect lash mascara, which comes with a curved brush for better coverage, is enough to give your lashes some much-needed volume and definition. This statement-making, cruelty-free mascara features an injection-molded wand that grabs every single lash to provide an even application and give you lengthened and beautifully separated lashes. Meanwhile, this water-resistant formula gives all-day hold without flaking or smudging. This set contains 2 tubes of this volumizing mascara.

• Flake and smudge-proof
• Talc and paraben-free
• Cruelty-free
• Separates and lengthens lashes
• Boosts volume
• Buildable formula

• Tends to clump

6. it Cosmetics Tightline™ 3-In-1 Mascara, Primer And Eyeliner – Black

When you come across an all-in-one formula, which can be used as a lash primer, mascara, and eyeliner, don’t think twice about buying it. Unlike most mascara brushes that are too big to get to the base of your lashes, leaving a part of the lashes uncoated, this mascara’s unique skinny wand gets to the roots easily. This is a really good mascara for short lashes as it coats your lashes starting from the root to give them major length. Meanwhile, it delivers intense black pigment along your upper lash line for a tightline eyeliner effect, making it one of the best mascaras for sparse lashes. Designed by plastic surgeons, this voluminous mascara is infused with hydrolyzed collagen, aloe vera, amino acids, and antioxidants that condition your lashes from root to tip. Numerous reviewers have also expressed their satisfaction with the product’s quality and long-lasting results, so you can surely trust it too!

• All-in-one formula
• Includes an ultra-skinny wand
• Coats your lashes from root to tip
• Gives the illusion of a fuller lash line
• Formulated with lash-nourishing ingredients

• The thin wand may be flimsy
• May be difficult to use initially

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

There are more than 910 Amazon reviews attesting to the quality of the product and endorsing its value.

7. Grande Cosmetics Mascara Lash Boosting Formula

Mascara is one of those beauty products that can give your lashes a bit of oomph like no other, and with less effort. True to its name, this lash-boosting formula instantly lifts your lashes and provides exceptional volume and length. Formulated with lash-loving ingredients such as peptides, panthenols, and natural waxes, this buildable mascara helps lock in moisture and condition your lashes. It comes with a skinny applicator brush that features both hard and soft fibers, which coats each and every lash, even the ones on the corners of your eyes. Plus, this formula offers buildable volume sans lumps. However, if you want to make an informed decision before buying, feel free to explore the product further on Amazon and read the numerous positive customer reviews.

• Conditions lashes
• Lends healthier-looking lashes
• Cruelty-free
• Ophthalmologist-tested and approved
• Clump-free and water-resistant formula

• May not have staying power

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

The product has more than 2,692 reviews and is a top choice all around the world.

8. DHC Mascara Perfect Pro Double Protection – Black

Are you tired of using mascara that smudges and leaves you with raccoon-like eyes by mid-day? Then give DHC Mascara Perfect Pro Double Protection a shot. Unlike traditional mascaras that coat the lashes in black pigment, this makeup artist and celebrity-favorite mascara utilizes a Japanese polymer tube technology. It wraps every single lash with polymers/tubes for definite shape and smudge-free wear. Simply massage them with warm water for the tubes to slide off easily. This lightweight formula is extremely good for shorter lashes that are sparse, as it adds thickness and incredible length that lasts all day and night. It comes with a fine-bristled, flexible wand that is perfect for lifting the tiniest lashes. Still not convinced? This tubing formula happens to be Emma Watson’s favorite mascara.

• Defines lashes from root to tip
• Long-wearing
• Smudge and flake-proof
• Water-resistant
• Offers a natural-looking appearance
• Can be used to coat bottom lashes as well
• Features Japanese polymer tube technology

• May not suitable for sensitive eyes

9. Kiss Me Heroine Make Long And Curl Mascara – N 01. Black

We can’t decide what we love the most about this intense black mascara – the ability to give your eyelashes the perfect length or the lash-lifting effect and curl-maintaining quality. One of the best mascaras for Asian eyes, it gives your eyelashes a fantastic lift and makes your eyes appear more open. Formulated with natural plant extracts, this formula nourishes your lashes as you coat them. Meanwhile, the lightweight polymer fibers lengthen your lashes for long-lasting wear. Whether you are going for a swim or headed out on a humid day, this waterproof formula will ensure it stays put without smudging or smearing. You can also explore the product on Amazon for all the positive reviews and testimonials that will help you make an easy purchasing decision.

