Best Drugstore Mascaras For 2023
The 11 Best Drugstore Mascaras For Long, Full Lashes
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Finding a mascara that lengthens, volumizes, and accentuates lashes is no easy task. Some mascaras are clumpy, while others make lashes too thin. Some are too expensive, while others are made with ingredients that can irritate your eyes. No matter what mascara woes you're facing, we're here with good news: You can find incredible mascaras at the drugstore for an affordable price.
When on the hunt for the best drugstore mascara, there are a few factors to consider. For starters, the product needs to help your lashes hold a curl. On top of that, it needs to offer bold color payoff, while also being resistant to flaking. Plus, it needs to give your lashes extra length. Lastly, do you want awaterproof optionor do you prefer a formula that comes off with minimal effort?
While these requirements might seem like a tall order for a product under $25, it's not impossible. The only hard part is finding the best mascara that best fits your personal needs. Do you likefake-eyelash-level drama? Extreme length? Or aclean, all-natural formulathat's gentle on the eyes? No matter what your preference is, we've got you covered with the most affordable and effective drugstore mascaras.
1Best Drugstore Mascaras: Maybelline Green Edition Mega Mousse Mascara
We're calling it: TheMaybelline Green Edition Mega Mousse Mascara($9) is the best cheap mascara. That's because for under 10 bucks, you can get a vegan mascara that's made from 99 percent natural ingredients. Plus, it doesn't clump or flake. Need we say more? Read ourreview of the Maybelline Green Edition Mega Mousse Mascarafor more.
Editor Quote: "I ended up doing three coats of the mascara, dipping the brush back into the tube between each application, and saw a slight difference in my lashes with every swipe. Though the results were very natural-looking, it did take my straight, brown lashes and make them look much fuller and fluffier. There were also zero clumps to be found, even after multiple applications." — Jessica Harrington, Editor, POPSUGAR Beauty
2Best Drugstore Mascaras: Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
ThisEssence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara($5) went viral for a reason: It's one of the best drugstore mascaras of all time. It offers dramatic volume with zero clumping, all for $5. Plus, the handy wand defines and separates lashes to create a bold makeup look. Read ourreview of the Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascarafor more.
Editor Quote: "With just one sweep of the cone-shaped wand, I started to see an increase in length and volume. The brush's soft bristles work to grab each eyelash to define and fan them out, without any clumps. Even after I layered on two coats, my lashes didn't get globby or heavy-feeling. As its name hints, the look can be best described as a natural false-lash effect." — Jessica Harrington, Editor, POPSUGAR Beauty
3Best Drugstore Mascaras: CoverGirl Exhibitionist Uncensored Mascara
ThisCoverGirl Exhibitionist Uncensored Mascara($10) is one of the best cheap mascaras when it comes to hydrating lashes. It's made with coconut and jojoba oils, which means lashes will stay soft, smooth, and moisturized while you're wearing it. Read ourreview of the CoverGirl Exhibitionist Uncensored Mascarafor more.
Editor Quote: "When I first tried it, I was relieved to see that the spoolie wand coated every single one of my lashes in a dark black pigment. The formula is easy to build on, too — even with the multitude of layers I applied, it never looked clumped. In fact, the mascara just made it look like I was born with really dark, defined, envy-inducing eyelashes." — Sarah Siegel, Former Assistant Editor, POPSUGAR Beauty.
4Best Drugstore Mascaras: Maybelline Colossal Curl Bounce Mascara
Looking for your new favorite cheap drugstore mascara? Look no further than theMaybelline Colossal Curl Bounce Mascara($11). What we love is that it dries quickly and doesn't smudge throughout the day. It also volumizes and lengthens lashes to create a gorgeous natural look. Read ourreview of the Maybelline Colossal Curl Bounce Mascarafor more.
Editor Quote: "It didn't smudge, or flake, or droop in the slightest. The result was so dramatic, it was even noticeable through my web-camera on Zoom. I got compliment after compliment on my eyelashes." — Jessica Harrington, Editor, POPSUGAR Beauty
5Best Drugstore Mascaras: Makeup Revolution 5D Lash POW Mascara
This bestsellingMakeup Revolution 5D Lash POW Mascara($12) is cruelty-free and vegan. It will make your lashes fluttery, long, and volumized with just a few coats. What we love about this cheap drugstore mascara is that it doesn't flake throughout the day. Read ourreview of the Makeup Revolution 5D Lash POW Mascarafor more.
Editor Quote: "It performs incredibly well given its price point. What's more, it's cruelty-free and vegan, if that's something you look out for in your makeup. For me, this is a perfect, affordable all-around mascara." — Tori Crowther, POPSUGAR Contributor and Former Editor, POPSUGAR UK.
