How we selected products
Alena Sadreeva/Shutterstock
There are many specificities when it comes to choosing a mascara to wear with your extensions. Because they’re attached to your lashes with a non-irritating adhesive, lash extensions need to be treated gently as they can loosen from the wrong mascara. Lash expert Clementina Richardson told Oprah Daily that those with extensions must stay steer clear of oils and heavy creams around the eyes as they can cause breakage. To avoid that, mascaras for extensions need to be oil-free and water-based (via Divine Lashes).
As a result, we paid close attention to the ingredients in the mascaras we’ve selected below. They’re all water-based, easy to wash off, and highly rated by customers across the internet. One of the easier ways to know if your mascara isn’t water-based is if you see either paraffin or hyaluronic acid on the ingredient list (via Tuko). Many of the mascaras we’ve selected are also specially formulated for lash extensions by professional lash studios, and therefore tend not to wear out your extensions or natural lashes. Either way, most professionals will advise you not to use mascara too often with extensions and to only apply it to the tips of your lashes when you do. You should definitely consult your lash technician before you wear mascara, but in the meantime, you can browse through our curated list of water-based mascaras.
Best splurge-worthy mascara
Clinique
We’re all in the lash supremacy society here; all lashes deserve to be pampered as do lash extensions. If splurging on your lashes comes naturally to you, you should invest in the High Impact Mascara from Clinique. The lightweight formula is easy to apply and take off, according to many reviewers on Sephora. One customer said, “Lengthens superrr [sic] well (way better than other brands) and still gives lots of volume. Best of all, it doesn’t smudge or flake. Oh, and it comes off easily with just face wash. 10/10 recommend.” Another reviewer with lash extensions said, “I have had lash extensions for almost 4 years and this is the only mascara I use for them. It never ends up under my eyes and stays all day. You won’t be disappointed!”
Many also noted that the pigment in this mascara is very natural-looking, so adding this to the tip of your lashes may just be the right amount of tint you need. Get the Clinique High Impact Mascara from Sephora for $21.
7 Best Mascaras That Are Safe To Use On Eyelash Extensions
Rido/Shutterstock
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. The 1942 movie “Bambi” introduced an iconic character who remains embedded in the internet’s archival gifs. It’s a rabbit — a rabbit who so expertly flutters her lashes that she left behind an unrealistic standard for every unanimated one of us. Unsurprisingly, it was around that time that Hollywood adopted the practice of using artificial lashes. In the decades since, several sophisticated methods of adding individual lashes to the lash line have been invented.
Lash extensions give you the Bambi rabbit look all on their own; however, if you want to further enhance them with mascara, it’s essential that you choose the right product. According to Divine Lashes, mascaras need to be oil-free and water-based since oil can loosen the adhesive used on extensions. You should avoid waterproof mascara and tubing mascara as both can be quite harsh to remove and therefore lead to breakage of the extensions. You should also pay attention to the kind of lash extensions you have; if they’re volume lashes, you should probably avoid mascara so that there’s no clumping. As you can see, there are definitely a lot of things to keep in mind as you search for your new favorite mascara that’s extension-safe, so we’ve done all the research for you.
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
Lash extensions give you the Bambi rabbit look all on their own; however, if you want to further enhance them with mascara, it’s essential that you choose the right product. According to Divine Lashes, mascaras need to be oil-free and water-based since oil can loosen the adhesive used on extensions. You should avoid waterproof mascara and tubing mascara as both can be quite harsh to remove and therefore lead to breakage of the extensions. You should also pay attention to the kind of lash extensions you have; if they’re volume lashes, you should probably avoid mascara so that there’s no clumping.
As you can see, there are definitely a lot of things to keep in mind as you search for your new favorite mascara that’s extension-safe, so we’ve done all the research for you.
