There are many specificities when it comes to choosing a mascara to wear with your extensions. Because they're attached to your lashes with a non-irritating adhesive, lash extensions need to be treated gently as they can loosen from the wrong mascara. Lash expert Clementina Richardson told Oprah Daily that those with extensions must stay steer clear of oils and heavy creams around the eyes as they can cause breakage. To avoid that, mascaras for extensions need to be oil-free and water-based (via Divine Lashes).

As a result, we paid close attention to the ingredients in the mascaras we've selected below. They're all water-based, easy to wash off, and highly rated by customers across the internet. One of the easier ways to know if your mascara isn't water-based is if you see either paraffin or hyaluronic acid on the ingredient list (via Tuko). Many of the mascaras we've selected are also specially formulated for lash extensions by professional lash studios, and therefore tend not to wear out your extensions or natural lashes.

Either way, most professionals will advise you not to use mascara too often with extensions and to only apply it to the tips of your lashes when you do. You should definitely consult your lash technician before you wear mascara, but in the meantime, you can browse through our curated list of water-based mascaras.