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Your surprising MVP for lashes, brows, flyaways, and more.

Yoo hoo! Over here! I’m about to let you in on the biggest beauty hack you may or may not know about: clear mascara. And before you’re all like, huh? WTF is a clear mascara going to do if it doesn’t have any pigment?! Well, my friends, let’s break it down: a clear mascara can act as a brow gel, mascara primer, hair gel, lash definer, false lash setting gel, and even a DIY color mascara. Impressed yet? Cool, because I’ve tapped a few experts—celebrity makeup artist Jenna Nicole and dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD—to let you in on why this product is it. Oh, and I also rounded up 11 of the best clear mascaras out there too.

Now, before you get to the goods, I’m gonna give you a little sneak peek of the content to come (we’re friends, right? Right.) because, let’s be real, I’m sure anticipation is hiiiiiigh...

Since you got a little taste, allow me to introduce you to the main course: The definitive list of the 11 best clear mascaras—from brands like Kosas, Kaja Beauty, e.l.f., and more—and every single question you may have about ’em, below.

Lookin’ to dip your toes in the clear mascara world but don’t want to break the bank doing so? Enter: The Essence Lash & Brow Gel Mascara, which is only 3 bucks and works really damn well for both your lashes and brows.

THE REVIEW: “I can’t say enough! I literally have tried every brand and they weren’t it. BUT THIS is amazing! It works so well for thick lashes and brows, and I’m sure it would also work great on any hair type,” reads one customer’s review.

Okay, so not only will this little mascara look totally adorbs on your vanity (hi, chic packaging), but it’ll also add hella length and volume to those lashes of yours. Bonus: It’s safe for both your eyebrows and lashes!

THE REVIEW: “This product has cute packaging, works well, and seems to extend the length and add bulk to my lashes,” one reviewer writes.

You’ve probably heard it from your momma, your grandma, and all over the internet: Aloe vera is the sh*t, and considering this lash and brow mascara is made with it, you bet this product is too. One swipe of this bb, and you’ll condition and nourish those eyelashes and eyebrows of yours.

THE REVIEW: “Amazing—it makes your eyebrows feel soft, not crunchy, and perfectly fluffy without the darkness. Opt for this if you’re looking for a natural look,” one reviewer writes.

Even though you should only use this product on your eyebrows, that doesn’t make it any less great. If you’re into that whole laminated eyebrow look and not interested in spending the big bucks on getting it professionally done, this is the product for you. Those brows of yours ain’t going anywhere.

THE REVIEW: “This is my favorite eyebrow gel and I’ve tried a few of the viral ones. This one sets fairly quickly but does not leave the brow hair stiff or hard to wash off. My brows stay in place all day,” writes one tester.

So the great thing about this clear mascara and brow gel is that it’s made with beginners in mind. The brand focuses on creating products that are kid- and teen-friendly, so you can rest assured if it’s your first time using clear mascara, you won’t mess it up—even though it’s pretty hard, considering it’s, well, clear. And FYI, it’s just as great for adults too (!).

THE REVIEW: “I have tried a multitude of brands, trying to find one that I liked, so trust me when I say this one is good. Most clear mascaras go on heavy and are wet for a few moments, but this mascara was light on the application and it didn’t feel like my lashes were drenched afterward,” reads one tester’s review.

The skin surrounding your eyes is one of the most sensitive areas on your face. If you’re already super sensitive, you probably know this all too well. That’s why this clear mascara from Zuzu should be your go-to considering it’s formulated for sensitive peeps in mind.

THE REVIEW: “Unlike some other brands of clear mascara, this doesn’t get all white and dried out over time or flake off into your eyes. I suffer from dry eye syndrome and my eyes have become sensitive to every freaking thing. This mascara does not irritate my eyes at all and I love it,” writes one tester.

Hi, it me! You know, the gal who is always running ridiculously late. That’s why when I’m rushin’ out of the door, the last thing I want to do is wait for my makeup to set. Enter: The Body Shop Brow and Lash Gel that literally dries immediately after application. *drops mic, adds to cart*

THE REVIEW: “It’s not easy to find a gel that works for eyebrows and eyelashes, but his one does both very well,” reads one tester’s written review.

So remember when I said you could use a clear mascara to prime your lashes to make them extra voluminous before applying mascara? Well, why not opt for a set that contains all the products you need for the most voluminous, long lashes of your life, like this one from Kaja that has glowing reviews?

THE REVIEW: “The best trio for full, laminated, and long lashes. Love it so much, it’s my favorite mascara set,” writes one tester.

If you’re on the clean beauty bus, there’s no better brand out there than Honest Beauty—which is dedicated to clean and sustainable products and transparency about what’s in them. Not only is this a great clear mascara, but it’s also loaded with castor oil, which your lashes will <3.

THE REVIEW: “I really liked the texture of this serum—it goes on smoothly, is lightweight, and is not as thick as mascara...I did not experience any clumps or smudging during the application,” one tester writes.

Oh, hey! It’s the OG clear eyebrow and eyelash mascara by e.l.f. (!!). This cult-favorite clear mascara is super easy to apply, long-lasting, and gives you that natural look you’re going for. Considering I had this baby in my middle school makeup bag (er, pencil case), you bet it’s lasted the test of time.

THE REVIEW: “I love it. I’ve tried so many products—even expensive ones—to keep my eyebrows in place, but nothing has worked as well as this! They don’t move at all, and the product lasts all day,” one customer’s review reads.

We all know the secret to a good mascara is the wand, right? Well, considering reviewers legit rave about this one, you bet it’ll get the job done. The brush is shaped like the natural curve of your eye for the easiest and quickest application ever.

THE REVIEW: “I absolutely love this! I use it for my eyelashes and eyebrows. It is a good hold for my eyebrows and it makes my lashes look a bit longer,” one tester writes.

Clear mascara can do many things, including acting as a brow and lash gel, mascara primer, hair gel, false lash setting gel, and even a DIY color mascara. Let’s break it down:

The skin around the eyes is a particularly sensitive area, Dr. Gohara has explained to Cosmo, which is why it’s important to ensure that if the product is marketed as an eyebrow gel, it’s also safe for use on your eyelashes. If not, using products meant for other areas can lead to irritation, bumps, redness, or even allergic reactions, she explained. To avoid this problem, determine beforehand what you need it for. Looking to use it for both the brows and lashes? Cool, there are a ton of formulations on this list designed to do both.

As Nicole has explained to Cosmo, the main factor contributing to the results of your lashes is the wand. “A fat and fluffy applicator will give you voluminous, fat, and fluffy lashes,” Nicole said, adding that “a long, skinny, more-precise wand will give you long, skinny, clump-free lashes.” Although clear mascara won’t add pigment, this still rings true.

Siena Gagliano is a contributing beauty editor at Cosmopolitan and has two years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news. She’s an expert at researching and writing beauty stories, like the top eyelash curlers and the best tubing mascaras, and feels especially knowledgable on clear mascaras thanks to years of trying to find the best one for her unruly brows and short lashes. She regularly tests and analyzes clear mascaras on herself for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top makeup artists to assess new brands and products.