The best mascaras in Australia, according to Vogue editors

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The lash lengtheners, the clump-less and the ones that are perfect for a no-make-up make-up look, here are the best mascaras in Australia for 2025. 

While the act of purchasing a foundation is a highly tailored pursuit—your perfect match determined specifically for you by colour match to complement your skin tone, and coverage, to enhance your favourite features and disguise those that are less favourable—picking up a new mascara is a far more frivolous and fun pursuit.

But while most mascaras will get the job done for most people, that doesn’t lower the stakes in the purchasing process. After all, who wants to go home with a dud? When we say that matching with a mascara is a little less high pressure than picking out a foundation, we don’t mean that you should just pick up any old tube, but rather you can lean on the tried-and-true selections of others to find your own all-time favourite product.

So, we’re here to be the ones to lean on for a trusty mascara recommendation. From Benefit to Chanel, and Lancôme and L’Oreal, and a few wildcard suggestions in between, the Vogue team brings your their holy grail mascaras, as well as our top picks for the best natural looking and night out mascaras, and a fool-proof guide to mascara application.

Scroll on and get familiar with what any team member would argue are hands-down the best mascaras in Australia for 2025. 

Vogue’s top picks

The best mascaras in Australia for 2025

Lash Clash Mascara

Editor experience: “When my friends ask me what mascara they should buy, I recommend this one. It’s one of those beauty products that genuinely deserves its cult following.”—Remy Rippon, senior beauty and health editor

Colours: Black, brown | Shipping: Free shipping over $75

Customer experience: “This is my favorite mascara of all time! I keep coming back to this formula. It never lets me down,” writes one reviewer. “Best mascara ever. Stays in place all day. Looks fresh and it is easy to apply and remove. A must have item,” adds another. Read more reviews here.

Shop now for $65

It Cosmetics

Superhero Mascara

Clinically tested to provide exceptional volume, length and elastic stretch that coats each lash, It Cosmetics’ Superhero Mascara is perfect for those who are after a high-impact make-up look. Developed with the help of plastic surgeons, this product boasts the use of lifting polymers, volumising collagen, strengthening biotin, proteins and peptides—meaning it doubles as skincare for your eyelashes. What more could you as for? There’s also a water proof formula version, if you’re so inclined.

Colours: Black, water proof black | Shipping: Free express shipping over $65

Customer experience: “It’s a great formula that adds so much volume to my lashes and doesn’t clump or smudge at all,” writes Anne. “Really good mascara, helps lengthen and volumise my very short lashes,” adds another reviewer. Read more reviews here.

Shop now for $37.60 (was $47)

Benefit Cosmetics

Roller Lash Curling Mascara

Editor experience: “I’m a bit of a mascara freak—some people have tried every moisturiser or foundation, and can talk about them at length but I can only get weirdly granular about mascara. Benefit’s They’re Real mascara was their hero for some time but I think Roller Lash usurps it. It goes on thick, and quick, which is all I ever want and creates the perfect triangular taper from bottom to tip with no edge clump.”—Alice Birrell, fashion features director

Colours: Black | Shipping: Free express shipping over $65

Customer experience: “I love this mascara. It goes on dark and gives the lashes a little lift. Never clumpy. I’ll repurchase this again and again,” writes Katie. “I keep buying this one and coming back for it. Really makes your lashes pop and stay up all day, without looking clumpy,” adds Heidi. Read more reviews here.

Shop now for $49

Benefit Cosmetics

Badgal Bang Volumizing Mascara

Editor experience: “Benefit Badgal Bang mascara is the longest lasting mascara I have ever used. Also love the travel size option to add into your handbag.”

Colours: Black | Shipping: Free shipping over $99

Customer experience: “This is the best mascara for dramatic lashes. Gives volume and length and lasts all day. My favourite mascara,” writes one reviewer. “Fabulous and the best mascara ever. Have very short lashes. Badgal Bang makes them look so long and luscious. My favourite essential makeup accessory,” adds another. Read more reviews here.

Shop now for $27

Charlotte Tilbury

Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes! Mascara

Editor experience: “I don’t have the best lashes so I am very particular about what I wear so I can achieve maximum volume, length and definition without the clump factor. I’ve tried everything over the years and about a year ago I found my saviour.” 

Colours: Black, brown | Shipping: Free shipping over $150

Customer experience: “I got this recently and it’s fantastic. The mascara is long lasting, it doesn’t smudge, has a lovely colour and really lengthens and thickens the lashes. I would really recommend this as it’s a fantastic formula,” writes one reviewer. “This mascara gives me long full lashes and it lasts all day. Love it,” adds another. Read more reviews here.

