Often overlooked in favour of black and brown formulas, the best clear mascaras have seen a well-deserved resurgence. Case in point: the “no mascara” look has proved to be one of the biggest trends of the past 12 months. With many of us opting for natural and understated makeup, clear mascaras can give us exactly that but with added lift – as well as multitasking as a lash primer, clear brow gel or flyway strand smoother.
Most makeup wearers have the one buy they deem the best mascara; the one that gives us our perfect amount of length and emphasised volume with rich pigment to boot. But what about those days when you want a more low-key, barely there look? Clear mascara is the answer.
As NYX Professional Makeup’s expert makeup artist Emma Kirk puts it, “Clear mascara is great for incorporating into ‘no makeup’ makeup looks which have become super popular over the past year. I think people are still gravitating to the ‘clean girl aesthetic’, so clear mascara is a great addition to this overall look.”
Makeup artist Ere Perez agrees, adding that the product comes into its own for low-key days working from home when natural make-up looks may be your preference. “[They] are popular for touch-ups before a Zoom and for fresh-looking eyes for a quick catch-up with someone.” Tempted? Ahead are my in-depth reviews of the best on the market.
The best clear mascaras, reviewed by our beauty writer
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1. 17. Brow + Lash Lamination Clear Mascara
RRP: £3 | Brush type: Bristle
In all honesty, as one of the cheapest products I tested for this guide, I’ll admit that I assumed this 17. option might not live up to the title of one of the best clear mascara formulas. But, boy, was I wrong. The thin wand and brush were the first things to impress me, making the application a total dream. The slender design also meant the formula swept onto my lashes with zero drama and instantly – and I mean instantly – curled and defined the hairs. I’m pretty sure I audibly gasped when I tried it.
Upon unscrewing the lid, this mascara brush was fully loaded with the clear formula and didn’t over-saturate my lashes, imparting just the right amount of product. I didn’t need to go back to apply more, which was a rarity with the other clear mascaras I tested. The product dried pretty quickly and didn’t leave behind any sticky residue. It also did a decent job of adding texture to my brows, though it didn’t leave my eyebrow hairs feeling as flexible as it did my lashes.
2. Barry M Eyes Wide Strengthening & Conditioning Mascara
RRP: £5.99 | Brush type: Silicone
As a brand, Barry M can do no wrong in my eyes, boasting some of the best mascaras under £10 in both vegan and cruelty-free formulas. The brand consistently delivers with its bargain buys – and this clear mascara did not disappoint. The chunky silicone brush was the largest in the selection I tried, meaning that after I had swept it across my lashes for some natural definition, I also managed to create some of the best brushed-up bushy brows my face had ever seen. 10/10.
However, the product really came into its own when I used it on baby hairs and frizzy hair. Managing to stick them down without looking greasy, this product held all day long while looking as though I had zero product in. Despite its multi-tasking qualities, this particular clear mascara did struggle to hold much product on the silicone brush. However, for the price and respectable cruelty-free and vegan formula, this clear mascara is well worth adding to your makeup collection.
3. e.l.f. Clear Brow & Lash Mascara
RRP: £3 | Brush type: Bristle
This translucent gel covers all bases, with one end of the tube designed to be used on brows and the other on the lashes. I started by testing the lash side and the product seamlessly coated my lashes with its thick gel, meaning a little went a long way. I only needed to apply one coat to notice that my lashes appeared instantly longer, curled and more defined. Immediately, I was sold.
I then smothered my brows and baby hairs with the same product, which, again, impressed me. After a couple of hours, I noted that my brow hairs were still bushy and brushed up, while my baby hairs remained slicked down (which is very out of character). The formula did dry a little tacky on my lashes, but I think if you were to use less product and gradually build it up, you could avoid this. For the price and the multipurposeness it promises, this handy clear gel would make a handbag essential for just about anyone and everyone.
4. Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara
RRP: £9.23 | Brush type: Bristle
Unsurprisingly, Maybelline’s iconic Great Lash mascara also comes in a clear shade. Similar to the original black formula, I saw the same intense lifting effect with this, just with a more natural-looking, clear finish. It’s by no means the best lengthening mascara, but I think you’ll enjoy the added lift and subtle volume boost if you already have naturally long lashes.
The brand notes you can also use this conditioning mascara to set your eyebrows in place but, although it works initially, it didn’t keep mine in place through the day like the Physicians Formula’s clear mascara did. However, it did slick down my curly baby hairs amazingly well. This mascara doesn’t call out any unique ingredients like vitamin B5 or green tea extract, but it is formulated with propylene glycol and glycerin, which helped to keep my eyelashes soft and conditioned.
5. Collection Colour Lash All Day Wear Colour Mascara
RRP: £2.49 | Brush type: Bristle
This mascara comes with interesting instructions on how to apply and wear it, suggesting doing so over the top of your usual mascara to help maintain its colour all day. I hadn’t tried this technique with any of the other clear mascaras here, but I did here – and the results were surprising. I applied my favourite mascara as usual and left it to dry, then applied a light layer of this clear mascara over the top. While it made my lashes look thicker and less understated, I enjoyed the way it locked in the colour of my mascara and prevented fading and smudging; acting as a setting agent, it worked hard to make sure my lashes looked in top condition all day long.
