The Best Mascaras For Thin Lashes

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

According to Newsweek, thick, dark, and long eyelashes are perceived as most attractive. But let's face it, not all of us were blessed with abundant lashes. While you could try to augment your lashes with expensive serums or extensions, a more budget-friendly option is to go with a trusty mascara that you can use on a daily basis.

When choosing mascara for thin lashes, it's best to look for an option that adds volume while still being lightweight. That's because if your lashes are thin, they're more prone to being weighed down and looking droopy, according to Who What Wear. You'll also want a mascara that adds curl without clumping. And if you're one of the many people with fine, sparse lashes (no shame here), you're likely looking for some of the best mascaras to add thickness and volume that will trick people into thinking you have lashes for days. Read on for some of our favorites.

If you want a mascara that can grab your lashes from the root, you can't go wrong with this bad boy from Maybelline (available on Amazon for less than $7). Its curved tip is great for adding massive volume to your lashes, especially if they're on the thinner side, according to Who What Wear. The brush comes with a whopping 10 layers at the bristles (per Byrdie), which is ideal for getting a lengthy, fanned-out look. Its mineral-coated formula also gives your lashes a natural-looking, separated effect that creates added thickness, the write-up adds.

"This is a dream come true for mascara junkies like me. The applicator brush (the key to everything for me) is perfectly designed, from the firm plastic bristles that coat and separate lashes with just the right amount of product, to the curve of the brush that enables you to (finally!) reach every last little corner lash (no, really!), to the smooth formula allowing me to layer several heavy coats without it clumping or turning to spider eye," one enthusiastic reviewer wrote.

CBD has been all the rage, and hopping on the trend is this vegan mascara from the innovative brand Milk Makeup ($26 at Sephora). This particular product is infused with hemp-derived cannabis oil that not only adds significant volume, but also claims to condition and moisturize for healthier lashes overall (via PopSugar). The mascara's most unique feature is its "heart-shaped fibers," which allow the formula to stay on all day while giving your lashes plenty of long-lasting curl (via StyleCraze). Milk Makeup KUSH High-Volume Mascara also has a creamy texture that glides on with ease, so you won't need to apply an extra primer before using it, the write-up adds. 

Keep in mind that this mascara has a large, thick applicator, which can be a learning curve for beginners (per PopSugar). However, it's a great choice for those who prefer mascara with a thicker brush.

Despite the rather risqué product name, it's not hard to understand why this item ($28 at Sephora) is one of America's best-selling mascaras, according to the Too Faced website. The special hourglass shape of the brush is ideal because it coats all lashes and suits all eye shapes, according to Who What Wear. The heavy brush provides a lot of control of the application process, and just two coats will achieve a long, voluminous look without clumping, the write-up said.

You can even layer up to a whopping five coats without having to worry about flaking (via Byrdie). It's also formulated with peptides for healthier lashes and tree extract for some intense volume. You can also purchase a waterproof version that will stay on all day smudge-free (per Who What Wear). Although the price tag isn't particularly modest, the influx of rave reviews indicates it may be worth the investment.

This mascara from Tarte (available at Sephora for $24) is made with all-natural ingredients, including plant extract that nourishes your lashes. According to StyleCraze, it is "clinically proven" to add volume in just one coat, so you won't have to apply multiple layers upon layers like you would with many heavier mascaras. It also comes with short, dense bristles (via Allure), which makes it a great choice for covering those hard-to-reach lower lashes. And thanks to its lightweight formula and waxy texture, you'll never have to worry about dealing with that uncomfortably stiff feeling on your lashes (via PureWow). Plus, its formula is free of chemicals, including parabens, gluten, sulfates, and dyes, per Sephora. Choose from classic black or brown colors.

"I love this mascara! It's my go-to for work and every day when I want my lashes to look defined but don't want to look like I'm too done up. It's buildable so I can add a few extra coats before heading to happy hour after work. I actually think it gets better as it dries out and it doesn't look clumpy!" one reviewer raved.

Now, back to the designer end of the mascara spectrum. According to Allure, this dramatic mascara from the iconic Marc Jacobs has a super-thickening formula that amps up even the thinnest of lashes in just one coat. The name "velvet" is fitting, as the finish has a glossy, luxurious effect that is true to the Marc Jacobs name. One beauty writer even said that despite the intense formula, it lasted from morning to night without smudging (via Allure). And if you're not looking to spend an arm and a leg, you can't go wrong with the $9 mini version of Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara that can be found on Amazon.

"This is some of the best mascara I have ever purchased. One coat makes lashes luxuriously long and thick. Two coats and you are ready for a party. LOVE IT!!" one enthusiastic five-star reviewer wrote on Amazon.

If you're up for a splurge, this $32 mascara from the makeup legend Pat McGrath will not disappoint. The high-end brand's first mascara, which launched in 2019 (via Byrdie), is much more than just its racy name. Not everyone with thin lashes wants to trick people into thinking they're not wearing makeup — some people want a mascara that packs a serious punch and can be seen from a mile away. With its ultra-thick wand crafted with densely packed bristles, and super-saturated and pigmented formula, it creates some major volume in just one stroke (per Byrdie). Pat McGrath LABS FetishEyes Mascara is perfect for evening wear during a night out on the town, because the words "subtle," "natural," and "casual" are not in its vocabulary.

"This is my favorite mascara by far. It's so lengthening and pretty and gives me that perfect fluffy long separated eyelash look, but it's still very dark so my eyelashes are fully defined," said a reviewer on Sephora.

Although this mascara may be the most budget-friendly on our list — priced at just $5 on Amazon — you may be surprised by the results it can achieve. If you want to transform your thin lashes with a thick, fluttery effect, look no further than the Lash Princess False Effect Mascara from Essence, one of the best drugstore brands out there. According to Byrdie, this item boasts a smooth formula that adds some major fullness and separation. With more than 178,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, much of the world seems to agree.

"Lash Princess is by far the best mascara I have ever used. I went from spending $100 a year to $15 on mascara!! My lashes look so beautiful, it's the only makeup I wear daily. It gives me fabulous volume control, I have been asked several times if I have lash extensions," one Amazon reviewer commented.