I’ve made no secret of my love-hate relationship with mascara. My natural eyelashes are pretty short and sparse and I find that even many of the best mascaras tend to smudge on my hooded eyelids. Suffice to say I’ve been known to skip mascara entirely on most days. When I do opt for a mascara there’s been one brand that I’ve been loyal to for many years. However, it’s my job to test out products, so when I was recently encouraged to branch out of my mascara comfort zone and give the Lancôme mascara offering a run for its money I tentatively agreed. And I have to be honest-I’ve been blown away by the formulations.
Whether you want longer-looking, separated lashes like me, you’re after volume or drama, or you want lift and curl, Lancôme has a mascara that suits. Ahead, my full review of every single Lancôme mascara and my honest review of each.
Lancôme Hypnôse Mascara - Best Lancôme mascara for layering up
Reasons to buy +Buildable formula +Works for daytime or evening
Reasons to avoid -Not as volumising as others
As someone with quite fragile, sparse lashes I loved how comfortable this formula felt. It’s enriched with ProVitamin B5 and my lashes never felt crispy or brittle when wearing this-no matter how much I layered it up. Although it’s described as a volumising formula, the thing that impresses me most about Hypnôse is the customisable finish. Just one coat gives a fluttery, defined appearance or you can layer it up for a thicker more dramatic lash look.
Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Mascara - Best thickening Lancôme mascara
Reasons to buy +Volumising +Thickens even the finest lashes
Reasons to avoid -Brush takes some getting used to
I’ve never seen a brush like the Hypnôse Drama one-it’s almost like an ‘s’ shape and it has been designed to coat every lash as you wriggle it from root to tip. It definitely took a few tries to get used to it, but once you have there is no denying how good this mascara makes your lashes look. My eyelashes are few and far between but this makes all of them look thicker, fuller, and glossy-perfect for a night out.
Lancôme Lash Idôle Mascara - Best Lancôme mascara for fluttery lashes
Reasons to buy +Fans out lashes +Separates and lifts
Reasons to avoid -Hard to catch my shortest lashes
If you love really feathery, fluttery, pretty lashes then you’ll love the Lancôme Lash Idôle mascara which provides just that. I really like the shape of the curved brush which glides through lashes to evenly distribute the formula without any clumping. However, I think my super-short lashes would benefit from some shorter bristles just to make sure every single one was covered. Despite this, the result gives a really wide-eyed, curled lash finish which works for basically every occasion.
Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara - Best volumising Lancôme mascara
Reasons to buy +Dramatic lashes +So much volume
Reasons to avoid -Can get a bit clumpy
For me personally, this is a night out mascara as it’s so incredibly volumising that I almost feel a bit self-conscious when I’m wearing it. If you love the look of falsies, then this is a great alternative. The soft fibre brush packs on the formulation to boost volume and thickness. My only gripe is that if you apply more than a couple of coats it can start to look a little bit spidery-but that might be because I don’t have an abundance of lashes to coat.
Lancôme Defencils Mascara - Best lengthening Lancôme mascara
Reasons to buy +Lashes look so much longer +Separates well
Reasons to avoid -Might be too natural for some
This is a truly brilliant everyday mascara. I love that the wand isn’t too big-great if you have hooded eyelids like me and are prone to getting in a bit of a mess with application-but it’s perfectly shaped to extend and lengthen each lash. It never looks clumpy, even when I’ve applied multiple coats, it just gives a naturally extended finish with wonderfully separated lashes. I adore it.
Lancôme Hypnôse Le 8 Mascara - Best Lancôme mascara for sensitive eyes
Reasons to buy +Comfortable, serum-infused formula +Boosts volume
Reasons to avoid -Not the most long-wearing
There have been so many mascaras that I’ve tried in the past that have made my eyes water and by the end of the day they're incredibly sore. This one, however, is wax-free (meaning it’s so easy to remove) and infused with an amino acid-based serum that actually looks after your lashes when it’s on. Not only does it care for them, but it provides an impressive amount of volume and fullness so your lashes look good and feel soft too. Genius.
