Whenever people ask me what my favorite natural mascara is, I literally cannot give just one answer because there are SO many good ones. It’s like asking someone to pick their favorite child! As I’ve been blogging about clean beauty for years now, I have tried *dozens* of non-toxic mascaras (not an exaggeration, btw). There are definitely some that are a HARD PASS. But, there are also tons of amazing ones which I’ll share with you in this post. You won’t miss your old mascara at all, trust me!
This post contains affiliate links.
What’s in this post:
- Ingredients to Avoid in Your Mascara
- The Best Clean Mascaras (That Won’t Leave You With Raccoon Eyes)
- Brown, Colorful, & Clear Clean Mascaras
- Popular Natural Mascaras That Didn’t Work For Me
- Best Natural Lash Growth Serum, Lash Primer, & Lash Curler!
Ingredients to Avoid in Your Mascara ❌
Since mascara is being applied so close to your sensitive eyes, you wanna make sure it has safe and clean ingredients! Conventional mascaras can be packed with harmful ingredients that are linked to endocrine disruption or can potentially be carcinogenic such as:
- BHT
- Carbon black pigment which may be contaminated with arsenic, lead, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals! (also listed as CI77266 and Black 2)
- Parabens
- Petroleum derivatives (like paraffin wax)
- Phenoxyethanol
To learn more about ingredients to avoid in your products, how to decipher labels, and how to switch to natural personal care products, download a copy of my Clean Beauty 101 ebook!
The 6 Best Clean Mascaras (That Won’t Leave You With Raccoon Eyes)
Erin’s Faces Matcha Mascara
⭐️ Best For: Lengthening
🐰 Cruelty-free (contains beeswax)
ℹ️ Soft hourglass brush
♻️ Recyclable glass tube!
Yes, matcha! Don’t worry, it’s inky black, not green. But wow, there’s SO much to love about this! First of all, it’s sustainably packaged in recyclable powder-coated white glass. B-e-a-utiful. It has a soft hourglass brush and is infused with organic ceremonial-grade matcha 🍵 (which helps strengthen lashes).
Wearing Erin’s Faces Matcha Mascara!I can get INSANE length with this one! But it also provides decent volume and kind of holds a curl too. I’ve gotten so many compliments while wearing this mascara. The founder, Erin, spent NINE years perfecting the formula! This is on the wetter side, so I suggest being careful when you apply it otherwise it can be messy, but it dries nicely.
❗️ However, in the summer when it’s humid, I sometimes notice a *tiny* bit of smudging on my bottom lashes. Nothing too bad though. See below for my trick to prevent smudging!
You can use the code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount on your first Erin’s Faces order 🏷️
Shop Erin’s Faces Mascara Here
Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Primer Duo
⭐️ Best For: Smudge-resistant, bold look
🐰 Cruelty-free (contains beeswax)
ℹ️ Stubby, flexible, tapered silicone wand
✅ EWG Verified
💰 Budget-friendly!
This one has quickly become a staple in my collection. And you can’t beat the price point: only $18 which is a steal for a low-tox mascara. What’s really unique about this one is that it has a primer on one end that you apply before the mascara. It makes a huge difference with how the mascara goes on and stays throughout the day!
What I love about the Honest mascara is that I can achieve a THICK, BOLD look that doesn’t budge. I also prefer the original Extreme Length mascara to Honest’s newer (and more expensive) Extreme Volume mascara. The new one is okay and does give you more volume, but I much prefer the original; you can get more length, less clumping, and a neater application. The Volume version tends to smudge a bit on me too.
Additionally, if you’re just starting out with safer beauty and don’t want to spend too much money, this might be up your alley!
You can use the code HONEST10 for a discount on your first order 🏷️
Also available here at Target and Amazon.
Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara
⭐️ Best For: Definition and length, smudge-resistant
🐰 Cruelty-free (contains beeswax)
ℹ️ Dual-sided, flexible silicone wand
Another one I would say is extremely smudge-resistant! The first thing you’ll notice about this one is the brush; it has different textures! It’s dual-sided so you can attain different looks with each side of the wand. I like to start with the stubby side to define, and then the longer bristles to pull up the length and volume. It takes some getting used to but ultimately, I adore how this mascara looks. Bold, lengthening, not clumpy, and doesn’t flake or smudge.
I know I said I can’t pick a favorite, BUT, this is probably the one I’ve used the most over the years and have gone through manyyyyyy tubes! It’s a reliable go-to that I know will always work well. It’s usually what I recommend people try first if it’s their first time using a clean mascara, and have heard a lot of positive feedback from my readers about it!
Ilia even has a mini size if you want to sample it. So wonderful! 👌
Also available here at Credo, The Detox Market, and Aillea.
NOTE: I do NOT really recommend Ilia’s newer Volumizing mascara so make sure you grab the correct one! The Volumizing mascara is kind of messy, clumpy, falls flat, and smudges for me.
Read more here: “ILIA Limitless Lash vs. Fullest Volumizing: Clean Mascara Battle“
Saie Mascara 101
⭐️ Best For: Definition and volume
🐰 Cruelty-free (contains beeswax)
ℹ️ Flexible silicone wand with spiky tip
Mmmm, can you tell I have a thing for silicone wands? 🤣 Saie’s brush takes some practice, but once you master it, it’s so cool! The little spiky tip is helpful for getting in smaller nooks, intricate lower lash work, and lifting corner lashes.
The formula is not too wet or dry, just right! It looks more natural and less intense than some others in this post. And it’s buildable but not clumpy, flaky, or smudgy. I recommend doing at least two coats because the second layer is where the magic happens with this one ✨ Va-va-voom!
Wearing Saie Mascara 101!❗️ I will say that lashes tend to look straighter with this one, so I would not suggest it if you mainly want to hold a curl.
You can grab a cute mini size if you wanna sample it!
TOK Beauty Eyes That Tok Mascara
⭐️ Best For: Definition and volume
🐰 Vegan and cruelty-free
ℹ️ Flexible silicone wand
♻️ Aluminum and recyclable plastic tube
This was love at first swipe for me! Or, I should actually say first wiggle, because you want to slowly wiggle it from the root to the tip of your lashes to build it up. It’s a drier formula but gives you amazing volume without clumping or flaking. The wand is interesting because one side is slightly flatter and the other has a tiny curve to it so you might have to play around and see which you like better. But I’m obsessed with how this one looks on me!
In addition, TOK has horsetail plant and pea protein to strengthen lashes and prevent breakage. Good stuff!
You can use the code BECCA10 for a discount on TOK’s website 🏷️
Also available here at Credo and The Detox Market (discount not applicable).
Tower28 MakeWaves Mascara
⭐️ Best For: Lengthening and curling
🐰 Vegan and cruelty-free
ℹ️ Curved, flexible silicone wand
💰 Budget-friendly!
There was LOTS of hype around this mascara when it launched (it keeps selling out!) so I had to see what it was all about! 👀 It’s on the dry side and can take a while to start building, but wow, it really makes lashes look long and awesome! I’m a big fan of the flexible, curved wand; it has an inner wave that helps define and curl, and the longer bristles on the back that lengthen and draw out lashes. You can achieve different looks with each side of the wand!
One main thing about Tower’s mascara is that it actually holds a curl which is rare! I don’t find that the curl lasts ALL day long, but it does for a good amount of time.
❗️I do experience some flaking and fallout with it but not a lot.
While it’s not perfect, the fact that it’s $20 gives it extra points and I think it’s worth trying!
Looking for a non-toxic waterproof mascara? 💦
I’m gonna be real with you, waterproof natural mascara isn’t really a thing. It just can’t be accomplished unless you use hardcore synthetic ingredients like conventional mascaras do (i.e. waterproofing ingredients that contain PFAS). The good news is that the options I listed above are more water-resistant than most.
