How Good Is Merit’s New Mascara We Put It to the Test

3 min read

Finding the right mascara can often make you feel like Goldilocks. One formula is too clumpy. Another, too spidery. And the next leaves raccoon-like smudges under your eyes. But with its Clean Volume Mascara, Merit is on a mission to give you something that’s just right.

The tubing formula boasts a 16-hour wear time and has shea butter and glycerin to help nourish your lashes. It’s also sweat-, water-, and humidity-proof, while still coming off easily with makeup remover or a gentle cleanser. What really makes it unique is the wand—compared to most mascaras, the brush is tiny. This allows you to have better control and reach every single individual eyelash, even the tricky ones in your inner corners. The formula comes in two different colors: black and brown. As picky beauty editors who have collectively tried hundreds of different mascaras, the ELLE team decided to take it for a spin. Read our thoughts below.

Katie Berohn, Beauty Editor

“I’ve been fairly committed to a no-mascara summer (read: I’m lazy), but I was excited to break my own rule to try Merit’s latest formula. I tried both the brown and the black ones, but I like how natural the brown shade looks on me. I found that the precision brush made it super easy to apply, and the tubing formula added volume and length to my eyelashes without making them look unnatural. I liked that this formula is more of a ‘your eyelashes, but better’ moment than an XL-volume situation that makes you look like you attached spiders to your eyelids. Also, it really does last through just about everything you throw at it, including running to catch a train on one of the hottest days of the year, something I unfortunately stress-tested.”

Emma Aerin Becker, Associate Beauty Commerce Writer

“As far as mascaras go, I tend to gravitate toward jet-black, waterproof formulas that mimic the look of falsies. However, they’re always a pain to remove and can sometimes feel too dramatic for a no-makeup makeup look. I’ve tried a handful of tubing mascaras over the years, and I’ve liked them, but the Merit Clean Volume Mascara is the first one I’ve truly loved. Despite neatly wiping off with just warm water, it’s deeply pigmented, volumizing, lengthening, and impressively smudge-resistant. Plus, it doesn’t weigh my lashes down or cause my curl to fall throughout the day. I also love that the slim brush makes it easy to coat every lash, including the tiny ones in the inner and outer corners. For anyone looking to dip their toes into tubing mascaras, I can’t think of a better place to start.”

Tasha Smith, Beauty Assistant

“Unfortunately for me, my eyes are extremely sensitive. My lashes are often the most neglected part of my routine. I rarely use lash extensions, strips, or even mascara in an effort to keep my watery, itchy eyes at bay. But this formula was so gentle and smooth that it glided on my lashes with no tugging or pulling. My lashes instantly looked longer and more voluminous without looking heavy or clumpy. Once the liquid dried down, it was super comfortable to wear, and I could barely feel it on my lashes, which meant no tears or itchy eyes to ruin my makeup.”

Nerisha Penrose, Beauty Commerce Editor

“I’m not loyal to any particular mascara, especially since my lashes are so little, so any formula that can make me look like I have something is a win in my book. What I love most about Merit’s version is it does exactly that: elongates even my shortest hairs, fans them out for added volume, and doesn’t clump. Plus—and this might sound odd—it’s really black, so I can skip eyeliner since this does a good enough job of darkening my lash line.”