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9 Curling Mascaras for Lifted Lashes
Published 10/28/2026
Curling mascara is built to lock in the lift from your lash curler, using a curved brush and a light, fast-setting formula that does not drag lashes down. This guide covers drugstore and prestige picks, Japanese and Korean formulas famous for holding curl, and which work alongside eyelash curlers.
Our top picks
Swipe →Compare the best curling mascaras
Format and finish separate these mascaras. Waterproof formulas hold curl longest, washable ones come off easily at night, and the brushes range from hooked and square to oversized.
| Pick | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Straight, heavy lashes | Lift with a hooked brush | Short lashes that droop | Curl plus dramatic volume | Lift without a curler | Cheap curl and volume | Contact lens wearers | Dry, brittle lashes | Lifting the full lash line |
| Format | Waterproof mascara | Lifting mascara | Waterproof mascara | Volumizing mascara | Washable mascara | Volumizing mascara | Washable mascara | Lengthening mascara | Volumizing mascara |
| Finish | Long, separated | Lifted, defined | Natural volume | Full, curled | Lifted, separated | Curled, full | Thick, soft | Glossy black | Bold, plumped |
|
Edyt score
Methodology: The Edyt Score reflects a comprehensive analysis of ingredient profiles, concentration levels, and formulation standards. It is an objective technical evaluation of the product's composition, separate from crowd-sourced user reviews. | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.4 |
| Notes | Waterproof · Curl lock | Hooked brush · Pitch black | Square brush · Waterproof | Curved brush · Volume | Silicone brush · Vegan | Fiber brush · Fragrance-free | Curved brush · Lens friendly | Creamy · 16hr wear | Large brush · Plumping |
| $ / size | $18.00 | $29.00 | $15.99 | $22.50 | $7.00 | $4.97 | $8.99 | $28.00 | $6.97 |
| Shop | Buy on AmazonRead review | Buy on AmazonRead review | Buy on AmazonRead review | Buy on AmazonRead review | Buy on AmazonRead review | Buy on AmazonRead review | Buy on AmazonRead review | Buy on AmazonRead review | Buy on AmazonRead review |
Our picks, explained
Best overall
Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara
A Japanese waterproof formula known for holding curl all day.
Heroine Make is the Japanese brand people recommend first for lashes that drop by noon. Curl-locking polymers set the lift quickly, and the waterproof formula resists tears, sweat, and oil for up to 30 hours.
Why it makes the list
- Holds a curl on straight lashes better than most.
- Waterproof enough for humid days and watery eyes.
What to keep in mind
- Needs an oil cleanser or waterproof remover at night.
Best prestige
Benefit Roller Lash Super Curling & Lifting Mascara
A hooked brush that grabs and rolls lashes upward.
Benefit designed the hooked bristles on this brush to grab lashes from the root and roll them up, almost like a curler in the wand. The pitch-black formula sets fast and adds some volume without weighing lashes down.
Why it makes the list
- The hooked brush lifts even without a curler.
- Intense black makes lashes look denser.
- Deluxe minis are easy to find for travel.
What to keep in mind
- Pricier than drugstore curl formulas that perform close to it.
Best Korean formula
ETUDE Curl Fix Waterproof Mascara
A long-running Korean bestseller with a square-edged brush.
Curl Fix has topped curling mascara charts in Korea for a decade, and the square-edged brush catches short lashes at the root. It claims up to 24 hours of curl and resists water, sweat, and humidity.
Why it makes the list
- Square brush reaches tiny inner-corner lashes.
- Lightweight enough to keep lashes from sagging.
What to keep in mind
- Removal takes patience with a regular cleanser.
Best for volume and curl
Lancôme Curl Goddess Mascara
A newer Lash Idôle formula with a twisted, curved halo brush.
Lancôme borrowed from hair styling for this fast-setting formula, which aims to boost curl while building volume. The twisted, 40-degree curved brush has two reservoirs that load formula onto each lash as you sweep upward.
Why it makes the list
- Builds noticeable volume without losing the lift.
- Curved brush catches short outer lashes.
What to keep in mind
- One of the most expensive picks on this list.
- Very full lashes can look heavy after three coats.
Best drugstore
e.l.f. Lash 'N Roll Mascara
A double-sided curved brush that curls and separates for seven dollars.
Lash 'N Roll pairs a double-sided, curved silicone brush with short and long bristles that load and separate. It promises lift without a curler, and the flake-resistant formula keeps lashes up through the afternoon.
