Makeup is expensive. It just is. It’s easy to drop hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on cosmetics every year, so when the opportunity arises to save a little money, we consider that a major win. Whether you wear a full face or just like a little light enhancement, the rule is: brows, lashes, lips. If you only have a few minutes, or prefer knocking out your look fast, hitting those three products will frame your face and bring out your natural beauty even more. When mascara is that important, making sure it’s only the good stuff matters. But you don’t have to spend a ton, either. Not when you’re in the market for the best drugstore mascara.
You could stroll the makeup department at the store, but inexpensive and easy are two of our favorite things. Although these are brands found at drugstores, we snagged them all from Amazon. As a bonus, the reviews speak for themselves (you won’t find that on a drugstore shelf). These Amazon customers swear each one is the best drugstore mascara, but they’re all fabulous. Plus, most of them are less than $10. You can afford to experiment to find your new favorite.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
Length + volume is the combo this mascara from Maybelline uses to create lift that almost 127,000 Amazon reviewers rave about.
Real Review: I never used to bother with mascara at all because my lashes are so short all that would end up happening was I would go from having short lashes, to still having short lashes that are now clogged up with black gunk. However, I was required to get some mascara for a shoot and went with this one because I loved the brush and OH. MY. GOD. People asked me if I had fakes on! I’m literally obsessed and it’s a total game changer for when you want a more natural, cute look to your eyes without eyeliner or crazy shadow. Can’t say it did much for volume (and I admittedly probably used too much because like I said, not an experienced mascara user), but the length it gives is insane. Don’t think. Just buy. —Destini Moody
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara ($9.88)—Buy Here!
essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
This TikTok-viral mascara caught everyone's attention. It gives a false lash effect that you're craving with a few swipes of the wand. Just ask one of the 350,00+ reviewers.
Real Review: I am a person who uses false lashes on a daily basis for the past four years or so and this mascara makes my lashes look amazing. I still use my false lashes because I’ve gotten used to the way it makes me look, but I would absolutely wear justice mascara when I’m going to work or to the grocery store on a regular basis when I’m not going out it’s incredible. It is the best mascara I have ever use and it’s easy to come off. And does it make your eyes it’s like other mascaras that claim to give you a false lashes look buy it now.—Tamera Myers
essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara ($4.99)—Buy Here!
L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara
One of the originals, this mascara is easy to go back to again and again. It's a dense formula that can be layered. And a 4.6 Amazon rating? Hard to beat that.
Real Review: Used this time and time again. Applies great for price and I am a big fan of the brush! You can even bend the wand a bit at the end of you prefer a curved wand/brush for application. I have dark brown hair and always get the black. —Isabel Hocker
L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara ($7.82)—Buy Here!
L'Oréal Telescopic Mascara
Looking for drama? Look no further than Telescopic Mascara from L'Oréal. You'll get incredible length and separation, and it layers really nicely with other formulas if you want some extra volume.
Real Review: I can’t even tell you how many mascaras I have used in my many years of wearing makeup. So far this has been the best, especially for the price. I personally love the look of the shinny black, it makes your lashes super long and just pop! Will definitely order again. —Trish B.
L'Oréal Telescopic Mascara ($10.99)—Buy Here!
Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara
For 10x more volume without clumping or flaking, Lash Blast Mascara coats every lash and skips the spider effect.
Real Review: I don't know what else to say. I've been using this mascara since I was in high school and will continue to do so until I die or they stop making it. The applicator has a very nice brush that fully coats my lashes and doesn't make them clump together as im putting it on. Sometimes I pair it with their white brush-on lash extensor for extra length and I absolutely love it! —Esther W.
Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara ($8.07)—Buy Here!
Neutrogena Healthy Lengths Mascara
Strengthen your lashes while you look great. Healthy Lengths Mascara uses olive oil, vitamin E, and rice protein to keep your lashes in tip-top shape.