• Waterproof formula
• Long-wearing
• Contains polymer fibers
• Curls and lengthens lashes
• Keeps your lashes nourished

• May be difficult to remove

10. Benefit BADgal Bang Volumizing Mascara – Black

Get bigger and bolder lashes wherever you go with the travel-size version of this Benefit BADgal Bang Volumizing Mascara! This mascara delivers bold and colossal volume to your lashes without weighing them down, thanks to its gravity-defying property. This formula is designed with aero-particles (derived from space technology) that are incredibly lightweight. So, no matter how many layers of this pitch-black mascara you pile on, your eyelashes are never going to droop. It includes a custom-designed streamlined brush that evenly coats all your lashes, from root-to-tip for massive volume. As an added bonus, this formula ensures 36 hours of durability. This popular product has also attracted multiple positive reviews on Amazon owing to its amazing results.

• 36-hour wear
• Instantly lifts lashes
• Adds dramatic volume and length
• Smudge-proof and water-resistant
• Can be used on upper and lower lashes
• Formulated with ProVitamin B5 to strengthen eyelashes.

• Thick consistency

11. Revlon Volumazing™ Waterproof Mascara – Blackest Black

If you are on the hunt for the best drugstore mascara that delivers fanned-out volume and nourishes your lashes, consider this Volumazing™ Waterproof Mascara by Revlon. Enriched with carnauba wax, just applying several coats of this mascara will give you fuller-looking and gorgeous lashes. The best part about this mascara is its turn-it-up brush that we can’t stop raving about. It features wavy filaments that coat every lash while also providing the right amount of product. Plus, the creamy texture of this formula goes on smoothly without clumping. And, if you still are not sure about this excellent product, let the many positive reviews on Amazon change your mind!

• Waterproof
• Long-wearing formula
• Nourishes lashes
• Clump-free finish
• Gives your lashes fanned-out volume
• The brush head is designed with wavy filaments.

• The brush may be too fluffy.

12. Mirenesse Lash Whip Mascara – Black

This combination of the tubing mascara formula and the ultra-thin micro brush (aka The Skinny) is made especially for people with small, short lashes. As the name suggests, this brush is skinny, making it easy to grab and coat every individual lash, including the tiniest ones in the inner and outer corners of the eyes. Besides, it can also be used to define your lower lashes or to create a tightlining look of a liner. What’s more? This tubing mascara will stay on your lashes for 24 hours, even through sweat and tears. And when you are ready to remove it with water, it melts right away without creating a mess, making it a favorite of many customers and also attracting countless rave reviews on Amazon.

• Hypoallergenic
• Smudge and tear-proof
• Lifts, defines, and extends lashes
• Ideal for filling in sparse lashes
• Water-based and oil-free formula
• Can be used as a primer
• The ultra-thin brush coats every lash from root to tip.
• Suitable for use with false eyelashes or extensions.

• Might be difficult to apply

13. PYT Beauty Double-Sided Primer + Mascara

Lengthen and volumize your lashes with PYT Beauty Double-Sided Primer + Mascara. The clear primer and black mascara work together to boost volume and help you achieve that feathery lash look. This formula not only gives you enviable lashes but also contains nourishing ingredients to strengthen your brittle lashes. The primer is infused with olive leaf extract and vitamin E that conditions your lashes and creates a perfect base for the mascara to adhere to. All while the specially designed wand picks the optimal amount of product to add thickness and definition. This dual-ended formula is perfect for everyday wear and lasts for 12 hours without smudging or fading. What’s more? This vegan mascara is also free from animal testing, so you can achieve gorgeous lashes without any guilt.

• 12-hour wear
• Water-resistant
• Hypoallergenic
• Vegan and cruelty-free
• Primer doubles as a brow gel
• Does not smudge, flake, or smear
• Nourishes and conditions lashes

• May have a thin consistency

In the next section, we have put down a few points that will help you pick the right mascara and get that wide-eyed, awake look.

