L'Oreal Paris Telescopic Lift Mascara, Lengthening and Volumizing Eye Makeup, Lash Lift with Up to 36HR Wear, Washable, Blackest Black, 0.33 Fl Oz

Why it's worth it

L'Oreal's double-hook bristle brush isolates lashes one by one, which is why it reads as a lengthener rather than a volumizer. Pick it if you want your lashes to look longer and clearly defined instead of thicker and denser.

The wand is the whole story. It uses a double-hook bristle design — front hooks to load formula from root to tip, side hooks to comb through and separate. L'Oreal claims up to 5mm of visible length and up to 36 hours of wear. Owners consistently describe the same effect in their own words: separated, defined lashes that read as noticeably longer, with several saying it looks like they're wearing falsies.

It rewards technique, which is the catch. This is not a swipe-and-go wand. Several owners describe a real learning curve, and a few give up on it because the formula doesn't build the way a thicker one does. If you're new to mascara, the angled brush will feel fussy for the first week. If you already have a routine, the precision is the point.

From our review of 5 lengthening and volumizing mascaras, by Sarah Wright, Editorial Associate

What we like

• +The wand is the whole story
• +It rewards technique, which is the catch
• +Like the Sky High, it's washable, removes with soap and water, and is ophthalmologist tested and marketed as suitable for…
• +Where it loses to our top pick is fullness

What to know

• –Smudging complaints are more prominent here than with our top pick
• –It also doesn't build well
• –A few buyers report tubes arriving already opened or with damaged packaging