Best Curling Mascara to Get Those Lashes to Open Up!

Tired of straight, short, or sparse lashes that just don't seem to cooperate? These top-rated curling mascaras are here to make your peepers pop!

Best Curling Mascara

Are you looking for a way to pump up your look with curled and dramatic eyelashes? Perfectly defined lashes can add the perfect finishing touch to any makeup look, but achieving them can be tricky.

That’s why we were so excited to share with you the best curling mascaras on the market! These mascaras are specially designed to curl and are formulated with unique brush designs that make it easier than ever to get perfectly full and beautiful lashes - no need for heated eyelash curlers or other complicated products.

In this article, we'll be taking a look at all the amazing benefits of these revolutionary mascaras. Let's dive right into all the ways a curling mascara has what you need.


We hope you discover your next favorite beauty find from the list below! Each product was independently selected by our editors. Some may have been sent as samples for us to try, but all opinions in this article are our own. And, FYI — GlamourBadger may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to buy something (that's how we stay in business). Reviews have been edited for length and clarity. Enjoy your next favorite beauty find!


How We Choose

Looking for the best curling mascaras but don't know where to start?

We get it. It’s hard to tell which mascaras will make your lashes look their most glamorous. That's why we read through hundreds of verified customer reviews and compiled a list of the top-rated curling mascaras on the market today!

Say goodbye to mundane mascara and hello to lusciously curled, long lashes that won't clump or flake off throughout the day.

Read on for our top picks and get ready for more fabulous lashes than ever before!

Best Conditioning

Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Super Curling & Lifting Mascara

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Why We Like It

Introducing Benefit Cosmetics’ Roller Lash Super Curling & Lifting Mascara - your new best friend when it comes to giving your lashes the perfect curl and lift.

Say goodbye to clumpy, misshapen lashes because, with its revolutionary Hook ‘n’ Roll™ brush, you won’t ever have to worry about them again. This unique curling wand will grab, separate, lift, and curl your lashes like never before — so your eyes can look bigger and brighter than ever!

Let’s not forget the instant curve-setting formula that sets it apart from the rest. Forget having to reapply throughout the day - this formula truly holds up for 12 hours so you can get that perfect curl all day long!

For gorgeous eye-opening lashes that will last you long into the night, try Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Super Curling & Lifting Mascara today. It's a roller for lashes! With just a few rolls of this mascara wand, you’ll be ready for whatever life throws your way!

More to Know

With Pro-vitamin B5 and Serin working to condition your natural lashes, you'll have that defined, voluminous look every time you use it. This mascara also creates a satin, doll-like finish for an extra glam effect that will turn heads wherever you go!

And no matter where your day takes you or how hard you work up a sweat, this water-resistant mascara is not going anywhere.

Best of all, it's easy to remove; simply use warm water and your makeup wipes - no harsh tugging needed!

Best Buildable

Fenty Beauty Full Frontal Volume, Lift and Curl Mascara

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Why We Like It

Welcome to your new favorite makeup must-have – Fenty Beauty Full Frontal Volume, Lift and Curl Mascara! This mascara is designed to give you all of the drama you could ask for with its exclusive flat-to-fat brush that instantly volumizes, lifts, lengthens, and curls your lashes.

Your search is over if you're looking for an eye look that will wow. With clinical proof showing just how amazing this formula works, we couldn’t be more excited about the explosion of definition, length, and volume it has in store for you.

Plus, Full Frontal was designed to deliver Rihanna's full lash look – so you can be sure it’s going to look fabulous! Expose every little lash and achieve a full-on glamourous lash look today: try Fenty Beauty Full Frontal Volume, Lift and Curl Mascara!

More to Know

This revolutionary new mascara's lightweight formula combines with an exclusive flat-to-fat brush, so you can finish off your look with ease. The FAT side holds maximum product, allowing you to quickly give your lashes a lift, while the FLAT side helps define and curl. Plus, thanks to the pointed tip at the end of the brush, even those hard-to-reach tiny lashes get loaded up and revealed!

And not only that - this mascara is built for layering too, giving you plenty of time to create a stunning look from root to tip. For even more value, Full Frontal is tested on life's toughest conditions by none other than Rihanna herself - and designed to stand up against smudging, sweat, and tears. Get ready to turn heads wherever you go with enviable lashes all day long - flat to fat...just like that!

Best Smudge-Proof

Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara

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Why We Like It

Curling your straight lashes no longer has to be a chore! Clinique's High Impact Curling Mascara is here to make it oh-so-easy for you. With its weightless gel formula, this tubing mascara instantly lifts and curls your lashes by 50% with one simple step—no more curling lashes with an eyelash curler required. And the 24-hour gravity-defying hold ensures that your lifted, curled lashes stay that way throughout the day (and night!).

The breakthrough curved brush encapsulates every single lash while also lifting and setting them in place. And with its poly-thermal technology, this mascara can resist rain, sweat, humidity, and tears—but unlike most mascaras of its kind, it rinses off easily with warm water so you can ditch the makeup remover!

