Maybe we wish on a fallen eyelash to find the silver lining in a beauty tragedy. Because pretty much every woman, whether possessing lashes anemic or amazing, longs for them to be longer. And thicker. And more defined. For most of us, mascara is a must for fulfilling our lash fantasies, and while the formula is important, the brush is paramount. Bristles are nylon, rayon, silicon, plastic, rubber, or hair; length, from stubbly short to spikily long; and spacing, either tightly together or far apart. Brush shapes include classic (think pine tree), helix (spiral), curved, hourglass, conical, or spherical. Click through for wands that work -- one will grant your lash wish.

Now that you know about wand form, let’s talk function. We love these 20 mascaras for the eye-popping miracles they perform for every type of lash.

The Conquerer Martha likes the innovative design of this wand ending in a pea-size, bristled ball. Reminiscent of a mace, its killer structure helps you catch every last lash, right down to those tiny ones hiding in the corners.

Givenchy Phenomen’Eyes, sephora.com.

The Detailer We know -- a lower-lash specialist seems like overkill. But just try this spiral nylon micro marvel for deftly navigating south-turned eye fringe and you’ll never look back.

Clinique Bottom Lash, clinique.com.

A densely packed classic nylon brush suited for most lash types deposits nourishing Brazilian carnauba wax, Icelandic moss extract, and vitamin B5 to every strand.

Aveda Mosscara, aveda.com.

Prone to raccoon eyes? Grab this spiral nylon brush, which encapsulates each lash in a water-resistant “tube” that won’t budge yet wipes off easily -- no makeup remover required.

Blinc, blincinc.com.

An innovative spiral brush delivers a dose of lash-growth peptide, which reportedly boosts length by 25 percent in two weeks.

Chantecaille Faux Cils Longest Lash, chantecaille.com.

Divided into two halves, the lower, flexible rubber portion deposits loads of formula at lash roots, while the firmer upper plastic section maneuvers to thoroughly color ends. The result: Even the stumpiest lashes reach alluring new heights.

DiorShow New Look, dior.com.

Maybe it’s the most popular lash paint because its classic brush with nylon bristles is ideal for most types of lashes, as well as for mascara novices.

Maybelline New York Great Lash, maybelline.com.

Pale lashes rejoice at how much pigment these spiraled nylon bristles deposit; stick-straight lashes benefit from the gentle lifting action.

Jane Iredale PureLash Lengthening, shopjaneiredale.com.

Brittle lashes will appreciate the medium-length classic nylon bristles, great for delicately applying a blend of hydrating ingredients.

Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart, tartecosmetics.com.

This vibrating silicon conical brush does the wiggling motion for you -- a boon for lashes that tend to clump when coated.

Lancome Oscillation Intensity Powermascara, lancome.com.

Long and short nylon and rayon fibers in a slightly bent, twisted spiral unite to make modest lashes look positively false.

L’Oreal Paris Voluminous False Fiber Lashes in Waterproof, lorealparisusa.com.

With nylon bristles in a spiraled hourglass shape, this brush is so effective at picking up every hair that just one coat makes dull, dry lashes dark, soft, and glossy.

Fresh Supernova, fresh.com.

Short rubber bristles ending in a pointy tip gently and thoroughly distribute an ophthalmologist-tested formula safe for easily irritated eyes.

Neutrogena Healthy Lengths, neutrogena.com.

Lay it on thick -- “it” being a blend of growth serum and water-resistant colorant -- with this oversize hourglass brush. Glamour-challenged lashes will instantly gain oomph and, with continued use, promise to be more robust.

Urban Decay Lush Lash, urbandecay.com.

Don’t underestimate these super-short spikes: They add definition by creating a great divide between lashes, making thin strands seem thicker.

Chanel Inimitable Intense, chanel.com.

Terrific for wispy lashes, this three-sided brush with long, densely packed bristles pumps up volume. Beautiful bonus: For every mascara sold, another is donated to a City of Hope cancer patient or survivor.

Josie Maran Get One Give One, sephora.com.

An asymmetrical broad helix of superior goat-hair bristles that transform barely-there hairs into lash extension–esque strands.

YSL Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils Shocking, yslbeautyus.com.

Medium-length, wide-set flexible bristles in a classic straight line means even major wand-phobes will find this brush nearly goof-proof.

CoverGirl Queen Lash Fanatic, covergirl.com.

True, it’s pocket perfect at just 2 1/2 inches long, but the full-size classic nylon bristle brush takes decent lashes to indecent levels of length and volume.

Mark Scanda-Lash Hook Up, meetmark.com.

Buy this mirrored jewel case once, and refill it forever. The classic brush with medium nylon bristles is suitable for nearly all lash types.

