The great lower-lash mascara debate has remained a toss-up in my friend group for years now. While I don't think I've ever applied mascara to my top lashes without adding a generous coat to my bottom lashes, too, some of my girlfriends are convinced there's no faster way to ruin your eye makeup look. Part of their reasoning undoubtedly comes down to preference, but I stand firm that the larger problem is that they've yet to find the best mascaras for bottom lashes.
It's hard enough to find a mascara for your top lashes that checks all of the boxes, but finding one for your bottom lashes might be even more difficult. First, a lower lash mascara wand needs to be teeny-tiny so that you can easily reach your lashes from root to tip without poking yourself in the eye or leaving a trail of mascara on the skin underneath your eyes. But the brush still needs to have enough bristles to ensure each lash is properly coated for length and definition.
And then there's the formula itself. Even more important than when searching for a top-lash mascara, you need something for your lower lashes that's truly water-resistant to avoid the dreaded raccoon eyes by midday. The smudge-proof formula also needs to be lightweight enough that it doesn't leave your lashes clumped together — and conditioning-ingredients are a plus, too.