Back in my Catholic school days, I had no choice but to relish in the best clear mascaras. The nuns wouldn’t dare let me sport black and brown pigments on my lashes (who else had a no eye makeup rule?), so I found the transparent formulas a happy medium—apt to define and flutter my lashes without a trace. It was subtle, sure, but it got the job done. But as makeup continues to skew more minimalist and I investigate more ways to make the eyes look bigger, it seems that in 2025 clear mascara is more en vogue than I’d anticipated. Pro makeup artist Lauren D’Amelio Ventre assures me, though, that the category is far more versatile than I initially anticipated.
Vogue’s Favorite Clear Mascaras
“[Clear mascaras] perfect for clients who want a very natural, minimal makeup look, for teens or first-time makeup wearers, or for editorial shoots where I want the lashes to look glossy and wet,” D’Amelio Ventre tells Vogue—especially useful for lower lashes for definition without pigment transfer. “It’s also beautiful for men’s grooming, red carpet looks that need to appear effortless, and anyone with sensitive eyes who can’t tolerate pigment.”
Ahead, more to know about the many benefits of clear mascaras for natural definition no matter the occasion; plus, our favorite formulas to shop.
In This Story
Best Overall: Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara
- Why We Love It: This is the most classic clear mascara: nN, really—I was using it back in high school almost 15 years ago. Pro makeup artist Brielle Pollara agrees, adding how easy to use it is. “It keeps lashes separated and defined while looking completely natural, making it perfect for minimal makeup days,” Pollara tells. “This formula is forgiving, easy to apply, and easy to remove, making it a great minimalist essential.”
- Key Ingredients: Water, alcohol denat., propylene glycol, glycerin, panthenol
- More To Know: Hypoallergenic, ophthalmologist-tested
- Waterproof: No