FYI: These Were the Most Life-Changing Mascaras We Tried in 2019

This is one of the buzziest new mascaras on the market, and after finally trying it in 2019, I completely understand why. Never has a mascara application been faster or more efficient. With just a few strategic strokes, my lashes looked infinitely longer (like extensions!) with zero smudging, clumping, or flakes. Plus, the formula features the brand's signature Flake-Free Tubing Technology in addition to its special Orchid Stem Cell Complex, which together, do a dang good job of keeping lashes defined, hydrated, and epically curled all day long. 

I first saw this mascara when my ultimate beauty hero and makeup muse, French makeup artist Violette, began using it regularly during her tutorials. Her lashes looked impossible fanned, long, and defined, and I wanted in on the magic. Folks, this mascara did not disappoint, and I've been carrying it with me everywhere I go—even during this crazy season of travel! I always think the phrase "bedroom eyes" is kind of cringe-y and cliché, but this mascara really delivers just that. 

Associate Beauty Editor Courtney Higgs and I both agree that Glossier's Lash Slick mascara should honestly surpass Boy Brow as the brand's best product of all time. If you love natural, curled, fluttery, long lashes that are perfectly defined, there honestly is not a better option on the market right now. Plus, it's only $16, so there's that. Oh, and although it's not waterproof, it IS water-resistant so you don't have to worry about smudging or wear-off. 

Courtney and I were both intrigued about trying this mascara since we love Lorac, and the formula came highly recommended from one of our favorite celebrity makeup artists, Kelsey Deenihan. And, drumroll, we're obsessed. It's virtually impossible to create even the smallest of clumps thanks to the size and shape of the brush, and it instantly makes lashes look about twice the length with expert separation to boot. 

I'll be the first to admit that prior to trying this mascara from W3ll People, I had a track record of giving all-natural formulas the side-eye. That said, this is one of the best volumizing mascaras I've ever tried, and not just within the natural and non-toxic genre. It has the prettiest inky black color that makes your lashes look lush, full, long, and all-around dreamy. 

In major beauty news this year, Too Faced dropped its first-ever mascara following the brand's icon status formula, Better Than Sex. My personal opinion? Damn Girl! is even better. The packaging is hot as heck, the finish lasts up to 24 hours, and the formula is chock-full of amazing technology, Whipped Melting Waxes for ultimate layering capability, Lash Suspension Polymers for lift and curl, and Hydrophilic Black for ridiculously inky, fluttery black lashes. 

I kept seeing makeup artists use this cult-loved volumizing mascara from Chanel, so I finally gave it a go and tried it earlier this year. Since my lashes are long and straight, I typically run into issues with volumizing formulas making my lashes look droopy and clumpy. However, this one from Chanel is one of the few exceptions. I do suggest using an eyelash curler pre-mascara swipe, but despite making lashes look believable fuller, they also stayed lifted and perfectly curled. This is one of those holy-grail makeup items everyone needs to try in their life—the results don't disappoint! 

A fellow beauty editor and dear friend of mine, Kaitlyn McLintock, is ultra picky about the mascara formulas she uses. When I asked her what mascaras she tried this year that she would deem "absolutely life-changing," she named this buzzy formula from Grande Cosmetics "the best mascara for volume ever." Oh, and not only that, but it also encourages your actual lashes to live their best, longest life thanks to a luxe blend of peptides, panthenols, and natural waxes to nurture each and every hair. 

If you seek, plump, lush, soft lashes, Laura Mercier's Caviar tube is a game changer. It offers a really flattering glossy finish that keeps lashes soft and butterfly-kiss friendly (no icky stiffness here!) while also creating high-impact, length, and density.

There are lots of naughtily named mascaras out there (Better Than Sex, Climax, I could go on and on), yet it's this super-cheeky tube from Stila (one of my all-time favorite makeup brands ever) that got—and held—my attention this year. The name doesn't lie—this formula is surprisingly lightweight and non-clumping while delivering major curl and lash hold. Another fun fact? It contains one-percent diamond power for a true jet-black color payoff and long-term lash-conditioning benefits.

One of our beauty-loving copywriters here at WWW HQ says this budget-friendly mascara from Maybelline is one of the best she's ever tried and was a major standout this year in terms of her top makeup pick. "I know I'm late, but because it's wax-based, this mascara ACTUALLY holds the curl all day and makes your lashes look super long and extension-like." 

My new roomie (and fellow WWW social media editor) Stephanie Limiti recently turned me onto her favorite mascara, which just so happens to be one of the best curling and lifting mascaras of all time—no seriously, I don't know how it took me so long to try it! Inspired by hair rollers, it features a patent-pending Hook ‘n’ Roll brush with teeny tiny custom-designed hooks to catch, lift, and curl every single lash. The application will also last for 12 hours and features lash-living ingredients like provitamin B5 to keep everything in fighting shape. 

Kevyn Aucoin is one of the rare makeup brands that literally does not make one produt (not one!) that I don't love and recommend. (But really, I should buy stock in the brand.) Thus, even though I was expecting to love its curling mascara, I didn't expect to love it THIS much. It stays put all day and night—sans smudges and flakes—and boasts a protein-based formula that the brand says virtually "shrink-wraps" onto each and every lash as it dries for a separated, thick and curled finish. Truly, it's amazing. 

Sure, the brush might look a tad scary on this curling mascara from YSL, but it does the job and it does the job well. It has amazing ingredients like coconut, walnut leaf, and bamboo oils to keep lashes conditioned, long, and glossy while also giving crazy curl and definition. 
Up next, 3 Holiday Hair Looks You Can Do in Fewer Than 5 Steps