An organic mascara is one my desert island products, waterproof for an island of course! We all love a good set of lashes to complete a makeup look and enhance our eyes. Do you prefer clean, toxin-free, fragrance-free mascaras?
If you’re like me and have a fragrance allergy, a clean list of ingredients is essential as many mascaras can contain harmful chemicals, fragrances and toxins such as parabens, coal, tar, synthetic fragrance, dyes and irritants. That’s why I’ve bought, tried, and tested these carefully, and rounded up 8 of the best organic mascara’s available in the UK – all gluten free, free from synthetic fragrances, some are vegan, and all are kinder to your lashes and eyes than some of the other mascaras on the market.
Here are 8 of the best organic mascaras that I recommend (in no particular order), along with my makeup artist tips and insights.
- Avril Organic mascara
- PHB Organics mascara
- 100% Pure Organic mascara
- Sappho Maximum Intensity Organic mascara
- Vapour Mesmerize Organic mascara
- Poppy Austin Argan Oil Organic mascara (vegan)
- Inika Bold Lash mascara
- Ilia Limitless Lash
8 of the best organic mascaras
1. Avril: Mascara Volume Black £6.99
Packaged in a black thick plastic tube with a thick silicone wand, Avril is a french cosmetics brand and brilliant value for an everyday organic mascara. It gives length and VOLUME in just one coat. Brilliant.
I’ve been buying this for years so it’s still one of my makeup staples because it’s half the price of most mascaras, it’s organic and lasts all day without any noticeable smudging. Perfect if you’re thinking about doing a clean swap from your usual mascara. There are 2 types of mascara that Avril offer, a volume mascara and a lengthening mascara. I’ve used both.
- 99.9% plant based ingredients.
- Note this mascara is not vegan because organic beeswax is used in the formula.
- Certified by ECOCERT.
- Available from Amazon and Ecco Verde.
2. Poppy Austin: Organic Argan Oil Mascara £12
I discovered this one in 2020. It’s actually a 5 in 1 organic mascara because it does everything. This one lengthens, thickens, curls and adds volume, and nourishes my end lashes which never tend to stay upwards!
AND it’s water resistant.
Lashes are nourished from the cold pressed organic argan oil and it’s also hypoallergenic, hand-produced in batches, and vegan. Great performance mascara for a great price. I like how this mascara makes my lashes look full and lifted without feeling heavy or cloggy – ideal for a natural daytime look. Plus, it’s a great price for what the product achieves too. Available on Amazon.
3. 100% Pure: Fruit Pigmented Ultra Lengthening Mascara in Black Tea £24
Beautiful embossed silver stylish packaging, long slim wand easy to apply to give that extra ‘lift’ to lashes.
This freefrom, natural and organic mascara uses fruits, tea and cocoa to pigment the formula and I can smell the fruits on the wand.
100% Pure mascara also contains Vitamin E so it’s nourishing for lashes. After a few months I found it didn’t stay as lubricated as other mascaras however, it was perfect for my lashes as I required just the one coat because the black tea pigment is so perfectly dark.
Whilst this is not vegan as it contains beeswax, the black tea is organic and the other ingredients are all natural. With extracts of fruits and herbs, it’s packed with plant based ingredients. I do love so many products from 100% Pure – awesome brand!
Available from 100% Pure or Oh My Cream
4. Sappho: Maximum Intensity Vegan Mascara £32
This mascara I have to say is in a class of it’s own. The packaging is a stunning silver and the product is high performance.
- The Sappho mascara wand is probably the most amazing and beautiful silicone wand I have ever used.
- It’s super bendy which gave me so much control using it to apply to the ends of my lashes or work in upward strokes or under the eyes.
- Really easy to remove or clean off some of the product off the wand, for a nice clean wand before applying – which prevents any clumpiness when applying to very sparse or thin lashes. I prefer applying a thin coat first then build up if I need to.
- The wand isn’t too long either which means its easy to work along the lash line. Wands are usually long and straight and not that flexible.
- The tip of the wand enables you to finesse the ends of your lashes. You know, making the ends go upwards for a pretty lash line.
- It’s got a slight smell of rose too.
Even though it’s the most I’ve ever spent on a mascara it is soooo worth it! 70% organic, two ECOCERT preservatives and best of all – it’s vegan.
Available from Oh My Cream
5. Vapour: Mesmerize Mascara £26 – Note: Vapour beauty has now closed it’s doors 🙁
Vapour, Sappho and Inika Organic are high-performance mascaras in my opinion. Vapour’s Mesmerize really elongated my lashes and the high pigment of black colour made my black lashes stand out and sparkle.
Pretty nourishing for lashes as it contains jojoba oil and there’s no scent on the wand.
I love (d) the whole range of Vapour makeup – it was a beautiful brand, organic and gluten-free.
Mascara is formulated without Carbon Black, Petroleum, Formaldehyde, Thimerosal, Polypropylene Glycol or Retinyl Acetate. It’s also silicone-free, gluten-free and talc-free.
6. PHB: All in One Natural Mascara in Black £15.95
Comes in black tube packaging with a lovely silver lid – stylish for the dressing table or makeup bag. The thick cone shaped wand coats lashes and separates them whilst thickening. The big bonus is – it’s waterproof so it is:
- perfect for British rainy days
- practical if you like wearing mascara for poolside lounging on holiday or at water parks, on boat trips
- ideal for wedding makeup (tears of joy and happiness)
- great for a big night out where you might be crying with laughter.
