14 Best Mascaras for Contact Lens Wearers to Ensure Gorgeous Eyes
Ava Arnold
Updated on March 24, 2026
Updated on Feb 23, 2024
Makeup and contact lenses have always had a bittersweet relationship. Locating the perfect mascara that doesn't cause eye irritation can indeed pose a significant challenge. With our guide to the best mascara for contact lens wearers, you can achieve long, lush lashes without any compromise on comfort or eye health.
As contact lens wearers, your eyes deserve special attention. It's pivotal to opt for a mascara product that not only accentuates your lashes but is also devoid of any detrimental ingredients that could induce discomfort or lead to eye infections. Fortunately, we've done the legwork for you, and based on our observations, we bring you the top mascaras specifically tailored for those who wear contacts.
To help you choose the best mascara, our contributor, Maya Adivi, a certified makeup artist, says, “It's a misconception that organic or natural ingredients are safer. The important thing is to choose a dermatologist or ophthalmologist tested mascara from a reputable brand, and to avoid using it past its expiration.”
From volume-boosting formulas to lengthening and waterproof options, our list includes a variety of mascara for contact lens wearers to match your eye-enhancing needs. Whether you're after an everyday look or seeking that extra drama for a night out, these mascara recommendations will ensure you look fabulous while keeping your eyes happy and healthy. Keep reading to unveil the perfect mascara that allows you to freely express your style, all while treating your contact-lensed eyes with the care they need.
Our top picks
14 Best Mascara for Contact Lens
Get ready to dramatically enhance your look with essence's Lash Princess mascara. This unique formulation offers remarkable volumizing effects and sculpted length, all without unsightly clumps or globs. Furthermore, it is one of the best mascaras for contacts, equipped with a conically-shaped fiber brush designed for precision, ensuring each lash is perfectly defined and separated. Also, this alcohol-free and oil-free product stays on for an extended period, underlining its long-lasting and long-wearing benefits.
Pros
- Vegan-friendly
- Cruelty-free
- Clump-free
- Long-wearing
- Paraben-free
- Fragrance-free
2
BEST FOR LENGTHENING
LORAC PRO Plus Fiber Mascara
Elevate your lashes with LORAC PRO Plus Fiber Mascara in Black. This multitasking mascara is your secret to enviable eyes. Curl, volumize, lift, and lengthen your lashes effortlessly. It has been tested and shows that it may induce 2,100% of growth of your lashes’ volume. Your lashes will look distinctly lusher and instantly fuller. It's buildable formula allows for customized looks without clumping. Perfect for enhancing your natural beauty, this mascara opens up your eyes, providing a striking yet natural effect.
Pros
- Buildable volume
- Eye-opening effect
- Natural look
- Versatile application
- Long-wearing
- Easy to remove
Cons
- Brush is not the best
3
BEST FOR LONG-LASTING
stila HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara
The stila HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara in Intense Black is one of the best. This mascara delivers bold, dramatic volume, adding intensity to your eyes effortlessly. The uniquely designed brush captures and coats each lash, creating a lush, full look without clumping. Whether for everyday elegance or a night out, this mascara enhances your natural beauty, defining your eyes with a striking yet sophisticated allure. Experience a dramatic lash transformation that speaks volumes about your style.
Pros
- Intense black pigmentation
- Volumizing and lengthening
- Dramatic lash effect
- Long-lasting wear
- Clump-free application
- Defines and separates lashes
Cons
- May smudge with prolonged wear
4
MAYBELLINE NEW YORK Lash Sensational Washable Mascara
Unveil the full fan effect of your lashes with Maybelline New York's washable mascara. This beauty staple is perfect for creating layers of lashes for a dramatic look. To add more, it features an exclusive fanning mascara brush with ten layers of bristles designed to reveal and accentuate every lash. You can count on this product as the best mascara for contact wearers since it lasts throughout the day. Safe for contact lenses, it's the key to achieving sensational eyes for any occasion.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Washable
- No-clumping
- Volumizing
- Ophthalmologist-tested
- Full-fan effect
Cons
- The color may be too intense for some users
5
HONEST Beauty 2-in-1 Extreme Length Clean Mascara
Immerse your lashes in ultimate length and volume with Honest Beauty's mascara. This double-sided gem, featuring a lash primer, is the ticket to award-winning, show-stopping lashes. Jojoba esters, the natural ingredient of this contact-safe mascara, ensures a smooth application, defining, volumizing, and lengthening your lashes in one easy swipe. As a bonus, the mascara comes in a 100% tree-free paper carton, making it a win for you and the environment.
