The 5 Best Mascaras You Need To Buy In 2022

We ask a lot of our makeup, but perhaps the most hardworking of all is our mascara. It can't clump; must stay put for 12+ hours; has to divide, multiply, and add volume; and absolutely must not smudge or smear.

If it sounds like a tall order that's because it is. The average Southern woman will have tried, tested, and retested plenty of mascaras in her time—and things can start to run together with all that swiping. Between the Southern heat and all of the make-you-teary-eyed moments that we face, our mascara has to stand up to the challenge with a long-wear and lasting formula. For those of us who weren't born with long lashes, we did a bit of research on the best lengthening mascara. There are plenty of factors to consider when searching for a mascara that's just right – consider us the goldilocks of makeup.

Keeping that in mind, we've created a who's who of mascara. Here you'll find five of our favorite mascaras of the year. Looking to blast those lashes to new heights? Or are you on the hunt for a buildable formula that allows you to customize your look based on where the day takes you? From our choice of best mascara overall to the best waterproof mascara (we all need a reliable one on hand for those expected sappy occasions), these are the mascaras that you need now.