My short, straight Asian lashes have always been one of my biggest insecurities. So, when I discovered lash extensions in my late teens, I became completely hooked.

For a few years, my entire schedule revolved around how fresh my lashes looked. When they were freshly done, I felt confident and ready to socialise. But as the weeks went on and the inevitable fallout began, I would retreat into full hibernation mode, avoiding plans until my next infill. In hindsight, it was a tad (okay, maybe very) extreme.

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About three years into my lash extension obsession, things took an unexpected turn. One morning, I woke up with a severe allergic reaction to the glue. My eyes were literally swollen to the size of golf balls. It was painful, uncomfortable and quite frankly, terrifying. Later, I found out that this kind of reaction can develop over time, even if you've never had a problem before.

And so, that was the end of extensions for me.

It's been eight years since that experience and while it was traumatic at the time, I'm honestly grateful it happened. These days, the idea of having fake hair glued to my eyes sounds incredibly uncomfortable, not to mention high-maintenance and expensive. 

Of course, that doesn't mean I stopped caring about my lashes. It's been a long process of trial and error to find products that help my short, straight lashes look fuller and more lifted. Regular lash lifts and daily lash serum (which I've previously written about here) have helped over time, but the biggest difference has come from finding the right mascara.

To be honest, most mascaras have done little to help my severely stubborn lashes. Many simply don't deliver the kind of length, volume or lift I need — or worse, they clump, smudge or leave fallout under my eyes by midday. But, after years of testing both drugstore staples and high-end formulas, I've discovered a select few that actually live up to their promises.

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I've become a pretty tough mascara critic over the years, but when strangers stop me to ask which natural falsies I'm wearing — when I'm not actually wearing anything but mascara — I know I've found a truly great product.

The mascaras I now rely on not only define and lift my lashes, but they also last all day without smudging, wash off easily without harsh rubbing and most importantly, don't cause any irritation. I also refuse to spend more than $50 on a tube of what is essentially paint — there are brilliant options that perform beautifully without the luxury markup.

Here are my holy-grail mascaras I will treasure forever. 

The best mascaras for short, straight lashes to buy in Australia.

Clio Kill Lash Superproof Mascara, $19.95 (usually $24).

Image: Lila Beauty.

This was the very first Korean beauty mascara I ever tried — and all these years later, it's still one of my ride-or-die favourites. I even made sure to stock up on it during my recent trip to Seoul, because it's just that good.

Now, when I say it doesn't smudge, I really mean it. This formula Will. Not. Budge. And yet, despite being incredibly long-wearing, it's surprisingly easy to remove with a bit of micellar water at the end of the day.

It also holds a beautiful curl from morning to night and coats each lash evenly from root to tip. The formula itself is pretty clever — it uses a mix of flat and spherical powders to boost volume without clumping to give you lifted, separated lashes that look like you've had them done professionally (minus the salon visit).

Judydoll 3D Iron Mascara 2g, $13.50 (usually $16). 

Image: Lila Beauty.

This has been a recent addition to my mascara collection after I picked it up on a trip to Seoul earlier this year. Judydoll is actually a Chinese beauty brand and is ranked amongst the world's top beauty companies, and for good reason. As someone who owns several of their products, I can confidently say they really deliver.

One of their most popular launches is the 3D Iron Mascara, and what makes it unique is the metal pipe-style applicator. It allows for even application (AKA no clumps!) and helps create precise, separated lashes. The effect is similar to wearing individual lash extensions, but without the maintenance.

The formula itself is impressively long-wearing. It resists sweat, tears (yes, trust me) and humidity, staying put all day without flaking or smudging.

Cangro Lengthening Mascara, $29 (usually $49). 

Image: Cangro.

I came across Cangro about eight years ago, right after I had that nasty allergic reaction to lash extensions — and their Long Lashes Eyelash Enhancer serum honestly saved my lashes. It was the one product that actually helped them grow back, and I've been using it ever since. These days, I still apply it every night to keep my lashes looking healthy, full and long.

In the mornings, I go in with their Lengthening Mascara, which is packed with lash-boosting ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides and vitamin E. So, while it gives you volume, length and a nice curl, it's also doing something good for your lashes underneath.

One thing I really love about Cangro is how clean their formulas are, which is perfect for my sensitive eyes. They're free from hormones, parabens, palm oil, petrochemicals, sulphates and phthalates — plus, they're vegan and Aussie-made, which is always a bonus.

They also recently launched a new Tubular Mascara ($39, usually $49), which I've also tried and love. It forms these tiny little flexible "tubes" around each lash to lift, lengthen and separate — and it doesn't flake or smudge. 

Lash Therapy Everylash Serum Infused Mascara, $49.95.

Image: Lash Therapy.

You've probably heard of, seen or maybe even tried the viral Lash Therapy Australia Lash Serum — yeah, the one with a 4.6-star rating and over 2.3k glowing reviews. But what you might not know is that the brand also makes mascara infused with that same cult-favourite formula.

What I love most about this mascara is the adjustable wand. A clever little twist function at the top of the handle lets you customise the bend of the wand to suit your eye shape, making it so much easier to coat every single lash (even the stubborn ones in the corners).

The formula itself is dermatologist-tested, water-resistant, cruelty-free, vegan and hormone-free. All the things my sensitive eyes love.

It also comes in a brown shade if you're after a softer, more natural-looking lash moment — perfect for those no-makeup-makeup days.

Benefit Cosmetic Fan Fest Mascara 8.5g, $49. 

Image: Sephora.

Benefit has a lot of mascaras, so it can be hard to keep up. But as someone who's tried them all, I can say the Fan Fest Mascara is my standout favourite.

Designed with a curved brush that grips each lash right from the root, the clever bristle layout separates and fans them out for an even, fluffy finish. No clumps, no stiffness — just lifted, defined lashes that still look soft.

The formula is also really lightweight, so you can go in with a second layer, without leaving lashes looking clumpy or heavy. 

And if you're not quite ready to commit to the full size, it also comes in a smaller 4g version — perfect for trial or travel.

Have you tried any of the above mascaras? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Feature image: Supplied.