Aside from sensational skin and luscious lips, every bride wants to have gorgeous lashes on her big day. Unless you have eyelash extensions or are naturally blessed with long, thick lashes, then having the right mascara on hand is essential.
Wearing mascara not only darkens lashes, but lengthens and volumizes, to draw more attention to your eyes and make them look brighter and more youthful.
If you’re on the search for the perfect product, our guide featuring the 19 best mascaras for your wedding day can help. From high-end and drugstore brand mascaras to fiber and natural mascaras, our guide has something for every bride. Read on to find the one that’s right for you.
In This Article
Best High-End Waterproof Mascaras
If you’ve ever asked whether high-end or designer mascaras are worth the price, you’re not alone. Many a bride has struggled to determine if shelling out more for a higher-end brand is really worth it.
While some say the cost is too steep for what you get, there are makeup artists and regular users alike who swear by them for their superior ingredients and better quality brushes. If you are an avid fan of higher-end products or want to splurge for your wedding day, these are the five best waterproof mascaras to try.
1. Byredo Waterproof Mascara
Price: $46
Reviews: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Byredo, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue
Made in Italy, this vegan mascara offers buildable-coverage mascara so you can choose a natural or glam look for your lashes depending upon the look you’re going for. With an 89% natural formula, it is long-lasting and tear-proof, making it a great choice for any environmentally-conscious bride’s makeup bag.
2. Chanel Le Volume de Chanel
Price: $38
Reviews: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Chanel, Nordstrom, Ulta
If you’re looking for intense color, Chanel Le Volume de Chanel mascara is a great option. Available in two shades, this mascara comes with a Chanel-exclusive brush that combines long and short bristles for that Bambi-eyed look. Natural wax and acacia gum are this mascara’s secret weapons and combine to give the user a whole lot of volume and curl.
3. Bobbi Brown No Smudge Mascara
Price: $32
Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Bobbi Brown, Amazon, Nordstrom
Long-wearing and waterproof, this mascara is known for being smudge-proof even in the most humid of conditions. Reviewers also laud it for defining and lengthening lashes without clumping or flaking and the ability to do a natural look with one application or something more dramatic with additional coats. Bobbi Brown No Smudge Mascara is not only ophthalmologist-tested but is billed as free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates and sulfites.
4. Lancôme Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara
Price: $30
Reviews: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Lancôme, Amazon, Ulta, Sephora
Brides who need a long-wearing mascara will definitely want to consider Lancôme Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara. Offering 24-hour longevity, this waterproof, sweat proof, smudge proof mascara is paraben-free and offers huge volume thanks to its wavy fiber-bristle brush.
5. Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara
Price: $28
Reviews: 4 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Too Faced, Amazon
Too Faced’s Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara thickens and lengthens your lashes thanks to its hourglass-shaped brush. It’s buildable coverage allows you to choose how natural or dramatic you want your look to be. One coat will give you long yet natural looking lashes while three coats will give that eyelash extension look. Reviewers did note that while this mascara’s longevity is impressive, it can be challenging to remove.
Best Drugstore Brand Waterproof Mascaras
Even if you like the idea of using a designer mascara, let’s face it, spending $30 per tube isn’t feasible for every bride. Whether you’re on a tight budget or simply can’t see the sense in forking over that much money for makeup, a high-end mascara may simply not be worth the money for you.
Luckily there are some really fantastic drugstore brands out there that offer great results for a fraction of the cost. Not only are they more reasonably priced, but you won’t feel as bad about having to throw them out if they’re not used up within the recommended three months.
1. L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Waterproof Mascara
Price: $7.87-$10.49
Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Amazon, Ulta, Walmart
If you want the coveted butterfly effect for your lashes, reviewers agree this is the best lower-cost mascara to give it to you. L’Oreal’s ‘butterfly brush’ was designed to give you a winged-out effect and six times the volume and reviewers seem to agree that the brush does its job. This mascara is also lauded for going on smooth, separating each lash and leaving no clumps behind. It may not be the easiest mascara to remove if you’re just using soap and water, but comes off more easily with the oil of your choice and a cotton pad.
2. Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal Waterproof Mascara
Price: $6.50- $9.99
Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Amazon, Target, Ulta
Colossal lashes? Nine times the volume of your regular lashes? Colossal might be a bit of an oversell, but reviewers do agree that this mascara is a bargain for its lengthening and long-lasting wear. The formula contains collagen to add volume and the brush was designed to remove any clumps so your lashes can be picture perfect. This ophthalmologist tested mascara is suitable for contact lens wearers and people with sensitive eyes.
3. Revlon So Fierce! Big Bad Lash Mascara
Price: $8.12- $11.49
Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Ulta, Walmart, Amazon
If your lashes need a pigment boost, this mascara could be a good option for you. Said to darken lashes using “natural dyes” in as little as seven days, reviewers like this mascara for being smudge-proof and long lasting. While some reviewers weren’t super impressed with the brush, it was lauded for providing full, long lashes without clumping or flaking.
4. CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara
Price: $8.67- $9.09
Reviews: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Walmart, Amazon, Ulta
Volume without clumping or harsh chemicals? You bet. Promising 20 times more volume, CoverGirl’s Clump Crusher mascara is made without parabens and is vegan and cruelty-free. The double-sided brush ensures there is lash separation without clumping, and that means you can use one layer for a more natural lash look or add additional layers for more dramatic lashes without it looking too thick or cakey. Reviewers say it is smudge proof and tear proof, making it an ideal choice for your wedding day.