Get ready for bigger, brighter eyes and an all-day upturned look with Clinique's High Impact Curling Mascara. Give it a try today—you won't regret it!

More to Know

Do you have sensitive eyes and difficulty finding mascaras that work? Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara is the perfect choice for you. This mascara will never flake, clump, or smudge!

It's ophthalmologist tested and appropriate for contact lens wearers, making it suitable even for people with sensitive eyes. Plus, it's fragrance-free and allergy tested to provide comfort during application.

Create defined lashes that stay curled throughout the day when using Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara!

Best Hypoallergenic

Marcelle Xtension Plus Curl Mascara

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Why We Like It

Are you looking to get those beautiful, long, and luscious lashes? Introducing Marcelle Xtension Plus Curl Mascara – the perfect solution for achieving those show-stopping lashes! Whether you have short, or sparse lashes, this mascara is specially designed to give your eyes a dramatic and wide-eyed look.

Its uniquely designed brush has evenly distributed bristles that are curved in such a way that it will hug your eye’s natural curve. Its specialty lies in its ability to grab even the smallest of lashes. This ensures that each lash is fully coated with product and spread out, giving you an even coverage with maximum definition. The lengthening formula will leave your lashes looking thick, long, and voluminous.

Plus, its long-lasting formula won't budge or smudge no matter what the day throws at you! With Marcelle Xtension Plus Curl Mascara, you can now flaunt perfect eyelashes all day long - no touch-ups required! So why wait? Give your eyes a beautiful makeover today with this premiere product - Marcelle Xtension Plus Curl Mascara!

More to Know

This luxurious, highly-pigmented mascara curls your lashes instantly and helps you define them, making them look longer and fuller.

Suitable for even the most sensitive eyes, its formula is hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, and fragrance-free — so you can feel confident that your skin and eyes are taken care of.

Plus, with its creamy formula and easy-to-apply applicator brush, it’s never been easier to give your lashes alluring volume in no time.

Best Vegan

Essence Lash Princess Curl Mascara

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Why We Like It

Introducing the newest member of the Lash Princess family: Essence Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara! This mascara is perfect for any princess looking for the perfect boost to her beautiful lashes.

With a unique technical brush design, this mascara will give your lashes dramatic length, glamorous volume, and a long-lasting curl. The intense black color will give you an ultra-bold look that is sure to make a statement wherever you go.

Plus, it's water resistant and won't smudge or flake, so you can stay glamorous all day long. So don't be afraid to up your lash game with essence Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara – let your inner princess shine!

More to Know

This luxe lash enhancer is perfect for those who love captivating eyes with bold, beautiful, voluminous lashes with an unstoppable curl. With an easy-to-use peanut-shaped fiber brush, you'll have perfected eyelashes in no time — no globs or clumps allowed!

Plus, this fabulous mascara has all the features that will make your inner animal lover happy. It's vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, perfume-free, and alcohol-free. So what are you waiting for? Join the lash revolution and try Essence Lash Princess Curl Mascara today!

Best Curling Mascara FAQs

What is the best mascara for curling your eyelashes?

When it comes to finding the best mascara for curling your eyelashes, there is no single answer due to personal preference and individual lash types. However, there are a few key features you should look out for in mascaras that will help you get the curled lashes of your dreams.

Look for formulas that won't smudge throughout the day and have flexible polymers that provide superior curl-holding power. Curling mascaras can also be beneficial as they often have curved wands specifically designed to shape each lash from root to tip, including those tiny corner lashes! Additionally, choosing a mascara with an innovative brush with short bristles or rubberized bristles has been known to give extra lift and definition.

A couple of great options for curling your eyelashes include Essence Lash Princess Volume & Curl Mascara which creates beautiful full curls without clumps, and Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara (view here) offering amazing volume without flaking or smudging.

Does curling mascara really work?

The answer to this question is a definitive yes! Curling mascara does work and can help give you amazing-looking lashes that look longer and more defined.

The active ingredient in curling mascaras is usually "polymers", which are small plastic molecules that form an elastic coating over your lashes when applied. This creates a curve or 'curl' shape on the lash, allowing it to separate from the other lashes and seemingly increase in length. Some formulations of curling mascara also contain ingredients such as glycerin, panthenol, or beeswax to not only help provide curl but also ensure that it stays put all day long without flaking off or smudging.

When applying any type of mascara, including curling formulas, making sure to start at the base of your eyelashes and wiggling upward toward their tips will help ensure maximum volume and definition--this 'zigzag' application technique can also help make sure each lash gets covered with product evenly across its full length.

How do I get my mascara to hold a curl?

If you want your mascara to hold a curl, there are several things you can do. First, select a curling mascara, which is often also a volumizing mascara that features a combination of waxes and polymers. Waxes help maintain the desired curl while polymers offer long-lasting hold.