Guerlain Noir G, neimanmarcus.com.

An oversize classic brush with a tapered end coats on eye color-enhancing mascara in one of four shades (for brown, hazel, green, or blue peepers).

Almay Intense I-Color, $7.49, almay.com.

Rows of medium-length, silicon bristles -- strategically grouped into four even sets -- administer a base coat and color in a single stroke.

Avon Supershock, $9, avon.com.

Combining short and medium nylon bristles in an hourglass shape creates lashes both precisely pigmented and lifted up and back.

Bare Minerals Flawless Definition Curl & Lengthen, $18, bareescentuals.com.

This Australia brand’s lone mascara features about the most average wand out there: classic shape, medium size, nylon bristles. That said, there is nothing humdrum about the dramatic effect it has on lashes.

Becca The Ultimate, $24, beccacosmetics.com.

Staggered, medium-short silicon bristles increase length and fullness on your regular fringe, while the rounded tip goes to town on your microlashes -- those seemingly forgettable ones that, when properly inked, result in a fabulous "falsies" look.

Benefit They’re Real!, $22, benefitcosmetics.com.

Twist the bottle of the wand to extend and space out the brush’s silicon bristles for volume; reverse the turn to truncate bristles and their spacing for length and definition.

Buxom Amplified Lash, $22, sephora.com.

Medium-long nylon bristles in a classic shape are ideal for dispensing lash-fertilizing serum masquerading as mascara. With extended use, augmented length and volume might be yours even before you pick up the wand.

By Terry Mascara Terrybly, $44, barneys.com.

A classic brush with medium-length nylon bristles layers on color infused with Vitamins A, C and E, plus ceramides (a.k.a. lipids) and a high-tech ingredient, Keravis, to baby and fortify lid fringe.

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide, $20, elizabetharden.com.

A petite, softly bristled yet firm brush that Cezanne might covet works to paint already mascara’ed fringe with a top coat of high-gloss color. Use tiny strokes from roots to tips to shift a daytime lash look into a glammed-up, after-hours mode.

Hourglass Film Noir Lash Lacquer, $28, hourglasscosmetics.com

The mascara claims to do many things, but we think its most impressive feature -- delivered via a silicon brush with medium-short bristles and a rounded tip -- is that it stains lashes, leaving a hint of color even after you remove your mascara.

IT Cosmetics Hello Lashes!, $29, itcosmetics.com.

Nylon bristles in a spiral configuration layer on a formula that creates butterfly-like lashes.

Merle Norman Creamy Flo-Matic, $9.95, merlenorman.com.

The pinecone-shaped brush with a mix of short and medium-length plastic bristles is 100 percent recyclable.

Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Lash Boosting, $9.95, physiciansformula.com.

Or dramatist, if you prefer. Medium-length plastic bristles with a round, bristled tip join forces with a formula to make your lashes voluminous and closeup-worthy.

Revlon PhotoReady 3D Volume, $9, revlon.com.

A balance of stiffer nylon and ultra-soft rayon bristles (all of medium length) works to add attention-grabbing length and definition.

Shiseido Perfect Mascara Full Definition, $24, shiseido.com.

An extremely thin yet glamour-evoking film is applied to lashes via medium-length nylon bristles in a spiraled arrangement with a tapered end.

Shu Uemura Ultimate Natural, $28, shuuemura-usa.com.

Swimmers, rejoice! Very short to medium-length nylon bristles that, when viewed from above looking down onto the brush, appear to have four square “sides” administer a concoction that plumps up and curls lashes -- and isn’t afraid to jump in the deep end.

The Body Shop Big & Curvy Waterproof, $18, thebodyshop.com.

Medium-length nylon bristles in the classic shape with a slightly tapered tip apply a pigmentation that’s both pH-balanced and water-resistant.

TIGI Eyes Love It, $19, amazon.com.

Don’t be fooled by this brush’s almost disconcertingly short, firm, nylon bristles in a classic shape, arranged in a spiral and ending with a blunt tip: Though petite, they expertly encase lashes in the so-called “tubes” that look fantastic and stay in place for up to 24 hours.

Trish McEvoy High Volume, $30, trishmcevoy.com.

Medium-long nylon bristles in a loosely spiraled arrangement and a gently tapered tip is the vehicle by which your eyelid fringe is treated to a formula that purports to increase lash growth by up to 30 percent.

Vincent Longo Le Plus Original, $20, vincentlongo.com.

Skin-friendly iron oxide pigments that are absolutely free of any and all fragrance are applied with an hourglass-shaped brush formed with medium-to-long nylon bristles.

VMV Hypoallergenics Ooh-La-Lash! Volumizing, $23, vmvhypoallergenics.com.