PRO TIP to prevent mascara from smudging…
Setting powder is your BFF! You want to avoid too many oils around your eyes because they might break down your mascara and lead to smudging. Using a setting powder around the eye area (eyelids, under eyes) can help soak up excess oils and keep your lashes intact all day long! Read this post for my favorite talc-free setting powders.
Natural Brown, Colorful, & Clear Clean Mascaras 🤎🌈🤍
Some of these are not necessarily my top picks for a mascara in general, BUT they have colorful/pigmented options if that’s what you’re looking for!
- 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Ultra Lengthening Mascara (Dark Blue, Deep Purple, Cocoa Brown)
- Alima Pure Natural Definition Mascara (Brown)
- Au Naturale Bold Statement Vegan Mascara (Brown, Navy, Teal, Violet, Cobalt) These are the brightest and most vibrant!
- FitGlow Vegan Good Lash Mascara+ (Brown, Rich Navy)
- Inika Long Lash Vegan Mascara (Brown)
- Saie Mascara 101 (Brown)
- Well People Expressionist Pro Mascara (Brown)
- Ere Perez Aloe Gel Lash & Brow Mascara (Clear)
Some Popular Clean Mascaras That DIDN’T Work for Me:
- ATHR Big Bang (falls flat, can’t achieve much volume)
- Crunchi (flaky and dry)
- Dalish (dry and barely looks like you’re wearing mascara)
- Honest Extreme Volume (brush too big, messy, smudges, clumps)
- Hynt (smudges)
- Ilia Fullest Volumizing (messy, clumpy, falls flat, smudges)
- Kosas (looks nice initially but smudges)
- Living Libations (too waxy and smudges)
Best Natural Lash Growth Serum, Lash Primer, & Lash Curler!
In case you’re wondering about some other ways to give those lashes an extra boost! 💪
Plume Lash & Brow Enhancing Serum
A better swap for prescriptions like Latisse, made without hormones or prostaglandins and won’t change your eye color! 👁️ It uses natural ingredients that have been clinically proven to help grow and strengthen lashes such as organic castor oil and watercress (can be used on brows too). I’ve tried various serums and this has worked the best for me. You should notice results in a few weeks of consistent use!
Plume is ophthalmologist and dermatologist tested. Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount at checkout (ORGANICALLYBECCACAD if you’re in Canada) 🏷️
Related post: “How to Get Bold Brows Naturally: The Best Clean Brow Gels, Pencils, & Serums!“
FitGlow Plum Lash Conditioning Primer
To make sure mascara applies more effectively, using a lash primer can help! There really aren’t many natural ones on the market, but the FitGlow Plum Lash Primer is great. You apply it, wait a few seconds for it to dry, then apply your mascara. It really makes the mascara more defined, less prone to clumping, and you can get more volume and length! I also feel like it makes mascara smudge less. The primer also has superfood ingredients in it that lead to fuller, thicker, stronger lashes. Highly recommend!
Plume Lash Lift Curler
A fabulous way to give lashes a subtle, natural curl before applying mascara. It also aids the application of the mascara and gives lashes more of a boost. The Plume curler is durable but won’t snag or rip out your lashes. Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount at checkout (ORGANICALLYBECCACAD if you’re in Canada) 🏷️
Thanks a bunch for reading! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or have tried any of these products 💚
I’ve been using Saie’s mascara for a few months now, and I’m not very impressed. 🙁 I find it pretty flakey and smudgy, and at the end of the day I always have a big glob of black in the inner corner of my eye. At least it’s nontoxic, but ew! I’ve used 100% Pure’s mascara in the past and found it to be better for me than Saie. I think I’m going to try Honest Beauty or Ilia next!
Aw man, that’s too bad! It’s so weird how the same mascaras can work so differently for people. But I do think Ilia’s or Honest’s are much more smudge-proof in general so I hope one of those works for you!