Our Beauty Editors Reviewed The Best Clear Mascaras of 2024 For Natural, Long Lashes

Ideal for those who love a 'clean, no make-up make-up look'

Sameeha Shaikh, beauty writer

by Sameeha Shaikh |
Updated on

What do you expect from your go-to mascara? Length, volume, and definition will most likely feature at the top of the list and there are plenty of high-impact mascaras for the job. But spare a thought for clear mascaras, too. Before you ask, these less touted about hybrid must-haves are a multitasker's dream: the right one can act as a brow gel, mascara primer, hair gel and natural-looking lash definer all in one, it can also feature ingredients that will strengthen and nourish.

Its biggest lure is perhaps how well it channels the clean girl aesthetic, a.k.a the no make-up make-up look that leans into an ultra-glossy, polished and well-groomed style. Perfect if 'off-duty model' is your MO.

While there's a lot to love about traditional pigmented mascaras, such as waterproof mascaras and high street cult classics, they don't have to be the default when it comes to lashes. Molly Mae recently weighed in with her reservations and taking to Instagram, she posted 'no mascara for the win' followed by an Instagram Story which read, 'anyone else love wearing no mascara?' Her reasoning? 'Sometimes I feel like it makes me look tired.'

Best Budget Buy: e.l.f Cosmetcis Clear Brow & Lash Mascara
Best Budget Buy: e.l.f Cosmetcis Clear Brow & Lash Mascara

Her words resonated with us on Grazia's beauty desk. As much as I personally love mascara for a bold, dramatic look, 99% of the time you'll find me sans mascara. Day-to-day, I love a fresh look and the feeling of being able to rub my eyes if I wanted without the threat of giving myself a panda eye. This is where clear mascara really shines. It enables me to create a subtly defined look minus the fallout, smudging or weightiness that often comes hand in hand with traditional formulas. Keen to try? Take your pick of our tried and tested clear mascara heroes.

The Best Clear Mascaras To Buy, At A Glance:

Best Overall Clear Mascara: Clarins Lash & Brow Double Fix Mascara 01 Clear, £27

Best Budget Buy: e.l.f Cosmetcis Clear Brow & Lash Mascara, £3

Best For Brows and Lashes: Physicians Formula Diamond Mascara Clear Diamond, £12.94

Best For Length: Ere Perez Aloe Gel Lash & Brow Mascara, £25

Best For All Day Hold: 17. Brow + Lash Lamination Clear Mascara, £3

We assessed the market's best-selling clear mascaras against their claims on length, durability, and effectiveness on brows, lashes and baby hairs in a bid to investigate which ones were really worth their salt, including those enriched with treatments. Here is a look at the very best.

Shop: The Best Clear Mascaras 2024

Best For Brows and Lashes

Physicians Formula Diamond Mascara Clear Diamond 
Price: £12.94
https://redirect.viglink.com?key=3e7df617f02211af20ba9781fe3e0a60&prodOvrd=PCR&opt=false&u=WxFDFBUMHhgRR0UcRlANC1NCFk9aWFUeDxUcNVgYRVoGXgUIRRxxCUJfR11QTCtbXgcTWFsVZgMEQUh0CFdeClkAS3tQRAVRQFMccw0HUVtPJVBWVV4IARxWAFUAAV0GXF8%3D&x=v1&prdId=7647556204&barcode=A1UHUFIFCQFXAQsGBgQ%3D
Alternative retailers
Target$9.99View offer

This 5-in-1 will prime, condition, groom, tame and, hold down brows, lashes and any other hair in need of moulding. A cocktail of peptides, mineral water and vitamin E will nourish, revive and strengthen, too, to treat the hair long-term while setting them into place. While easy on the eye, I found the product also lived up to its promises.

Pros

  • A great multitasker

Cons

  • Not easy to find in-store

Best Budget Buy

This double-sided, long-lasting mascara creates a healthy, defined look with a few quick swipes. Plus it works as an effective base for other make-up like an eyebrow pencil to aid the longevity of your look. Not bad for £3 a pop. I loved the dual ends, which meant I could keep treating lashes and brows with separate brush heads.

Pros

  • Double ended

Cons

  • Doesn't boast the same care ingredients as others

Best Treatment

Made for those who love the no make-up make-up look, Perricone's offering promises lifted, longer, thicker lashes all while improving the natural appearance of lashes over time. The 2-in-1 treats while styling thanks to a mix of candelilla wax, nettle extract and avocado oil. This sure feels like a next-level clear mascara to me, not least because of the look and feel of the tube in my hands, but the hard-working formula too.

Pros

  • Slick-looking and efficacious

Cons

  • Opaque tube means you can't see when you run out

Best Luxe Forumla

Featuring sage oil and aloe vera powder to nourish, and golden pearlescence for shine, this mascara strengthens and protects daily, and can even intensify the look of any coloured mascara you wear on top, if you so choose. Expect a more lengthened, thickened and curled look for up to 8 hours.

