If you have short or barely-there lashes, Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara is my top recommendation. Its hourglass-shaped brush helps grab even small lashes, while the volumizing formula adds noticeable thickness, length, and curl for a fuller look. After testing multiple mas
caras, I found it delivered the best combination of volume, definition, and false effect without requiring a tech.
In this guide, I’ll share the five best mascaras for short lashes, including budget-friendly drugstore options, waterproof formulas, and products that create dramatic volume and length.
The global eye makeup market was valued at $18.2 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $26.8 billion by 2030. Source: Grand View Research.
Selecting the right mascara depends on whether the goal is volume, length, curl, or all three benefits combined.
The one that is the most prevalent that I am seeing on the market right now is volumizing mascara. This is my favored mascara as it adds volume to the curled lashes.
According to L’Oréal Paris, volumizing mascara is designed to make them appear thicker, fuller, and more noticeable. It typically uses a rich formula that coats each lash and a brush designed to deposit more product onto them Many volumizing wands also help separate lashes while building density, creating the appearance of greater lash volume.
Compared to lengthening mascaras, which focus on extending the look of individual lashes, volumizing mascaras prioritize fullness and thickness. For people with short or sparse lashes, a volumizing formula can often create a more dramatic result by making them look fuller from root to tip.
If you have short or thinning lashes, choosing the right mascara can make a noticeable difference in volume, length, and curl. The following enhancers range from affordable drugstore options to premium beauty brands, with each offering unique benefits for creating a fuller appearance.
I got this mascara from my IPSY subscription last month, and I am so happy that I got it. This best oil free product is new to me because I never would wear it and thought they were just too messy.
Now that I am taking makeup more seriously, I have used a few drugstore mascaras. I have to say that Tarte has come up with a perfect long wearing product and is recommended.
Tarte is a makeup company that you can find at Sephora, Ulta beauty, and online. It is more on the high end, and you can’t go amiss with that.
On Sephora’s product page, reviewers commonly mention the items falsey effect and volumizing performance.
I adored the way that this Tarte tubing wand worked, and is the recommended product to use today! It is so easy to apply, and makes my eyelashes look longer and more pronounced. Tarte states that this product is suitable for sensitive eyes. It also gives clump free results and is excellent for petite lashes and the falsey effect.
What Is Clumping?
Clumping occurs when multiple lashes stick together due to excess mascara product. Many modern mascara formulas are designed to minimize clumping while improving volume and separation.
Before uncovering the best tarte tubing wand, I was using drugstore products, they are still useful, and I will be mentioning them in the other two of my top favorite mascaras. If you are looking for that oomph, you want to invest in this item which is also the safest one to use.
Not to mention Tarte has varied mascaras and is smudge proof, the one that was given to me was the “Tarteist” Mascara. If I run out of it I will get the full size next. This product price is kind of on the pricey side, but you can also find it in a “mini” size.
Tarte states that Tarteist is vegan and cruelty-free according to the brand’s product information page.
More than one-third of Gen Z beauty shoppers reported a willingness to pay up to 29% more for environmentally friendly beauty products. Source: Civic Science, cited by Grand View Research.
The Covergirl exhibitionist mascara was one of the first drugstore wands I tried when I started to jump back on the makeup bandwagon. Covergirl
Covergirl states that Exhibitionist mascara is designed to provide volume, lift, and lash definition.
To me , it is one of the best drugstore products for stubby lashes and the best cruelty free drugstore wands. Drugstore products can provide impressive lift, curl, and volume without requiring a luxury beauty price.
Why I Love This Product
I cherish this waterproof mascara because it will add lift and curl to the lash, volumizes lashes, separates coats and curls lashes, and is highly affordable.
Covergirl Exhibitionist typically retails for around $10 to $13
The global waterproof makeup market was valued at $15.9 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $24.1 billion by 2030 [https://www.grandviewresearch.com]
The consistency of this product is light but practical. I would wear this to casual events; however, now that I have obtained a sample of the Tartiest by Tarte, this is no longer my favorite.
But it is a close second! I also find that this product is difficult to remove with makeup remover. It also solidifies on the Lash but would probably be more manageable after a hot shower to loosen up the hardened residue. You can remove it with a makeup wipe, and you can purchase the Covergirl exhibitionist here. It is another one of my staples sensitive eyes.
Last but not least we have the Too Faced Better Than Sex in my recommendation. After seeing all of the rave reviews on Instagram and from other beauty editors such as Byrdie.com, I decided to try out this item.
This item is also a hit with me. I also think is more catered for use for a formal event, and I did not enjoy using it daily and casually. I liked it; after a few coats, you could see a major difference and noticed the volumizing formula.
To me, it is the best kinds for holding curl and is similar to Tartes, the tartiest as it also separates coats and stretched to unbelievable length. Also curls the lash to voluptuous perfection and gives a similar effect as a false lash.
