If your lashes look more “meh” than magical, the answer might be simple—you’re not using the right mascara for your lash type. Whether you have short lashes, poker-straight lashes, sparse lashes, or sensitive eyes that water at the mere thought of mascara, we've got the clean mascara that can lift, volumize, and define without compromising on ingredients or performance.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to choose the best mascara for your unique lash type, share experts tips to maximize your lashes, and introduce you to ĀTHR Beauty’s two cult-favorite, crystal-infused clean mascaras: Big Bang Mascara and our NEW Comeback Mascara.
Best Mascara for Short Lashes
Short lashes? Not anymore. The right mascara will lift, lengthen, and transform even the tiniest fringe into a full-on flutter. Look for a lightweight, lash-fortifying, buildable formula paired with a thoughtfully designed wand to grab every lash and stretch them sky-high—from root to tip.
Try: The Comeback Mascara
Designed for ultimate length and star-grazing lift, The Comeback Mascara features a unique faceted brush to coat every last lash (yes, even the ones hiding in the corners) for a luxuriously lengthened fan of lashes. It lengthens and separates without clumping, so your lashes look longer, lifted, and defined all day. Big Lash Energy, here we come.
I love this mascara! It gives my lashes a ton of length & definition. It goes on smoothly & stays on all day with no flaking, but still washes off easily without makeup remover.
- Cara
Pro-Tips For Longer Lashes:
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It's all in the application: Wiggle the mascara wand back and forth from the base of lashes to the very tip. Tease out as much length as possible from the very root to the pointiest point. Close your eyes to get the most out of this method.
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Choose a fortifying formula: Lashes naturally grow in a cycle that lasts around three months—but sometimes they fall out before they’ve had the chance to reach their full, fluttery potential. This premature shedding can be caused by aggressive rubbing or harsh, drying ingredients that weaken the lash structure. The fix? A nourishing, fortifying formula that strengthens lashes from root to tip, helping minimize breakage and allow your lashes to reach their highest heights.
Best Mascara for Thin Lashes or Thinning Lashes
When your lashes are looking a little sparse, the right mascara can bring them back to life. Look for a thickening formula that builds volume without clumping, while also infusing your lashes with strengthening, lash-loving ingredients. The best mascara for thin lashes does double duty—plumping up your lash line now and supporting healthier, fuller growth over time.
Lash RX: Big Bang Mascara: This intensely volumizing, lash-healing bestseller is packed with lash-loving ingredients like Castor Oil, which promotes natural lash growth and Desert-Derived Jasmine Plant Extract to strengthen lashes and prevent breakage. Designed with two sizes of fibers for maximum length and volume, this clean, buildable formula coats your lashes from root to tip, adding density and fullness without weighing them down.
I've been scouring the earth for a mascara that has clean ingredients and wouldn't cause a ton of lash breakage. A lot of other clean brands were nice on my lashes but the mascara would crumble off within 2 hours and leave me with dark smudges under my eyes making me look even more tired. I almost gave up on finding a clean mascara till I found Big Bang mascara! This stuff lasts me thru my 8 hour work day without crumbling and making me look haggard in the eyes by the end of the day. It also so gentle on my lashes and doesn't cause excessive lash loss and breakage. AND IT MAKES THEM LOOK SO LONG!!! I've never had mascara make my thin lashes look so prominent. I'm hooked.
-Olivia L
Pro-Tips for Thicker Lashes:
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For Quick Thickness: Coat both sides of your lashes for dramatically fuller-looking lashes. Start with the underside as usual, then coat the back side of your lashes pulling upwards. Add another coat on the underside to maintain your lifted curl.
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For Falsie Level Volume: Apply the first coat on one eye and let it dry for a few seconds. Then, brush face powder all over the front and back of your lashes using a medium-sized shadow brush. Apply another coat of mascara on the front and back of your lashes, then brush through with a clean spoolie to remove clumps. Repeat as needed for next-level volume!
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Avoid Waterproof Mascara: Waterproof mascaras might seem like a good idea—until it’s time to take them off. The aggressive rubbing required to remove them can lead to more lash fallout and worsen thinning over time. Instead, reach for a long-wear formula like The Big Bang Mascara or The Comeback Mascara that stay put all day but melt away effortlessly with warm water or a gentle cleanser. Your lashes will thank you.
Fortifying Ingredients to Look For
The best mascara for thinning lashes should go beyond just volume—it should support lash health from root to tip. Look for nourishing formulas infused with lash-strengthening botanicals and growth-boosting actives. Our Big Bang Mascara is packed with:
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Castor Oil: promotes healthy lash growth and prevents premature fallout and breakage.
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Olive Oil: locks in moisture to reduce brittleness and breakage.