Then, use mascara primer as it provides a base to ensure that the curl will hold better throughout the day. Mascara primers are generally formulated with ingredients like glycerin, waxes, and film formers which coat each lash and help them maintain the desired curl for longer periods of time. Additionally, some formulas may also contain nourishing ingredients such as peptides, ceramides, or shea butter to condition lashes making them look thicker and more voluminous after curling!

The second reason to use primer is that it helps separate lashes from each other so that when you apply mascara there’s less chance of clumping or smudging.

What’s the difference between volume and curling mascara?

Volume and curling mascaras are two different types of mascara that provide distinct benefits to those looking for a way to make their lashes look fuller, longer, and more defined.

Volume mascara does exactly what the name implies – it adds volume to your lashes. It achieves this through its unique formulation which generally includes waxes, nylon fibers, or other ingredients that add thickness and fullness. These ingredients help create a thicker coating on each lash so that more product is applied in one stroke; this gives the appearance of longer, thicker-looking lashes without clumping or flaking.

Curling mascara is designed to make your eyelashes appear curled upwards at their tips. Its formula typically contains special ingredients such as polymers or oils which create a flexible film around each lash; when brushed onto the lashes, these special filament materials help form an arch shape which creates an illusion of length and curvature at the end of each lash.

Additionally, various curl-enhancing agents often found in curling mascaras further enhance this effect as they coat and stick easily (without leaving any inconvenient residue) even on long and stubbornly straight eyelashes!

Why won’t my eyelashes curl without an eyelash curler?

Each person has a unique lash texture - straight or kinky and this can be determined by their natural gene traits. This means even if someone curls their lashes with an appliance, they may still appear straight due to the lack of any genetic wave patterning in them.

Additionally, each person will have different levels of oil production on their lash line that can be both beneficial and detrimental to curl retention; too much oil can weigh down sensitive eyelashes making them hard to keep curled for long periods of time. If you experience this problem you are not alone; in fact, it’s quite common!

Fortunately, there are solutions available that don’t require using an actual curler. For example, if your lashes feel heavy due to oils or dryness try using a primer before applying mascara as well as some sort of lengthening mascara instead of thickening formulas (as thickness weighs down your eyes).

You should also look into buying specific ‘curling mascaras' which contain ingredients designed specifically for curly-lash lovers!

Why won’t my eyelashes stay curled after mascara?

When it comes to long-lasting curled eyelashes, there are a few things that you need to consider. One of the most important is the use of curling mascara and primer.

Curling mascaras typically contain ingredients such as beeswax and carnauba wax which help to hold your curl for longer than regular mascaras.

Primers also work by providing a binding layer between your lashes and the mascara, meaning that the curl will stay in place for much longer!

Do you put mascara on before or after curling?

The short answer is after. Mascara should always come last in your eye makeup routine, no matter if you’re curling your lashes or not.

When it comes to proper lash makeup, the order of steps matters! Curling comes before the mascara application process because it can disrupt the formula and strip away color from your lashes when combined with wet mascara.

Additionally, if you curl before applying a layer of mascara, this will help prevent breakage and keep a curl more firmly set all day long—no drooping or falling out by lunchtime!

What mascara is best for the lash lift look?

The best mascara for a lash lift look is one that won't get clumpy and gives you volume without weighing your lashes down. Look for mascaras with long-bristle brushes and thin, spiked bristles to help separate each lash.

Avoid mascaras that contain drying agents like alcohol or talc as those ingredients can dry out your lashes over time. Thickening or lengthening formulas are great options as well because they add extra oomph to the curl and keep them looking full all day.

Are waterproof mascaras good for curling lashes?

Waterproof mascaras are created to hold up against sweat, humidity, and tears. This means they typically contain ingredients that help them adhere better to the lashes and dry quickly.

While these adhesives make them extremely long-lasting, they also make it difficult for the mascara formula to move freely along the lash line-- meaning they won't be able to provide as much lift or curl like some other formulas might.

How can I wear mascara every day without damaging my eyelashes?

Wearing mascara every day doesn't have to mean sacrificing your eyelashes! With the right application technique and products, you can make sure that you're not doing any damage to your lashes while also looking amazing.

Always remove your mascara every night before going to bed. Invest in a good quality oil-based makeup remover and use it with cotton balls or pads – never tissue paper as it may contain chemicals that could be harsh on the sensitive skin around your eyes.

This is especially important when wearing waterproof formulas which can be difficult to remove without an oil-based product. Once all of the mascara has been removed, you may want to consider using a lash conditioner or serum at least twice per week for some extra nourishment and growth stimulation.

Bottom Line

With so many different options on the market, it can be hard to decide which beauty products are right for you. Our team is passionate about finding the best products on the market and sharing them with our readers.

Thank you for taking the time to read our article! We are excited that we could help you choose your next favorite beauty product. Go ahead and get it today and show off your beautiful face!

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