7 Best Mascaras for Straight Lashes That Refuse to Hold a Curl

If your lashes grow straight out — or worse, point slightly downward — you know the heartbreak: you curl them, they look amazing for twenty minutes, and by lunch they’re flat again. Here’s the thing most people don’t tell you: for stubbornly straight lashes, the formula matters far more than the wand. I tested 7 drugstore mascaras with no lash curler at all — just the mascara, photographed immediately and 6 hours later — to find which ones actually lift and hold.

The short answer: waterproof and tubing formulas beat regular washable mascaras for straight lashes every time, because they dry down with structure instead of weighing lashes back down. My top pick is Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof — it lifted my uncurled lashes visibly and still held at hour 6. If you hate waterproof removers, e.l.f. Lash ‘N Roll is the best non-waterproof option I tested.

How I tested (the curl-hold methodology)

My lashes are straight, medium-length, and notorious curl-droppers — the perfect test subjects. Rules: no lash curler, no heated curler, no primer. One eye per mascara per day (I looked delightfully lopsided for a week), photographed straight-on immediately after application and again at 6 hours. I scored each on immediate lift, 6-hour hold, smudging, and removal effort.

The 7 winners, ranked

1. Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof — best overall

The fanning brush separated beautifully, and the waterproof formula set with real structure. Immediate lift was obvious even with zero curling beforehand, and at hour 6 my lashes were still up — slightly relaxed, but unmistakably lifted. Minor smudging on my lower lash line by evening. Removal needs an oil-based remover; don’t fight it with regular cleanser.

2. L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof — best volume + curl

Nearly tied for first. Slightly more volume than the Maybelline, slightly less curl retention at hour 6 (a touch of droop on the outer corners). If your lashes are both straight and sparse, this is your pick.

3. e.l.f. Lash ‘N Roll — best non-waterproof

The surprise of the test. This curling mascara uses a curved brush and a drier formula that grips without heaviness. It didn’t match the waterproofs on 6-hour hold, but it was the only regular formula that kept a visible lift past lunch — and it removes with just warm water and cleanser. Best choice if you refuse waterproof.

4. CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Waterproof — best for tiny lashes

The classic orange tube in waterproof form. The brush is on the larger side, so it’s trickier on small eyes, but the formula is a genuine curl-holder — my lashes stayed up through a full workday. Great if your main issue is lashes too short to catch with curlers anyway.

5. Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect — best budget pick

Under $5 and shockingly good. The false-lash effect version gives dramatic length, and while its curl hold isn’t waterproof-tier, it outperformed every other washable formula I tested except the e.l.f. At this price, it’s the one to try first before spending more.

6. Maybelline The Colossal Waterproof — best for thickening straight lashes

If your straight lashes are also fine and sparse, Colossal’s big brush deposits serious volume while the waterproof base holds the lift. Slightly clump-prone if you go past two coats — one generous coat is the sweet spot.

7. Rimmel Wonder’Volume Thrill Seeker — best lightweight feel

The lightest-feeling formula in the test, which matters: heavy mascaras drag straight lashes down fastest. Good everyday option when you want lift without drama, though you’ll need a midday check on very stubborn lashes.

Why waterproof wins for straight lashes

Quick bit of useful science: regular mascaras stay slightly flexible as they dry, so gravity plus your lashes’ natural growth direction pulls them back down. Waterproof formulas contain water-repelling polymers that dry down rigid — they literally set in the lifted position like hairspray for lashes. That’s why every waterproof in my test beat every washable except one. If you’ve been buying volumizing washables and wondering why nothing works, this is why.

Application tips that actually help

• Wiggle at the base, pull straight through. Wiggling deposits product at the roots (where lift comes from); pulling straight up extends it.
• Don’t pump the wand. It pushes air in and dries the formula out, making it clumpier and heavier.
• One coat, then decide. Most curl-drop happens because of too much product weight. A single well-applied coat beats three hasty ones.
• Waterproof needs proper removal. An oil cleanser or dedicated eye makeup remover prevents the rubbing that breaks lashes — which, over time, makes straight lashes even harder to curl.

Pair your new mascara knowledge with my related guide for a full drugstore face, and see Makeup for every comparison I’ve tested.

Frequently asked questions

Why won’t my lashes hold a curl?
Usually it’s a combination of lash structure (straight, downward-growing lashes are often thicker at the base and resistant) and formula weight. Switching to a waterproof or tubing formula is the single biggest fix — bigger than any curler upgrade.

Is waterproof mascara bad for your lashes?
Not inherently, but removal matters. Rubbing waterproof mascara off aggressively can break lashes. Use an oil-based remover, let it sit for 30 seconds, then wipe gently — no tugging.

Should I curl my lashes before or after mascara?
Before — always before. Curling after mascara is applied can stick lashes to the curler pads and snap them. With the waterproof mascaras above, many straight-lashed people find they can skip the curler some days entirely.

What is tubing mascara, and does it hold curl?
Tubing mascaras form water-resistant polymer tubes around each lash. They hold curl well (the tubes are rigid) and remove with just warm water — the best of both worlds if your eyes are sensitive to waterproof removers.

Can I use a heated lash curler instead?
You can, and it works — heat resets the lash shape more effectively than mechanical curling. But it’s an extra step and an extra tool; the right mascara alone solved it for me on most days.

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