Shop now for $48

Chanel

Le Volume Stretch De Chanel

Editor experience: “A few swipes of Chanel’s Le Volume offering gives an instant eye-opening effect. Bonus points for it lasting from day to night.”—Edwina McCann, editor-in-chief

Colours: Black | Shipping: Free shipping over $99

Shop now for $65

Hourglass

Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara

Editor experience: “When I had the honour of interviewing the incredible Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, she recommended Hourglass’s Unlocked mascara—and it’s safe to say I just had to try it. She described its unique formula as both lifting and lengthening, and she was correct. It’s now my new favourite product.”—Angelica Xidias, head of shopping 

Colours: Black | Shipping: Free over $25

Customer experience: “Truly the best mascara I have ever used. Worth it,” writes one reviewer. “I can’t express my love for this mascara. As someone who struggles with eye sensitivity and irritation with the removal of tough mascara, this is a dream. It comes off with water. I don’t need to rub with cleaners or any other harsh products,” adds another. Read more reviews here.

Shop now for $53

Nars

Climax Mascara

Editor experience: “I recently switched mascaras to Nars Climax and it’s one of the best mascaras I have come by—non-clumpy, long-lasting and creates subtle volume. For someone who doesn’t wear a lot of make-up, it’s something I can wear everyday without feeling too Liza Minelli with my lashes.”—Kaila Matthews, fashion and market editor

Colours: Black | Shipping: Free over $25

Shop now for $42

Kevyn Aucoin

The Volume Mascara

Editor experience: “If you avoid flaky mascara fallout like the plague, then Kevyn Aucoin’s tubular mascara offering will not remedy all your fallout fears as it had mine.”—Ana Eksouzian-Cavadas, digital content editor 

Colours: Black | Shipping: Free shipping over $25

Customer experience: “I’ve been using this for years and hands down best mascara on the market. Doesn’t smudge, easy to wash off and doesn’t leave any product under the eye. I’ve tried other mascaras but always end up coming back to this one,” writes one reviewer. “My holy grail mascara. Will repurchase forever. Stays put, no clumping or transfer. Genuinely the best,” adds another. Read more reviews here.

Shop now for $53

Dior

Diorshow 24h Buildable Volume Mascara

Editor experience: “I started using this great mascara when I was 18 and it has stood the test of time. Diorshow is the longest standing staple in my beauty bag.”—Arquette Cooke, designer

Colours: Black | Shipping: Free express shipping over $65

Customer experience: “I used it as a sample and it made my eye lashes so long and gave them volume. It is jet black and it does not smudge,” writes one reviewer. Read more reviews here.

Shop now for $63

The best mascaras for a natural, no make-up look

Benefit Cosmetics

They’re Real! Tinted Eyelash Primer

While it may have the term ‘primer’ tacked to it, Benefit’s They’re Real! Tinted eyelash primer has been met with a mountain of praise for its ability to stand on its own as a mascara for minimal make-up days.

Colours: Brown | Shipping: Free express shipping over $65

Customer experience: “Love this so much, don’t even need to use mascara on top, gives me a great natural look,” writes Emilie. “Absolutely adore this for minimal makeup days. When I’m just trying to achieve a super natural look, this is always my go to for the eyes! I love the wand and it lasts ages,” adds Daisy. Read more reviews here.

Shop now for $49

Perricone MD

No Makeup Mascara

As the name suggests, Perricone MD’s No Makeup Mascara is perfect for those no make-up make-up days. The nasties-free formula lends itself to subtle and realistic colour pay off while also working behind the scenes to lengthen and strengthen your lashes.

Colours: Black | Shipping: Free shipping over $59

Shop now for $39

The best mascara for a night out

Too Faced

Better Than Sex Mascara

With tens of thousands of beaming reviews for this single product and many beauty awards in its wake, it’s no wonder that Too Faced’s Better Than Sex Mascara has become a cult-favourite. Praised for its ability to deliver volume and length in spaces, this mascara is your perfect make-up companion for a night out.

Colours: Black | Shipping: Free shipping over $25

Customer experience: “This is the best mascara—gives me great volumes and length. Doesn’t transfer and makes me feel like I actually have lashes! Love, have never looked back since I first tried. Highly recommended,” writes Leah. Read more reviews here.

Shop now for $27

Chanel

Noir Allure All-In-One Mascara

Chanel has you covered with its Noir Allure mascara, which boasts a provitamin B5-enriched formula designed to give you a four-dimensional result promising volume, length, curl and definition. The fashion house has also incorporated a touch of red in the product’s black hue, which is guaranteed to add depth. For a short time only, be sure to get your hands of Chanel’s limited-edition new shades: Lilas, Rouge Intense, and Orange Bruni. Add one—or all four—to cart today.

