I Have Short Lashes—These 7 Mascaras Give My Falsies a Run for Their Money
As a beauty writer with very short lashes, I've tried a lot of mascaras in my time. Here are seven that *actually* make them look longer.
We all probably have a different idea of what constitutes the perfect mascara. But as someone who works in beauty (and who takes their eyelashes very seriously), I’ve tried a lot of mascaras in my time, from high-street buys to luxury splurges. Which means I have a pretty good idea about which products are worth the investment. And trust me when I say that the majority of them do not come short-lashes-approved.You see, as someone who has eyelashes that sit on the shorter side, I'm on a constant quest to make them look longer. And I’ve tried it all, from eyelash curlers and serums to lash lifts and extensions. But none of these products is as easy as a simple swipe of mascara. Regardless of whether I want a dramatic false-lash effect, a fluttery finish or just a little extra boost, a mascara that will actually lengthen and extend my eyelashes is at the top of my criteria.
So if you also have short lashes or just want yours to be even longer, look no further, because I’ve rounded up the best mascaras to suit every budget, formula and finish preference, all of which have been tested by me to ensure they deliver the lengthening effect we're after. Keep scrolling to shop the seven best mascaras for short lashes.
How to Apply Mascara on Short Lashes
The team at RevitaLash Cosmetics says, "The key to making short lashes look longer, fuller and more defined is to prepare them properly before applying mascara.
The Best Mascaras for Short Lashes, Tried and Tested
Pros
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REFY
£22
I don’t think I’ve ever fallen in love with a product quite as quickly as Refy’s Lash Sculpt. I first tried it when it launched back in 2024, and since then I’ve gone through at least four tubes. I use it on its own most of the time, but I’ve even started using it as a primer to lengthen my lashes before I go in with a traditional volumising mascara. It has a uniquely curved wand that can reach even the hard-to-grab lashes and coats each strand without looking or feeling clumpy. It’s one of those products that I recommend to everyone, regardless of the lash look they prefer, because it genuinely caters to a wide range of lash types.
Pros
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With the promise of adding up to 200% of volume to the lashes, YSL Lash Clash mascara is well worth the investment. The large tapered wand can easily reach the span of my lashes, making it an ideal swipe-and-go product that doesn’t require too much precision to look good. It lengthens the lashes to give that false lash effect I love for evenings out, but it also works for an everyday natural look if you use a slightly lighter hand. It can feel heavy if overdone; however, I still find it easy to build up, making it ideal if you want that dramatic effect.
Pros
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I can be somewhat of a mascara snob, but Essence’s Lash Princess Mascara is a budget buy that I’ll never shy away from recommending. Not only does it give me the most incredible amount of volume and length, but at just £4, it rivals several mascaras on the high-end market. It has a tapered brush that helps to separate and fan out the lashes without clumping. My only note would be to make sure it dries down properly, as it can smudge easily. However, I simply leave it for a few minutes before going in with a setting spray, and it lasts all day without budging.
Pros
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Beauty Pie
Beauty Pie Wrap Star No-Smudge Tubing Mascara
£10
If smudging and flaking are problems that you run into when finding a mascara that works for short lashes, then a tubing mascara is your best bet. And the most lengthening I’ve tried by far is Beauty Pie’s Wrap Star Mascara. It uses flexible polymers to wrap around each lash strand, meaning it lasts longer without smudging off, but also delivers the length, volume and curl my shorter eyelashes require.
Not to mention, like all tubing mascaras, it’s incredibly easy to remove in the evenings with a small cotton pad and a dash of warm water. The only setback is that you do need to sign up for Beauty Pie’s membership to shop the product at the discounted price; however, the product is so good that I’d happily pay the £17 non-members pay for it as well.
Pros
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MARC JACOBS BEAUTY
MARC JACOBS BEAUTY Flashes Panoramic Volume Mascara
£28
Marc Jacobs' Flashes Panoramic Volume Mascara is not advertised as a lengthening mascara; however, it delivers on both length and volume, making me reach for it time and time again. It gives me a flattering fanned-out, widening effect that makes my eyes look larger and earns me compliments each and every time. It’s easy to build up without clumping or feeling heavy, and I can’t not mention just how cute the packaging is. It does take a bit longer to dry down than other products; however, its ability to elongate, volumise and curl my lashes makes it well worth those extra few minutes of waiting.
Pros
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Iconic London
Iconic London Triple Threat Mascara
£23
Sometimes when you think you have short lashes, what you actually need is to lift them for them to reach their full potential. And Iconic London’s Triple Threat mascara is a weightless formula that keeps eyelashes lifted and lengthened. It’s extremely natural, so if you’re looking for that false-lash effect, this is not the product for you. However, it’s perfect for that "no makeup" makeup look that I want on most days.
Pros
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Kevyn Aucoin
Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara
£27
Most mascaras can't get to the shorter lashes to separate them, so I always turn to Kevyn Aucoin’s Volume Mascara as my first step. Despite the name, it’s not the most volumising one in my collection, but its thin wand and tubing formula means it can get to these hard-to-reach lashes and coat them to separate and lengthen them. It’s extremely natural, having the most subtle effect in this roundup; however, it’s perfect on those days I want a "my lashes but better" look. And on those days when I want a more dramatic, false lash look, it’s a great first-step mascara to get my lashes elongated before I go in with a more volumising formula.
Are Tubing Mascaras Good for Short Lashes?
"Yes! Tubing mascaras can be particularly beneficial for short lashes. Unlike traditional mascaras, which coat lashes with pigment, tubing mascaras wrap each lash in lightweight tubes. This helps create a lengthened, defined appearance whilst delivering a smudge-resistant finish that lasts throughout the day. They're also easy to remove, helping to minimise rubbing and unnecessary stress on the lashes," explains RevitaLash Cosmetics.
How Do I Stop Short Lashes From Clumping?
RevitaLash Cosmetics says, "The key to avoiding clumping is to create an even base and apply mascara with a controlled technique. Start with a volumising mascara primer to help separate and define your lashes, and start application at the very base of your lashes, twirling the wand upward and outward to add definition without clumping."
How I Tested
As someone with shorter lashes, I’ve tested a wide range of mascaras over the years. To decide which specific products would be classed as the best, I looked at each mascara’s ability to lengthen and volumise my eyelashes without clumping or feeling too heavy, as well as how long they lasted without flaking off.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.