Pros

  • A delight to use thanks to its pretty tube and clever ingredients

Cons

  • On the pricey end

Best For Length

Ere Perez Aloe Gel Lash & Brow Mascara
Price: £26
https://redirect.viglink.com?key=3e7df617f02211af20ba9781fe3e0a60&prodOvrd=PCR&opt=false&u=WxFDFBUMHhgRR0UcRF0VBxxTDQwWRxdQCgpWSFcEWh4JVhcOG1NFCUcfX1BCAgdAUU8RUFpIQwkBAVUCWAQEXQgXDUMMBVMICgUIBg%3D%3D&x=v1&prdId=9379985747&barcode=A1wEUVcBBQ9WAAIKBwA%3D
Alternative retailers
Neiman Marcus$28.00View offer
REVOLVE$28.00View offer

An aloe vera-infused clear mascara that will create your cleanest wet look yet. It lengthens, strengthens and enhances your natural hair while lending lashes a covetable lustre that screams healthy. Thanks to its conscious formulation which is toxic-free, it's perfect for sensitive eyes, which my runny, allergy-prone eyes certainly appreciated.

Pros

  • Great for sensitive eyes

Cons

  • While it conditions well, it lacked some sturdy hold

Best Overall Clear Mascara

 Clarins Lash & Brow Double Fix Mascara 01 Clear
Price: £27
https://redirect.viglink.com?key=3e7df617f02211af20ba9781fe3e0a60&prodOvrd=PCR&opt=false&u=WxFDFBUMHhgRR0UcXFACH0EeAQ5UGEtZCRUcFUIOUkYGQ0sFWlBFD15BH11QEg4fUhAOThpcXhMHXwAdB19LSEAFElNDRxRfXVQcXAAVUVEQAAZ%2BfAxXUQBXAlMPCg%3D%3D&x=v1&prdId=9599978731&barcode=A1YBUlAGBABWBgUCAQc%3D
Alternative retailers
Bloomingdale's$30.00View offer
Saks Fifth Avenue$30.00View offer

Loaded with organic cranberry oil, this waterproof, budgeproof mascara can withstand rain, heat, sweat, and yes even tears, to create an instantly more sculpted and lifted look. Lightweight and comfortable to wear, it also protects and conditions with the brand's proprietary, plant-enriched  Lash Boosting Complex.

Pros

  • Delivers on every front from hold to lift

Cons

  • Again, very difficult to gauge when it's time to restock

Best For Short Lashes

Trust No7 to produce a fool-proof, reliable clear mascara that works within budget. The clear gel conditions and cares for lashes and brows while styling them into place, plus the small spoolie makes it easy to get right into the root of the lashes making it a great pick for those with short hair. That said, while I have long lashes, I loved using this on my bottom lashes and baby hairs.

Pros

  • The small brush makes it perfect for short lashes

Cons

  • It falls short of giving you an exaggerated curl

Best For Lifting

Enriched with strengthening soy protein and conditioning vitamin E, this transparent formula helps lift and separate lash hair and brows for a natural-looking, polished style. Plus, you can use it to lock mascara into place if you really want to prevent flaking and fallout. I find myself regularly reaching for this.

Pros

  • Cheap, yet boasts quality ingredients

Cons

  • Lacks volume

Best For All Day Hold

This here is proof you don't need to break the bank to enjoy quality beauty products. 17's clear mascara provides a maximum, strong hold while still feeling flexible and comfortable. Leaning into the trend for laminated brows which are loved for their ability to stay put and lifted, I adored how this mascara helped me fake the look at home.

Pros

  • Creates a faux laminated look

Cons

  • Might be too strong hold for some who like a feathered look

Best For Volume

 Maybelline Great Lash Mascara - Clear
Price: £6.70
https://redirect.viglink.com?key=3e7df617f02211af20ba9781fe3e0a60&prodOvrd=PCR&opt=false&u=WxFDFBUMHhgRR0UcRlANC1NCFk9aWFUeDxUcKFEYVFYJWw0IUxxwFFVTRhx9ABVaHTUATVJKQRQKXAMdLFdABlYWBxtzRQlHXFtCWUwkXlEBChYGCAVTVQZQAg%3D%3D&x=v1&prdId=7708799157&barcode=A1UHUFcDBANQAgQLCQk%3D
Alternative retailers
Ulta$8.49View offer

If you want a false lash effect without the dark pigment and annoying fallout of traditional mascaras, cast your eyes on this. The silky, conditioning formula allows you to build your desired look with the help of a mighty brush which provides corner-to-corner volume and a lifted curl effect.

Pros

  • Perfect for creating volume and curl

Cons

  • Might feel more weight than other formulas

Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia's beauty writer, working across all categories to bring you insights on the latest trends, industry news and the products you need to know about, viral or not (most probably viral).

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