Flutter those Short Lashes! Best 15 Mascaras You Need ASAP!
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We’ve all been there — dead tired after a night out or a cozy cousins’ pajama party with not a drop of sleep in our system. To make things worse, there’s an early meeting the next day and all you’ve got is a sapped face with limp eyelashes.
Sounds like the end of your world?
One of the best saves ever, mascara can do wonders for not just your eyes but your entire face. A stroke of good quality mascara and your appearance is already brimming with freshness!
Now there are tons of brands selling mascaras and an unfathomable variety of the product itself. Getting lost in the crowd is the last thing you want.
So, here are my top 15 mascara for short lashes. I’ve also listed some basic but best-selling mascara tips and tricks for newbies to help them explore the working of mascara better.
So, here are all the Best Mascaras for Short Lashes
1. L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
Let’s begin with L’Oreal Paris — the queen of cosmetics!
Its Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara lengthens your eyelashes by 2x for an angelic look. You can achieve 20x eyelash volume with this product, all the figures are based on a consumer claims study.
It is clump and smudge resistant — as expected from our godmother brand. You can wear it for 24 hours easily and condition your eyelashes simultaneously with its floral oil.
The soft, wavy bristle brush with around 200+ bristles ensures a smooth glide. Plus, you can easily wash it off using soap and water — so avoid crying when you’re wearing this mascara and you’re good to go!
2. YSL Beauty Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara
A paraben-free mascara to add 200%+ volume to your eyelashes without harming them, YSL Beauty Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara is the holy grail. It’s smudge-proof, spreads perfectly from the root of the lash to the tip, and catches the shortest of the lashes in a 5-stroke procedure.
Made with hyper-black pigments to give you the richest shade of black, the liquid is consistent and comes with a double-conical brush.
A personal favorite, you’ve got to have this one in your bag AT ALL TIMES. It wears for 24 hours without causing any discomfort.
3. Pat McGrath Labs Dark Star Volumizing Mascara
If you’re looking for a “gravity-defying” mascara that doesn’t pull your lashes and your confidence down, go to Pat McGrath Labs!
Formulated using flexible polymers to structure your lashes without adding weight, this product is free of harmful dyes like sulfates, paraben, mineral oils, and even gluten! As much as impossible it sounds, its effect is mesmerizing.
Its gel-hybrid formula offers a smooth and even application in a single stroke. However, it can be a tad flaky. You might have to devote a handful of seconds to fix the mess after 9-10 hours of wear — but what’s that in front of a truly safe product for sensitive skin? 😌
4. Giorgio Armani Eccentrico Mascara
Have no time for make-up retouches at all? Armani Beauty’s Eccentrico Mascara is exactly what you need.
One of the best mascaras for short lashes out there, it delivers immaculate lash separation and comes in obsidian black. Its elastomer brush is patented for its ability to add instant volume to your lashes without leaving any clumps along the way.
Not just a product for you, but also a perfect gift choice for your BFF! It doesn’t dry out and is thick enough to give your eyes a majestic pop-up without scaring anyone away.
5. NYX Professional Makeup On The Rise Volume Liftscara
A pretty reasonable and decent piece, NYX’s On the Rise Volume Liftscara can be a good purchase for beginners. You don’t wanna spend a bomb on something you’re trying on for the first time, while also aiming at quality and quantity.
This baby can give you those much-needed false lashes with its hourglass-cum-rounded brush design to coat each lash and lengthen it properly.
Buy a combo and you can get a free Butter Gloss Mini. Still need convincing? IT’S VEGAN. I’M ALREADY SCREAMMINGG! 🤩
6. Ilia Beauty Limitless Lash Lengthening Mascara
Often, mascara becomes a dreadful thing once you’ve had a bad encounter with it as a person wearing contacts. Thankfully, ILIA is on a flaming mission to eliminate this fear with its Limitless Lash Lengthening Clean Mascara.
It is ophthalmologist-tested and entirely safe for sensitive eyes, like mine 🥺. The dual-side brush serves two purposes — shorter side curls lashes & the other separates them and adds length.
The mascara is made with keratin, shea butter, and beeswax to nurture your lash hair inside out while giving them a dramatic effect. For naturally straight lashes, it’s best to use a curler first and then apply the mascara.
7. Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara
Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara is a must-have for all the Selenators! It’s a unique mascara that caters to all lash types with its multi-length brush — sparse, thick, straight, and even curly!
Weightless, free of parabens, vegan, and long-wearing, it comes in two sizes — standard and mini. The castor oil blend smooths and nurtures your lashes, and the mascara is a great choice for avoiding raccoon eyes.
To remove it, simply use warm water along with an eye-makeup remover. A gentle cleanser will also work.
8. Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push-Up Lashes! Mascara
I’m sure all the beauty geeks out there already know a ton about Charlotte Tilbury. Consider this part as a gentle reminder to try out their Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes! Mascara, an award-winning product that offers a 24-hours long vertical lash lift!
The mascara is made of natural waxes like Carnauba and Microcrystalline wax to condition your lashes. It’s infused with polymers derived from the Larch Tree to curl your lashes as easily as a pie.
It comes with a micro-pro precision paddle brush with diamond-shaped bristles for a smooth glide, lash separation, and amplification.