How To Choose Mascara For Short Lashes

• Formula type: Mascaras are available in numerous different formulas. It’s important that you find the one that suits your eyelashes the best. For someone with short or stubby lashes, a formula that adds length without weighing down your eyelids is a perfect option. At the same time, a mascara with polymers is a great choice for lending thickness and lengthening effect to your lashes. You may also opt for mascara formulas with natural ingredients like castor oil to grow the lashes over time.

• Wand: The applicator brush or wand you use makes a huge difference. Look for mascara wands that can coat every single lash from root-to-tip. For instance, ball-tipped, thin and straight, pine cones, and curved wands work well.

• Application: Choose mascara with a creamy formula as it is smooth to apply and covers your lashes without clumping.

• Long-wearing: Opt for a formula that is waterproof or water-resistant as it provides long-lasting wear. This also ensures that your mascara doesn’t smudge, smear, or run.

How To Apply Mascara To Short Eyelashes

• First and foremost, curl your lashes using an eyelash curler.
• Place the curler at the base of your lashes. Close it, gently squeeze for around 10 seconds, and release the curler.
• Remove the wand from the mascara tube. If there is an excess of mascara on the brush, wipe it off with a cloth.
• Place the wand at the root of your lashes and wiggle it back and forth till you reach the tip. This will make your lashes look longer and also give it a lift.
• Follow the above step to coat your lashes at the inner and outer corners of your eyes.

Mascara Tips For Short Lashes

• Use a lengthening or volumizing mascara.
• While applying mascara, move the wand in a zig-zag motion, starting from the root to the tip of your lashes. This way, you will be able to coat every lash evenly.
• Brush your eyelashes with an eyelash comb.
• Use an eyelash curler to curl your lashes and make them appear longer.
• Use a flexible mascara brush.

Infographic: 7 Short Eyelash Mascara Mistakes To Avoid

High-quality mascaras that don’t clump or smudge can make your wispy and short eyelashes look elongated and fluttery. However, mascara application on shorter eyelashes is trickier as they may end up looking clumpy or dry if the technique is not proper. Check out the infographic below to know the common mistakes you should avoid while applying mascara to short eyelashes.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Does mascara damage eyelashes?

Yes, mascara can damage eyelashes if it is not removed correctly. Some mascaras quickly come off when washed with water. But for a formula that is a little difficult to remove, use a cotton pad soaked in makeup remover and wipe it off. Repeat this process until there is no trace of mascara on your lashes.

Does mascara make short eyelashes grow?

No, mascara doesn’t make your lashes grow. But it can add length and amazing definition to your lashes, depending on the formula you use.

Is it possible to grow long eyelashes?

Yes. You can grow your short lashes if you follow a healthy diet. Incorporate nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids to support the growth and lengthening of your lashes. Since this process is time-consuming, you can also use a lengthening mascara to give an illusion of length to your short lashes.

How can you protect eyelids from getting mascara on them?

While applying the mascara hold a small piece of paper on your lids. Always coat the mascara on the middle to the tip of the lashes. This will keep your eyelids mess-free. You can also use waterproof mascara to avoid smudging it on your lids.

What kind of mascara makes your lashes longer and thicker?

Mascaras that contain waxes like beeswax and rice bran wax, etc. thicken and lengthen your lashes. You can also look for ingredients like provitamin 5 and Moroccan argan oil in the formula that condition your lashes and promote their healthy growth.

What can you do about short sparse eyelashes?

Things that you can do to improve or enhance the look of your short, sparse lashes:
• Get your eyelash permanently filled and extended.
• Apply olive oil to your lashes to help them grow.
• Invest in certain natural-looking falsies and attach them to your lash line as a part of your makeup routine.
• Coat your lashes with a fiber mascara that helps in adding length to your lashes. Use a thickening mascara to get a fuller look.

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Tamara DelbridgeMakeup Artist

 

Tamara is a makeup artist with two decades of experience in the entertainment industry. She is a dual licensed esthetician in New York and New Jersey and serves as the Beauty Director for the Black Girls Rock! beauty blog.

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Srijani Roy Chowdhury Associate Commerce Editor

 

Srijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a certified style and image consultant.

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