Why I Love this Product
This product also has an hourglass shaped brush, making it much easier to apply to the lashes. They also have a cruelty free waterproof formula which I thought was clever to have but can also imagine how hard it would be to remove at the end of the day.
During my testing, Too Faced Better Than Sex maintained volume and definition for a full workday of approximately 8 to 10 hours before I noticed any fading.
To me, this is one of the best products you can find at Sephora. You can find it here to purchase.
The benefit bad gal is the second best benefit products and comes right after the Tarte tarteist on my list. I placed this one in second place because it was a tubing prodcut that was very difficult to remove. It is also one of the best cruelty free waterproof brands. I used a makeup-removing cloth, and it took at least ten swipes to get the mascara off of my eyelashes. All of that work isn’t necessary when you have a beauty product such as the Tartiest Mascara by Tarte.
What Is a Tubing Mascara?
Tubing mascara wraps each lash in tiny, water-resistant polymers or “tubes” instead of coating lashes with traditional pigments. Many users prefer tubing because they resist smudging and flaking.
One of the advantages of bad gal benefit cosmetics wand is that it gives you voluminous lashes and gives full coverage lashes from root to tip. It is also comparable to too faced better than sex, but the formula is a mascara formulation. It is also the best mascara for sparse lashes.
The Tarteist, on the other hand, is formulated as paint and is also the best water based brands, therefore it is not as dense going on the lashes, making it very easy to remove. It is also one of the best vegan brands and the best natural looking black products on the market.
Next up we have the Huda Beauty Lashes, my first guess is that will lengthen your hourglass shaped lashes and give them dimension. I received a sample from Sephora (beauty insider) in this kit. It has two different ones. The first one is for curling, and the second is for lengthening and volumizing.
What Is Curling Mascara?
Curling mascara is designed to lift and hold lashes in a curled position. The formula often works best when paired with an eyelash curler for maximum effect.
Now I may have applied it differently or in the wrong order. It looked like it was slightly coated with mascara when I tried it. I could have achieved a similar look with the Covergirl Exhibitionist , a great drugstore brand among others. By the way I also mentioned it earlier in the blog.
So my final thought is that this brand didn’t impress me again. I might have applied it wrong. From my understanding, you always want to curl the lashes before adding length and volume to the lashes. This is what I did, and I got modest results.
I may give it another try but for now. I would not recommend this product for the high price it is priced at.
Not sure which one is right for you? This side-by-side comparison makes it easier to evaluate the top brands for stubby lashes based on brush type, and who it’s best for. Use it as a quick reference before reading the full reviews.
| Mascara | Brush Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Tarte Tarteist | Molded brush | Separation and volume |
| Too Faced Better Than Sex | Hourglass brush | Maximum volume |
| Covergirl Exhibitionist | Traditional fiber brush | Affordable volume |
| Benefit Bad Gal Bang | Slim brush | Reaching small lashes |
| Huda Beauty Legit Lashes | Dual-ended system | Curl and length |
Whether you’re looking for dramatic volume, extra length, or an affordable everyday option, the key takeaways below recap the most important findings from my testing and research.
After testing multiple brands, the standout recommendation for stubby lashes is Too Faced: Better than Sex because it combines volume, length, definition, and comfort in one formula. For shoppers looking for a budget-friendly alternative, Covergirl Exhibitionist remains an excellent drugstore option that delivers impressive lift and fullness at a lower price point.
If you still have questions about choosing the best brands for stubby lashes, you’re not alone. Below are answers to some of the most common questions about formulas, brush types, and application techniques.
Yes. Lengthening wands contain ingredients and brush designs that help coat each lash from root to tip, creating the appearance of longer lashes. Applying multiple coats can further enhance the effect.
Volumizing mascaras are often preferred because they make lashes appear fuller and more noticeable. Many of the best brands for short lashes combine both volumizing and lengthening benefits.
To make stubby lashes look fuller:
These techniques can help create the appearance of thicker, fuller lashes.
Yes. Waterproof brands can help hold curl longer and resist smudging throughout the day. They are especially useful in humid weather or during long events, although they may require more effort to remove.
Look for formulas that promote volume, length, and flexibility. Many beauty shoppers also prefer cruelty-free, vegan, or clean beauty products that avoid unnecessary harsh ingredients. Consumer demand for sustainable beauty products continues to rise according to recent market research.
Most people achieve the best results with two to three coats. Applying additional coats can increase length and volume, but too many layers may lead to clumping.
Hi, I’m Danian, the creator of Natalie Mochin’s Beauty Blog — a space dedicated to real, experience-based hair care tips, healthy hair advice, and hair growth inspiration. As a hairdresser in training, I share practical routines, product recommendations, and lessons from my hands-on salon experience — all fueled by my love for coffee, cats, and dogs.
Hi, I’m Danian, the creator of Natalie Mochins Beauty Blog. As a hairdresser in training, I share practical routines, product recommendations for healthier hair from my hands-on salon experience- All fueled by my love for coffee and mochaccinos.
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