The best mascara for short lashes, specifically, is one that is exceptionally good at creating a particularly lengthy and fluttery lash look that lasts. Whether you want to add totally transformative volume or would prefer a subtly enhanced look, woman&home's beauty editors have tested enough mascaras to know which ones will get those all-important results in short eyelashes.
Finding the product you deem the best mascara by your own personal standards does take time. With hundreds of options on the market, from the best volumising mascaras to the best tubing mascaras, settling requires a degree of trial and error. You're unlikely to strike gold by picking up any mascara at random and hoping for the best, so it's essential to consider your lash type when shopping.
"The most common complaint I hear is fine lashes," says makeup artist and beauty expert Zoë Taylor, "So choosing a lightweight but buildable mascara is important – rather than a heavy, dense formula, which might clog and weigh down the hairs." Taking her advice on board, and after much testing, here we've reviewed the tried-and-true options that genuinely curled, volumised and lengthened our short lashes.
Best mascaras for short lashes deals
The best mascara for short lashes, reviewed by our beauty team
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RRP: £30 | Waterproof version: Yes
We're established big fans of Shiseido at woman&home and so, for us, this mascara is something of an obsession. Much like many of the best mascaras for short lashes, ImperialLash also has a curved, hourglass-shaped brush, but it's still much slimmer than your typical mascara wand.
This mascara is a great choice for those working with very short natural lashes as it allows for slightly more precision and control. The main thing we noticed after testing it was how beautifully it fanned out our lashes, resulting in an even coat of pigment across the whole eye.
Buy if: You want lashes to look natural, defined, lengthened and volumised
Avoid if: You're on a budget
RRP: £9.99 | Waterproof version: No
As a brand, Revolution always strikes the right balance between quality and affordability. The brush's twisted "vortex" shape impressively caught every lash when we tested this mascara, giving them a flawless, lengthened look.
We're quite particular about a mascara formula's consistency and found this one was just right; not too wet and runny or too dry, it applied smoothly to our lashes. We also loved that it could be built up to make lashes look even thicker, thanks to the amount of volume it creates at the roots.
Buy if: You're looking for an affordable yet quality mascara
Avoid if: You prefer a synthetic brush
RRP: £25 | Waterproof version: No
If you're looking for the best lengthening mascara to create that lash extension effect, we've found it. Thanks to this Clinique mascara's thin, curved wand, our lashes were instantly curled and extremely lengthened in just a couple of swipes.
The High Impact Zero Gravity formula is one of the drier options that we've tried, though we experienced no clumpiness or smudging. We found that the formula spreads evenly on each lash for a fanned-out look. It had a more natural, thinner finish that promotes length and curl above thickness or volume.
Buy if: You want to create a long, wispy effect
Avoid if: You prefer a dramatic look
RRP: £28 | Waterproof version: No
If you're seeking a mascara that will add length and volume in what feels like an instant, this Charlotte Tilbury number might just be the perfect product for you. While testing it, we found that only one swipe on each eye was needed to get that thick, full look we were hoping for.
In other words, when we tested it it required hardly any effort on our part to transform our short lashes. This is definitely a buildable formula that can become as thick and dark as you want it to be, making it particularly ideal for glam eye looks.
Buy if: You want a bold and long-wearing mascara
Avoid if: "Loud" lashes aren't your style
RRP: £12 | Waterproof version: No
Not only is this Morphe mascara affordable, but we also found it delivers on its promise of creating lush, voluminous lashes. What we loved most about this formula is that it gave a lash extension look, providing length and definition without leaving lashes looking too "made up".
Ideal for natural makeup looks or full glam, we think there's no going wrong with it. Plus, it's ophthalmologist-tested, making it one of the best mascaras for sensitive eyes. For high-end performance with a budget price tag, Morphe has hit the nail on the head.
Buy if: You want an affordable mascara for sensitive eyes
Avoid if: You need something waterproof
RRP: £12.99 | Waterproof version: No
This is by far the most unique product in our best mascara for short lashes guide. What sets L'Oréal's Telescopic Lift Mascara apart from all other mascaras is its two-sided bristle brush. This sits almost completely flat on one side, with spiked ridges on the other.
A reinvention of the original L'Oréal Telescopic mascara, Telescopic Lift also promises to yield 5mm of visible added length. The even, fanned-out look it created was also one of our favourite features, as it made our lashes look healthy and full.
Buy if: You want good lift and a curl that lasts
Avoid if: The fiddly wand would put you off
RRP: £29 | Waterproof version: No
From the best matte foundations to the best perfume for women, YSL makes some of our favourite beauty products. This is the first mascara we have tried from the brand and it's safe to say we weren't disappointed. From the gorgeous, sleek packaging to the buildable volume it provides, this mascara ticks all the right boxes for short lashes. When testing, we loved using the conical-shaped wand that caught every lash, yielding a thick and full finish.
Buy if: Your go-to look is a smokey eye
Avoid if: You want to use on lower lashes, too
RRP: £28 | Waterproof version: No
A relative newcomer to the market, hitting the UK in 2023, Merit is known for easy-to-use beauty products that simplify your makeup routine – and Clean Lash Mascara is a favourite of woman&home's Head of Shopping, Millie Fender. It's a tubing formula, meaning lashes are "wrapped" with polymers (rather than pigment), which resist smudging and soak off with warm water at the end of the day.
"For lengthening while still keeping my lashes looking natural, I love the Merit Clean Lash," she says. "The tubing formula makes it super easy to remove and I also love using it on my lower lashes for a separated, clump-free look."
