Best Curling Mascaras of 2026

The Falsies Lash Lift is the more dramatic counterpart to our top pick. Maybelline pairs a fiber-infused washable formula with a double-curved separator brush, and the combination is built to grab the root, lift, and then thicken through the lengths. The design is aimed at a fuller lash line, not just a longer tip.

Where it beats the e.l.f. is volume. The fiber formula builds a fuller, more obvious lash lift, and the washable formula comes off with soap and water instead of a separate eye-makeup remover. We rate it the best pick here for a lifted look with more body. The trade-off is control: it can clump if you rush the second coat, so let the first set before adding another.

The double curve is also easier to place at the root than a big fluffy wand; you can wiggle upward rather than combing through the whole lash. That makes it a good step up from a basic volumizing mascara without asking you to relearn application. The brush separates as it lifts, so the lashes fan out instead of bunching at the outer corner. It is a workday lift that feels easy to control.

Maneater feels more like a cream than a wet mascara. The 16-hour formula is thick enough to build volume, but it stays soft on the lashes, and the 500-plus-bristle brush combs through without leaving a brittle shell. We noticed the difference in the middle of the day: the lashes still had movement instead of feeling like spikes.

That softness is why we rate it the best premium pick for a full, high-impact curl. It gives more volume than the e.l.f. and a rounder, less fanned-out shape than the Lancôme, which makes it the one we choose when we want a denser lash line in photos. The brush catches the small lashes at the inner corner, too, so the effect does not stop at the outer edge. The result is a lash line that looks dense without looking lacquered.

The catch is tube life. The creamy formula can dry out and turn clumpy after a few weeks, so it rewards daily use and punishes a once-a-month makeup bag. If you are a regular mascara wearer, the texture is worth it; if not, a more fluid formula is the safer buy. The black is deep and opaque, so one coat reads clearly even in photos.

The curved wand on Lash Idôle is covered in 250 different-sized micro-bristles, and that is the detail that makes it feel different from a standard bristle brush. The varied sizes catch the little lashes at the inner corner and push them up, while the longer ones fan the outer lashes. We rate it the best soft-lift option here: it gives a wide-awake curl without the weighted, clumpy look that a thicker formula can leave.

The formula is a lightweight gel rather than a heavy cream, and that is why the lashes stay flexible. Lancôme also adds white tea extract and makes an ophthalmologist-tested, contact-lens-friendly claim; for anyone whose eyes water easily, that is a more useful detail than a dramatic volume promise. The hold is defined rather than enormous, so it suits a clean, everyday eye.

The trade-off is the wand: overload it and the gel can clump, so wipe it before the first coat. Once you do, it is the softest, most polished lift in this group. It is also the pick for someone who wants a curl that looks fanned out rather than thick. It is not the mascara for a false-lash look; it is the one for a lifted, open-eye finish.

The Lash Princess Curl & Volume is the least expensive way into this group, and the peanut-shaped fiber brush is the most interesting thing about it. The shape is meant to make a curl-and-volume pass in one stroke, and the formula is billed as dramatic without clumps or globs. On paper, that is exactly the combination a curling-mascara shopper wants.

It is also vegan and free from parabens and perfume, which is a welcome detail at this price. A peanut-shaped brush has a narrower middle than a standard oval, so it is easier to place at the corners without smearing the eyelid. Start at the base and wiggle upward rather than combing straight through; the tapered ends are the part that reaches the inner corner. The tube is small enough to toss in a makeup bag, and the low price makes it an easy experiment.

We rate it the best budget curl in this set. The low price makes it an easy way to try a curl-first brush, and the vegan, fragrance-free formula is a nice bonus. If you want the most consistent wear, choose one of the picks above; if you want to spend the least and still get a curl-specific brush, start here.

Great Lash Lots of Lashes is the gentle, old-school option in this group. The formula is hypoallergenic and washable, and the brand claims it removes without rubbing or scrubbing, which is the kind of promise that matters if your eyes water easily or you wear contacts. The heart-shaped brush is the other half of the story: it is built to lift and reach the smaller lashes at the corners.

We like it as a beginner's curling mascara because it does not demand a lot of technique. The brush is small enough to get close to the root, and the formula is thin enough to build slowly instead of dumping a heavy coat on the first pass. It gives a clean, separated curl that is easy to control. It layers without making the lashes stick together, which is the part beginners notice first.

We rate it the best beginner-friendly pick here. The brush can load too much formula, so wipe it before the first coat and keep the layers thin. If you want a gentle, easy-to-remove mascara for workdays, that is a fair trade. It is a good first mascara for someone moving up from a clear gel.

The Sculpted Volume formula is a creamy black texture that is meant to sculpt and curl lashes without weighing them down. The claim is aimed at a softer, more buildable lash look than a hard, lacquered finish. That creaminess is also where the application risk lives.

The formula is vegan and free from parabens, fragrance, preservatives, and microplastics, which is a nice match for anyone who avoids scented eye products. The tube is also the least expensive way to get a curl-and-volume formula in this group, so it makes sense as a low-stakes trial.

The trade-off is control. A creamy formula can load the brush heavily, and this one can clump if you apply too much at once. Wipe the wand and build in thin layers; the curl looks better when you keep the coats light. That is a small habit to learn, but it is the difference between soft volume and a spiky mess.

We rate it the best budget volume option here. If you want a soft, sculpted lash look, it is a good low-cost choice; if you want a foolproof one-coat application, the e.l.f. is easier. It is a texture-first pick, not a set-and-forget one.