The best eye makeup products,according to makeup artists and beauty experts
The 25 eye makeup products that makeup artists and beauty experts rate highest, ranked by genuine consensus.
What changed, 3 November: L'Oreal Lash Paradise Big Deal Waterproof Mascara is new to the top five, at number 2.
Eye makeup is judged on payoff and staying power, and the gurus have little patience for either falling short.
This category covers mascara, eyeshadow, liner and brow products. The experts look for pigment that shows up true to the pan, formulas that blend or wing on without dragging, and wear that survives a full day without smudging, creasing or flaking. A palette that turns muddy or a mascara that smears by lunch gets called out fast.
The debate is drama versus ease. Some gurus reward the boldest payoff and the longest wear even when a product is fussy to apply or remove, while others prize a forgiving formula that looks good with minimal effort. The ranking below favours the products that please both camps or clearly win their lane.
The podium
99%Guru ScoreLimitless Lash Mascara
“I like the brush head and I really like the way that it applies mascara. It just gives that nice separation, that fanned out look, but it also gives that great length as well.”Sincerely Miss Ash
What the gurus liked: Brush separates and defines each lash; Fluffy, lifted look without clumping
Fragrance-free.
92%Guru ScoreMake Waves Lengthening and Volumizing Mascara
“I obviously love so many types of mascara but this one is the one that came to mind first. I just really love love it.”Allie Glines
What the gurus liked: Lengthens and defines lashes without heaviness; Water resistant, holds curl in humidity
The catch: Gets clumpy as the tube empties
Fragrance-free.
91%Guru ScoreLash Paradise Big Deal Waterproof Mascara
“She loves it by itself, but also loves pairing it with Maybelline Lash Sensational, the two together give her the perfect lifted, lengthened, voluminous look.”Abbey Yung
What the gurus liked: Flawless wear through the day; Separates lashes naturally
The catch: Needs multiple coats to build volume
Fragrance-free.
The rest of the list
- 4
MaybellineLash Sensational MascaraGuru CertifiedBudget buy90%8 gurus“I don't have any new favorite mascaras to include this year, my favorite is still my favorite, the Maybelline Lash Sensational.”Abbey Yung
What the gurus liked: Lifts, lengthens and volumises; Curls and holds all day
The catch: Needs two coats for volume
Fragrance-free.
- 5
Makeup by MarioMaster Mattes The Neutrals Eyeshadow PaletteGuru CertifiedMid-range88%6 gurus“I love this palette. The shades are gorgeous.”HotandFlashy
What the gurus liked: Blends effortlessly without heavy-handedness; A little product goes a very long way
Fragrance-free.
- 6
Rare BeautyBrow Harmony Flexible Lifting and Laminating Eyebrow GelGuru CertifiedMid-range86%6 gurus“That is an amazing brow gel. It has great hold.”Dr. Sam Ellis
What the gurus liked: Holds through 18+ hours without budging; Applicator dispenses controlled amounts
The catch: May not deliver true lamination effect
Fragrance-free.
- 7
Urban DecayEyeshadow Primer PotionGuru CertifiedMid-range85%7 gurus“My favorite and best eyeshadow primer is the Urban Decay Primer Potion.”HotandFlashy
What the gurus liked: Holds eyeliner in place even on oily lids; A tube lasts nearly a year
The catch: Silicone formula feels slippery to some
Fragrance-free.
- 8
Thrive CausemeticsLiquid Lash Extensions MascaraMid-range84%10 gurus“Thrive Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara, absolutely love, love, love, love, love.”No BS Beauty
What the gurus liked: Stays put all day without smudging or flaking; Washes off with water, no harsh cleansing needed
The catch: Takes multiple swipes to remove completely
Fragrance-free.
- 9
L'OrealTelescopic MascaraBudget buy84%5 gurus“This has really impressed me. I'm a huge fan of the Maybelline Colossal Mascara and this rivals that.”Dr Dray
What the gurus liked: Lengthens lashes noticeably; Buildable volume with layering
The catch: Too lightweight for those wanting bold volume
Fragrance-free.
