An Ophthalmologist and a Makeup Artist Just ID'd the 11 Best Mascaras for Ageing Lashes

This mascara is formulated with carnauba and candelilla waxes (which help to curl and hold lashes throughout the day), while glycerin helps to nourish the lashes. The comb-like wand helps to lengthen and separate lashes for a fanned-out effect. This is a great tubing mascara, which not only remains smudge- and flake-proof throughout the day, but easily removes with just warm water.

Customer Review: "I thought I’d give this mascara a go after reading the reviews. Wow, it really does lengthen lashes. Unlike other mascaras it firms up and holds lashes in place. I find the mascara on the tip of the lashes usually rubs off quickly but not this mascara. It stays put and makes lashes look long all day long. Also washes off with no black tell tale under eye marks. Definitely a new favourite."

Spec: 7ml

If you want a mascara that gives a lengthening effect while holding a curl all day long—and be easy to take off—then you need to try this mascara. It's more expensive than your typical drugstore mascara, but, it delivers incredible fanned-out lashes as the comb brush captures even the smallest eyelashes. Plus, this mascara doesn't smudge or flake throughout the day, and can easily be removed with warm water, making it great for sensitive eyes too.

Customer Review: "My lashes are already naturally long, but this mascara enhances my lashes even more! Love the extra length I get when using it, and how defined my lashes look. I get so many compliments every time I wear this mascara. Also it’s super easy to remove. I highly recommend."

Pros: Has a buildable formula that adds length and volume to the lashes, vegan and cruelty-free formula, ophthalmologist tested

Cons: More expensive than other mascaras

Specs: 10g tube

Price shown is member price.

Want volume? The spiral bristled brush of Beauty Pie's mascara coats lashes in a velvety black (or brown, if that's more your cup of tea), leaving even the finest lashes volumised with plenty of length and a long-lasting curl too.

Customer Review: "Make up at my age (76) can be problematic and I only wear lipstick and mascara. This mascara is superb and really enhances my eyes without clogging. Also easy to remove."

Specs: 7ml tube

If definition is what you're after, look no further than Lancôme's iconic Définicils mascara. It features a slim bristled wand that captures every single lash to lengthen, define and separate for a fanned-out effect. All of Lancôme's mascaras are brilliant, especially if you have sensitive eyes as they are also ophthalmologist-tested, suitable for contact lens wearers and free from fragrance.

Customer Review: "Definicils is my go to mascara and has been for almost 20 years. It is easy to use, There is never any clumping or smearing when applying, It truly defines the lashes and lasts all day."

Specs: 6.5g tube

The Milk Makeup Kush High Roll Defining & Volumizing Tubing Mascara separates and defines every lash for added definition, volume, and length without smudging or flaking. With a wear time of up to 24 hours, it uses tubing technology combined with a blend of nourishing oils and volume-boosting waxes.

Customer Review: "This is by far the best mascara I've used in a long time. Checks all my boxes: doesn't transfer/smear above my deep-set eyes even after sweating hard, doesn't flake, easily removes with just water, and makes my lashes look great in one coat. Will repurchase this for the foreseeable future.

Specs: 6g tube

For a waterproof mascara you can rely on, try the Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara. The 12-hour, non-smudging formula adds volume and length to short, brittle lashes while resisting clumping, sweat, and humidity. The brand recommends using this mascara by placing its brush at the roots of your lashes and wiggling it up to the lips, then repeating for build.

Customer Review: "I've always had a problem keeping mascara on, mostly rubs off below bottom lashes. This seems to go on smooth and stays on the best I've found in a long time. I'm over 60 and my skin seems to be changing a lot. I'm buying this as long as it still works on me."

Specs: 10g tube

There's a lot we love about Ilia's Limitless Lash Mascara. It has a buildable, flake-free formula infused with keratin to fortify and reinforce the lashes from within, shea butter to condition the lashes. The comb brush lengths and defines for a natural-looking flutter that feels lightweight.

Customer Review: "Buying mascara has always felt like a necessity for me to finish my makeup and not something I've reused happily. But this one is amazing! No clumping, lightweight, but bold! It's perfect!"

Specs: 8ml tube

Probst highlights this Maybelline mascara for its drugstore price point and falsie-like finish. This mascara is infused with fibres that deliver dramatic volume, length, and lift with a clump-free, ophthalmologist-tested formula. It also has a double-curved separator brush to grab lashes at the root for the false-eyelash effect.

Customer Review: "This waterproof lash lift is unmatched. Gives the most fluffy, long, volumised, separated, curled gorgeous lashes imaginable. I will never buy another mascara—this is the BEST Maybelline has to offer!"

Specs: 8.6ml tube

For a department-store option that works well for aging lashes, Probst favours the best-selling Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara by YSL Beauty. This one makes her list because it offers 200% more lash volume, a double-brush wand to lengthen the lashes, and intense colour and extreme volume for 24 hours without smudging.

Customer Review: "Such a fun product, love the colour, length, and volume it adds to my lashes! Mascara lasted all day and hardly transferred. Also easy to remove and beautiful packaging!"

Specs: 8ml tube

When it comes to curling, no mascara does it better than this one. In fact, its one of the best selling mascaras at Liberty. The nimble wand is easy to get into the base of the lashes to lift and curl from the root up. What's even better is that this tubing formula is both smudge- and flake-proof and removes easily with just warm water.

Customer Review: "This mascara does not smudge! It is the best. Comes off easily with water without making 'raccoon' eyes. I wear it all day without any smears or smudges."

Spec: 5g

Customer Review: "I love Sisley mascaras overall, but this one is definitely my favorite. It really opens up the eyes, does not smudge (which is a big one for me), and stays fresh all day long."

Spec: 8ml