Best Clean Mascaras to Try
Finding a clean mascara that checks all of the boxes can be a challenge. From clumpy lashes to terrible applicators, I’ve trashed my fair share of products over the years. I thought I would share my favorite clean mascaras, as well as some tips for getting the longest, fullest looking eyelashes. Most of these are tried-and-true brands and products that I have been using for years and that you’ve seen me share again and again.
If you are looking for more clean beauty recommendations, check out these posts:
- City Lips Review: My New Favorite Plumping Lip Gloss
- MERIT Beauty Review for Mature Skin
- Monday Musings: What’s New In My Beauty Routine
Best Clean Mascaras to Try
ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara
My ILIA mascara is on constant reorder because my eye doctor insists I need to replace my mascara every 8 weeks. Even mascara with preservatives should be replaced often because they can be a breeding ground for germs. The comblike brush helps it go on beautifully with no clumping. I have tried so many different brands of mascara, but nothing can compete in the long run.
It’s cruelty-free and made with natural dye. I love that it’s also free of sulfates, phthalates, parabens, petrochemicals, mineral oil, silicone and talc, formaldehyde, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, triclosan, triclocarban, gluten, artificial preservatives, fragrances, nanoparticles, EDTA and DEA.
Merit Clean Lash Lengthening Tubing Mascara
Here’s another one of my favorite clean mascaras that I like to keep in my rotation. Unlike regular mascaras that paint the lashes with pigment, tubing mascara works by creating tiny “tubes” around each lash. This type of mascara can be a great choice for those who have issues with smudging, flaking, or have sensitive eyes because the tubing formulas tend to be more gentle and non-irritating.
Tubing mascara also tends to wash off more easily at the end of the day. It goes on lightly, and you can go back to add additional layers to thicken the look. You’ll notice in the picture above that I have on more than one layer.
Tower28 MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara
I didn’t think anything could knock my Illia mascara off its favored pedestal…but this mascara has given it a good run for its money! I tossed out my eyelash curler after using it for a few weeks, and my daughter bought her own after trying mine.
It’s cruelty-free, clean of nasty ingredients, and an Allure Best of Beauty award winner. There’s something unique about the arc of the brush-type wand that makes my lashes look long, curled, and not clumpy.
Other Clean Mascaras to Try:
- Beautycounter Think Big All In One
- Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara
- caliray Come Hell or High Water Volumizing & Lengthening Tubing Mascara
More Tools for Great Eyelashes
Using an eyelash comb elevates your lashes by separating and defining each lash, eliminating clumps for a polished look. It creates a fluttery effect, prevents lashes from sticking together, and enhances volume, making it a must-have tool for a natural or dramatic look.
I love the Farmacy Makeup Cleansing Balm. It’s amazing at removing my makeup at the end of the day! As a first step in the evening, I’ve recently started using this Baush + Lomb LUMIFY Eye Makeup Remover which is a 3-in-1 Micellar Water that also contains Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C & Niacinamide. My eye DR says it’s critical that I be thorough removing my eye makeup each night because any traces left behind will worsen my dry eye and blocked meibomian glands.
If you aren’t getting the results you’d like with mascara alone, try adding an eyelash curler to your routine. The most important thing about an eyelash curler is that it has a flexible pad, so it doesn’t break your eyelashes.
Have you tried any of these mascaras? Do you have any clean mascaras to add to this list?
Are these products available in Canada? I would love to try any of them.
Yes they are
I have tried Ilia and really like it. It still clumps sometimes but not much. Thank you for the recommendations. I use Ponds Cold Cream to remove make up. Works well for me. Appreciate your wonderful blog.
Thanks for being here Mary!
Il Makiage mascara also has a comb that works well. I’m not sure about “clean” but I read the ingredients and didn’t see any of the things you listed. Their other products are nice too; you can “try before you buy” and return any item that you don’t like.
Good to know. I’ll check into it.
I too have blephritis and it is the pits! I have to wash my eyelids with baby shampoo and use warm moist compresses to try to keep my oil glands open, which they are not. I also have blonde eyelashes and brows. I hesitate to wear mascara because of my eye condition. My dry eye went acute a week ago and I had to use steroid eye drops for a week and now must use Systane Ultra drops every hour if I can remember to do so. I couldn’t wear mascara using drops to moisturize my eyes that often. How do you keep your eyes moisturized with mascara on?
I do all you do plus use preservative free eye drops through out the day. It’s a pain. Literally. My eyes hurt!
I just started using a primer before applying mascara. It makes my lashes so much better and keeps the mascara from transferring under my eyes. I have sensitive eyes so have to be careful what I apply. I also replace my mascara often. Most people keep theirs too long.
Some people keep it for years!!
