I Tested 5 Clean Mascaras & This Is The Only Falsies-Level Formula

At mindbodygreen, we have a few core standards when it comes to clean beauty. Clean mascaras are made without certain harmful preservatives, such as mineral oils, PFAs, and plasticizers. And, sure, skipping these ingredients sounds great in theory, but without plasticizers to keep your lashes looking soft and bendy, mineral oils to help the formula go on smooth, and PFAS for that long-lasting seal, clean mascaras don't always perform as well as their not-so-natural counterparts.

Or at least, they didn't. The clean mascara selection has come a long way since I first swiped that aforementioned dull formula on my lashes a few years ago. Brands like Saie have now developed long-lasting formulas that glide on easily and make your lashes longer and more voluminous.

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In my hunt for the best mascara, I tried five clean brands: Saie, Milk, ILIA, Caliray, and ITEM Beauty. I won’t go into my full review of each, but I will say some were good, others were great, and one left a lot to be desired—and Saie undoubtedly landed on top. If we’re measuring success in compliments, it’s the only one that led someone to stop me in line at my local coffee shop to ask what mascara I use.

Where other blends left my lashes clumpy or lackluster, Saie’s Mascara 101 went on smoothly, instantly adding length. Below, you’ll see what it looks like applied to one eye, versus no makeup on the other. 

I’ll often have issues with applicators leaving mascara residue on my lids or under eye, but I don’t experience this at all with Saie. The clean formula has a good hold and doesn’t flake off throughout the day—plus, it's buildable. For a more natural-yet-lengthened look, the brand recommends one coat. If you want extra thickening, I'd personally suggest that you go for two or three.

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Saie’s mascara is made without BHAs, chemical sunscreens, GMO’s, paragons, phthalates, sulfates, talc, or synthetic fragrances. But let’s talk about a few ingredients it does include: non-GMO shea butter to create a silky-smooth texture, natural beeswax to keep your lashes in place, plant-derived glycerin to add moisture, fermented non-GMO radish roots to keep it fresh, and a blend of sustainably-sourced coconut palm oils to condition. 

The mascara also acts as an eyelash growth serum thanks to the addition of arginine, an amino acid that stimulates blood flow to promote hair growth, and agropyron repens root extract (also known as “quackgrass”), which strengthens your lashes. As someone who has spent years bringing my lashes back to life, this is music to my ears.

Another perk? The brand is serious about sustainability, with efforts that go far beyond just what’s inside the tube; Saie offsets its entire carbon footprint and donates 1% of sales to environmental organizations. Although the Mascara 101 vial is made of virgin plastic, the brand is working towards a tube with a recyclable applicator and more biodegradable packaging. To do your part, follow the detailed instructions on the company’s website for how best to dispose of your mascara once it's empty.

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