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Rice Bran Wax: nourishes and protects lashes from damage.
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Jasmine Extract: Rich in antioxidants, it helps nourish and strengthen lashes.
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Myrica Cerifera (Bayberry) Fruit Extract & Myrica Pubescens Fruit Wax: antioxidant protection to shield lashes from environmental stressors.
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Lactobacillus & Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract: helps support a healthy lash line microbiome and soothes the delicate skin at the root of your lashes.
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Black Diamond Powder: Adds extra strength, shine, and dimension (and all the good vibes).
Ingredients to Avoid
If you’re looking to build thick, full lashes, make sure to avoid mascaras that contain ingredients that can cause lash damage or promote premature fallout. Steer clear of:
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Paraffins: block the hair follicle, inhibiting healthy growth.
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Certain alcohols: dry out lashes and prevent them from growing healthy.
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Dimethicone and methicone: can block follicles and prevent the release of natural toxins, leading to slower lash regeneration.
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PVP (Polyvinylpyrrolidone) and Polyacrylamide: prevent lashes from absorbing moisture which interferes with healthy growth.
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Irritating ingredients in general: if you eyes are regularly itchy, red, or irritated, your eye makeup may be to blame. If you're often rubbing or itching the area around your eyelashes, you may see more lash fallout. The solution: clean, non-irritating ingredients that don't cause you to itch your eyelashes off!
I bought this for the black diamond powder as I'm a gemstone/crystal freak....Not only does it extend my lashes more than any of the other $25 mascaras but my lashes have grown. I know it may sound strange but they did, I swear! About 25 years ago I burned my eyelashes off one side of my left eye. It burned my lid which affected the hair folicles or something and those lashes remained short stubbies all this time until now. They are nearly caught up with the other side! The rest of my lashes are longer as well. I never wear mascara on my lower lids as they are pretty much non-existent anyway but after seeing the growth on my upper lids I'm planning on trying this on the lower lid TO ONE SIDE as an experiment. I'll report back here and let you know the results!
Best Mascara for Straight Lashes
If you're a straight-lashed girlie, you know their curl-resistance is strong and committed. Don't worry though, we've got you. Lastingly curled lashes start with a mascara that lifts and dramatically curls without weighing down your lashes with a heavy, droop-inducing formula. Part 2 is the application - and this is what makes your curl hold. Scroll on for our pro-tips that will finally give you that all-day curl you've been waiting for.
Lash RX: The Big Bang Mascara
A cult-favorite of straight-lashed ladies around the world, The Big Bang Mascara rivals the best waterproof mascaras in the curl department. With our deeply-nourishing, lightweight formula and our signature faceted brush, you'll see dramatic curl that lasts along with the brow-dusting length and delicious volume we all love. Oh and a touch of real black diamond powder just to raise the vibes even higher.
My lashes were super black, defined and full and bitch- THEY HELD A CURL!!! I have never seen a non waterproof mascara that will hold a curl ever, let alone a clean Indy brand. BIG PROPS to ATHR Beauty for breaking the mold!!! - Desiree
Pro-Tips for Straight Lashes:
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For a Curling Lift: Focus application on the base of your lashes to enhance every last lash with a curlifying hold. Pair this method with a lash curler for the maximum lift. Tilt the curler up towards your lid and pump the curler slightly open and closed for 5-10 seconds to get your curl on point.
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For Maximum Hold: Layer your mascara in light coats, allowing each to dry slightly before applying the next. This builds a flexible, long-lasting curl that won’t droop.
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Cat-Eyed Curl: Finish with an extra coat on the outer half of your lashes to emphasize the curl and create a wide, cat-eyed look.
Clean Mascara for Sensitive Eyes
If mascara makes your eyes sting, itch, or water, you’re not alone. The truth is, most mascaras are formulated with a buffet of harsh, irritating, allergy-inducing ingredients that can wreak havoc on us sensitive skin-havers. But, those days are now behind us. Enter: the Holy Grail of mascara for sensitive eyes:
The Comeback Mascara
Beloved by sensitive skin-havers and eye waterers 'round the world, The Comeback Mascara is the lash lengthening, strengthening, and all-around groundbreaking mascara that will finally end your irritated eye cycle. Get ready for your thickest, featheriest, most luxuriously lengthened lashes of life, all without a single ounce of irritation, we promise. Oh, and the best part - it comes off with warm water alone.
Every single mascara I have ever tried has irritated my eyes. Even the ones for sensitive eyes, for contact wearers, etc. This is the ONLY mascara in my entire life that does not irritate my eyes. It’s unbelievable! It makes my lashes look feathery and natural, which is what I want. I can’t stand spider eyes with clumpy lashes...
-Holly
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