My Hunt for the Best Natural Mascara (Spoiler: Found it!)
Cosmetics Natural Beauty
Looking for the best natural mascara and daunted by all the different options?
Well I’ve done all the footwork for you — I put 8 popular natural mascaras to the test. Which one came out on top? Let’s take a look…
I don’t always wear makeup… but when I do, it’s mascara.
With one swipe of a little wand, I suddenly look more awake, brighter, and ready to take on the world.
(It’s a magical little wand.)
Why is it important to switch to natural mascara?
Like most conventional cosmetic products, most mascaras on the market unfortunately contain some unhealthy chemicals like:
- Parabens: endocrine disruptors that have been linked to cancer
- Aluminum: a neurotoxin that is considered to be far worse than mercury — yikes!
- Propylene glycol: can cause extreme irritation for some individuals
- BHA and BHT: endocrine disruptors that have been linked to cancer
Remember: endocrine disruptors interfere with your body’s hormones, the chemical messengers that tell the body what to do and how to do it. Yes, they’re a big deal, which is why we don’t want anything interfering with them!
Related: Your Hormones Impact Your Skin. But Can Your Skincare Impact Your Hormones
Related: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry
But finding a great natural mascara is no easy feat!
There are a ton of options out there and not all of them perform the way you want or are accustomed to if you’re transitioning from a conventional mascara.
In fact, one of the most common questions I get from readers is, “What mascara do you use?”
If you’ve read about my super-simple all-natural skincare and beauty routine, then you know the answer…
But few things thrill me like trying a new non-toxic beauty product. (What can I say? I fit the “girl” stereotype to a tee sometimes.)
I was also curious if the mascara I was using and recommending to readers really was still the best natural mascara in 2019. After all, I’d been using it for over 5 years and a lot of new options have popped up on the market since then!
So I went on a little hunt… a hunt for the best natural mascara.
I tested 8 different natural mascaras and wore them each for at least two full days.
Some were duds while others were UHMAZING! And I am happy to say that my longtime, tried-and-true favorite held it’s ground 🙂
P.S. I think all of these mascaras (really all mascaras, ever!) work best when applied after curling your lashes.
100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Mascara
Verdict: LOVE 💕
My tried-and-true favorite for years now, this mascara gives perfect length and lots of volume. Stays put all day without any flaking, and washes off quite easily.
Beautycounter Volumizing Mascara
Verdict: LOVE 💕
Want big volume? Here you go! Provides great volume with one swipe but builds easily for extra drama. Also provides length and has great staying power.
Verdict: LOVE 💕
Another all-around fantastic option. Gives awesome volume, length, and definition without looking clumpy or smudging. Also really buildable if you’re looking for a more dramatic look.
W3LL PEOPLE Expressionist Mascara
Verdict: LOVE 💕
Doesn’t give as much volume as the 100% Pure mascara, but gives beautiful length and definition. The brush is not one I typically like — it’s fat with short little bristles. In the past, this type of brush caused clumps but that didn’t happen with this one.
Verdict: LOVE! 💕
With a well-defined brush that gives just the perfect amount of mascara, this one is lengthening and defining. I rolled the wand at the base of my lashes for more volume, and it layered well.
Gabriel Cosmetics Natural Mascara
Verdict: Not bad
I liked the brush — the bristles are well-defined and it applied evenly. It gives good length and volume but it did flake under my eyes a little throughout the day.
Juice Beauty PHYTO-PIGMENTS Ultra-Natural Mascara
Verdict: Nope
The brush is twisted and the bristles are not defined, which gives a heavy, clumpy application. When I tried combing my lashes to fix it, the mascara already started to dry and so I was left with obvious flakes, which fell under my eyes over the day.
Honeybee Gardens Truly Natural Mascara
Verdict: Nope
I REALLY wanted to love this mascara — it’s the cheapest! But honestly it didn’t even look like I was wearing mascara no matter how much I tried to layer it (and it smells a little like beer!).
Have you tried any of these or other natural mascaras?
What did you think?
Please share with us in the comments below!
Wow Roxie, that’s so amazing to hear!!!
100% Pure has been a godsend for me! My lashes fall out a lot from hyperthyroid so I’ve had like 3 lashes on each eye most of the time for the past decade. Every time they grow in I try to use mascara because I’m so excited they’re back, but then they all fall out again. *Sad face*
I used Eye Envy in desperation because they weren’t growing back this last time and I was freaking out. No lashes is no joke, everything gets in your eyes all the time without them.
Good news is, my lashes have grown back nice and thick, maybe better than they ever were. I tried 100% Pure (with a little fear) based on your recommendation and my lashes look amazing!!!! Best part is – they aren’t falling out at all this time! Thank you for this post, without it I might not have found this gorgeous product 🙂
That’s awesome, Barb! I’ve never heard of that brand before but will have to check it out. Thank you 🙂
I too loved the 100% Pure and Well People
Mascaras, but I just tried Thrive Causemetics mascara and it is amazing. I have naturally long lashes but they are light. A tweezerman crimp and the thrive mascara, and I look like I put on falsies!
Does the 100% not dry out quickly? One problem I’ve found with natural mascaras is how quickly they dry out, which really makes me feel like I’m not getting my money’s worth (especially when paying $25-30!). Thanks for this post!
Ooh great to know! Thanks for sharing, Dina 🙂 I’ll need to look into these!
Always liked Dr Hauschka or Ecco Bella. Wore the navy-like colors (haven’t worn makeup in years so not sure if they still come in the blues). I like the type that dry after applying and wash off easily with soap and water.
my eyes get irritated very easily and neither of these brands seemed to bother my eyes, ever. EccoBella’s eyeshadow stays on well with no primer, btw
Ashley! Thank you for asking this – I’ve been meaning to update this post with the Beautycounter mascaras! (Ironically, they’re pictured but I forgot to include info in the post) I think it’s comparable to the 100% Pure mascara in terms of look but with more staying power.
I was looking at your Master List for makeup (I’m trying to slowly convert all of my toxic, non-natural makeup to the good stuff as I run out!) and you had the beautycounter Volumizing Mascara listed. Do you like this better than those you listed above?
cURIOUS WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS ARE ON RED APPLE LIPSTICK’S MASCARA’S. I READ MANY REVIEWS ON THE SCIENCE BEHIND IT AND THE LACK OF ALLERGENS IN COMMON MASCARAS SUCH AS GLUTEN. ALSO THEY MENTION THAT THEY DON’T INCLUDE THESE IN THEIR FORMULA: polybutene, paraben, dimethicone, petrolatum and petroleum distillates, propylene glycol, Triethanolamine (TEA), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Ethyl acetate, Diazolidinyl, and others cause your body to go on overload and clog your follicles and lash roots.
jUST CURIOUS TO KNOW YOUR OPION
Great! SO glad it can be helpful to you 🙂
I’m always on the look for a good natural mascara! Thanks for these reviews, I have never heard of any of these brands, so it’s good to get some opinions on them!
I’ve been on the lookout for a non-chemical alternative so thank you for the research!!
Great post! So glad you found something that works for you!
Yes, I LOVE Beautycounter’s mascara too! I actually need to update the post with the Volumizing and Lenghtening mascaras… can you see they’re pictured!? 😉
I’ve used 100%pure. The smell was the best part, imo. I love Beautycounter volumizing mascara and that when I buy I’m supporting a larger mission. I also like that it’s EWG verified.
Is W3ll People Expressionist Bio-Extreme Mascara the same as W3ll People Expressionist Mascara? I used the ladder and it smudges under my eye after 4 hours 🙁