Need Mascara That Doesn't Flake? Here Are 17 Picks, Tested by Editors

• Value: 19/20
• Easy to Use: 20/20
• Quality: 20/20
• Aesthetic: 20/20
• Non-Flaking Abilities: 20/20
• Total: 99/100

If you have thin, weak lashes, consider trying this Grande Cosmetic mascara. Infused with castor oil, the formula promises to strengthen and thicken lashes. It also has a natural wax blend (aka sunflower seed wax and rice bran wax) along with hemispherical powders to make it buildable without clumping up. "I've been using this mascara for several months now and it's definitely one of my favorites I've ever used," says Natalie LaBarbera, assistant commerce editor. "It makes my lashes *so* much longer with minimal clumping and I can have it on for hours (through lunch breaks and walks with my dog, etc.) without it flaking or smearing."

Fast Facts

• Size: 0.44 oz
• Key Ingredients: castor oil, natural wax blend, powders
• Shades: 1
• Waterproof: no

• Value: 20/20
• Easy to Use: 19/20
• Quality: 20/20
• Aesthetic: 20/20
• Non-Flaking Abilities: 19/20
• Total: 98/100

This Swedish brand only uses ingredients that are good for your skin. Formulated with shea butter and castor oil, this volumizing mascara helps to nourish lashes without causing any clumps or flakes. The creamy formula also makes it easy to remove with warm water after a full day of wear. Delia Curtis, assistant editor, shares "As someone who's been using this mascara for over a year, I can say with confidence it's one of the best mascaras that I've ever used. It holds its shape, it's very durable, darkens lashes well and stays in place. It can tend to clump when applying, but if you use the end of the spoolie to separate your lashes before it dries, it corrects the problem easily. It has truly become a mainstay in my daily routine. It lasts me through many long days at work, going out with friends and even the occasional cry (though because tears are warm, it may flake a bit if you’re full-on sobbing)."

Fast Facts

• Size: 0.30 oz
• Key Ingredients: shea butter, castor oil
• Shades: 4
• Waterproof: no

• Value: 20/20
• Easy to Use: 19/20
• Quality: 20/20
• Aesthetic: 18/20
• Non-Flaking Abilities: 20/20
• Total: 97/100

This mascara promises instant fullness—thanks to its large bristles that separate and define your lashes. It’s designed with major volume in mind and Nakeisha Campbell, associate editor of News & Entertainment, stands by it. She tells me, “It's easy to use, and I like that the mascara doesn't weigh my lashes down, and it doesn't flake. There was a moment when I completely forgot I had this mascara on and I did shed some tears while wearing it. When I checked my makeup afterward I noticed that the mascara was still intact and I didn't notice any smudges at all, so I can attest that it is waterproof. I kept it on for at least ten hours and it still looked great when I got back home."

Fast Facts

• Size: 0.44 oz
• Key Ingredients: carnauba wax
• Shades: 1
• Waterproof: yes

• Value: 19/20
• Easy to Use: 19/20
• Quality: 20/20
• Aesthetic: 19/20
• Non-Flaking Abilities: 20/20
• Total: 97/100

Featuring tilia tomentosa bud extract (often found in haircare) and a beeswax alternative, the formula adds length and definition with each coat, while the bristles help to separate them so you get a flake-free finish. It's no wonder it's a makeup artist-approved pick for The White Lotus and one editor's go-to. "From its longevity to the smooth formula, I really loved this mascara. Even on the first use (when the brush tends to be pretty wet and heavy) there was zero clumping, and I loved the subtle volume, definition and length it gave my lashes—noticeable but not over the top, so perfect for daytime or nighttime use," says Catrina Yohay, executive managing editor. "On the flake front, I was super impressed. Throughout my test window, I only noticed one singular flake that actually cropped up shortly after application. Other than that, my under eyes remained flake-free. I love that I can apply this mascara and forget about it for the rest of the day, because nothing's worse than catching a glimpse of yourself in the mirror with smudges on your eyelids or pesky flakes peppering your cheeks. It was also non-irritating and felt really light on my lashes even after a long day."

