11 Best Clear Mascaras That Amp up My Eye Makeup Game

Written by Sayantani Deb, Makeup & Beauty Writer
Updated on Feb 14, 2024
Clear Mascaras That Amp up My Eye Makeup Game
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Whenever I wish for a low-key makeup look, it's the best clear mascara that helps me emphasize volume and give the ultimate length to my natural eyelashes without actually oversaturating them. Okay, let me be crystal clear and real — an invisible mascara is my savior to attain holy-wow eyelashes and fresh-looking eyes. What makes me gravitate is its ability to prime, nourish, lengthen, volumize, define, and tame unruly eyelashes, leaving them well-curled, curved, or even straight. 

Drawing from my experiences and extensive research, transparent mascara does a pretty decent job in not only grooming your lashes but also brushing them up. Let me tell you why you should incorporate one into your collection and makeup routine.

Why Should One Use Clear Mascara?

Clear mascaras deserve a 10/10 for their respectable formulation that never irritates your eyes or weighs down your lashes. I must mention, they effortlessly lend your lashes a sheen gloss effect and darken them slightly. Excellent for a minimal or no-makeup makeup look, such mascaras add desirable hold, and extra oomph, and also act as a primer for colored mascaras. Additionally, they smother out-of-character baby hair and brows, leaving them presentable and less fluttering. 

To be honest, a clear lash gel or mascara can have your back during every beauty emergency as it phenomenally ticks off all the beauty boxes.

What Does a Clear Mascara Do?

Or shall I ask what a clear mascara cannot do? Well, after multiple trials and tests, I would like to pour my heart out for once and for all. A clear mascara conditions, nourishes, and primes your lashes remarkably. When I say conditions and nourishes, I mean it stimulates growth and repairs damaged lashes. In addition, it acts as a primer on which you can sweep your colored mascara. Basically, whenever you want to add depth, or definition, or wish for some extra length and volume, a clear mascara is what you need. It does a great job without overpowering your overall makeup look.

So, there is clearly no reason to wait any longer. Below I have rounded up some impeccable clear mascaras that you should think of investing in straight away.

11 Best Clear Mascaras

Whenever I wish to create a natural-looking makeup look, my first preference is the Maybelline Great Lash Mascara. I love its gel-like formula that not only conditions my lashes but also grooms them with desirable hold. What bowled me over is the fact that it sweeps your eyelashes like butter, like it really goes on smoothly and dries clump-free. Honestly, this clear lash mascara is one such eye makeup essential that I will be relying upon every now and then. You too can get your hands on it and indulge in its goodness right away!

Pros
  • Washable
  • Pack of 2
  • Can be applied to eyebrows
  • Pocket-friendly
  • Tested by ophthalmologists
  • Suitable for contact lens wearers
Cons
  • Not very long-lasting
  • Most Cost-effective

    Wet n Wild Mega Clear Brow & Lash Mascara

    Wet n Wild Mega Clear Brow & Lash Mascara
  • The next one that got my heart racing is Mega Clear brow and lash mascara introduced by one of my favorite beauty brands, Wet n Wild. It is a really good clear mascara that you can depend upon with closed eyes for adding definition to your unruly brows and lashes. What makes it highly nourishing is its luxe blend of conditioning ingredients like soy protein and provitamin B5 which undoubtedly makes it oh-so-good!

    Pros
    • Vegan
    • Inexpensive
    • Cruelty-free
    • Paraben-free
    • Provides strong and comfortable hold
    Cons
    • Thick texture
  • Most Conditioning

    e.l.f. Clear Lash & Brow Mascara

    e.l.f. Clear Lash & Brow Mascara
  • While researching for the best eyelash and eyebrow clear mascara, I came across this one from e.l.f. The very first thing that impressed me was its dual-ended design and long-lasting gel formula which means your application will be as smooth as butter! In addition, the conditioning ingredients separate each of your lash and brow hair and leave them glossy and tamed. Having said that, the slenderness of the bristles swept on my lashes with zero drama! I am very sure that you too will be audibly gasping like me after trying it out.

    Pros
    • Vegan
    • Cruelty-free
    • Pack of 2
    • Budget-friendly
    Cons
    • Little difficult to take off
  • Best Hypoallergenic Mascara

    Covergirl Professional Natural Lash Mascara

    Covergirl Professional Natural Lash Mascara
  • One thing that makes Covergirl’s professional natural lash mascara a rare one amongst all the other clear gel mascaras is its fabulous conditioning formula that helps you create a feather-light lash look. The applicator emerges from the mascara tube loaded with clear gel and never oversaturates your lashes or brows. It does a decent job of sculpting your eyebrows and curling your lashes. And if you are assuming that this one is going to consume too much of your time in taking it off or is going to weigh down your natural hair, then you are wrong my dear! This mascara comes off easily and never asks for anything in return.