Colours: Black, purple, red, orange | Shipping: Free shipping over $99

 

Shop now for $71

L’Oréal Paris

Paradise Mascara

If you’re more of a drugstore make-up devotee, but don’t want to compromise on product pay off, L’Oréal Paris’s Paradise Mascara’s has actually been widely touted as a pretty spot on dupe for Too Faced’s Better Than Sex Mascara. Do what you will with that information.

Colours: Black | Shipping: Free express shipping over $65

Customer experience: “This is my favourite mascara. It adds so much volume and lengthens my lashes. I love this,” writes one reviewer. “Very volumising and lengthening type of mascara. It makes my lashes look amazing. Doesn’t flake or clump which is amazing,” adds another. Read more reviews here.

Shop now for $24.95

LancĂ´me

Grandiose Mascara

Just as Too Faced’s aforementioned mascara has achieved cult status, so too had Lancôme’s Grandiose Mascara. Recognisable for its swan neck-like wand, this mascara has been lauded for its ability to bring the drama (with zero smudging) with its ultra-black, glossy formula and mimic a false lashes look.

Colours: Black | Shipping: Free express shipping over $65

Customer experience: “This mascara is perfect when you want your lashes looking very thick. It does the job perfectly and makes the lashes look beautiful with just one coat. Definitely recommend,” writes Laura. “This is everything I want in a mascara. Volume, length and curl without making my lashes look thick and clumpy. I love the curve in the wand, great for getting those hard to reach lashes,” adds Yasamin. Read more reviews here.

Shop now for $69

Maybelline

Lash Sensational Mascara

Jumping back to drugstore make-up devotees, may we suggest picking up a tube of Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara? Lean on its fanning brush, which features 10 layers of bristles and its buildable liquid ink formula to add curl, volume, length and deep pigment to every lash upon application. Shop it from Adore Beauty, now.

Colours: Black | Shipping: Free express shipping over $65

Customer experience: “I love this mascara. I’ve tried so many but always end up coming back to this one. It’s never clumpy and can be built up if needed,” writes Mia. “Love this mascara. It’s so easy to apply and remove, does not come out clumpy, and gives lashes that full fan effect,” adds another reviewer. Read more reviews here.

Shop now for $21.95

What should you look out for when purchasing mascara?

If you’re shopping for mascara, there are a few key things to consider to ensure you get your hands on the best product for your needs. First, you’re going to want to decide whether you need a water resistant or water proof mascara, especially if you live in a humid climate or spend a lot of time being active, as these formulations are going to help prevent smudging and those dreaded panda eyes. If you have skincare or ocular sensitivities, look for mascara for sensitive eyes, which are often formulated without harsh chemicals that can often cause irritation.

Opt for cruelty-free products where you can, and consider the type of brush and the mascara formulations that best suits your lash type. For those with sparse lashes, a volumizing mascara can create the illusion of fuller lashes, while a lengthening mascara is ideal for achieving long lashes. Tubing mascara is also one of our preferred option, as it forms tiny tubes around each lash, providing smudge-proof wear and easy removal. Wins all around!

What does mascara do?

The perenial mascara is a versatile beauty product that has been long loved in the beauty world for hundreds of years, designed to enhance your lashes by adding volume, length, and definition. It works by coating each of your lashes with a specially formulated substance that can lift and separate, giving the appearance of thicker, longer, and more lifted lashes. For those with naturally sparse lashes, a volumizing mascara can create a fuller, more dramatic look.

Typical black mascaras are best for a bold eye look, whereas lighter, brown shades can help add length and lift without being overly pigmented. For a pop of colour, coloured mascaras can be a fun and playful beauty statement. Whether aiming for a natural daytime look or dramatic, long lashes for a night out, the right mascara can definitely enhance your beauty look tenfold.

How do you apply mascara?

When it comes to applying mascara like a makeup artist, you may feel as though the process is quite self-explanatory once you pull the wand from the tube. But if you’d like a little reassurance when it comes to your application technique, take the chance to read through Vogue’s fool-proof guide to apply mascara, featuring advice from our senior beauty and health editor, Remy Rippon.

  1. Starting at the inner corner of the eye, drag the mascara wand from the roots to the tips of the lashes, moving the brush in a very slight zig-zag motion to ensure you’re perfectly coating each lash. (If you want extra lift, consider using an eyelash curler before applying mascara).
  2. For the outer lashes, move the mascara wand upwards, again from the lashes root to tip, replicating that same zig-zag motion.
  3. To avoid a spidery lash look, coat the lower lashes using the left-over mascara already on your wand, rather than dipping it back into the tube. 

Once you’ve mastered the art of mascara application, may we suggest you take our five hacks for further perfecting your mascara for a test drive during the eye makeup part of your makeup routine? Be prepared to be schooled on how to avoid clumps, thicken your lashes and how to take care of your lashes between wears. When removing, use warm water and your preferred makeup remover, and be sure to be careful around sensitive eyes.