Why it makes the list
- Seven dollars for a genuinely curved silicone brush.
- Vegan and cruelty-free, like the rest of the line.
What to keep in mind
- Washable formula drops faster on very straight lashes.
Best under five dollars
essence Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara
A peanut-shaped fiber brush in the famously cheap Lash Princess line.
Lash Princess is one of the best-selling budget mascaras anywhere, and this version swaps in a peanut-shaped fiber brush for curl. It is free of fragrance and parabens, and it usually costs under five dollars.
Why it makes the list
- Hard to beat on price for a curl formula.
- Fragrance-free, which helps eyes that water easily.
What to keep in mind
- Fiber brush can leave clumps on the first swipe.
Best for contact lenses
L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Curved Brush Mascara
The classic curved-brush version of a drugstore icon.
Voluminous has been around for decades, and the curved brush version shapes lashes as it coats them. It is fragrance-free, ophthalmologist tested, and suitable for contact lens wearers, and it washes off with soap and water.
Why it makes the list
- Comfortable for contacts and sensitive eyes.
- Washes off without harsh rubbing at night.
- Easy to find in almost every drugstore.
What to keep in mind
- The curl holds less firmly than waterproof picks here.
Best creamy formula
tarte maneater mascara
A creamy, conditioning formula with a curl claim and 500-plus bristles.
tarte calls this one extreme curl, and the creamy formula conditions lashes so they bend upward instead of snapping. A brush with more than 500 bristles separates lashes, and the 16-hour wear claim covers a long workday.
Why it makes the list
- Creamy texture helps avoid flakes on dry lashes.
- Dense brush separates without much combing.
What to keep in mind
- Can smudge on oily lids by the end of the day.
Best big brush
Rimmel Scandaleyes Curve Alert Mascara
An oversized curved brush that coats the whole lash line at once.
Rimmel made the brush 50 percent larger than its standard Scandaleyes wand, so one sweep covers the whole lash line. Collagen and keratin in the formula aim to plump thin lashes while the curve pushes them upward.
Why it makes the list
- Fast application thanks to the large brush.
- Plumps sparse lashes for a fuller look.
What to keep in mind
- Too big for precise inner-corner lashes.
- Easy to smudge the lid with such a wide wand.
How we made this list
We kept mascaras that make a curl or lift claim and use a curved, hooked, or shaped brush. Curl-hold claims, waterproofing, flake resistance, and ease of removal set the order. We did not run wear tests, so scores reflect formulas and stated claims.
- Required a curl claim. Every pick is sold for curl or lift, with volume or length as a bonus.
- Compared brush shapes. Hooked, curved, and square brushes earned notes for how they catch short lashes.
- Weighed waterproofing. Waterproof formulas ranked higher for curl hold, with removal effort noted.
- Covered every budget. We mixed drugstore, Asian beauty, and prestige picks so every price point has an option.
FAQ
Does curling mascara work without an eyelash curler?
On naturally curved lashes, a hooked or curved brush can add visible lift on its own. Very straight or downward lashes usually need a curler first, then a curling mascara to lock the shape in place. Heated curlers give the strongest hold when paired with a waterproof formula.
Why does my lash curl fall by midday?
Heavy, wet formulas weigh lashes down, and oil from your lids can soften the mascara. Curl first, apply one thin coat of a waterproof curling formula, and let it dry before adding more. Skipping lash primer and conditioning serums under mascara can also help the curl last.
Is waterproof mascara bad for lashes?
Waterproof mascara is not harmful by itself, but rubbing it off can pull out lashes. Use an oil-based cleanser or a dedicated waterproof makeup remover, hold it on the lashes for a few seconds, and wipe gently. On easy days, switch to a washable formula to give lashes a break.
How did Edyt Beauty pick these?
We only kept mascaras that claim curl or lift, then compared brush shape, waterproofing, flake resistance, and removal. One mascara per brand made the cut, across drugstore, Japanese and Korean, and prestige lines. Heroine Make leads because its waterproof formula is the best known for holding curl.
Should I use curling mascara, a heated lash curler, or a lash lift kit?
Curling mascara is the easiest daily option and simply locks in the shape you already have. A heated eyelash curler adds a stronger, longer-lasting bend before mascara, which helps very straight lashes. Lash lift kits perm the lashes upward for about six weeks, so you can skip curling entirely. Many people pair a heated curler with curling mascara for the best daily hold.
This is general beauty guidance, not medical advice. Patch-test new products if you have sensitive skin or known allergies.
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