Pros
- Double-sided
- EWG certified
- Cruelty-free
- Ophthalmologist tested
- Lengthening
- Eco-friendly packaging
Cons
- The applicator could be better
6
Best for Pigmentation
L’ORÉAL PARIS Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara
Unleash the power of dramatic, intense lashes with the telescopic carbon black mascara from L'Oréal Paris. It's all about achieving remarkable length with thissafe mascara for contacts, enhancing your lashes with a whopping 60% increase in length. Additionally, the carbon black pigments work their magic to offer double intensity compared to standard black shades. The flexible precision brush of this mascara for contacts ensures individual lash separation for a captivating look that's bound to turn heads.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Allergy-tested
- Good for daily use
- Lengthening effect
- Highly pigmented
- Suitable for sensitive eyes
Cons
- Not waterproof
7
Best Gentle Formula
COVERGIRL Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara
Maximize the volume of your lashes tenfold with COVERGIRL's Clean Volume mascara. This wonder product offers visibly longer, fuller lashes, thanks to its applicator brush that is designed to separate and define each lash precisely. The environmentally-friendly packaging, made from 80% recycled paper, is FSC certified, making it a responsible choice as the best mascara for sensitive eyes and contacts without parabens. Additionally, this mascara also takes a strong stance against animal testing. Lash enhancement and ethical beauty have never been more harmonious.
Pros
- Vegan formula
- Cruelty-free
- 10X volume
- Value for money
- Waterproof
- Sulfate and paraben-free
8
Best Budget Option
wet n wild Mega Length Mascara
Flaunt sultry, flirtatious lashes with wet n wild's Mega Length mascara. This product works like a charm, extending your lashes to new lengths for a show-stopping look. The precision comb brush enhances definition, hugging every lash from root to tip for optimal length. Known as one of thebest mascara for contact lenses, its super-pigmented formula offers added benefits without clumping, smudging, or running. With a boost of vitamin E, this mascara softens, moisturizes, and protects your lashes, amplifying their allure.
Pros
- Affordable
- Waterproof
- Cruelty-free
- Smudge-free
- Gluten-free
- Ophthalmologist-tested
Cons
- May not be too lengthening
9
BURT’S BEES Nourishing Mascara
Nourish your lashes while adding definition with Burt's Bees mascara. This 100% natural origin formula is crafted with jojoba oil and naturally moisturizing glycerin, both gentle enough for the delicate eye area. The mascara tube, in black and brown, is perfect for all eye colors and skin tones. Its specially designed brush works in synergy with the formula to softly nourish your lashes. Known as the best mascara for contact lense wearers, it lengthens and defines both upper and lower lashes for a captivating look.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Moisturizing formula
- Irritation-free
- Lengthening effect
- Natural ingredients
- Ophthalmologist-tested
Cons
- May dry out after some time
10
Best Overall
Neutrogena Healthy Lengths Mascara
Unlock your lashes' fullest potential with Neutrogena's healthy lengths Mascara. This lash-lengthening and strengthening mascara for contact lenses wearersis formulated with an antioxidant-rich mix of vitamin E, rice protein, and olive oil. Moreover, these ingredients nourish your lashes, helping them look 100% longer. Its soft-bristled brush smoothly applies this nutrient-dense color from root to tip, delivering outstanding definition and intensity. The formula promises zero clumping, smudging, or flaking, offering clean and intense lash enhancement.
