Key ingredients: rice bran wax, carnauba wax, hydrogenated olive oil esters | Finish: lengthening, lifting | Shades: 4 (Black, Black-Brown, Blackest Black, Waterproof Black)
Best Hypoallergenic: Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara
Why it’s worth it: Though Lancôme doesn’t claim that its most popular mascara, the Monsieur Big Mascara, is hypoallergenic, Dr. Kelley considers it one of the few options out there that can truly live up to the term. “This mascara is formulated without fragrance, nickel, paraben, and common preservatives, so it is a hypoallergenic and safe choice for sensitive eyes,” she says. On top of its gentle feel on tired, sensitive eyes, we also love its long-lasting wear and volumizing effect.
Key ingredients: paraffin wax, carnauba wax | Finish: volumizing | Shades: 1 (Black)
Best Lengthening: Neutrogena Healthy Lengths Mascara
Why it’s worth it: When we’re craving brow-grazing length and definition, L’Oréal Paris’s Telescopic Mascara will always do the trick. Our team love the wispy, doe-eyed effect this mascara creates, but Dr. Collins says its gentle, fragrance-free composition also deserves some kudos. “Its precise brush separates and lengthens lashes without clumping or irritation,” she adds.
Key ingredients: paraffin wax, beeswax, carnauba wax | Finish: lengthening, defining | Shades: 3 (Black-Brown, Black Noir, Blackest Black)
Best Budget: L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Mascara
Why it’s worth it: Want an effective formula that won’t cost more than your sad desk salad? Dr. Kelley suggests the Neutrogena Healthy Lengths Mascara, which won’t set you back more than $8. “This mascara has a dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested formula designed to be gentle on sensitive eyes and safe for individuals who wear contact lenses,” she says. As it creates a natural-looking lift and curl, Neutrogena’s combination of olive oil, vitamin E, and rice protein condition every lash for a smoother feel and thicker look even after you wash this mascara off.
Key ingredients: olive oil, vitamin E, rice protein | Finish: lengthening, lifting, curling | Shades: 2 (Black, Brown)
Frequently Asked Questions
How can mascara irritate my eyes?
You might pay attention to the ingredient list of the products you apply in larger amounts, but your eyes and the skin around them are especially susceptible to sensitivity from the ingredients that could be lingering in your current tube of mascara. “The skin on eyelids is the thinnest on the body, so anything applied to the eye area is easily absorbed,” says Bruce Moskowitz, an assistant clinical professor of ophthalmology at Mount Sinai in New York City.