I also tried this as a lash primer before applying mascara, but it didn’t have such great results. My mascara flaked where it usually wouldn’t, which was disappointing. But overall, I loved it as a protective layer on top of my mascara and can confidently say that it was the best clear mascara for locking colour in place all day.
6. No7 Lash and Brow Perfector
RRP: £9.95 | Brush type: Bristle
Winning the top prize in the best lengthening mascara competition, this clear mascara impressed me across the board. The brush is small and angled, so you can easily get it into the root and corners, while the bristles separate your eyelashes well, meaning they don’t clump together. I instantly saw it lift my lashes and it added the illusion of more length. I also liked that you couldn’t tell I was wearing anything on my lashes; it has a lovely natural-looking finishing effect.
This clear mascara has also been formulated to be suitable for sensitive skin, like any of the best mascaras for sensitive eyes, this product will make sure delicate eyes are looked after. It’s best used as a primer before mascara, but it also works well when worn alone.
7. Ere Perez Natural Cosmetics Aloe Gel Lash & Brow Mascara Clear
RRP: £25.20 | Brush type: Silicone
This little beauty encourages overnight use to help boost lash health and strength. So, not one to break the rules, I did as I was told and generously doused my lashes in the gel formula before bed. Not only did I wake up to perfectly separated lash hairs, ready and waiting for my black mascara application, but they looked magically curled, too. Consider this a time-saving lazy girl move to benefit the following morning.
Managing to coat my lashes in just enough product, this nourishing formula is perfect for the no-makeup makeup look. The small silicone brush was the ideal size for my not-so-bushy brows and also did a solid job at holding down baby hairs. While I wish the brush could hold more product at once, for a less time-consuming application process, it was still one of the best clear mascara formulas I tried. You don’t have to spend quite this much money on a clear mascara, but if your budget permits, it’s a really great one.
8. Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Diamond Mascara
RRP: £13.09 | Brush type: Silicone
Before using this, I never understood the point of clear mascara. But that all changed when I applied Physicians Formula Clear Mineral Wear Diamond Mascara. Although this mascara’s impact would be more noticeable in the brand’s black shade, I was shocked by how this clear gel formula lifted, defined and volumised my naturally short eyelashes.
A contender for one of the best volumising mascaras, the gorgeous diamond-like tube is also packed with nurturing and strengthening ingredients, including mineral water and vitamin E. My lashes were left conditioned and looking healthier and shinier. This mascara also works as a gel for eyebrows and any baby hairs. It was too watery for my curly baby hair, but straight and fine hair will likely see the hold and sleekness promised. However, this still lifted and kept my brows in place the entire day without feeling sticky and dry. If you’re looking for a lengthening clear drugstore mascara that defines your lashes, is vegan, cruelty-free and loaded with conditioning and skin-benefiting ingredients, this is the one for you.
9. Dr Hauschka Brow and Lash Gel
RRP: £15 | Brush type: Bristle
The luxe-looking packaging was the first thing that impressed me here; I really liked that it stood out from the pack as the only one not housed in a transparent tube. This product gets our vote as one of the top choices for nourishing and repairing lashes, thanks to a formula that’s bursting with botanical extracts and hydrating ingredients. If you’ve developed bad habits that are ruining your lashes, such as wearing old mascara or extensions, this caring formula will help to bring your natural lashes back from the brink.
In my opinion, this was one of the best clear mascara buys as it has lash health as a top priority. I also loved this product because it made my lashes look curled and lengthened, plus I knew they were being treated to a mini treatment while wearing it. I would happily wear this whenever I work from home and want to look a little more polished for a work call.
How we tested the best clear mascaras
A selection of the clear mascaras we tested for this guide
(Image credit: Annie Milroy)
Each clear mascara on this list has been tested and worn by woman&home beauty writers Kenedee Fowler and Annie Milroy to ensure they could write detailed reviews on truly the best products based on their authentic recommendations and opinions. Each one was tested over a couple of weeks to ensure we had the most well-rounded view and could really observe the product’s longevity and impact.
We tried to sample products from a range of brands, price points and styles. Some of the clear mascara options also had more than one purpose and were designed for multi-use, so we wanted to make sure we had tested all of a product’s functions in order to review it fairly.
How to choose the best clear mascara
As with selecting a traditional mascara to purchase, you always choose the best clear mascara for you based on your individual needs and lash requirements. Here are some tips for helping you choose the best clear mascara for you:
- Brush shape: The shape of your clear mascara brush can make or break your lash look. Check the clear mascara you’re interested in has the right design and shape for your lashes; opt for a smaller and angled brush head if you have short lashes and a longer and thicker brush head if you have longer lashes.
- Ingredients: We love a multi-purpose product, but especially one that helps care for the health of our lashes while wearing it. Look out for ingredients like green tea extract, peptides, botanical extracts and vitamin B5, all of which help to nourish and strengthen lash hairs.
- Lash curler: One of the best eyelash curlers will really help to bolster the effect a clear mascara creates on your lashes. Gently curl your lashes for 10 seconds before applying and you’ll notice a massive difference – they will look longer, curved and accentuated.
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