If I had to pick one type of makeup to use every day it would be mascara with lipstick coming in at a close second. When I was in my teens lipstick or lip gloss would have been the front-runner since at the time I had long, dark lashes and rarely used mascara (or any makeup!). Now, when I want a little extra lash length one of the four mascaras below are my go-to.
Before I was in the know I would head to CVS to grab an over the counter mascara that promised to lengthen my lashes. Over the years I’ve discovered that I have very sensitive eyes. Those conventional mascaras with all sorts of questionable ingredients were making my eyes irritated. I began investigating safer mascara options and found a few that work and don’t make my eyes inflamed. When investigating the safety of makeup I always start with the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep cosmetics database. The database rates the safety of over 64,000 products.
Beautycounter Lengthening Mascaras ($29)
I can’t say enough good things about Beautycounter as a company. Their mission is to get safe products into the hands of everyone. Not only are they selling safer products (without ingredients from their “Never List“) but they are also advocating for meaningful regulation in the beauty industry.
Beautycounter Lengthening Mascara rocks! Your lashes won’t clump together and the mascara stays on for hours without smearing and smudging. The ingredient list looks relatively clean and even includes a few organic ingredients. This mascara received a 2 (low hazard) from the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database.
Pacifica Dream Big Lash Extending 7 in 1 Mascara ($16)
Pacifica Dream Big Mascara
is vegan and cruelty-free. The applicator is innovative with a twisting feature that allows you to adjust the length and the volume of your lashes. I took a look at the ingredient liked what I saw. This mascara doesn’t irritate my eyes even when I forget to remove it at night.
W3LL PEOPLE – Expressionist Bio-Extreme Black Mascara ($27)

I love my W3LL PEOPLE Black Mascara. I also have it in pro blue, which is a really fun color to use on my dark lashes. This mascara doesn’t have any harsh artificial chemicals or petroleum derivatives that can irritate the sensitive eye area. It’s also 100% cruelty-free, petroleum-free, paraben-free, gluten-free, coal tar-free, aluminum-free, fiber-free, and clump-free!
Zuzu Luxe Mascara ($18)
I’ve been using Zuzu Luxe Mascara
for a few years and I’m really happy with the product. Zuzu cosmetics are lead-free and each product is tested during and after manufacturing for pH values, viscosity, microorganisms or any other contaminants. They also don’t use any parabens in their products. The mascara is gentle and non-irritating as well as clump proof and non-smudging. This mascara received a 2 (low hazard) from the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database.
Take a look HERE for a few more non-toxic beauty products that you’re going to LOVE!
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Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you I may get a small commission if you make a purchase. None of the companies in this article have paid me. I just really like their products!
Love this and love Beautycounter and W3LL People’s mascara. Do you know if ZUZU tests for lead in each batch or just sporadically?
Hey Lindsay, according to the Gabriel/ZUZU site: “Are your products lead-free? Yes. We have tight quality control policies and can assure that each product is tested during and after manufacturing for pH values, viscosity, microorganisms or any other contaminants.”
Natural Cosmetics Ltd./Couleur Caramel has THE best mascara EVER ! They have 1 that is mostly organic and they have 1 that is 100% Organic ! Try them, you will love them !
Thank you! I did not know about any of these! I am the same way, Mascara and Lipstick/gloss is about all I use.
Thanks for the suggestion, Taun! I’m not familiar with this brand.
These are some great suggestions, especially when you realize that you ran out of mascara. Looking forward to my future Beautycounter 🙂
Enjoy Monica! Let me know if you like it.
Great reviews, Lori! I am a big fan of Zuzu mascara. It checks out well with EWG’s “Skin Deep” Clean Cosmetics Database, a resource I’ve relied upon for years. Unfortunately, my local Whole Foods Market just stopped carrying Zuzu/Gabriel. Dr. Hauschka was on sale, so I decided to give their mascaras another try. They’re reformulated and repackaged. I am REALLY liking the Volume Mascara in black. I also gave their lipsticks another try, after giving up a few years ago. The new colors are great, and with the amount of lip product we actually ingest from licking our lips, I always think twice about ingredients. Peony is a great bright pinkish red especially for a Snow White type look with fair skin and dark hair. I gave my sister Azalea in her Christmas stocking, too. So far, even in wintry New England temps the texture is good. Worth a try!
Thanks for the great suggestions, Elizabeth! I’ve used Dr. Hauschka in the past, but not for a few years. Maybe I’ll have to check them out again!