    Pros
    • Hypoallergenic
    • Reasonable
    • Ideal for makeup artists and beginners
    • Ophthalmologically-tested
    • Suitable for sensitive eyes
    Cons
    • Might feel a little sticky initially
  • Best for Eyebrows And Eyelashes

    Essence 3-Pack Clear Lash Brow Gel Mascara

    Essence 3-Pack Clear Lash Brow Gel Mascara
  • Essence’s clear mascara for eyebrows and eyelashes does no wrong to your eyes. It only aims to help you amp up the natural beauty of your lashes and brows without asking you to pay much. When you sweep the clear gel, you will be stoked to see desirable results within a few strokes. Furthermore, what makes me more impressed is the fact that this eyelash and eyebrow gel controls unruly hair and keeps it well-behaved throughout the day.

    Pros
    • Vegan
    • Free from parabens
    • Cruelty-free
    • Versatile
    Cons
    • Offers minimum hold
  • Most Lightweight

    Physicians Formula Diamond Mascara Mineral Wear

    Physicians Formula Diamond Mascara Mineral Wear
  • Based on my intensive research and findings, Physicians Formula’s Diamond mascara leaves no stone unturned in fulfilling the needs of every makeup enthusiast. Okay, let me come to the point straight. Why I love this mascara a little more than the rest is because it is a 5-in-1 masterpiece. It helps in priming, conditioning, grooming, and taming while providing sufficient yet lightweight hold to your eyelashes and eyebrow hair. What makes it an excellent choice in the category of the best clear mascara is its blend of ingredients — mineral water and nourishing vitamin E. Yes, you must try it out!

    Pros
    • Vegan
    • Dye-free
    • Contains no fragrance
    • Lightweight
    • Safe for sensitive skin
    • Cruelty-free
    Cons
    • Might oversaturate your lashes
  • Best Applicator

    ZUZU LUXE Luxe Mascara

    ZUZU LUXE Luxe Mascara
  • I glanced through the features of this clear eyelash gel from Zuzu Luxe and was stoked to see how it seamlessly coats every eyelash and doesn’t smudge, clump, or flake. Additionally, the hero of this mascara is its luxurious nylon brush that adds length and curls your lashes just as you dreamt of. From minimal makeup looks to glam ones, this vitamin-enriched water-resistant mascara will be your beauty companion for ages.

    Pros
    • Smudge-proof
    • Doesn’t smear
    • Easy to take off
    • Great consistency
    Cons
    • Overpriced
  • Best Water-resistant Mascara

    Ruby Kisses Super Waterproof Mascara

    Ruby Kisses Super Waterproof Mascara
  • The very first thing that I noticed about this super mascara from Ruby Kisses is the fact that it offers a great hold to your lashes and brow hair. Secondly, it is water-resistant and doesn’t flake, clump, or smear. I suggest whenever you wish to add a little bit more volume and intense length to your lashes, this mascara is all that you need. Let me also tell you that it leaves your lashes feathery and soft yet makes them look voluminous.

    Pros
    • Available in black color
    • Perfect for all-day use
    • Suitable for contact lens wearers
    • Inexpensive
    Cons
    • Dries really quickly if not used
  • Best for a Natural Look

    Urban Colors Clear Gel Mascara

    Urban Colors Clear Gel Mascara
  • For anyone who is looking for a mascara that has the power to maximize the beauty of eyebrows and eyelashes naturally, Urban Colors clear gel mascara is a reliable choice to consider from the category of best gel mascaras. It is formulated with the goodness of potent ingredients like collagen and aloe vera and thus, you need not worry about its efficacy. Moreover, this mascara tames unruly hair with its non-flaky texture so that you can flaunt the perfect no-makeup makeup look effortlessly.

    Pros
    • Lightweight
    • Dries quickly
    • Provides all-day hold
    • Leaves no white residue
    Cons
    • Unsatisfactory packaging
  • Show By Pastel Show Your Peace Transparent Eyebrow & Eyelash Mascara

    Show By Pastel Show Your Peace Transparent Eyebrow & Eyelash Mascara
  • Lastly, I recommend Show By Pastel’s transparent eyebrow and eyelash mascara to help you add some extra length and sheen to them. What left me in awe is the fact that it possesses a very lightweight formula that’s all because of its active complexes like provitamin B5 and biotinoyl tripeptide-1. Additionally, it has an impeccable colorless gel-like formula that will make your lashes look naturally beautiful and your brows fuller.

