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!
I have tried Zao mascara which was decent but not amazing.
Dime beauty which was great but the bottle dried out very quickly before I could use it all (and I didn’t leave it open). This mascara did get slightly spidery with layering but the nice thing is that I found it to be water resistant.
Rejuva minerals which was absolutely awful. Talk about raccoon eyes.
Crunchi which I really wanted to love- it goes on beautifully and has an amazing brush but unfortunately it flakes badly.
Beauty counter which was good but a bit difficult to layer.
Still on the hunt for something better. I will give some of these a shot!
Thanks for the Mascara recomendations. Do you know of a natural one that is waterproof/water resistant?
Arbonne is my fav!!
Well people is my favorite next to Pure Haven. Pure Haven is Organic and non toxic. Have you tried it. I have used lili lolo too and it’s not bad.
My favorite (I like it much better than 100% Pure) is Pure Anada mascara. Lengthens and adds volume, doesn’t flake or clump. And not expensive. You can get it for about C$13 a tube. Sample size is C$7, which I tend to get as I don’t use up a whole tube in 3 months time (the time you are supposed to switch your mascara for a new one). Best wishes!
I have been wearing Physicians Formula mascara and it is horrible. I bought it only because of its pure ingredients, but it puts black mark above your eyelids after a short time and clumps when you apply it.
Hey, Amber! Vegan just means no animal products – it doesn’t mean it’s natural or even non-toxic (some non-toxic brands do use high-performing synthetic ingredients if they’re safe).
Hi Nadia, I love this post and can’t wait to try your top picks and find one that works for me! I have a question about Too Faced “Better Than Sex” mascara. It says it is vegan friendly, can you explain that a little? Further, would that be considered a natural mascara?
Thank you!
Oh no, that’s disappointing! Maybe it’s available on Amazon to ship to you in Italy?
Ooh I’ve never heard of that brand, Halle, but will have to see if it’s available here in the US! 🙂
Unfortunately I don’t think so. The only natural mascara I’ve seen that has a “water resistant” version is Pacifica though I haven’t tried it!
I use Lavera bio mascara made in Germany and I like it a lot, but will try your “love its!” thanks for the info Nadia!
Do any of these mascaras that you love, provide a waterproof one?
I totally agree with you regarding juicy beauty mascara .
Terrible
I live in Italy and can’t find your products . I will try pure but from the website they don’t send to Italy