- 10
NYXBlade and Shade Brow PencilBudget buy84%5 gurus“I'm really really impressed with this. I love this, this is so good. This NYX Blade and Shade, so easy to work with. I love the shape on this brow pencil.”HotandFlashy
What the gurus liked: Ultra-fine tip for precise detail; Affordable compared to premium brow pencils
The catch: Uses product quickly with daily application
Fragrance-free.
- 11
MaybellineLash Sensational Sky High MascaraBudget buy82%8 gurus“This one is just the best all-around mascara. I feel like it gives the perfect amount of volume, great separation, great lift, and it wears really well, which is the most important for me personally.”Allie Glines
What the gurus liked: Lengthens and lifts lashes noticeably; Does not flake or smudge
The catch: Can irritate eyes during removal for some
Fragrance-free.
- 12
Anastasia Beverly HillsDip Brow PomadeMid-range81%5 gurus“Super amazing brow gel.”Beyond50Skin
What the gurus liked: Creates defined, carved brow shape; Color match in ash brown shade
The catch: Difficult to apply with a light hand
- 13
Benefit24-Hour Brow Setter Clear Brow GelMid-range79%5 gurus“My benefit 24-hour brow setter, which I also saw was Nikki's favorite brow product. I feel like we have the exact same taste in makeup, we have like the same favorite things, which I love.”Allie Glines
What the gurus liked: Long-lasting hold without flaking or crunchiness; Fine bristle brush coats every hair evenly
The catch: Doesn't work for all brow types
- 14
L'OrealShadow Stick Twinkling RoseBudget buy79%5 gurus“Love the eyeshadow stick. Highly recommend this. I think this is probably one of the best eyeshadow sticks that I've used.”HotandFlashy
What the gurus liked: Glides on smoothly; Long wear time
The catch: Sparkle and depth may underwhelm some
- 15
NYXLift & Snatch Brow Tint PenBudget buy78%5 gurus“Try the Nyx brow tint pen in gray black, that's what I use. It's a really really great cool toned color for someone who has really dark hair.”Alexandra Anele
What the gurus liked: Tiny tip for precise hair-like strokes; Waterproof and affordable
The catch: Requires a very light hand to look natural
- 16
L'OrealTelescopic Lift Lengthening MascaraBudget buy78%5 gurus“I'm back on the L'Oreal Telescopic Lift. Far and away one of the better mascaras. A more of a spidery lash and it's a really nice formula.”Dr Dray
What the gurus liked: Spidery, separated lashes; Not messy or goopy
The catch: Gets dry and flaky quickly
- 17
Rare BeautyPerfect Strokes Long-Wear Gel EyelinerMid-range77%5 gurus“Absolutely love it.”Pampered Wolf
What the gurus liked: Fine point for precise application; Easy to apply and blend
The catch: Brown shade runs darker than expected
Fragrance-free.
- 18
Rare BeautyPerfect Strokes Universal Volumizing MascaraMid-range76%12 gurus“The volume that you get from this is amazing. I love a voluminous mascara.”Pampered Wolf
What the gurus liked: Builds volume with multiple coats; Separates lashes without clumping
The catch: Wand is oversized and hard to control
Fragrance-free.
- 19
DuoBrush On Lash AdhesiveBudget buy75%5 gurus“The brush really allows you to be a little bit more precise. So, I like this. It's probably my favorite.”Alexandra Anele
What the gurus liked: Allows a quick dip-and-apply method; Gets tacky enough for layering
The catch: Sticky to remove from skin
Fragrance-free.
- 20
LancômeLash Idôle MascaraSplurge74%10 gurus“I love a good brown mascara, and this is one of my favorite formulas of all time. It's such a beautiful mascara.”Allie Glines
What the gurus liked: Doesn't flake or smudge; Curved brush separates lashes without clumping
The catch: Not the most intense for volume seekers
Fragrance-free.
- 21
L'OrealLash Paradise MascaraBudget buy74%5 gurus“This mascara is a little bit thinner than Maybelline Lash Sensational and not as voluminous, but it gives really beautiful length and a fluttery look I really love.”Abbey Yung
What the gurus liked: Flattering red-brown shade; Voluminous lashes
Fragrance-free.
- 22
NYXEpic Ink Waterproof Liquid EyelinerBudget buy74%5 gurusMost gurus are fans, while a mixed camp found it merely nice, and shaking the bottle can send ink flying.