Fast Facts

• Size: 0.32 oz
• Key Ingredients: beeswax alternative
• Shades: 1
• Waterproof: no

• Value: 20/20
• Easy to Use: 18/20
• Quality: 19/20
• Aesthetic: 19/20
• Non-Flaking Abilities: 20/20
• Total: 96/100

Whether you’re looking for a mascara that lengthens, curls or adds volume to your lashes, this one by Rare Beauty has something for everyone. The formula features castor oil, which conditions and nourishes lashes so they don’t dry or clump up as the day wears on. It even turned one mascara skeptic into a fan. Associate Editor of Sales and Deals Destinee Scott raves, “This mascara has been my go-to for the past two years. I have very sensitive eyes, and I actually stopped wearing mascara because it would burn, but this mascara does not, and it stays on all day long without flaking or smudging. I love how it curls my lashes, so I don't ever feel like I need to wear falsies to get a more dramatic look. And it makes them the perfect length, IMO, not too long to wear they look crazy or too short to where there's really no point in wearing it.” 

Fast Facts

• Size: 0.45 oz
• Key Ingredients: castor oil, carnauba wax
• Shades: 1
• Waterproof: no

• Value: 19/20
• Easy to Use: 20/20
• Quality: 19/20
• Aesthetic: 19/20
• Non-Flaking Abilities: 19/20
• Total: 96/100

If Penelope Featherington can wear this viral mascara and not deal with any flaking (despite spending hours crying about Colin), then I can surely wear it all day, too. It's been a staple in my routine for years,  as it does a great job at lengthening my lashes. It has a buildable formula (a mix of polymers and peptides) so no clumps or smudges, and a unique hourglass-shaped brush that separates and coats lashes for a voluminous finish. After hours of wear, I noticed no flakes unless I decided to rub my eyes excessively. But other than that it definitely lives up to the hype.

Fast Facts

• Size: 0.27 oz
• Key Ingredients: peptides, polymers
• Shades: 2
• Waterproof: no

• Value: 18/20
• Easy to Use: 20/20
• Quality: 19/20
• Aesthetic: 20/20
• Non-Flaking Abilities: 19/20
• Total: 96/100

This Lancôme mascara is here to add more volume and length to your lashes. Designed with a curved wand and nourishing ingredients (like white tea extract), it's lightweight, flexible and flake-free. "I have to say, the wand is what makes it such a stand-out product," says Rachel Bowie, senior director of special projects and royals. "It comes with a slight curve and one that targets every single lash. I felt it was especially stand-out with the lower lashline — every lash was perfectly painted and accounted for!" says Rachel Bowie, senior director of special projects and royals. "This is a mascara that is great for every day, but I found that even with a few coats, it doesn't deliver evening glam. That said, the waterproof formula meant it stayed put and I love how lightweight and clump-free it stayed upon application and throughout the day."

Fast Facts

• Size: 0.27 oz
• Key Ingredients: white tea extract
• Shades: 2
• Waterproof: no

• Value: 18/20
• Easy to Use: 19/20
• Quality: 20/20
• Aesthetic: 19/20
• Non-Flaking Abilities: 20/20
• Total: 96/100

A tubing mascara is a great option to ensure no flakes at the end of the day and SEO Editor Marissa Wu recommends Caliray's. Its blend of argan oil, wax and the brand's tubing technology truly lengthens and conditions lashes. It also works best for fine, straight and sparse lashes. "I was nervous at first because the brush is pretty bushy and as someone who literally has NO EYELASHES, I usually opt for a mascara with a comb to separate my lashes and prevent clumping. However, this formula was smooth and no clumps," she shares. "My lashes are fine, pretty sparse and straight, so they do not hold a shape. Mascara will often transfer under my eyes because the lashes fall down and drag little flecks onto my skin. But I was impressed that even after almost 12 hours of wear, Caliray didn't transfer."

Fast Facts

• Size: 0.37 oz
• Key Ingredients: argan oil, triple wax
• Shades: 1
• Waterproof: no

• Value: 19/20
• Easy to Use: 20/20
• Quality: 18/20
• Aesthetic: 19/20
• Non-Flaking Abilities: 20/20
• Total: 96/100

This Tower28 mascara is loved by reviewers, editors and experts alike. The key ingredient, castor oil, helps to condition and strengthen lashes while the aquaflex technology (usually found in hair care products) works to define and lift every last hair. As Pagan shares, “It offers length and volume from the moment it’s applied and it’s easy to remove.” I personally wore for more than six hours and found there was no flaking in sight. Its has a pretty buildable formula that is great for daily wear.

