We love a good mascara here at HuffPost Shopping, from drugstore favorites to worth-every-penny options on the higher end. But shopping for the right mascara can be tricky if you have sensitive eyes that get irritated by certain products or ingredients. So when we found reviews for Merit’s Clean Lash lengthening mascara that claimed it was gentle on lashes and non-irritating on eyes, we knew we had a potential hidden gem on our hands.
You know Merit for their popular minimalist beauty products, like the Flush Balm blush or complexion perfecting stick. Their Clean Lash mascara places similar emphasis on a simple formula and natural look, an approach that’s earned it about 4.5 stars across more than 3,200 ratings.
Clean Lash, which as of right now only comes in black, is a tubing mascara that adheres to the brand’s Clean at Merit standards, making it free of common irritants like sulfates, phthalates and parabens. Instead, the formula is made with vitamin B5, a humectant that adds shine, and olive oil esters to condition the lashes.
Reviewers with sensitive eyes in particular appear to love the formula. One called it the “First mascara I have been able to use on my sensitive eyes/lids/lashes.” Another wrote, “I usually use Ilia mascara and have very sensitive eyes. This balm like mascara has no fragrance and wears amazingly on my eyes. I usually have issues with smudging or flaking but finally [I] found a mascara that doesn’t flake, has great ingredients AND makes my lashes look great.”
Dry and sensitive eyes can also be a side effect of aging, making this a great hypoallergenic pick for mature lashes. “I have very sensitive eyes that have become more sensitive as I age,” one reviewer confirmed. “However, this mascara is truly amazing. Easy to apply — not clumpy — does not flake, and best of all stays all day long. So happy I found Merit. I use all your makeup. And am spreading the word to family and friends. Thank you!”
Obviously, it’s great to find a mascara that doesn’t irritate your eyes, but you’ll also want to find one that, well, actually works as advertised. Luckily, reviewers say Clean Lash does both. It’s a tubing mascara, meaning it’s formulated to stay in place without smudging but come off easily when you’re ready to remove it. That can also be a point in the mascara’s favor for gentleness, since removing tubing mascara doesn’t require the harsh rubbing other mascaras might.
It also separates, lifts and lengthens lashes with the tube’s slim precision brush, to the point that “it looks almost like you have false lashes on!” as one reviewer claimed.
One shopper went as far as to call Clean Lash “the literal best makeup I have ever used. The mascara is a game changer for me. I am super sensitive. The wand is great. Coverage is fabulous. I have turned multiple girlfriends onto this mascara. Keep it up!!!”
Another vouched for the effectiveness of the tubing formula. “Finally found a mascara that isn’t smudged under my eyes at the end of the day. Wearing contacts and blinking more than typical through the day would typically result in late-day smudges. Not with Merit!”
Need more convincing? Below, you’ll find a few more promising reviews that show this mascara is the real deal. If you’re tired of irritated, dry eyes and flaky, smudgy mascara that leaves you with panda eyes at the end of the day, give Clean Lash a shot. You might just have stumbled on to your new favorite beauty product.
“Literally my new favorite mascara. The simplicity and aesthetic look of the packaging is absolutely stunning. For the mascara itself it adds SO much volume to your lashes and is honestly one of the nicest mascaras I’ve ever tried. Another huge plus for me is it lasts all day but when it’s time to take my makeup off and go to bed it comes off so easily and is so gentle on my lashes! One of my biggest pet peeves is when a mascara forces me to scrub my eyes with a makeup removing wipe!! 100% recommend trying this mascara!” — Lindsay Z.
“Mascara lengthened, kept them curled and didnt irritate my eyes. Loved the packaging too” — Garine K.
“Truly enjoy the presentation from the color scheme to the free bag. Love the mascara, will continue to use as my daily go-to. The wand feels like a much more expensive set. It applies well and do not drips during the day. I am very sensitive and it did not create any adverse reaction.” — Aurelie V.
“My favorite mascara, I’ve now bought 4 tubes in a row which is saying something for a girl who likes to bounce around and try all the new things. Easy to remove but doesn’t leave flakes all day. Separates and lifts my lashes well and isn’t chunky!” — Sierra F.
“THE best i have ever used IN MY LIFE (& Ive bought high-priced products before) thickens, lengthens, & DOESNT SMUDGE! U can get away with not using a lash-curler & it looks almost like you have false lashes on!” — Janine S.