What the gurus liked: Affordable and easy to find; Fine tip for precise lines and wings
Fragrance-free.
- 23
LancômeMonsieur Big MascaraMen skinSplurge74%5 gurus“I love Monsieur Big from Lancôme.”Caroline Hirons
What the gurus liked: Wet formula builds volume; Creates fluffy, lifted lashes
The catch: Needs a lash separator to avoid clumping
Fragrance-free.
- 24
BenefitPrecisely My Brow PencilMid-range73%6 gurus“I am thankful for the Benefit Precisely My Brow Pencil. This is something that I've loved for so many years.”Allie Glines
What the gurus liked: Creamy formula; Blends out easily
The catch: Painful to press down
Fragrance-free.
- 25
YSLLash Clash mascaraSplurge73%5 gurus“I love a travel size. I love bringing it back. Reminding me why I love YSL Lash Clash so much.”Mixed Makeup
What the gurus liked: Delivers volume and curl; Wand with fibers for dramatic lashes
The catch: Wand is large and can get messy
Fragrance-free.
Wondering why your favourite isn't here?
Some of the most talked-about eye makeup products don't make this ranking. That isn't because the experts dislike them: every one of these has fans. They just drew more reservations than the eye makeup products that made the cut, where last place holds a Guru Score of 73%. Here is what holds each one back.
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum
A Guru Score of 69% from 13 experts.
The catch: Results slower than prostaglandin-based serums
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz
A Guru Score of 67% from 11 experts.
The catch: Wears down quickly with regular use
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze
A Guru Score of 61% from 10 experts.
The catch: Weakens after three to four hours
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette
A Guru Score of 72% from 8 experts.
The reservation, in AliceintheRabbitHole's words:
The only thing is this palette was designed for lighter skin tones, so I'm bummed that not everybody will be able to find their shade.Watch ▸
Who's doing the judging
Ranked from the public takes of 28 independent gurus, including 5 makeup artists, 5 dermatologists and 2 beauty journalists.
Dr. Shereene IdrissDermatologist
Dr DrayDermatologist
Dr. Sam EllisDermatologist
The Budget DermatologistDermatologist
Dr. Aleksandra BrownDermatologist
Cassandra BanksonMedical Esthetician
Caroline HironsEsthetician
Nipun KapurSkincare Consultant
Alexandra AneleMakeup Artist
Jamie GenevieveMakeup Artist
Robert WelshMakeup Artist
Mixed MakeupBeauty Journalist
Allie GlinesMakeup Artist
Dimma UmehMakeup Artist+14These are independent experts we follow, not an in-house panel. We collect opinions they have already shared publicly on YouTube; they are not connected to The Guru Index and have not endorsed this ranking. "Guru" is our own editorial title for the voices we trust.
You asked
What is the best eye makeup product?
On the latest data it is ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara, with a Guru Score of 99% from 9 gurus. The ranking above lists all 25 that clear our bar, in order.
What is the best budget eye makeup product?
L'Oreal Lash Paradise Big Deal Waterproof Mascara, at number 3 on the list, with a Guru Score of 91% from 5 gurus.
Which brand makes the best eye makeup product?
L'Oreal has the most picks on this list, 5 of the 25, led by L'Oreal Lash Paradise Big Deal Waterproof Mascara at number 3 with a Guru Score of 91%. The list is ranked product by product, though, so the best pick for you may come from another brand.
What do the top eye makeup products have in common?
Of the 20 we hold a full ingredient list for, 20 are fragrance-free and 14 skip drying alcohol. That is a pattern in what the experts rate, not a rule: the ranking itself is by their verdicts.
Does this combine mascara, eyeshadow and liner?
Yes. The list ranks all eye makeup together by guru consensus. The takes on each product page make clear what kind of product it is and what the experts thought of it.
What pulls an eye product's score down?
Smudging, creasing, flaking and patchy payoff are the complaints that come up most. Difficulty removing the product also draws criticism, especially for waterproof formulas.
How is this ranking decided?
We rank by the Guru Index consensus score: the warmth of every independent expert take we have logged for each product, with a minimum number of reviewers required so a single enthusiastic review can't top the list. Nothing here is paid placement.
How we make money. Some shopping links may earn The Guru Index a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes which products rank or how they score.