Fast Facts

• Size: 0.29 oz
• Key Ingredients: castor oil
• Shades: 2
• Waterproof: no

• Value: 19/20
• Easy to Use: 19/20
• Quality: 18/20
• Aesthetic: 19/20
• Non-Flaking Abilities: 20/20
• Total: 95/100

This volumizing mascara promises fuller, stronger lashes. Also known as a tinted lash serum, it has jojoba oil to hydrate and strengthen lashes, as well as vitamin E and biotin to nourish and condition the delicate hairs. "As fun and flashy as the mascara tube is, it's the formula and wand that sold me. The mascara glides on smoothly without clumping. I love that it doesn't have a gritty texture (like some lengthening mascaras do)," says Candace Davison, VP of editorial at PureWow. "In terms of the wand's design, the tiny bristles were great at separating my lashes, further preventing clumps—and thus, the potential for flakes. Plus, I like that I can layer on this mascara for a more dramatic effect and still emerge flake-free."

Fast Facts

• Size: 0.31 oz
• Key Ingredients: jojoba oil, vitamin E, biotin
• Shades: 1
• Waterproof: no

• Value: 18/20
• Easy to Use: 19/20
• Quality: 19/20
• Aesthetic: 19/20
• Non-Flaking Abilities: 20/20
• Total: 95/100

This tubing mascara promises to create the look of lash extensions right at home. The water-resistant formula features flake-free technology and an orchid stem cell complex to nourish lashes while preventing any flakes or smudges. Wu shares, "I liked this wand. The bristles are thin and space out, which is idea for my lashes with are very fine (and there aren't many of them). It applies the mascara without globbing it on. The formula is also pretty slick and not too thick/heavy. It lasted all day, didn't transfer to under my eyes and actually didn't weigh down my lashes! It's worth noting I forgot I was wearing mascara and RUBBED MY EYES aggressively (allergies), and except for maybe three errant flakes, it was otherwise intact."

Fast Facts

• Size: 0.38 oz
• Key Ingredients: shea butter, castor oil, carnauba wax, youth B5 complex
• Shades: 5
• Waterproof: yes

• Value: 18/20
• Easy to Use: 20/20
• Quality: 18/20
• Aesthetic: 18/20
• Non-Flaking Abilities: 20/20
• Total: 94/100

If you’re looking for a daily mascara, this one should be on your radar. Infused with peptides (like panthenol and biotinoly tripepide), the formula aims to improve the health of your lashes while red clover strengthens them and promotes healthy hair growth. Fashion Editor Abby Hepworth raves, “I've been wearing Freck mascara for years! It doesn't flake at all and it's long-lasting. I can apply once in the morning and know for sure my lashes will still look long and luscious at the end of the day. I can even apply it to my lower lashes without fear of getting raccoon eyes. I can't speak much to the eyelash growth claims, but will say even with everyday use neither my lashes nor the skin around my eyes feels irritated or dried out. The formula and brush can get a little clumpy if you apply too much. It does a great job of both lengthening your lashes and adding volume without being too much for a regular afternoon."

Fast Facts

• Size: 0.47 oz
• Key Ingredients: red clover extract, panthenol, biotinoyl tripepide-1
• Shades: 3
• Waterproof: no

• Value: 18/20
• Easy to Use: 20/20
• Quality: 18/20
• Aesthetic: 19/20
• Non-Flaking Abilities: 17/20
• Total: 92/100

Here's your sign to try out a fan-favorite formula. With over 5,000 5-star reviews, this mascara delivers on definition and volume for up to 36 hours. Although the wand is thinner than most others I've seen, Social Strategist Maddie Rizzo says it helps with getting a precise application without creating clumps. "The mascara was super easy to apply. I loved the wand's shape, which makes it possible to reach each lash. Overall, it's lengthening and volumizing," she says. "I do have long lashes, which I think naturally makes me a little more susceptible to mascara flaking. After a few hours, I definitely noticed some light flaking from the bottom lashes. However, the formula feels lightweight so it's an easy fix to wipe flakes quickly and retouch."