Pros
- Lengthening
- Affordable
- Clump-free
- Dermatologist-tested
- Safe for sensitive eyes
- Easy to remove
11
Best Organic Choice
blinc Amplified Tubing Mascara
Experience the drama of voluminous, lengthened, and defined lashes with blinc's Amplified Tubing mascara. This unique product helps coat lashes with a glossy layer, forming tiny, water-resistant tubes around each lash. Not only does this mascara offer sweat-proof and flake-proof properties but it's also designed to curl your lashes, adding an extra level of allure. What's more, it's known as one of the best eye makeup products for contact lens wearers, perfect for sensitive eyes, thanks to its oil-free formulation that reduces irritation.
Pros
- Volumizing
- Water-resistant
- Smudge-proof
- Oil-free
- Easy removal
- Safe for sensitive eyes
Cons
- A little bit expensive
12
Most Hydrating
Pacifica Beauty Stellar Gaze Length & Strength Black Mascara
Transform your lashes with Pacifica Beauty's stellar black mascara. This phenomenal mascara is infused with coconut oil and vitamin B to hydrate each lash while volumizing, strengthening, and adding impressive length. What else? This is one of the best mascaras for contact lens wearers promising a deep-intensity color and a lengthening formula, delivered via a super plush vegan brush for effortless coverage. Committed to a healthier beauty routine, it's formulated without talc, parabens, phthalates, or mineral oil.
Pros
- Lengthening
- Paraben-free
- Hydrating ingredients
- Vegan brush
- Cruelty-free
- Easy to apply
Cons
- May not be too long-lasting
13
Best Eco-Friendly Option
Secret Xpress Control Silk Fiber Lash Mascara
Everyone loves this product from Secret Xpress Control — an ophthalmologist-tested and approved mascara that is not just kind to your eyes but also a safe choice for contact lens wearers. Its 4D silk fiber formula uniquely increases the length and volume of your lashes, enhancing each one sharply and separately. Furthermore, this mascara for contact lens wearers is designed to make your lashes neat and fresh all day without flaking.
Pros
- Lengthening
- Adds volume
- Smudge-proof
- Long-lasting
- Easy to clean
- Ophthalmologist-approved
Cons
- Could have a better applicator
14
CLINIQUE High Impact Waterproof Mascara
Get ready to witness the transformative power of Clinique's high-impact mascara. This value-for-money mascara comes with a hydrating formula that doesn't flake, clump, or smudge. So it's easy to keep your look intact throughout the day. Furthermore, this is one of the best waterproof mascaras for contact wearers, with a great user rating and raving reviews, for instantly adding a high-impact look to your eyes. Also, the all-natural ingredients in this easy-to-use mascara have been ophthalmologist-tested and marked safe for use.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Non-flaking
- Non-clumping
- Non-smudging
- Adds volume
- Lengthening
Cons
- Might be hard to remove
These top mascaras for contact lens wearers we have listed here, based on our firsthand experience, offer a fantastic blend of eye comfort, longevity, and style. With these irritation-free formulations, bid adieu to itchiness in the eyes and say hello to captivating, all-day comfort and style. So, choose your favorite from this curated list, and have a dramatic lash experience!
How to Choose Mascara for Contact Lens Wearers?
Choosing the best mascara for contact lens wearers is a task that requires some consideration. You want a product that enhances your beauty without compromising your comfort or eye health. Here's how to navigate through your choices:
- Comfort Reigns Supreme
The comfort of your eyes is paramount. Look for mascaras labeled hypoallergenic and ophthalmologist-tested. These mascaras have a lower risk of causing eye irritation, a crucial factor for contact lens wearers.
- Oil-free is Key
Mascaras containing oils can leave residue on your contact lenses, leading to blurred vision. An oil-free mascara is a safer bet to ensure your lenses remain clear.
- Farewell to Flakes
Choose a mascara that resists flaking. Flakes can get under your lenses, causing discomfort or even scratches. Waterproof or water-resistant mascaras can be good choices.