    Pros
    • Cruelty-free
    • Best clear lengthening mascara
    • Reasonable
    • Free from parabens and gluten
    Cons
    • The label on the cap makes the bottle sticky

    That was my comprehensive list of the best clear mascaras. Now, let me run you through a detailed buying guide.

    How to Choose the Best Clear Mascara?

    Here are a few aspects that you should consider before splurging on the best transparent mascara - 

    Applicators/Mascara Wands: Make sure that you analyze every best clear mascara to hold curl, lengthen volumize, or nourish your lashes by taking its applicator, brush, or wand into consideration. I recommend picking a mascara that comes with good-quality bristles or a silicone brush. Well, it also depends upon the lash effect that you are looking for. For thicker, dramatic, and intensely voluminous lashes, choose a dense and close-knit bristle brush. Meanwhile, silicone head applicators are great for sculpting eyebrows and flyaways. 

    Ingredients: Ensure that you get your hands on a mascara that is loaded with natural and conditioning ingredients like aloe vera, vitamins E and B, green tea extract, collagen, peptides, botanical extracts, etc. Do not invest in a mascara that is made of synthetic and harmful ingredients like parabens, gluten, etc.

    Formula: Always pick a clear waterproof mascara that will last throughout the day. But make sure that it is vegan, cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, dermatologically-tested, and completely safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. 

    Texture: The next and most important aspect is the texture of the waterproof clear mascara that you are planning to invest in. It is wise to invest in a pigmented mascara that is smudge-proof, flake-proof, and non-clumpy. Secondly, it should sweep your lashes and sculpt your brows seamlessly without oversaturating or making them look gooey.

    After noting down the aspects mentioned above, pen down a few steps for using clear mascara in the right manner.

    How to Use the Best Clear Mascara?

    The following are the steps for using the best clear mascara accurately -

    1. After you are done applying your makeup, sweep the clear mascara onto your lashes. 
    2. Wear it alone if you are looking for additional length and volume with a dash of gloss. 
    3. You can also use your clear mascara as a primer. Simply apply a few coats of it on your eyelashes and then apply your regular colored mascara. This will prevent unnatural clumps and make your eyelashes look much bolder than ever before.
    4. You can use it for sculpting your eyebrows and taming unruly hair with utmost ease. 

    That was all about the best clear mascaras that you should think of snagging right away. It is clearly the game-changing makeup product that you need to invest in to add more volume and length to your lashes without actually making them look dramatic or overpowering. Secondly, you can easily create drama-free lashes and well-groomed eyebrows without adding overwhelming depth and definition. I bet, with any of my recommendations, nothing can stop you from flaunting longer, curled, straight, or minimally emphasized lashes. So, without further ado, populate your vanity with the best of the best clear mascaras today itself! Happy shopping!

    FAQ's

    Is it good to wear clear mascara?
    Yes, it is good to wear clear mascara as it helps in volumizing, lengthening, strengthening, and nourishing your lashes with no drama involved.
    Is clear mascara better for your eyelashes than black?
    For no-makeup or minimalistic eye makeup looks, a clear mascara is better, but if you are looking for overwhelming depth and definition, then a black one is preferable.
    How do you remove clear mascara?
    You can remove clear mascara by using makeup remover or water if it's not waterproof.
    Is clear mascara easy to remove?
    Yes, clear mascara is easy to remove and doesn’t weigh down your natural lashes.
    Is clear mascara noticeable?
    No, clear mascara dries invisibly and is usually colorless.
    Can clear mascara damage your eyelashes?
    A hypoallergenic, vegan, cruelty-free, and naturally formulated mascara will never damage your eyelashes.
    Can you sleep with clear mascara?
    No. You should never sleep with clear mascara as it might cause eye irritation or damage your natural lashes.
    Does clear mascara make a difference?
    Yes, clear mascara adds an invisible definition to your eyelashes and makes them look voluminous.

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    Our certified beauty expert, Sayantani, is obsessed with clear mascaras for their powers to define and amplify the beauty of natural eyelashes and eyebrows. She tests and analyzes every newly introduced lash mascara on herself to understand how effective they are in taming unruly or less voluminous eyelashes. Having said that, her personal choice is Maybelline Great Lash Mascara that features a washable and gel-like formula. You can also roll your eyes over the rest of her recommendations and maximize the beauty of your eyes within seconds. 

    Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

    Author BIO
    reviewer
    Sayantani Deb
    Makeup & Beauty Writer

    Sayantani is a certified hair and makeup professional turned writer with 2+ years of experience in the same genre. Ap More