How we selected products
Alena Sadreeva/Shutterstock
There are many specificities when it comes to choosing a mascara to wear with your extensions. Because they’re attached to your lashes with a non-irritating adhesive, lash extensions need to be treated gently as they can loosen from the wrong mascara. Lash expert Clementina Richardson told Oprah Daily that those with extensions must stay steer clear of oils and heavy creams around the eyes as they can cause breakage. To avoid that, mascaras for extensions need to be oil-free and water-based (via Divine Lashes).
As a result, we paid close attention to the ingredients in the mascaras we’ve selected below. They’re all water-based, easy to wash off, and highly rated by customers across the internet. One of the easier ways to know if your mascara isn’t water-based is if you see either paraffin or hyaluronic acid on the ingredient list (via Tuko). Many of the mascaras we’ve selected are also specially formulated for lash extensions by professional lash studios, and therefore tend not to wear out your extensions or natural lashes. Either way, most professionals will advise you not to use mascara too often with extensions and to only apply it to the tips of your lashes when you do. You should definitely consult your lash technician before you wear mascara, but in the meantime, you can browse through our curated list of water-based mascaras.
As a result, we paid close attention to the ingredients in the mascaras we’ve selected below. They’re all water-based, easy to wash off, and highly rated by customers across the internet. One of the easier ways to know if your mascara isn’t water-based is if you see either paraffin or hyaluronic acid on the ingredient list (via Tuko). Many of the mascaras we’ve selected are also specially formulated for lash extensions by professional lash studios, and therefore tend not to wear out your extensions or natural lashes.
Either way, most professionals will advise you not to use mascara too often with extensions and to only apply it to the tips of your lashes when you do. You should definitely consult your lash technician before you wear mascara, but in the meantime, you can browse through our curated list of water-based mascaras.
Best overall mascara
One such product is the Length & Volume Mascara, which claims to be an “eyelash extension compatible mascara” that “will not damage the adhesive bond.” The water-based mascara is infused with vitamin B5, which moisturizes your lashes (via WebMD).
Best budget mascara
Best splurge-worthy mascara
Clinique
We’re all in the lash supremacy society here; all lashes deserve to be pampered as do lash extensions. If splurging on your lashes comes naturally to you, you should invest in the High Impact Mascara from Clinique. The lightweight formula is easy to apply and take off, according to many reviewers on Sephora. One customer said, “Lengthens superrr [sic] well (way better than other brands) and still gives lots of volume. Best of all, it doesn’t smudge or flake. Oh, and it comes off easily with just face wash. 10/10 recommend.” Another reviewer with lash extensions said, “I have had lash extensions for almost 4 years and this is the only mascara I use for them. It never ends up under my eyes and stays all day. You won’t be disappointed!”
Many also noted that the pigment in this mascara is very natural-looking, so adding this to the tip of your lashes may just be the right amount of tint you need. Get the Clinique High Impact Mascara from Sephora for $21.
Many also noted that the pigment in this mascara is very natural-looking, so adding this to the tip of your lashes may just be the right amount of tint you need.
Get the Clinique High Impact Mascara from Sephora for $21.
Best long-lasting mascara
Best lengthening mascara
One customer said, “Perfect mascara for long lashes. Most mascaras smudge and come off when they touch my upper lids, but this stays on all day.” Another reviewer commented, “I like how it looks on my eyelashes, giving them a nice ‘pop.’ But what I LOVE is how it stays on. I am an actress, and wore it once for a scene in which I did a lot of crying. I sobbed real tears for every take, but the mascera [sic] did not run.”
Best conditioning mascara
One reviewer said that it’s “a life saver!!” Another customer said, “It makes your lashes look so full and adds volume and curl. I especially love it when I’m tired, as it makes my eyes look more open and ‘awake.’ This mascara easily beats some of the luxury brands you find in department stores that are more expensive.” The mascara isn’t waterproof, of course, but many reviewers agree that it’s smudge-proof and long-lasting regardless of the weather.
One reviewer said that the mascara was “Amazing! Helped my lashes look longer after extensions” and continued, “It makes my lashes look longer and holds up the curl a lot better!” Another said, “Best product to use for volume, length and smudge proof both with or without lash extensions.”