PHB’s mascara is award winning by the Green Parent Beauty Awards. Their eye shadows and lip glosses are lovely too. It’s free-from Parabens, SLS, DEA, TEA, Alcohol (ethyl alcohol, ethanol), Artificial perfumes /fragrance, Petrochemicals, Methylisothiazolinone, Phthalates, Colourants, Silicone, Mineral oils and Propylene Glycol.
PHB products are Organic, Vegan & Halal and free-from Palm oil and not tested on Animals. Available to buy from PHB Ethical Beauty or Amazon
7. Inika: Bold Last Mascara £29
I got this Inika Bold Lash Mascara (in Jan 2024) and my goodness my lashes just pop. Definitely makes them fuller and healthier-looking.
Inika’s formula gives this mascara a deep black pigment and they use natural ingredients like vitamin E and castor oil, (which helps lashes grow actually, because I used castor oil on my eyebrows when I accidentally over threaded them, and it absolutely works to help them grow back).
So this one offers a nice blend of volume and lash care without overdoing it. The big brush helps cover every lash without clumps, so it applies and glides over lashes easily. I’d say it’s a solid pick if you’re after something that works well, organic, high end price range, for sensitive eyes. Plus, it’s got a good reputation for being easy to use and effective. (read all the reviews).
Top Tip: For the best effect, swipe from the base to the tips in a zigzag motion because it helps coat every lash evenly, letting you layer up for more volume without the mess.
8. Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara £28
If you’re after a mascara that doesn’t just look good but feels good too, the Ilia Limitless Lash might just be your go-to.
The dual-brush is genius.
One side lifts and adds volume; flip to the longer bristles, and you get length, separation, and definition
The Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara is one of those rare finds that gives you lift, length and definition without irritating sensitive eyes. The dual-sided brush makes it easy to add volume with one side and separate with the other, so lashes look full but never clumpy. The formula is 99% naturally derived, feels featherlight all day, and comes off easily with warm water—no tugging or stinging. Clean, comfortable and genuinely effective.
I discovered this as I use Ilia products and saw the reviews were so good so gave it a go!
Available from Ilia or Oh my cream
Watch my review of these above mascaras including 100% Pure, Sappho, and Avril on my
YouTube channel or Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDjF83_JaX7/ Organic mascaras review
Professional Makeup Artist Tips for Eyelash Care & Q&A
Q: What’s the best way to apply mascara?
A: To apply mascara I always use a zig-zag motion. Always start at the base of the lashes and work outwards and upwards to give length and more volume. Use a cotton bud to remove any blobs or black bits under the eyes.
Q: Why are my lashes so dry?
A: To keep my lashes hydrated and nourished I use either an organic virgin olive oil or organic coconut oil to remove eyemakeup and mascara. It’s fragrance free, natural, non-drying and much cheaper than buying an eye makeup remover. Many organic mascaras contain nourishing organic oils that make them look glossy too – win, win!
Q: How do I get my eyelashes to grow?
A: Well, actually there is a natural way and some people say castor oil can work. I’ve never personally used it as I’m lucky to have long eyelashes. If trying this, I would firstly research it thoroughly on Google including what are the benefits and reviews and types of castor oil. Do a patch test first on the eyes to ensure the eyes are not sensitive to the oil. Then gently apply a tiny tiny bit of castor oil to lashes with an applicator before bed and rinse in morning.
I know it works for eyebrows as I tried it when I had to much threaded off once. Apply castor oil to your brows every night and watch them re-grow back into eyebrows! (Maybe don’t apply on the upper lip! it’s bad enough keeping that under control!!)
Q: How often should I replace my organic mascara?
A: Replace organic mascaras every 3 to 4 months. They are a fast drying product so the product does dry out in the tube if continuously pumped and opened. As the ingredients are organic and natural than other non-organic mascaras on the market, they will have a shorter life span as no artificial preservatives or parabens are used to maintains it’s shelf life.
Bonus tip: keep your mascara packaging and write the date you opened the mascara on it.
1. if there is a label on the mascara, I will often write the date I bought the mascara on that so I know when to replace.
2. or simply add a reminder to your gmail/iphone calendar.
3. or check your emails if you purchased online (who goes out these days anyway?!) to see the date around which you bought it. I know right….super organised!!
Q: How do I separate my eyelashes after applying mascara?
A: I’ll use a disposable mascara wand to comb through my lashes and remove any clumps of mascara and make them look more separated. I’ll work in upwards strokes to give more length.
Perfect for any clumpy bits!
Q: Why does my mascara dry out so quickly?
A: Try not to pump the wand into the tube when using it. Air can get into the mascara tube which can dry it up quicker. Instead, wiggle the wand in or out using a wiggly type motion.
Q: Can I share my mascara or let my friend use it just once?
A: Nooooooooo! Mascara’s are for your eye lashes only. It’s not just for the safety of your eyes not to share, it’s best not to share your mascara, lipstick or any makeup with anyone else for the sake of their eyes too.
Avoid trying on mascara in a beauty store or makeup counter. Can you imagine how many people would have also used it? Germ city!
Important Note: if you have any sort of eye infection or irritation – avoid using your eye makeup and your mascara as you will pass the eye infection onto your makeup. Dispose of it if you think you may have cross contaminated the product.
Final tips
Always curl lashes before applying mascara with a set of Shu Uemura (my absolute go-to) or Shiseido eyelash curlers to give them the ultimate curl.
Shu Uemura last curlers are available from SpaceNK Amazon, Boots, or Look Fantastic and other online stores.
Bonus tip: curl your lashes in the centre, then inner and outer lash edges to ensure all lashes are curled (and not flat).
Tell me, what are some of your favourite organic mascaras brands?
