This Classic, French Girl–Approved Mascara Is All You Need for Flirty Lashes

It's the easiest way to upgrade your makeup routine in minutes.

Soft glam makeup by Judi Gabbay Braha on model Maggie Rawlins

(Image credit: @glossipgirl)

One thing all beauty lovers can bond over is how difficult it can be to fall in love with a makeup brand that continuously offers high-quality products at scarily high prices. While there are a number of heritage brands that have remained in reach of the "average" consumer through accessible price points, there are a few whose formulas have stayed unaltered in the face of increased production demand over time. As a beauty editor, I pay special attention to the brands that set themselves apart from others, taking note of which core products never fall out of style.

Enter Lancôme—a Paris-based brand offering elevated makeup, skincare, and fragrance essentials since 1935. While Lancôme's extensive product selection has become world-renowned, the brand remains focused on its French roots. It's no wonder the fashion-forward French crowd flocks to it during their pharmacy shopping sprees. The brand's mascaras, especially, are second to none, offering formulas that boost the length and volume of natural lashes with astonishing longevity.

Below, we're sharing our curated edit of the best Lancôme mascaras for all your lash goals, along with our honest opinions and glowing reviews from customers. You may even spot a few more makeup must-haves we love from the brand.

What to Look For

If you want to add a new Lancôme mascara to your makeup routine, you've come to the right place. We asked three professional makeup artists for the biggest things they look for in their mascara, and some insight on getting the most out of its products. For our experts, mascara brushes stand out the most. "I need something that glides on without clumping, builds well, and doesn’t flake or irritate the eyes (especially since I work with so many different people and eye shapes)," explains makeup artist T. Cooper. She prefers mascara brushes that provide ample volume to make lashes visible in person and on camera.

Los Angeles–based makeup artist Kymberli Williams echoes the sentiment. "I love when a brush is fluffy and textured. I personally don't like a silicone brush for my type of lashes," explains Williams, in reference to her long, curly eyelashes. "The textured brushes give way more volume, length, and separation." Makeup artist Michelle Waldron agrees, highlighting the role of wand shapes. "It’s important to know whether you want a volumizing, lengthening, or separating look," she says. "Volumizing wands tend to be more dense, and a nylon bristle brush. Lengthening wands are slim and more conical, while separating mascara wands are more comb-like and made from silicone/rubber."

Choosing the Right Formula

Additionally, it's important to take note of how well a mascara formula can build for maximum impact. "Time is of the essence when I’m working with my clients, so I don’t have time for a formula that needs four coats to show up," says Cooper. Lately, she's also been favoring mascaras with colored formulas since they offer a flexible way to transform a makeup look. Cooper likes using blue and burgundy shades to make the eyes pop while adding personality. Waldron advises choosing a mascara shade that matches your makeup goals: "Do you want it to be a dramatic black or a natural black or brown shade that only slightly enhances your lashes? Or, do you want a fun, bright color mascara?"

For the best results, the selection process shouldn't stop there. Cooper likes using formulas that are smudge-proof, waterproof, or water-resistant if you want your mascara to stay on all day. Got sensitive eyes? Make sure you're using mascaras with hypoallergenic formulas. Now that you know how to select the best mascaras for your needs, keep scrolling to find out which Lancôme products these celebrity, editorial, and event makeup artists keep within reach.

The Best Lancôme Mascaras, Listed

Best Overall: Lancôme Hypnôse Instant Full Body Volume Mascara

Associate Beauty Editor Maya Thomas wearing Lancôme's Hypnôse Drama Instant Volumizing Mascara.

(Image credit: Courtesy of Maya Thomas)

Thomas wearing Lancôme's Hypnôse Drama Instant Volumizing Mascara.

Best for a Natural Finish: Lancôme Lash Idôle Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara

Best for Waterproof Protection: Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Instant Full Body Volume Waterproof Mascara

Best for a Doll-Like Look: Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Lashes Extending & Separating Mascara

Best for High Definition: Lancôme Définicils High Definition Lengthening Mascara

Associate Beauty Editor Maya Thomas wearing Lancôme's Définicils Defining & Lengthening Mascara

(Image credit: Courtesy of Maya Thomas)

Thomas wearing Lancôme's Définicils Defining & Lengthening Mascara in Deep Brown.

Best for Pumping Up the Volume: Lancôme Monsieur Big Volumizing Mascara

Best for Falsie-Level Length: Le 8 Hypnôse Serum-Infused Volumizing Mascara

Best for Priming Lashes: Lancôme Cils Booster XL Enhancing Lash & Mascara Primer

How We Tested

Testing and reviewing products are all in a day's work for Who What Wear Beauty Editors. To determine which Lancôme mascaras meet and exceed our expectations, we tested a number of its best-selling products, paying particular attention to its formulas, ability to lift and lengthen the lashes, shade offerings, and overall longevity. Our official edit of the eight best mascaras by Lancôme is based on our own testing experience in addition to expert recommendations and glowing customer reviews.

Why Trust Us

Since its official launch in 2006, Who What Wear has defined itself as a leading digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication. Throughout first-person testing, reviews, and expert input, the goal is to provide our readers with products to help define and evolve their personal style and to shop smart. Think of Who What Wear as your #1 source for inspiration across beauty and fashion.

Content creator Claire Most with long lashes and dewy, healthy-looking skin

(Image credit: @claire_most)

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Maya Thomas
Associate Beauty Editor

Maya Thomas is Who What Wear's Associate Beauty Editor. Her strong love for all things beauty and fashion stems from a strong childhood interest in the fine arts. During a gap year spent in Paris studying the history of French fashion, she shifted her focus to English literature and journalism as a student at Loyola Marymount University with the goal of one day pursuing a career in fashion. After graduating in May 2021, Maya began freelancing for Parade.com as a contributing commerce writer while also building a following on her lifestyle blog, Itsmayalala.com. When she's not writing, Maya spends her free time catching up on reading, perusing art galleries, and enjoying a night out at the ballet every now and then.