- The Brush Matters
The mascara wand plays a significant role too. Choose one with a design that minimizes the risk of poking your eye or getting mascara on your lenses.
Selecting the best mascara for contacts goes beyond just the color and volume it provides. Prioritize your eye comfort and health by following these guidelines.
How to Use Mascara for Contact Lens Wearers?
Applying mascara as a contact lens wearer can be tricky, but not too impossible. Here are some of the basic steps you need to follow for using mascara without irritating your beautiful eyes:
1. Lens First, Lashes Later
Start by inserting your contact lenses before applying mascara. Doing so will help avoid getting mascara or other makeup particles on your lenses, which can cause discomfort and potential infection.
2. All About the Base
Start with a clean base for your mascara application. Make sure your eyelashes are free of any old mascara or residue. Clean lashes will allow the mascara to apply smoothly, reducing the chance of clumping and flaking, which could irritate your contact lenses.
3. Brushing Up Techniques
When applying mascara, try to avoid the roots. Start midway up the lash to the tip, using a zig-zag motion for best coverage. This reduces the chance of mascara getting onto your lenses or your eyes.
4. Seal the Deal
To seal your mascara and prevent flaking throughout the day, consider using a lash primer or a top coat. This will help the mascara stay on your lashes and off your lenses.
5. Eye Makeup Removal Ritual
Once the occasion is over, don't forget to remove your contacts first, then your eye makeup. This sequence is essential to prevent makeup, especially mascara, from adhering to your lenses or getting into your eyes. Take an oil-free makeup remover to clean your lashes thoroughly.
Good eye makeup is all about accentuating your natural beauty while keeping your eyes comfortable and soothing. With our guide to the best mascara for contact lens wearers, we're sure you'll find the perfect fit to boost your look without compromising your eye health. The above-mentioned mascaras stand out as the ideal companions for your daily eye-care routine. They are formulated to offer you beautiful, standout lashes while prioritizing comfort and safety for your precious eyes. So, embrace these expert-recommended mascaras and let your eyes do the talking. Wear your contacts and mascara confidently, knowing you have made an informed, eye-friendly choice!
Contributor: Maya Adivi, Certified Makeup artist, Click here for blog
FAQ's
What mascara is recommended by ophthalmologists?
Ophthalmologists generally recommend hypoallergenic and oil-free mascaras to prevent eye irritation.
Is it OK to wear mascara with contacts?
Yes, it's okay to wear mascara with contacts, but it's recommended to use contact lens-friendly products and apply them carefully.
Why does mascara bother my contacts?
Mascara may bother your contacts if it flakes off or if it contains ingredients that cause irritation.
Should you put contacts in before or after mascara?
It's safer to put in contacts before applying mascara to avoid getting makeup on your lenses.
Is waterproof mascara good for contact lens wearers?
Waterproof mascara can be good for contact lens wearers as it is less likely to flake off and irritate the eye.
How do I get mascara off my contacts?
If mascara gets on your contacts, remove the lenses and clean them with the solution recommended by your optometrist.
What are the pro tips for contact-lens wearers to apply mascara?
Use hypoallergenic and oil-free mascaras, apply after putting in your contacts, and always clean your hands before handling your lenses.
Why Trust Pinkvilla
Sayantani, our Makeup and Beauty writer, understands the complexity of finding the right mascara for a contact lens wearer that aligns with eye health and makeup needs. Based on her professional knowledge, she curated a list of mascaras that can be a savior for those wearing contact lenses. Her approach thoroughly assessed each product for safety, compatibility, and efficacy. She diligently ensured that each of the selected mascara's ingredients, application, and removal process would not harm the eyes or contact lenses. Through extensive research, Sayantani developed a list of suitable mascaras and ensured eye safety and beauty enhancement for contact lens wearers.
Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!
Author BIO
Sayantani is a certified hair and makeup professional turned writer with 2+ years of experience in the same genre. Ap More
