Last Updated on April 6, 2022
Buying a mascara shouldn’t be rocket science, but I’ve always struggled to find a product that does what I need it to do – particularly as I’ve got short lashes.
Whether it smudges under my eyes or barely makes them look any different, there are plenty of problems you might find after you buy a mascara and that’s what makes buying one so tricky.
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You can simply go into a shop and try on a dress, but it doesn’t quite work like that with make up. Even if you head to a department store and ask to test out a make up product, you may find later that it’s turned into a cakey mess – after you’ve bought it.
Because of this, I like to read up on and try out products for a few days before I invest to make sure I’m buying the best for my specific need.
Here, I’m looking at the best mascaras for short lashes based on thousands of reviews and my own personal experience. As someone who prefers to go make up free than wear bad beauty products, I’m confident you’ll find a product that adds length and volume to your lashes instantly.
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Best mascaras for short lashes
Kush High Volume Mascara, £13, Milk Make Up at Cult Beauty – buy now
The reviews for Milk Make Up’s Kush mascara speak for themselves.
One reads, ‘This is an amazing mascara – really does lengthen and thicken my very straight lashes,’ while another adds: ‘I have very thick straight long lashes and this is the first mascara that I was able to get the Va-VOOM look and have it still look natural!’
Less is more when it comes to this mascara as it’s extremely thick, and it’s worth setting your make up with a powder before applying it to avoid smudging.
Colossal Waterproof Mascara Black, £6.99, Maybelline at FeelUnique – buy now
For a more affordable option that can be bought at Boots and Superdrug too, opt for Maybelline’s Colossal mascara.
As it’s waterproof it doesn’t budge, but it adds huge volume to lashes too.
Some reviewers have said the product smudges, but others praise the volume they get with this mascara. One wrote, ‘I have the shortest lashest ever that point downwards and this mascara is the only one that actually makes a difference!! 10/10’.
Le Volume De Chanel Mascara, £31, Chanel at FeelUnique – buy now
Another mascara that has proved very popular amongst those with shorter lashes (and everyone else) is Chanel’s Le Volume De Chanel mascara.
As a luxury product, it comes at a higher price point but it’s worth every penny. It comes in three shades, and lengthens lashes without clumping.
One reviewer writes: ‘I absolutely love this mascara, it makes my lashes look fuller and longer I would definitely recommend.’
Better Than Sex Mascara, £24, Too Faced at LookFantastic – buy now
Too Faced’s Better Than Sex mascara has an incredible 8,000 reviews on Boots, all raving about the length and volume it adds to their lashes.
This is my personal favourite mascara of the bunch, as it doesn’t budge but isn’t too dense either.
Out of the thousands of 5 star reviews I read, one user wrote: ‘I loved this mascara. The wand is the perfect shape and the formula gives you that extended lash effect. It definitely made my short eyelashes look fuller and longer.’
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They’re Real Lengthening Mascara, £24.50, benefit at LookFantastic – buy now
Benefit’s They’re Real mascara is legendary for a reason. The lengthening mascara lifts lashes from the root, giving volume instantly.
It’s one of the few mascaras I’ve tried that doesn’t leave me with black marks under my eyes, but if you want to try before you buy a full size product, you can also buy a travel version for £13.50.
One user writes, ‘Tried this after using multiple high Street drugstore brands and can honestly say this is one product that does exactly as promised on the box. My lashes look so much longer and fuller and I swear it finds extra lashes from somewhere too!’
