Like a topcoat for your lashes and brows, clear mascara might be the most utilitarian item in your beauty kit. Makeup pro Katie Jayne Hughes, who counts Naomi Campbell and Emmy Rossum among her clients, turns to non-tinted formulas to “groom brows and paint lashes for a ‘no makeup, makeup look,'” she says.

Makeup artist Jillian Dempsey—whose clients include Jennifer Lawrence and Kate Winslet—agrees with how clear mascaras enhance a natural look. Her pro tip: “I’d recommend applying clear mascara as a base and using a lash curler on your lashes once the base is dry,” she says. “Clear mascara by itself on lashes slightly darkens them—similarly to the way wet hair has a darker appearance—and is perfect for a day where you want to wear less makeup but still have a fresh and bright appearance.”

Ahead, five clear mascaras to consider.