5. Rimmel Scandaleyes Volume on Demand Waterproof Mascara
Price: $6.25
Reviews: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Amazon, Walmart
If you want lashes that stay looking soft and supple, even after your mascara application, Rimmel’s Scandaleyes mascara is a good choice. With its special conditioning formula, your lashes stay looking fab even if you apply more mascara later in the day. No spider eyes here! Dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested, Scandaleyes is smudge-proof and long-lasting yet easy to remove before bed.
Best Fiber Mascaras
If you covet that lash extension look, but aren’t able to get actual extensions, a fiber mascara is a good compromise. Here are the four best brands for brides.
1. EM Cosmetics Pick Me Up Volume + Length Mascara
Price: $24
Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Buy on: EM Cosmetics
If your eyelashes have been damaged by lash extensions, or they are just naturally short, this is the perfect mascara to try. Pick Me Up Mascara’s lightweight fibers lift and lengthen while also fortifying your lashes with vitamins and plant proteins to encourage growth. This mascara is flake, smudge and run-proof and keeps lashes feeling soft and natural.
2. Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Mascara
Price: $33
Reviews: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Lancôme, Ulta, Nordstrom
If you want dramatic lashes that are waterproof, Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Mascara is a good choice. While pricier than the other fiber mascaras to make the top four, reviewers are in love with the convex brush that offers full lash contact for longer, more voluminous lashes. Some users, however, found this mascara to get clumpy after a month or two of use.
3. Lash Princess False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara
Price: $4.99
Reviews: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Essence Makeup, Ulta, Target
If you love the idea of false lashes, but don’t want to damage them with lash glue, this mascara is a good compromise. Users agree this formula makes lashes ultra long and dramatic and, because it’s made without animal bi-products, alcohol and parabens, it’s gentle on the eyes. Users also noted this mascara’s staying power, saying it holds up against rain, tears and sweat without smudging or flaking. It is difficult to remove, however.
4. L’Oreal Paris Voluminous X Fiber
Price: $10.35
Reviews: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Amazon, Walmart
This two-in-one product gives you primer and mascara in one tube. The black mascara primer protects your lashes while also adding volume. This is followed by the fiber-infused mascara which Loreal says contains 20 times more lengthening fibers. Users agree this mascara does offer a dramatic look and holds up all day but, like most fiber mascaras, removal is not easy.
Best Clean Waterproof Mascaras
Clean waterproof mascaras can be pretty hard to come by. While more costly than drug store brand mascaras, they offer peace of mind that they are not only made in a sustainable way, but they are good for your lashes and eyes too.
To help you in your quest, we’ve curated a list of our favorite clean water-resistant mascaras. Our top five favorite picks are:
1. Pacifica Aquarian Gaze Water-Resistant Long Lash Mineral Mascara
Price: $14
Reviews: 4.7/5 stars
Buy on: Pacifica Beauty, Amazon
Infused with coconut oil, kelp extract and vitamin B to hydrate and condition your lashes, Pacifica’s Aquarian Gaze Water-Resistant Long Lash Mineral Mascara is formulated without carmine, phthalates, petrolatum or silicone. Accompanied by a rubber brush designed to significantly lengthen lashes, it also separates to build volume without clumping for a doe-eyed look without the chemicals.
2. Ere Perez Avocado Waterproof Mascara
Price: $28
Reviews: 4.6/5 stars
Buy on: Ere Perez, Amazon, Ulta, Credo Beauty
If you want to make a statement with your lashes, then Ere Perez Avocado Waterproof Mascara is a good choice. This volumizing mascara is made with mamey and avocado oils to stimulate growth and promote lash strength. Ere Perez Avocado Waterproof Mascara boasts 24-hour wear and is waterproof and smudge-proof. A good buy for anyone with sensitive eyes, it is easy to remove with any natural oil such as sweet almond, coconut or olive.
3. Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara
Price: $25
Reviews: 4.5/5 stars
Buy on: Thrive
If you love the idea of lash extensions but don’t have the time or money for the upkeep, this all-natural, water-resistant mascara is a lifesaver. Available in three shades, this mascara really does live up to the hype of creating super dramatic lashes. The company’s patented orchid stem cell complex is also said to “support longer, healthier-looking lashes.” As an added bonus, Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara is vegan, paraben-free, sulfate-free and is formulated without phthalates or synthetic fragrances.
4. Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara
Price: $18
Reviews: 4.4/5 stars
Buy on: The Honest Company, Amazon, Ulta
Billed as a two-in-one lash primer and mascara, this best seller on Amazon is ophthalmologist-tested as well as cruelty-free, paraffin-free, paraben-free and silicone-free. Honest Beauty’s double-sided mascara gives length and volume to your lashes, but also hydrates them thanks to its jojoba esters-infused formula. At $18, it is also one of the better-priced all-natural products on our list.
5. bareMinerals MAXIMIST Phyto-Fiber Volumizing Mascara
Price: $29
Reviews: 4.2/5 stars
Buy on: bareMinerals, Sephora, Ulta
Receiving Spehora’s ‘clean seal’ of approval, bareMinerals MAXIMIST Phyto-Fiber Volumizing Mascara is a volumizing, waterproof formula that is both vegan and cruelty-free. It is also free of parabens, talc and synthetic fragrances. This mascara uses orange peel fibers which adhere to lashes for more volume while its ‘microalgae complex’ strengthens and nourishes lashes which, the company says, will give you “thicker, denser lashes over time.”