Buy if: You're looking for the best tubing mascara
Avoid if: You want lots of volume
RRP: £7.95 Waterproof version: No
Another budget-friendly option, Lottie London's Superfake Mascara stands out from the crowd thanks to its thin and very flexible wand. When testing, we loved its consistency, which made for quick and easy application with no tugging or mess.
Thanks to the smaller wand that bends, we could also get right into the roots and work through every lash to stretch and lengthen. The smaller spikes on the wand also mean no clumping occurs, which is always a welcome bonus.
Buy if: You want a low-maintenance mascara
Avoid if: You have hooded eyes (some transferred onto our lids)
RRP: £31 | Waterproof version: No
If you're on the hunt for the best mascara for hooded eyes, look no further; woman&home's senior writer Amelia Yeomans says this Hourglass mascara is smudge-proof and works wonders for lengthening.
"It's my favourite mascara at the moment," she says. "It's a tubing formula, so it works amazingly to add instant length that could rival falsies and won't smudge at all – which is great for hooded eyes like mine. It is definitely for those who want length above all else, as it isn't hugely thickening."
Buy if: You have hooded eyelids and short lashes
Avoid if: You want thicker-looking lashes
RRP: £27 | Waterproof version: Yes
MACStack Mascara very handily comes with two brush sizes, Mega and Micro, to cater to different lash look preferences – and it promises infinite buildability, too. We loved that we could build up the volume and thickness of our lashes or keep them more natural-looking.
The thinner and lighter formula is not only comfortable, but a lot can be applied to short lashes without weighing them down or clumping. If you're torn between the two brushes, Mega is better for your top lashes and a volumised look, while Micro creates a more understated look that's also well-suited to bottom lashes or short eyelashes.
Buy if: You want a lightweight, flake-free mascara
Avoid if: You're looking for a cruelty-free option
RRP: £28 | Waterproof version: No
The ILIA Fullest mascara is known for its volumising and thickening lash results – but according to our shopping writer, Hannah Holway, it also happens to be one of the best lengthening mascaras.
Thanks to its nourishing and eyelash-caring formula, it defines and enhances your natural lashes while keeping them conditioned and healthy-looking, thanks to its nourishing ingredients.
Buy if: You want a mascara that will help to keep your natural lashes healthy
Avoid if: You have shaky hands, as the wand could be a little messy
How we tested the best mascara for short lashes
A selection of the mascaras we tested for this guide to the best mascara for short lashes
To gauge how well each mascara really performs and, therefore, write as thorough possible a guide to the very best, we tested all of them on our short lashes. We paid particular attention to mascara brush types, formula and ease of application, as well as looking at how they looked after a few hours of wear – keeping a particular eye out for any flaking or smudging.
After that, the main factor we looked at was the mascara's lengthening ability, examining whether each product could revive our short lashes and provide that much sought-after fluttery look.
How to choose the best mascara for short lashes
There are a few key factors to consider to find an ideal mascara that works well on short, sparse or fine lashes. By assessing each one against the following criteria, you can be almost certain that you will find a mascara that will work for you and your lashes.
- Wand: As well as the formula, a mascara's results hinge largely on its wand type. Volumising mascaras tend to have thicker, hourglass-shaped wands, while lengthening ones usually have thinner, tapered wands. Consider your desired look and pay attention to the accompanying brushes while shopping.
- Formula: Those with hooded eyes or oily skin (or both) often struggle with mascara smudging. Here, a tubing formula, which "wraps" the lashes in polymers that only come off with warm water or a slightly drier consistency, can be beneficial. If you want something buildable or that's less likely to dry out, opt for thinner, wetter consistencies that layer on more easily.
- Ingredients: Another important factor for those with sensitive eyes is ingredients. If yours are prone to irritation or you want to improve the health of your lashes, you may want to go for a formula with nourishing oils, but some of these can be irritating to sensitive eyes, so do some research into the ingredients before you buy.
How to make short lashes look longer
The next step is mastering your application. "Once you have curled, apply mascara starting in the root, wiggling the wand deep into the base of the lashes," Taylor recommends "Then, draw out the wand through the lashes to the tips, spreading the lashes as you would like them to sit." Take your time here, as it's a technique worth perfecting to ensure your lashes look exactly as you'd like them.
"The second layer should be [applied] mostly into the roots, and the third starting again in the roots and drawing through to the tips," Taylor continues. "Moving onto the other eye, repeat. Once you are happy, apply a tiny extra bit onto the tips in an upwards and downwards motion." And, voilà, you will have longer and fuller-looking lashes.
How do you apply mascara to short, sparse lashes?
Taylor is very clear in her advice on this matter: "Always curl your lashes!" As with almost all makeup, how you prepare before you begin applying mascara is key to getting the best results – and one of the best eyelash curlers will help with that.
"It doesn’t matter how long or short your lashes are, really take your time on getting them as curled and perfect as possible," Taylor continues. "Once mascara is on, you mustn’t use eyelash curlers on the lashes as it can damage them."
Can mascara damage short lashes?
If you are wondering is mascara bad for your eyelashes, a common belief is that wearing it can harm your natural lashes, especially those that are already quite fine. However, with the right products and removal processes, there is no reason why mascara should harm your lashes.
"Choose your mascara carefully," says Taylor. "Yes, some are very expensive, but the reason is that they [often] have nourishing serums in the formulations to help encourage lash growth." It is usually true that you get what you pay for, so it is worth investing in the right product if yours are in need of some nourishment.
As well as using one of the best mascaras for short lashes, pay close attention to how you remove your eye makeup, too. "Eye makeup removal is so important for the health of your lashes," Taylor confirms. "I love to remove my mascara with a face balm; [this] doesn’t require heavy rubbing with a cotton or re-usable pad." Using one of the best cleansing balms, therefore, can make a huge difference in keeping your lashes in good health.
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