I am using the Tower 28 mascara now and love it! I have blue eyes and fair skin so I went with the brown. I have used Ilia mascara too, but I prefer mascara in brown and I don’t believe they carry the brown. I just received a bottle of the Farmacy green clean and think Im going to like it. Great post!
I love the Green Clean. I’d use brown mascara if I could find a cool toned one.
Hi Jennifer, how about a essay on how to take care of aging old man bushy eyebrows? They will grow 6 inches if left on their own, there are many more of them., growing where I don’t want them. The colour is all over the map- white, brown…etc. A bit of a mess.
Thanks
Anne
Trim, trim, trim. I brush them upwards then trim them to an even length. Then use colored eyebrow pomade that holds them in place.
I also have dry eye. Comes with living a long life! Mascara is my essential makeup item, too. I’ve never heard of these brands. Excited to try some out.
I’m new to your posts. I love your style and choices
Welcome Nancy! I’m glad you’ve joined us.
Hi Jennifer, I use the Beautycounter mascara and love it. I would like to know the brand and color of eyeliner you use, and also the base eye shadow. Thank you. Love your posts.
I use this Stilla eyeliner in Alloy. I use lots of eye shadows but currently am using the Illini cream.
Call me old fashion, but at age 63, I still use the same pink/green Maybelline mascara, I used at 14!
I wouldn’t say old fashioned, I would say loyal.
Great tips; thanks. I will check out the Tower mascara. The Ilia mascara wand comes out with too much product on it for some reason. My current favorite clean mascara is Saie 101, which comes in black and brown.
I haven’t tried the Saie brand yet. Thanks for the encouragement.
I find the same problem with the Ilia mascara. I will also be trying out the Tower mascara. Hope this one works for me!
I have the same color eyes as you, and am fair skinned. In my 50s, I started using dark shades of brown mascara which looks more natural on me. Problem is that most mascaras only come in black. Tower 28 does come in a brown shade. I’ll have to try it!
I’ve experimented with Navy as well which is nice and soft.
I have dry eyes and these mascaras sound really gentle which I should be looking for. I’ve always taken off mascara with baby oil. It’s worked for me for years.
That’s a popular route.
Hi. I have blue/grey eyes and use just a bit of taupe shadow and actually the same taupe powder for lining under my eyes…it’s very soft and barely-there which I prefer. My mascara? A real find at Amazon with three for $14. I use dry eye drops when I get up but honestly this mascara, suggested by a friend, ROCKS! I used Bobbi Brown Eye Opening Mascare forever but then tried this recommended one and it’s the best! on Amazon:
essence | Lash Princess Volume Mascara | Cruelty Free | Black (Pack of 3)
Pippa
I have sensitive dry eyes. Thank You for all the tips. I’m going to try your make up cleaners too! I usually end up using a Qtip and baby shampoo to get all my mascara off.
I try to avoid waterproof mascara too because it’s just so hard to get off. Baby shampoo is very popular for cleaning around the eyes.
Hi, Do you ever use more than one mascara?
Yes. Sometimes I’ll start with one then follow up with Ilia to smooth out any clumps. The brush is great for that.
Good morning Jennifer, I want to tell you that you are always spot on with your post. Thank you so much for sharing your tried and trues. A loyal follower…Linda
Thanks for reading Linda! I’m so glad you like my posts.
After struggling with various mascaras – clumping , stiffness , dripping etc. I tried getting them dyed which looked much better ! Now I have eyebrows dyed a dark brown and eyelashes black about every six weeks . This is also useful since I swim most mornings .
That’s perfect if you swim!
Hi,
You have pretty eyes Jenifer and what I like is that you don’t rim them with heavy black eyeliner , it’s my pet hate on ladies of a certain age . Your eye make and makeup is softly applied . Interesting post on mascara again less is more . What colour is your eyeshadow and soft barely there liner, it’s a great combination and then the mascara opens up the eyes .Thank you for
this post too.
Pamela Wales UK
Thank you! My eyeliner is a soft gray. My shadows are soft taupe.
Do you have blephritis as well?
I do. It’s the pits.
Thanks for the mascara tips, Jennifer. I really want to give the Tower mascara another try. Hoping to ditch my eyelash curler I tried it previously, but ended up returning it as there was a terrific amount of clumping and flaking going on. I concluded that the wand I purchased may have been old and dried out. My favorite makeup cleansing balm is a Korean product, the Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm for Sensitive Skin. I tried so many products before finding my holy grail. It’s not greasy at all, removes all traces of my makeup, and has no irritating fragrance oils and doesn’t cause any problems with my rosacea. I like to use Beautypedia Skin Care Ingredient Checker and Incidecoder to check out skin care ingredients.
Beauty of Joseon makes some amazing products! I’ve been anxious to try some.