Thrive Mascara: Does It Justify the Thousands of 5-Star Ratings?

      April 14, 2025

      The Everygirl's product choices are carefully selected by our editorial team. If you make a purchase through our links, we may receive an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. We only endorse products we truly adore.

      At this point, it seems a new beauty product goes viral every couple of weeks. The pattern is familiar: Influencers rave about a new release, causing it to sell out in no time, and after months of waiting (and finally scoring a restock), we discover whether the enthusiastic reviews were genuine or merely a result of efficient marketing. Many of our beloved beauty products pass this evaluation—the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, Phlur Vanilla Skin, and Patrick Ta’s Foundation are just a few examples. However, there are times when viral products turn out to be somewhat underwhelming. After years of hearing the buzz around the cult-favorite Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara, I decided it was finally time to see which side it lands on.

      From my favorite influencers to my best friend, I've been inundated with praise for this mascara for what seems like ages. The only reason I hadn’t tried it until now was that it can only be purchased directly from the Thrive Causemetics website. Typically, I lean towards products that are easily accessible (i.e., can I get it delivered from Sephora in two business days?), but my curiosity finally pushed me to place an order to determine if the 50,000 five-star reviews are justified. Here are my candid thoughts:

      The Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara features a tubing formula that envelops each lash in a layer of product, resulting in length, curl, and definition. It is designed to be flake-, smudge-, and clump-proof while remaining easy to remove. It’s available in five shades.

      Thrive Causemetics aims to “elevate your daily routine with science-backed solutions that transcend beauty,” according to their website. Their formulas are entirely vegan and cruelty-free, and they’re free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates, latex, and synthetic fragrances. Additionally, they donate a portion of every purchase to one of over 550 nonprofit partners across the United States.

      The Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara features a tubing formula that encases each lash in a featherweight, water-resistant tube, promising prolonged and smudge-proof results. If you’re not familiar with tubing mascaras, they create tiny polymer tubes around each lash instead of just coating them with pigment, like traditional formulas. While not fully waterproof, the product is water-resistant, meaning it stands up to sweat and rain without requiring a waterproof makeup remover for removal.

      This mascara comes in six shades, including black, brown, green, pink, and blue.

      Key Features and Benefits

      In addition to its cruelty-free and vegan formulation, the Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara is free from synthetic fragrances and has been tested and approved by dermatologists and ophthalmologists, making it suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

      My Review of the Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara

      About my lashes

      I have medium-length eyelashes that tend to lay straight unless curled. The ideal mascara for me would lengthen, curl, add a bit of volume, and, most importantly, hold the curl throughout the day. I particularly appreciate mascaras that preserve the curl created by my lash curler.

      Typically, I apply what I believe to be a generous coat of mascara, only to catch a glimpse of myself hours later to find my lashes looking virtually nonexistent. How can I leave home with lashes that resemble extensions, only to have them lose all visibility later in the day? I have yet to find a mascara that maintains its appearance as well at the end of the day as it does when freshly applied. However, given the glowing reviews for the Thrive Causemetics Mascara, my expectations were quite high.

      How the Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara Performs

      Application

      The Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara features a stiff plastic wand with shorter bristles, making it easy to apply on both my upper and lower lashes. After wiggling the brush between my lashes and combing upwards, I achieved the desired length, curl, and volume with just one coat. I was pleased to see that my lashes didn’t clump at all.

      If I plan to go out at night or want a more dramatic effect, the formula dries slowly enough for me to apply a second coat if necessary. One minor issue I occasionally face is that the mascara adds so much length that it can transfer onto my upper eyelid during application; however, a quick swipe with a Q-tip after it dries takes care of that.

      Wear

      For me, the staying power and durability of a mascara are crucial. As I mentioned, despite my efforts to keep them curled, my lashes have a tendency to revert to straight. However, the Thrive mascara effectively addresses this concern