Lancôme Lash Idôle Flutter Extension Mascara - Best Lancôme mascara for dramatic length
Reasons to buy +Really extends lashes +Fluttery and defined effect
Reasons to avoid -Quite dramatic for an everyday mascara
The newest launch from the masters of mascara comes in the form of the this lash-lengthening creation-the Lash Idôle Flutter Extension Mascara. Like the original Lash Idôle mascara formula it has a similar ability to define and separate every single lash, but rather than a feathery finish this really supercharges the overall length to give the effect that you're wearing lash extensions. If you're trying to narrow down which of the best Lancôme mascaras to invest in, you've come to the right place. I've layered my lashes in every single formula the brand has to offer and can tell you exactly which to shop for lift, lengthening or a subtle everyday tint.
Known for creating some of the best mascaras of all time, Lancôme is a safe bet for those in search of an effective lash product. The French brand has quite a reputation for not just their quality, but also the sheer variety available. We're not merely just talking about the array of formulas here (like waterproof and volumising), but also the shades and brush shapes. That said, with so much choice, it can be difficult to know exactly which mascara will best suit your taste. Thus, I’ve done the lash legwork for you, so to speak, and tried every single Lancôme mascara. These are the six I deemed the best of the best, whether you’re seeking the best volumising mascara or the best mascara for short lashes...The 6 best Lancôme mascaras, tried and loved by our senior beauty editor.
If long, dramatic lashes are the goal or you're looking for a great all-rounder for everyday wear, I’ve got you covered, having thoroughly tested every formula the brand has on offer. To make testing fair to each option, I tried each one a couple of times, to make sure I had given each product the full experience of wear - this means I started to like some formulas a lot more (and some, a lot less). I also didn't use the best eyelash curlers with any of these mascaras, to see how they performed on their own. The main points I focused on were: Ease of application, Wand shape, Comfortability of wear, Longevity, Effort of removal. Just a quick note to finish - a big thing I noticed was that not many of the Lancôme mascaras are available in brown, which is something to note if you prefer a natural-looking, best brown mascara.
Picking the best Lancôme mascara was a thoroughly fun experience - I’m now a real convert to the brand. I received all of the brands' mascaras and tested each one over the course of a few weeks. To make testing fair to each option, I tried each one a couple of times, to make sure I had given each product the full experience of wear - this means I started to like some formulas a lot more (and some, a lot less).
How to choose the best Lancôme mascara for you
If you’re unsure of how to choose just one from Lancôme's line-up of mascaras, it's best to first consider the effect and finish you're looking for. The main considerations include ease of application, wand shape, wear comfort, longevity, and removal effort. And remember, as noted above, brown shades are less common, which may affect your natural-look preferences.
- Evaluate whether you want length, volume, or a fluttery finish.
- Consider your lash base (short, straight, hooded lids) and pick a brush accordingly.
- Decide if you need a waterproof option for longevity or a flexible, everyday wear formula.
In summary, Lancôme offers a robust lineup that covers daily wear, dramatic nights, sensitive eyes, and precise application for short lashes. Each option has a distinct brush design and formulation intent, which means you can select a product aligned with your lash goals and lifestyle.
Ultimate Mascara Showdown: Lancôme Mascara Review & Try-On
Table: Quick snapshot of featured Lancôme mascaras
| Mascara | Main Benefit | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hypnôse | Buildable volume, customizable finish | Layering, day-to-night | Comfortable, ProVitamin B5 |
| Hypnôse Drama | Thickening, dramatic volume | Night outs, bold looks | Unique S-shaped brush |
| Lash Idôle | Fluttery, separated lashes | Everyday, wide-eyed | Curved brush, minimal clumping |
| Monsieur Big | High volume, dramatic lashes | Evening, falsies look | Soft fibre brush |
| Defincils | Longer, separated lashes | Natural look | Narrow brush for precision |
| Hypnôse Le 8 | Volume with sensitive-eye comfort | Comfort, volume | Wax-free, amino-acid serum |
| Lash Idôle Flutter Extension | Extra length, extensions effect | Length emphasis | Similar Idôle formula, length-focused |
Choosing the best Lancôme mascara comes down to the desired effect and wear scenario. With options spanning volume, length, lift, and sensitive-eye formulations, Lancôme provides a mascara for almost every lash need. If you’re trying to narrow down which to invest in, consider your lash goals (length, volume, or a balanced everyday look) and test the formulations that align with those outcomes.