Real Review: This is the best mascara I have found in the 60 years I have been using mascara. Easy to apply, does not clump, stays on all day. When you are ready to remove it washes off easily with soap and water. Great mascara and reasonably priced. Will be my mascara from now and will recommend to others. —C. blenis
Neutrogena Healthy Lengths Mascara ($7.47)—Buy Here!
HEROINE MAKE by KISSME Long & Curl Up Waterproof Mascara
Yes, okay, this is actually a Japanese drugstore brand, but once you see how well it works, you won't mind the couple of extra bucks. If you're in the market for ultra-ultra-ultra-black mascara that lengthens and curls, you'll want to try this one out.
Real Review: I’ve tried my fair share of mascaras but oh my! My true love is the L’Oréal telescopic mascara but when I ran out I decided to try this and I’m in love! Layers and layers and it doesn’t look heavy or spidery. They look so beautiful with lots of layers or very few. I have long moderately thick lashes so I generally look for extra length and lift . Also this doesn’t give me raccoon eyes when I have slept in it or even wash it off with oil cleanser (it foams!??!) I can sleep in this , cry, rub Im and it does not budge until I want it to. I’m definitely buying this for my sisters wedding! —Olive Shreve
HEROINE MAKE by KISSME Long & Curl Up Waterproof Mascara ($14.89)—Buy Here!
Revlon Big Bad Lash Mascara
Darken those lashes in more ways than one. Gentle lash tint technology gradually darkens your lashes over 7 days so they'll even look more defined without any mascara at all.
Real Review: This is my favorite mascara by far! It makes my lashes look so much thicker and fuller without having to use fake lashes. I'll never buy another kind of mascara again! —Audrey Sheffield
Revlon Big Bad Lash Mascara ($7.00)—Buy Here!
Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara
Microfibers grab every lash to lengthen and build for dramatic lashes that last.
Real Review: Every time I think I'm going to get a different mascara - I'm disappointed and go back to this one. It goes on beautifully. Layers well, never clumps. Washes off easily and doesn't smudge. It also helps my fragile lashes grow. What's not to love? It is hard to find, which is why I buy it off Amazon. Love, love, love it. —Melanie H. S.
Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara ($5.99)—Buy Here!
Milani Highly Rated Anti-Gravity Black Mascara
Up to 24 hour wear sounds unreal, but the reviews don't lie (although we don't recommend wearing mascara for a full 24 hours, we know life happens).
Real Review: I read several reviews and decided to try the Milani Brand. I am thrilled with the product. It is challenging to take off, and one must have patience when removing it because it does not come off quickly. It will stay on all day until you remove it at night, and you can see the little tubular lengtheners. It's a trip because I wanted to make sure it was not my lashes that were being removed, and it was not. Great product. —Tracey R. Levy
Milani Highly Rated Anti-Gravity Black Mascara ($10.97)—Buy Here!
blinc Lash Extension Tubing Mascara
While we know this one is a bit more on the higher end price-wise, it doesn't take much of it to get the lash extension look without the cost. The tubing fiber effect doesn't flake, either. If length isn't what you're after, check out blinc's other mascara options, too.
Real Review: I've searched high and low for a mascara that adds length AnD volume while staying out and not smudging or flaking all over the place and I've finally found the holy grail. Before finding this mascara I wouldn't leave my house without fake lashes on, and now I can give my lashes a break. 10/10 beauty product. —GreenvilleMom
blinc Lash Extension Tubing Mascara ($26.00)—Buy Here!
Wonderskin Power'Full Mascara
From the folks who brought us those set-and-peel lip stains you've probably seen all over TikTok comes a fabulously volumizing mascara. The vegan wax formula even helps create and hold curl.
Real Review: This mascara is my new favorite. Goes on smoothly and evenly was zero effort. No clumps. Made my lashes look longer and fuller. A breeze to remove at night. —Daria Holley
Wonderskin Power'Full Mascara ($16.00)—Buy Here!
All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.
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All images courtesy of retailers.
