Best Drugstore Mascaras Recommended By The Editorial Staff

We certainly don't shy away from high-end beauty products, but true makeup lovers know that the best pharmaceutical mascaras are the big hits when it comes to affordable beauty products. Our editorial team tested drugstore mascaras—including decades-old icons, viral TikTok discoveries, and popular new launches—to find the most impressive contenders for length, volume, color, staying power, and lash lift.

The best mascaras instantly lengthen, define and add drama to eyes, but not all mascaras are created equal. The quality of mascaras varies regardless of price, and in most cases, you don't need to spend $30 on a luxury mascara to get amazing results. The best drugstore mascaras, which start at $4 and cost around $13, include cutting-edge formulas to lengthen and enhance lashes, as well as wands ranging from fluffy brushes to fine silicone bristles. In addition to the lower starting price, a good drugstore mascara is an affordable option for year-round touch-ups, as the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends changing your eye makeup every three months. If you don't use the tube at the right time, you won't waste as much money as you would spend on a prestige mascara.

Here's what you need to do Get what you want pay when you buy the makeup, both in terms of ingredients, pigmentation, formulation and choice of preferences. However, the mascara is an anomaly. A variety of different eyelash effects are available on drugstore shelves, including eyelash extension, curling, volumizing, and waterproofing formulas, as well as many types of wands and a variety of color options. There are also drugstore mascaras designed specifically for sensitive eyes, with ultra-pure, vegan, and cruelty-free ingredient lists.

The best drugstore mascaras for different results , we gathered a group of four testers to do hands-on analysis of the ten top-rated options. Our testers researched local pharmacies, studied the ingredients, and popped them in and out. - more mascaras to choose from The eight best drugstore mascaras of 2024.

Best overall: L'Oréal voluminous mascara

For five of the makeup artists we spoke to, L'Oréal's Voluminous Mascara is the top pick, taking first place. “I've been using this mascara forever and it's a staple in my makeup bag,” says celebrity makeup artist Gita Bass. "It's super black and provides incredible volume and support without causing buildup or flaking."

• Pros: Does not clump, repels dirt, and can build up
• Key ingredients: Panthenol, Ceramide-R
• For those: Those looking for a delicate, non-abrasive formula that adds length, depth and volume to lashes

Best volumizer: CoverGirl Lash Blast Volumizing Mascara

For stronger, fuller, more intense lashes, CoverGirl Lash Blast is another tried-and-true product . becomes. “I love the creamy texture, which instantly adds volume and length in one stroke and is easy to apply for an even more dramatic effect,” says French makeup artist Cédric Jolivet. “I think the silicone brush [makes] it easier to pull the lashes out from the root and works really well on short lashes!”

• Pros: Adds volume, doesn't flake or flake
• Key Ingredients: N/A
• For whom: Anyone who wants maximum volume from the first step.

Best lengthening: Maybelline Lash Mascara Sensational Sky High

This is by far one of the best mascaras on the market and relatively newer too,” says Colby Smith of the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Eyelash Mascara. “I like that it's super black,” he continues. “A few swipes and you'll have really long, full lashes. It feels like a high quality mascara without the messBank.

• Advantages: light, does not stain, does not come off
• Key ingredients: bamboo extract
• Who it's for: Anyone who wants amazing length from root to tip in a variety of colors

TikTok Favorite: L'Oréal Carbon Black Telescoping Mascara

For soft, supple lashes, there's nothing better than L'Oréal's telescopic mascara, says Scott "It's very versatile because it adds length in just one layer and the applicator makes it easy to separate the lashes." eyelash. and the formula adapts well to the volume."

• Benefits: lengthens, does not create lumps, tested against allergies
• Key ingredients: N /A
• Who it's for: Anyone who wants an eyelash comb, it really separates the lashes.

Best cleanser: Honest Beauty 2 -in-1 Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer

The appeal of Honest Beauty mascara goes far beyond its sheer composition. The EWG-approved formula is enriched with jojoba esters to strengthen the lashes and improve the longevity of your mascara. The double-sided tube features a mascara wand on one side and an eyelash primer on the other to lengthen each lash for hours 

• Advantages: lengthens, lifts, cleanses Ingredients
• Key ingredients: jojoba ester
• For whom: Anyone If I need it, I want a clean mask that lasts all day day, no matter the occasion.

Best skin care: Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mask

At Matin we rely on Neutrogena Healthy Volume mascara with its nourishing ingredients and intense black pigment. “It's a true volumizing mascara that doesn't dry out your lashes,” she says of the formula infused with vitamin E-rich olive oil and protective weet almonds. "It stays flexible and doesn't flake throughout the day." “He has a huge brush!” adds Matin. Much better for covering every little lash.

• Advantages: greater volume, huge brush, hydration
• Key ingredients: olive oil, almonds sweets 
• For whom: Anyone who wants to hydrate and strengthen their lashes.

Best washable: Maybelline Great Lash Washing Mascara 

Why we love it: Maybelline's nostalgic Great Lash Mascara remains a drugstore staple: a formula that thickens and conditions lashes at the same time. It's the easiest mascara if you want to quickly coat your lashes or keep a bottle in your makeup bag.

• Benefits: Thickening and conditioning. , Volumizer
• Key Ingredients: N/A
• For whom: Anyone who wants thicker lashes.

Best thickener : L'Oréal Lash Paradise Mascara Oréal

It is known to lengthen and separate lashes in just one coat. Even better, the brand's new formula contains floral oil for softer, thicker lashes.

• Advantages: voluminous, nourishing and allergy tested
• Key ingredients: flower oil
• For whom: those who want a soft and light look.

Best false effect: Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara

I have incredibly sparse, thin lashes with minimal volume and “This is one of them. lengthening and giving me incredible volume, says makeup artist and TikTok star Mikayla Nogueira, of Essence Lash.Princess mask. “It really makes my lashes pop and it looks like I have little false eyelashes. I have purchased it several times.

• Benefits: Nourishes curls, lengthens them and gives them volume
• Key ingredients: N/A
• For whom: anyone who wants to imitate the look of fakes.