How to Choose the Right Mascara Brush For Your Lashes

If you want longer, fuller, or more dramatic-looking lashes, it all comes down to choosing the best mascara brush for the job. The right mascara brush can instantly define your lashes and deliver anything from a softly curled look (perfect for a trendy coquette aesthetic) to lashes that give falsies a run for their money. But here’s the catch: There are a dizzying amount of brush types to choose from, including curved, hourglass, cone-shaped, ball-tipped, and more. Fortunately, identifying the ideal brush for your lashes doesn’t need to be complicated—if you know what to look for, that is.

Ahead, we’ll be showcasing the most common mascara brush shapes, explaining how each one works, and sharing who may benefit from each type. Plus, we’ll include some of our top picks for the best lengthening mascara, best volumizing mascara, and best mascara for short lashes—among other categories. The end goal? Snagging your perfect match.

Understanding Mascara Brushes

Mascara brushes vary widely, and each type is designed to do different things. For example, straight wands provide an even coating for a natural look, while curved bristles are known for delivering some serious curl. And while tapered brushes are generally considered the best mascaras for reaching the corner and bottom lashes with precision, spiral brushes are a game-changer when it comes to defining individual lashes and preventing clumps.

The bristle length and density matters, too. Thin and short bristles are known to add volume to your lashes, while long and thick ones help lengthen. When it comes to bristle density, sparse bristles often allow for a lighter application—perfect for low-key, no-makeup makeup days. Meanwhile, densely packed bristles tend to make for the best volumizing mascaras.