The Brown Mascara Hype Is Real: Here’s Why I’ll Never Go Back to Black

And sometimes, you just can’t choose—and that’s okay too. “You can always combine both a brown and a black mascara together to achieve some gentle drama,” Gabbard points out.

Depending on your features, however, you might not need to—I actually haven’t (though that might be because I have naturally dark eyes and brows). “When people already have strong features, like dark eyes, bold brows, and lashes, the addition of black mascara can instantly look like a nighttime look,” Gabbard adds. “Wear a few coats of brown to pop the eye without bringing the drama.”

I tested the most popular brown mascara options available so you don’t have to: Scroll to see our top picks for perfecting soft glam.

Best Volumizing Brown Mascara: Better Than Sex Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara Too Faced in Chocolate

Danielle Sinay wearing Better Than Sex Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara Too Faced in Chocolate.

Better Than Sex Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara Too Faced in Chocolate

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara is already Glamour’s top pick for best mascara over all, so the fact that it comes in brown is really just (chocolate) icing on the cake.

“When it comes to mascara, more is more. For falsies-level lashes, you can’t go wrong with Too Faced’s Better Than Sex mascara,” Glamour senior beauty editor Ariana Yaptangco says of the cult classic formula. “It lengthens and volumizes lashes thanks to its formula that’s fortified with curl-holding polymer and acacia Senegal tree extract. No need to pile on coats—just one or two will deliver enough dramatic and sexy volume to live up to the product’s eyebrow-raising name.”

While Yaptangco uses the original black tint, both Glamour designer Channing Smith and I love its beautiful chocolate shade of brown, which I’m pleased to say delivers the exact same intense volume, length, and curl.

Best Lengthening Brown Mascara: Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara in Drift

Danielle Sinay wearing Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara in Drift.

Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara in Drift

Both Glamour editorial assistant Monique Wilson and I use—and love—Tower 28’s mascara in the shade Drift: It’s possibly the most lengthening and single-lash-defining mascara I’ve ever used in my life, which is important, since my lashes love to clump together. For what it’s worth, it’s also what Hailey Bieber is rumored to use for her choice of brown mascara.

It’s also, apparently, a must-have of Mandy Moore’s, and it’s not hard to see why: its formula is vegan, completely clean, and safe for sensitive eyes.

Best Luxury Brown Mascara: Lancôme Définicils High Definition Lengthening Mascara in Deep Brown

Danielle Sinay wearing Lancôme Définicils High Definition Lengthening Mascara in Deep Brown.

Lancôme Définicils High Definition Lengthening Mascara in Deep Brown

As recommended by my color analyst, Lancôme Définicils High Definition Lengthening Mascara in Deep Brown is the real deal. It has just as much impact as any other iconic Lancôme mascara I’ve tried but with a slightly subtler finish that can be dressed up or down depending on the rest of your glam. Glamour even rated it the best luxury mascara for sensitive eyes.