Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use clear mascara?
Depending on the formula, most clear mascaras are designed to be worn alone as a treatment that softens and conditions lashes. Others are meant to be applied after you use a lash curler, to help prolong, well, a curl. Some options can pull double-duty as brow gel, hydrating hairs and offering stronger hold. And some can even be applied on top of regular mascara as a waterproof seal, which can come in handy if you’ve found a formula you love that just doesn’t stand on its own over long days.
Is clear mascara better for your lashes than black or colored mascara?
In a way, yes. The pigments, dyes, dispersing agents, and preservatives in black or colored mascara can land in your meibomian glands—the tiny glands along your lash line—eventually clogging them, causing dry eye and irritation, Dr. Chung says. With clear mascara, “the formulas are simpler: just the film-forming polymers, waxes, and conditioners that give you length and definition,” she adds. “Fewer ingredients means less irritation, less allergen exposure, and healthier eyes long term.”
Specific ingredients Dr. Chung recommends avoiding in any mascara, clear or colored, include:
- Carbon black, sometimes listed on the label as Cl 77266
- Synthetic azo dyes, like FD&C Blue 1 and Red 33
- Banzalonium chloride
- Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, like DMDM hydantoin and quaternium-15
- Fragrance or parfum: “These terms can hide dozens of undisclosed sensitizers,” Dr. Chung says.
However, Dr. Chung notes that it’s still important to remove your mascara carefully at the end of the day, no matter what color it is. She suggests finding a good makeup remover that melts your mascara away without you having to rub or tug at your eyelids to protect your eyes.
How often should I replace my clear mascara?
Every three months. “I know it feels wasteful, especially with a formula you love,” Dr. Chung says, “but the moment you open that tube, you’re introducing bacteria with every application.” If you keep using your mascara past the three-month mark, you risk contracting an eye infection like a stye or conjunctivitis (a.k.a. pink eye), she explains.
Meet the experts
- Julie Chung, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist based in Santa Monica, California
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best clear mascaras, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and Korean beauty experts to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