[ Btw, if you need some stunning Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Dupes, here you go! ]
9. Patrick Ta Major Volume Mascara
Slightly on the expensive side but one of a kind when it comes to quality, Major Volume Mascara is a highly-adored product.
Its double-cut brush combs through the shortest of the eyelashes without any difficulty and adds a smooth coat.
You can apply multiple coats and use a lash curler as per your convenience ( and the drama needed). The white peptides and glycerin present in the formula make your lashes radiant and luscious.
Easy to clean at the end of the day and low-maintenance since it’s clump and flake-free, Major Volume Mascara is definitely a major must-have for everyday use.
10. L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Instant Lift Waterproof Mascara
Priced decently for its features, this mascara offers instant lift which lasts long for 36 hours due to the ceramide-infused formula. You can easily flaunt a visible lash length of 4.7mm with Instant Lift Waterproof Mascara.
It’s ophthalmologist-tested and comes in 3 washable and 1 waterproof shade. With this mascara, you can get your hands on L’Oreal’s exclusive patented double-hook bristle brush for precise lash separation and lengthening.
11. Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening & Volumizing Clean Mascara
Two striking points of MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara are — first, it has a triple-wave wand for perfect application and lift. This wand has three flexible and suspended bands to catch all lashes and build volume the right way.
Second, the mascara is made with the help of Aquaflex® Technology to define natural curls and not ruin their curve. It also keeps your lashes fresh and devoid of humidity.
All these benefits add no weight or discomfort to your lashes. This non-toxic mascara is a green flag for vegan consumers and promotes recycled packaging.
A Couple More Honorary Mentions…
7 Mascara Tips & Tricks for Beginners!
Knowing which mascara is right for you is not everything. It’s crucial to have basic knowledge of how to use it properly (as per beauty experts) to make the most of your gorgeous eyelashes!
So, below I’ve jotted down a few tips that helped me a lot when I started using mascara:
1. It’s All About The Directions
Always start with your bottom lashes first and then get to the upper ones. You’d want to wiggle the brush vertically in an upward direction, followed by a side-to-side application for catching every lash.
Also, as you pull the brush upward, make sure to twist it in the opposite direction. Start from the inside corner of your eye and gradually spread the mascara outwards.
By “vertical”, I don’t mean a straight 90° angle to your lashes. Keep your brush a tad slanted for easy movement.
2. Bend Your Wand
In case your mascara wand seems tricky, just bend it right below where the brush ends as per your requirement and try using it now!
This way you get better control over the wand and can move the brush flexibly, with more freedom.
3. Don’t Ruin Your Eyeshadow!
With something as simple as a spoon or a business card, you can easily prevent your mascara from spilling over your eyeshadow. Here’s how:
- Use a Spoon: Take a spoon and place it over your eyelid with its bulging-out part up. Apply mascara on your upper lashes. Flip the spoon and place it just below your lower lashes and cover them with mascara.
- Use a Business Card: Take a business card and place it just like the spoon, first over your eyelid and then below your eye to apply mascara to all the lashes. No need to flip the business card, duh! Although, you can cut it out in a curve to align with your eye shape.
Ta-da! You’re all set to rock your mascara and your eyeshadow!
4. Saving What-You-Think-Is-Ruined Mascara
If your mascara has not reached its expiration yet and still has clumps, simply add a couple of drops of Visine. Mix it thoroughly with the mascara brush and that should do the trick!
If your mascara is not just clumpy but has hardened over time due to neglect, take a bowl/cup to boil water. Place your mascara (lid closed tight) in hot water for 3-4 minutes.
Take it out and see if the mascara cake has liquified. If not, place it again for some minutes and that’s it!
5. Removing Waterproof Mascara
Grab petroleum jelly and apply it to your lashes. Take a cotton pad and gently scrub it away and the mascara will come off. You can also use any oil-based makeup remover in the same manner. Wash your eyes with water once and you’re good to go.
6. Cleaning Mascara Brushes
Always clean a mascara brush with tissue paper before and after using it, EVERY SINGLE TIME.
In the case of synthetic bristles, you must wash them with alcohol once a week. Use baby shampoo for brushes with natural bristles.
If you’re prone to eye infections, consider using disposable mascara brushes rather than reusing the old ones. That’s the best way to keep your eyes clean and safe.
7. Dab On Some Baby Powder!
A hot tip to get instant voluminous and long lashes is to use baby powder between different coats.
First, apply the first coat of mascara to your lashes. Next, use a cotton swab to dab baby powder on them. This adds a thicker texture to your lashes. Complete the procedure with a final coat to cover the baby powder and have clean, dramatic eyelashes.
Conclusion on best mascara for short lashes
There’s nothing like short lashes when you always keep mascara handy. You can also play with different colors to try a funky and whimsical look!
Whatever your desired outcome might be, ensure you’re keeping your mascara brushes clean and prevent them from turning into sites housing bacteria and infections.
Always do your eye makeup first and then wrap it up with mascara. You can use your fingertips to take away extra product off your lashes after the last coat.
Avoid shaking your mascara bottle vigorously or else you’ll end up adding air bubbles to the liquid, which means dried-out mascara, in simple words.
Keep all these tips in mind along with your product’s expiration date and congrats! You’re no longer a mascara newbie. 🥳