Fast Facts

• Size: 0.30 oz
• Key Ingredients: beeswax, carnauba wax
• Shades: 3
• Waterproof: no

• Value: 17/20
• Easy to Use: 20/20
• Quality: 17/20
• Aesthetic: 18/20
• Non-Flaking Abilities: 20/20
• Total: 92/100

If you’re looking for a natural alternative, look no further than this mascara by Ilia. It’s formulated with a wax blend (aka beeswax and carnauba), shea butter and keratin to nourish, lift and enhance your natural lashes. “It's a great mascara for everyday wear. It's lightweight and did not flake at all, which is really saying something because I have oily eyelids that tend to muss up any and all eye makeup," Hepworth says. "The comb-like brush ensured there would be no clumping, but I believe it's also the reason that this mascara didn't do much in terms of adding volume. It definitely adds length though, and is buildable so you can add as much or as little as you like. And it really stayed put throughout the entire day. I have, on occasion, done a quick touch up before heading out to a cocktail event or fancy dinner, but otherwise find it lasts really well. Although it's easy to wash off, I can see how someone would want this mascara to be waterproof for better durability through let's say a sad movie or emotional wedding reception. But for a general day-to-day item it's fabulous."

Fast Facts

• Size: 0.27 oz
• Key Ingredients: beeswax, keratin, shea butter
• Shades: 2
• Waterproof: no

• Value: 17/20
• Easy to Use: 19/20
• Quality: 18/20
• Aesthetic: 20/20
• Non-Flaking Abilities: 18/20
• Total: 92/100

This mascara doesn’t play around in the length department. It's designed with a precision brush to lift and separate each lash. Made of fatty acids, olive oil and vitamin B5, it's exactly what Associate Lifestyle Editor Sydney Meister was looking for in a mascara. "I’d say this mascara delivers on the promise of separation and definition, but it’s definitely not the one-size-fits-all holy grail (that some reviews make it out to be). The mascara does a beautiful job of lifting and fanning out lashes. You can see in the photos that my lashes have that wispy, elongated effect—there’s no heavy clumping or thickening."

She adds, "It took a few swipes to really get my lashes evenly coated, and even then, I felt like I wasn’t getting as much pigment or drama as I’d hoped for. And the brush, while great for separation, was a little too wide—made it hard to get into the base of my lashes without also depositing product on my lids. While it stayed put decently throughout the day, I did notice some flaking after about 10 hours—nothing catastrophic, but enough that I had to do a quick under-eye cleanup. Final verdict: If you want a super clean, fluttery lash effect and don’t mind a drier formula, this could work for you."

Fast Facts

• Size: 0.25 oz
• Key Ingredients: rice bran wax, fatty acids, olive oil
• Shades: 1
• Waterproof: no

• Value: 20/20
• Easy to Use: 18/20
• Quality: 18/20
• Aesthetic: 18/20
• Non-Flaking Abilities: 17/20
• Total: 91/100

Need help in the curling department? This all-in-one formula aims to lengthen and lift straight lashes to the sky. It's designed with a wide brush to stretch and separate your top and bottom lashes. Infused with bamboo extract and fibers, which promise to lengthen lashes minus flakes and smudges. “I'm a long-time user of this mascara. It's been a mainstay in my makeup arsenal for a while, and I can safely assure there are no flakes involved," says Maddie Merinuk, assistant editor of branded content. "My only qualm is that it's not super volumizing, but otherwise, it's relatively easy to apply (you need to put on a few coats) and it's great for people who are looking for an effective but not spidery mascara—a your lashes-but-better look, if you will."

Fast Facts

• Size: 0.24 oz
• Key Ingredients: bamboo extract
• Shades: 7
• Waterproof: no

• Value: 20/20
• Easy to Use: 18/20
• Quality: 17/20
• Aesthetic: 17/20
• Non-Flaking Abilities: 19/20
• Total: 91/100

If you have thin or straight lashes, this Sephora favorite promises to beef them up. The key ingredient—cellulose microspheres—is a fiber that adds volume and shapes lashes after a few swipes. As PureWow's Business Manager Sara Baksh shares, "The wand is slightly curved in the middle and thicker on both ends, meant to conform to the shape of my natural eyelash. I was able to apply a generous coat with one stroke, and while there was some clumping, it wasn't as much as I expected. What I DID notice was how my eyelashes appeared much longer. The first coat made my brown eyes appear brighter and it lengthened my lashes."

She continues, "I spent the rest of my day on video calls, and to my surprise, I received a ton of compliments about my lashes. Throughout the day, the mascara stayed on and didn't smudge or flake under my eyes. I did notice a small flake or two in my eye closer to the end of day when looking into the mirror, but it wasn't uncomfortable or noticeable. By the end of the day, the mascara was still on my lashes."

Fast Facts

• Size: 0.47 oz
• Key Ingredients: cellulose microspheres
• Shades: 3
• Waterproof: no