Ready to take your lashes to new heights? Lengthening mascara is all about adding serious length and definition, giving you that lifted, eye-opening effect with just a few swipes. Unlike volumizing mascara, which focuses on bold, thick lashes, lengthening mascara uses lightweight fibers and precision bristles that coat each lash from root to tip for clump-free, separated, fluttery, long lashes that look effortless and natural.
If you’ve been around the block with lengthening mascara and want to go even further with your lash game, tubing mascara might be your new favorite. This formula works to wrap each lash in tiny “tubes” for long-lasting, smudge-proof wear; it’s length, definition, and all-day wear made easy.
For those in search of their new ride-or-die mascara, read on. We’re breaking down the differences between lengthening and tubing mascara, and how to get sky-high lashes without breaking the bank.
What is Lengthening Mascara?
Lengthening mascara is designed to take your lashes to the next level—literally. It’s all about extending, defining, and giving you long, fluttery lashes with zero clumps. Most lengthening mascaras rely on lightweight formulas infused with tiny fibers that grip onto each individual lash, helping to separate, extend, and create the illusion of extra length.
The result is a sleek, lifted effect that makes your eyes look bigger and more awake. Because lengthening mascara focuses on lengthening and separating, it’s a great option for those who are into a natural, no-makeup makeup look. Whether you’re going for an everyday lifted look or layering up for a little extra drama, lengthening mascara is the key to effortlessly longer, more defined lashes.
How Does Lengthening Mascara Work?
Unlike other types of mascaras, lengthening mascara uses lightweight, buildable formulas that stretch your lashes to new heights. Infused with ultra-fine fibers or polymers that help the mascara attach and stick to each lash, these formulas deliver a longer, more defined look without clumping or weighing them down.
But we can’t speak to the magic of lengthening mascaras without talking about brush design. Lengthening mascaras typically feature slim, precision wands with long, evenly spaced bristles that grip and coat every lash from root to tip. This design ensures maximum extension, separation, and lift, with no clumps; just elongated lashes with every swipe.
Why Should You Choose Lengthening Mascara?
We love lengthening mascara because of how easily it enhances the lashes you already have. Because of its thin precision brush, lengthening mascaras can really extend your lash from root to tip, creating a longer, more lifted appearance that resembles the lash lifts you’ve seen all over TikTok the last few years. They deliver definition that gives eyes a brighter, more awake appearance with a feathery, fanned-out finish. Thanks to lightweight, fiber-infused formulas, your lashes also stay soft, flexible, and clump-free, giving you that sleek, separated effect.
How to Choose the Right Lengthening Mascara
The perfect lengthening mascara starts with the right formula. If you love a natural, fluttery look, go for a lightweight, fiber-infused mascara that adds subtle length without the heaviness. Looking for a little more length and drama? A tubing mascara wraps each lash in water-resistant polymers for smudge-proof, long-lasting definition.
Brush design matters too! A thin, precise wand helps separate and extend each lash, while a curved brush adds extra lift and curl. And for a lash-loving boost, look for nourishing ingredients like vitamin E or peptides to keep your lashes soft and strong.
What is the Difference Between Lengthening Mascara and Tubing Mascara?
Both of these mascaras are lengthening mascaras, however, there are a few differences between the two. Lengthening mascara and tubing mascara differ primarily in their formulation and how they adhere to lashes.
Traditional lengthening mascaras contain fibers or nylon particles that physically extend beyond your natural lashes, creating the illusion of length by building up product. Tubing mascara, on the other hand, uses polymers that wrap around each individual lash, forming tiny "tubes" that extend lash length.
Tips for Your Longest Lashes
Now it’s time to talk technique. Start by curling your lashes with a lash curler—this instantly lifts and preps them for maximum length. Next, apply a light first coat of lengthening mascara, wiggling the wand from root to tip to fully coat and separate each lash. For a little more impact, layer up! Wait a few seconds between coats to build length without clumping. Use the tip of the wand to catch those tiny corner lashes, making your eyes look even more open.
Pro Tip: If your lashes tend to droop, opt for a water-resistant formula to hold that length and lift all day. If you want to go the extra mile, don’t forget lash serum at night—strong, nourished lashes mean even better results.
Lengthening Mascara Must-Haves
Now that you’re ready to lengthen and lift your lashes, it’s time to add an eyelash serum to your makeup routine.
If you're aiming for healthier, more nourished lashes, our Enhancing Lash & Brow Serum is an essential addition to your routine. This powerful serum is packed with beneficial ingredients such as antioxidants, amino acids and vitamins to help condition lashes and promote a healthier, longer look. With continued use, you’ll notice thin, brittle and short lash hairs look longer and stronger. Using it at night, and using lengthening mascara in the day, will have you prepped for feathery and extended lashes!
Frequently Asked Questions About Lengthening Mascara
Q: Do lengthening mascaras really work?
Yes! Lengthening mascaras do work, but how effective they are depends on formulas and application techniques. Picking a mascara with a tubing formula can help to give you the best results for lengthening.
When applying, make sure to start by curling your lashes. Then, layer on a few thin coats-make sure to wait for the product to dry in-between coats to avoid any clumping!
Q: What mascara gives you the fullest lashes?
If you’re after full lashes, we recommend choosing either a volumizing or lengthening mascara. Lengthening mascaras help to add extra length to your eyelashes, while volumizing mascara helps to add extra volume and thickness to the appearance of lashes.
Q: Should I use lengthening or volumizing mascara first?
When layering lengthening and volumizing mascaras, it’s best to apply lengthening mascara first. This allows the lengthening fibers to attach to your natural lashes first, creating an extension, before the volumizing formula adds thickness. The lengthening formula provides a base that the volumizing mascara can build upon, giving you both benefits without any clumping!
Q: Which mascara helps your eyelashes grow?
Lengthening, Volumizing, and Tubing mascaras can all help the appearance of your lashes seem longer and fuller. However, if you’re after actual length on your natural lashes, we recommend using an eyelash serum.