Top 4 Best Volumising Mascaras For Bold & Dramatic Lashes

Not all mascaras are made equally. Some are good at making your eyelashes appear longer, and some subtly separate and define. But when you’re after a dramatic, false lash effect (minus falsies), a well-formulated volumising mascara is what you need.  

Below, we reveal the best volumising mascara, application tips for maximum drama and our favourite products that you need to try.

How do volumising mascaras work

As we already know, depending on the result a mascara promises (length, definition, curl or volume), you will notice slight differences in its formulation. 

“Mascaras that claim to only lengthen tend to be thinner in consistency,” explains Charlotte McHale, Clarins Training Manager. “But volumising mascaras tend to have a thicker, more waxy formula. That’s how they add some build to the lashes.”

But it’s a fine line between a mascara that thickens your lashes and one that makes them clump together – the latter is no good.

“That’s quite a hard balance to strike,” says McHale. Plus, volumising mascaras tend to have denser and fluffier brush applicators.

To simplify your search, we’ve compiled some of our favourites below. 

What’s the best mascara for volume ?

1. Clarins Supra Volume Mascara

Not only does the formula of the Supra Volume Mascara add loads of volume, but it also cares for your lashes and keeps them moisturised and protected. That’s because the formula contains Clarins’ lash boosting complex. Cassia flower wax is used in the formula for instant volume and intense colour. Ingredients like panthenol and sphinganine in it work as lash conditioners. The mascara comes in both black and brown shades. 

2. Clarins Wonder Volume Mascara XXL

If you are looking for the best volume mascara that is smudge-proof, this Wonder Volume Mascara XXL is the top choice. With the [VOLUMISING WAX COMPLEX], this mascara helps to thicken, define and protect lashes for 12 hours. 

Formulated with 86% skin care ingredients, your lashes will be nourished day after day, resulting in +25% bare lash volume after just 28 days of use. Plus, the [LASH BOOSTING COMPLEX] helps lashes appear longer and fuller, even after the mascara is removed with the eye makeup remover.

3. Clarins Wonder Perfect Mascara 4D

Clarins Wonder Perfect Mascara 4D is the best mascara for volume and length, plus, curl and high definition. With rose wax, lash boosting complex and mineral pigments, the mascara works to strengthen and protect your lashes while create volume, length and intense colour. 

4. Clarins Wonder Perfect Mascara 4D Waterproof

This is Clarins’ 1st multi-dimensional mascara that is both waterproof and smudge proof. Clarins Wonder Perfect Mascara 4D Waterproof is enriched in plant extracts, contains blue lotus wax to add volume and protect the lashes. With a unique lash-boosting serum that gives 2-in-1 make-up and lash care, the mascara will visibly lengthen and strengthen lashes after each application. The complex vitamin B5 panthenol in its formula means lashes are left thicker and visibly longer with just a single brushstroke.

How to get the most volume from your mascara

In addition to choosing the right mascara, you need to get the application right. To get a bold, false lash effect, follow these tips. 

#1. Layer up

One coat simply isn’t going to do the job. If you really want loads of volume, two to three coats are key. 

“Don’t wait for those layers to dry in between – I think that’s a mistake many people make,” says McHale. “If you put wet mascara over dry mascara, clumping is inevitable. Instead, just keep adding more while the layers are still wet. That way, the lashes will still be flexible enough that you can separate any clumps that may start to form.” 

#2. Separate clumps

If you do end up with a few clumps despite your best efforts, comb them out before the mascara dries. You can use a lash comb or even just a clean spoolie to do this. It will break up the clumps and take away any excess mascara. 

#3. Try a lash primer

Need some extra help? An eyelash primer is a great product to add to your routine, if your natural lashes are thin or sparse. Use SOS Lashes Serum Mascara as a base coat to intensify any mascara. This nourishing serum mascara conditions and primes your lashes for flawless mascara application, while enhancing natural lash colour. 

#4. Cheat a bit with eyeliner

Use a soft, dark eyeliner pencil to lightly scribble between the roots of your lashes. This will help fill any gaps you may have and make your lash line appear fuller. 

“That makes the base of the eyelashes look thicker,” says McHale. “Then you get an almost conical shaped appearance to the lash, and that gives a bit of a false lash effect, without any false lashes involved.” 

She adds: “It also doesn’t take up any eyelid space. So, if you’ve got hooded eyes, or small eyes, this technique doesn’t make the eyes look smaller by eating into any additional ‘real estate’ around the eye area.” 

#5. Choose a lash-boosting mascara

“If possible, use a mascara that’s got some sort of lash benefit in it,” is McHale’s last piece of advice. “If you want thicker eyelashes, you don’t want them just when you’ve got mascara on.” In short, if the mascara also takes care of your lashes and conditions them, you will naturally have fuller lashes and therefore more volume. All Clarins mascaras have the lash care complex that nourishes your eye lash day by day, using natural ingredients and developed from years of Clarins Research. 

Or, if you want to add even more definition to your eyelash, or simply extra hold all day even in the face of rain, heat, sweat and tears, try our Lash & Brow Double Fix Mascara. The lightweight, invisible gel contains 83% ingredients of natural origin, including Clarins’ proprietary, plant-enriched Lash Boosting Complex, Organic Cranberry Oil, polymers derived from natural sugars set, sculpting and visibly lifting lashes and brows for 12 hours. 

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