Behold: The 16 Best Mascaras for Asian Lashes, According to Makeup Artists & Editors

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I’ve had straight, stubborn lashes my entire life—courtesy of my Asian genes. When I was a teenager trying to puzzle out makeup, I remember scanning mascara magazine ads, watching mascara commercials, and thinking, “How the hell are the models’ lashes so long and lifted?”. Because I sure wasn’t “born with it.”

Every time I swiped on my mom’s Clinique tester mascaras, my lashes turned out clumpy or spidery, and without fail, the curl never held up or even existed to begin with. But finding a trusty mascara for Asian lashes isn’t completely impossible. Even today, in my late twenties, I feel like I’m still figuring it out and learning. That’s why I’ve tapped three makeup artists and a few of my fellow AAPI-identifying StyleCaster editors to share their product recommendations for the best mascaras for Asian lashes.

The Best Mascaras for Asian Lashes at a Glance

• Expert’s Choice: Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara , $8 (originally $13)
• Best TikTok-Viral: Judydoll 3D Curling Eyelash Iron Mascara, $11 (originally $15)
• Best Drugstore: L’Oreal Paris Makeup Original Telescopic Lengthening Mascara , $10 (originally $13)
• Best Shade Range: Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara, $26
• Best Cult-Favorite: Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Mascara, $29
• Best AAPI-Owned: Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Mascara, $20
• Best Splurge-Worthy: Lancôme Lash Idôle Mascara, $30
• Best K-Beauty: Innae Beauty Lovely Lashes Waterproof Mascara, $20
• Best J-Beauty: Heroine Make Long and Curl Mascara , $16
• Best C-Beauty: Flower Knows Butterfly Cloud Collar Mascara, $20

There’s a whole art to finding and applying mascaras for Asian lashes. You can’t just pick up any tube from the drugstore, cross your fingers, and hope your eyelashes look fanned-out and feathery like what you see in commercials. Countless Asian folks have lashes that grow straight out or in a downward direction, and for some, their hairs are thinner, shorter, or sparser than most. But worry not—there are so many formulas out there that work really well for Asian lashes. You just have to know where to look.

Read on for our experts’ top product picks and application tips. Our favorite tubes run the gamut, but the majority cost under $20 on popular retailer sites like Amazon, Ulta, Sephora, and Target, with some pricier names sprinkled in. From one Asian girlie (or guy!) to another, I hope you find a formula that works for you and makes you feel your most confident, because I can just feel a joint Asian lash slay coming in hot.

What should you look for when buying a mascara for Asian lashes?

• A waterproof or tubing formula
• A lightweight formula
• A thin, curved wand
• A formula that offers curl-holding power, not just volume
• A formula with benefits such as lengthening, lifting, curling, and volumizing

Formula

While volume is one of the mascara benefits you likely already look out for, don’t forget to keep an eye out for tubes that deliver curling power. You want a formula that both volumizes and curls, and one that claims to last, according to makeup artist and mature skincare expert Kat James. “A waterproof formula is your best friend for keeping that curl intact all day. Also, tubing mascaras can be game changers if smudging is a constant issue (especially for hooded lids),” she explains.

L’Oréal Paris Celebrity Makeup Artist Allan Avendaño and film and TV makeup artist Cidni Merrett agree that waterproof and tubing mascara formulas are crucial for those with stick-straight lashes. “Prioritize lengthening and lifting over thick, heavy formulas that can drag lashes back down. Lightweight consistency and clean, flexible brushes are key. Bonus if the formula has lash-loving ingredients like biotin or panthenol to condition while it works,” James adds.

Brush Shape

Not all mascara wands are made equally, and there’s no question the shape of the brush plays a huge role, especially if you have straight, stubborn lashes. If you have Asian eyelashes, “Go for a curved or slim wand that can really get in close to the lash line,” says James. Avendaño echoes these thoughts, adding, “I personally love a thinner wand with a little curve so that you can really work the formula from root to ends without making a mess.” “The thinner the wand, the better the application,” says Merrett.

Product Consistency

“You don’t want to pick a very wet formula because those tend to smudge very easily,” says Avendaño. And heavy formulas can potentially drag your lashes down, as James notes above.

How should you apply mascara to Asian lashes?

• Curl in stages—base, mid-length, and tip
• Comb upward in a zigzag motion
• Layer different kinds of mascaras
• Focus on one eye at a time
• Apply powder around your eyes to avoid smudging

Applying mascara takes a bit of technique. Usually, you can’t just swipe the wand through your lashes and hope for the best (and if you can, jealous). It takes finessing, especially if you have a certain eye shape or straight, stubborn lash hairs (or both!).

James says, “I always tell clients to curl in stages—base, mid-length, and tip. It helps ‘train’ the lashes to hold that lifted shape. After curling, press your wand right into the base of the lashes and slowly comb upward in a zigzag motion.” She also recommends layering mascaras strategically. Who says you can only use one product to get the job done? Each tube has a unique purpose, so use that to your advantage. “I’ll use a defining mascara first to separate and lengthen, then go in with a curl-boosting or volumizing formula just on the outer corners to create that fanned-out lift,” James explains. As for your lower lashes, the MUA suggests reaching for a smaller wand or a clean fan brush to avoid transfer.

Avendaño says the key to beautiful lashes is focusing on one eye at a time. Curl your lashes, apply one coat of mascara to one eye, and then switch to the other eye. After that, add more coats, if desired. “This method allows each curled section to set before adding more product,” he explains. The MUA also finds that tapping powder around your eyes is the key to long-lasting mascara. “Powder effectively absorbs excess oil, which is often the culprit behind smudged mascara,” he explains.

If you’ve tried truly every TikTok mascara hack and YouTuber tutorial tip and still come up short, James has got you covered. She notes that waterproof mascara shouldn’t be reserved for only summertime or weddings because it’s all about the structure it lends to your lashes. “If your lashes drop within minutes of applying regular mascara, try curling, setting with a waterproof mascara, and layering something softer over it. And if you feel like nothing works? Try heating your lash curler just a little (think five seconds with a hairdryer). It makes a huge difference,” James recommends.

Which eyelash curler should you use for Asian lashes?

• Shu Uemura Iconic Eyelash Curler , $23 (originally $25)
• Shiseido Eyelash Curler , $27
• Kevyn Aucoin The Eyelash Curler , $26
• Surratt Relevee Lash Curler , $39

“The Shu Uemura curler is still the gold standard for a reason. It’s flatter than most Western curlers, which fits Asian eye shapes so much better and grabs every lash,” says James. “I also love the Shiseido Eyelash Curler—it’s a touch narrower and great for precision, especially if you have smaller or deep-set eyes.” Avendaño and Merrett share the same sentiments on the Shiseido option.

Three votes for the Shiseido eyelash curler show there’s a clear winner. Avendaño also likes the Surratt Beauty curler because of its wider design that fits the eye contour perfectly, while Merrett additionally vouches for one from Kevyn Aucoin , saying, “The curler has excellent grip for a really deep curl on the lashes. I would use this as a secondary curler after the first initial curl to reinforce a deeper curve.”

The Best Mascaras for Asian Lashes, According to Experts and Editors