6Best Drugstore Mascaras: Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
ThisMaybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara($10) delivers effortlessly separated, fanned-out, and voluminous lashes. The wand is pliable, which helps create a natural curl on lashes. Plus, lashes won't get clumpy. If you want one of the best cheap mascaras, we swear by this. Read ourreview of the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascarafor more.
Editor Quote: "The results were truly sky-high eyelashes that practically touched my eyebrows. I was honestly shocked at the difference. If you're someone with naturally long lashes, you might be scoffing at my before-and-after pictures. But let me tell you, my jaw dropped practically to the floor when I saw how long my lashes looked after using this mascara." — Renee Rodriguez, Staff Writer and Social Producer
7Best Drugstore Mascaras: Tarte Maneater Mascara
In terms of the best drugstore mascaras, you can't overlook theTarte Maneater Mascara($24). While it's more expensive than some of the other options, it promises 23 times more lash volume after two coats, which is a pretty big deal. Plus, it doesn't dry out lashes. Read ourreview of the Tarte Maneater Mascarafor more.
Editor Quote: "I'm 100 percent a Tarte convert because of this product, and I don't know if I'll ever be able to switch back to any other mascara. Now when people ask me what mascara I use, I'll have a different answer than I had in the past, but I'm certain it's an even better one." — Erin Cullum, Former Editor, Trending and Viral Features
8Best Drugstore Mascaras: Essence Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara
Get long lashes for an affordable price with theEssence Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara($5). This mascara naturally curls lashes, which is why it goes down in our books as one of the best drugstore mascaras. Read ourreview of the Essence Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascarafor more.
Editor Quote: "It performs incredibly well given its price point. What's more, it's cruelty-free and vegan, if that's something you look out for in your makeup. For me, this is a perfect, affordable all-around mascara." — Tori Crowther, POPSUGAR Contributor and Former Editor, POPSUGAR UK.
9Best Drugstore Mascaras: For a Doe-Eyed Effect: L'Oreal Paris Bambi Eye Washable Mascara
ThisL'Oreal Paris Bambi Eye Washable Mascara($11) will give you the fluttery lashes of your dreams. This is one of the best cheap mascaras because it has an innovative wand that helps to separate lashes and create definition. Read ourreview of the the L'Oreal Paris Bambi Eye Washable Mascarafor more.
Editor Quote: "The doe-eyed beauty look isn't one that features spidery, dramatic, and borderline clumpy eyelashes. Instead, it's clean, feathery, and ever-so slightly longer at the outer corners of the eye to create that wide-eyed effect only an illustrated deer is capable of having. The L'Oréal Bambi Eye Mascara checks all of those boxes. Sweep the velvety mascara formula through your lashes and you'll notice an immediate eye-opening difference. The magic is in the wand, which offers a mix of long and short bristles to create separation, volume, and definition for each individual lash — without clumping." — Samantha Sasso, Editor, Branded Content
10Best Drugstore Mascaras: Essence Bye Bye Panda Eyes! Smudge-Proof Volumizing & Defining Mascara
Say goodbye to smudges with thisEssence Bye Bye Panda Eyes! Smudge-Proof Volumizing & Defining Mascara($5). For just $5, you can get long, sky-high lashes for hours on end. If this isn't one of the best cheap mascaras, we don't know what is. Read ourreview of the Essence Bye Bye Panda Eyes! Smudge-Proof Volumizing & Defining Mascarafor more.
Editor Quote: "I've worn it a bunch of times since the initial trial run, and it's always garnered the same results: long, thick eyelashes that look good all day long. Plus, at just $5, this is easily one of the most affordable mascaras I've ever tried. The best part? When it comes to removing it, I can get practically everything off with just water and a washcloth. I only need the tiniest bit of cleansing balm to get my lashes completely mascara free." — Renee Rodriguez, Staff Writer and Social Producer
11Best Drugstore Mascaras: Covergirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara
ThisCovergirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara($11) is a reinvented version of the original Covergirl Lash Blast, and trust us, it's one of the best drugstore mascaras. Although the formula is different, this product still has the same voluminizing power as before. However, it doesn't have any of the bad ingredients since it's clean! Read ourreview of the Covergirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascarafor more.
Editor Quote: "I expected the new formula to be pretty similar to the original (meaning, would be volumizing and lengthening without clumping), but I was still surprised just by how much after applying it for the first time. Having now tried them both, I honestly can't tell the difference between them when it comes to how my lashes look, which is a win — for the brand and for me, seeing as I prefer to use clean cosmetics whenever possible." — Jessica Harrington, Editor, POPSUGAR Beauty
