Best Drugstore Mascara (Tested and Reviewed)

Best Drugstore Mascara (Tested and Reviewed)

When it comes to drugstore mascaras, there are plenty of options that offer amazing results without the high price tag of premium brands. Whether you’re looking for volume, length, or definition, here are some of the best drugstore mascaras that have been tested and reviewed for their performance:

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1. Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara

• Best For: Lengthening and volume
• Key Features: This mascara has a flexible brush and a buildable formula, making it perfect for both lengthening and adding volume to lashes. It’s known for providing long, sky-high lashes that don’t feel stiff or crunchy.
• Why It’s Great: Users love the length it adds, and it holds up throughout the day without smudging. It’s perfect for anyone looking to make their lashes appear longer and more voluminous without clumping.
• Price: Around $9

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2. L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara

• Best For: Volume and fullness
• Key Features: With a thick, fluffy brush, this mascara delivers bold volume and length, giving your lashes a dramatic look. The formula is creamy and smooth, adding a false-lash effect without the need for extensions.
• Why It’s Great: This mascara is known for its rich black pigment and ability to coat each lash thoroughly, providing a voluminous and defined look. It’s long-lasting, doesn’t flake, and is great for those looking to achieve a full, bold lash look.
• Price: Around $9

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3. CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara

• Best For: Volumizing
• Key Features: The patented brush of the LashBlast Volume Mascara ensures that every lash gets coated, adding incredible volume without clumping. The formula is designed to lift and separate lashes while delivering intense black color.
• Why It’s Great: This is a classic mascara that provides a wide-eyed, dramatic look. The brush is large and effective at creating volume, and it holds up well throughout the day without flaking.
• Price: Around $7

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4. Revlon Volumazing Mascara

• Best For: Adding volume and definition
• Key Features: The Revlon Volumazing mascara features a unique brush designed to create volume while adding definition. The formula is buildable, making it easy to layer for a more intense look.
• Why It’s Great: This mascara offers great volume without clumping, and it holds curl throughout the day. It’s also gentle on the eyes and easy to remove.
• Price: Around $10

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5. NYX Professional Makeup On The Rise Volume Liftscara

• Best For: Volume and lift
• Key Features: This mascara has a thick, curved brush that lifts and volumizes the lashes while keeping them soft and separated. The formula contains a blend of waxes and fibers for added thickness.
• Why It’s Great: The formula is smudge-proof and flake-resistant, delivering a dramatic volume lift that holds throughout the day. It’s great for anyone who wants a lift without the need for eyelash curlers.
• Price: Around $10

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6. Maybelline New York Great Lash Mascara

• Best For: Classic volume and definition
• Key Features: A cult favorite, Great Lash has been around for decades and continues to be a favorite for those seeking a simple, no-fuss mascara. The small brush is perfect for defining lashes without clumping.
• Why It’s Great: It’s affordable, easy to use, and great for adding both volume and definition without too much drama. It’s perfect for natural everyday lashes that still stand out.
• Price: Around $6

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7. e.l.f. Cosmetics Lash It Loud Mascara

• Best For: Bold volume and lift
• Key Features: With a larger brush, this mascara adds dramatic volume, lift, and definition. The formula is designed to coat each lash evenly and thickly for an intense lash look.
• Why It’s Great: The mascara is bold yet lightweight, making it easy to wear all day without feeling heavy. It provides great lift and volume and is available in a very affordable price range.
• Price: Around $6

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8. Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara

• Best For: Dramatic false lash look
• Key Features: The Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara gives you the look of false lashes without the hassle. The tapered brush ensures that lashes are separated while giving them a bold, voluminous look.
• Why It’s Great: This mascara has a cult following for its dramatic lash-enhancing effects. It’s affordable, long-lasting, and great for creating a false-lash look without the need for falsies.
• Price: Around $5

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9. Maybelline New York Falsies Lash Lift Mascara

• Best For: Lift and separation
• Key Features: Designed to mimic the effects of a lash lift treatment, this mascara features a curved brush that separates and lifts lashes for a wide-eyed look.
• Why It’s Great: It provides lift and volume, especially for those with naturally straight lashes. It also resists smudging and flaking throughout the day.
• Price: Around $9

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10. Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Lash Boosting Mascara

• Best For: Natural, voluminous lashes
• Key Features: This mascara is made with organic ingredients like jojoba oil and chamomile to nourish and condition lashes. It’s great for those who want a natural lash look.
• Why It’s Great: The formula is gentle on the lashes and eyes while delivering noticeable volume. It’s perfect for those with sensitive eyes or those who prefer organic beauty products.
• Price: Around $11

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Conclusion:

These best drugstore mascaras are all affordable options that deliver impressive results. Whether you’re looking for volume, length, or a natural everyday look, you’ll find a product that suits your needs. Some standout options like the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High and L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise offer high performance for a fraction of the cost of luxury brands, proving that you don’t need to break the bank for great lashes.

1. What is the best mascara at the drugstore?

The best mascara at the drugstore can depend on what you’re looking for, but here are some of the top choices based on overall performance and customer reviews:

1. Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara

• Best For: Length and volume
• Why It’s Great: This mascara offers both length and volume without clumping. It’s known for delivering long, sky-high lashes that don’t feel stiff or heavy, and the flexible brush helps coat every lash.
• Price: Around $9

2. L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara

• Best For: Volume and fullness
• Why It’s Great: This mascara provides bold volume and length with a smooth, creamy formula. It has a soft brush that coats lashes evenly, creating a dramatic look without clumping or flaking.
• Price: Around $9

3. CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara

• Best For: Bold volume
• Why It’s Great: LashBlast gives lashes incredible volume with its oversized brush, providing a thick and voluminous look. It’s easy to apply and doesn’t leave clumps, making it a favorite for many.
• Price: Around $7

4. Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara

• Best For: Dramatic false-lash effect
• Why It’s Great: Known for delivering a false-lash look without the falsies, this mascara has a unique tapered brush to coat each lash. It provides intense volume and length while separating lashes.
• Price: Around $5

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2. Is expensive mascara better?

Not necessarily. Expensive mascaras might have more advanced formulas or unique features (like longer-lasting wear, more dramatic results, or ingredients that care for lashes), but drugstore mascaras often perform just as well.

Here are a few factors to consider:

• Formula: Both high-end and drugstore mascaras can provide similar results in terms of volume, length, and definition. The main difference often lies in the ingredients.
• Brush Design: Expensive mascaras may have innovative brushes, but many drugstore brands like Maybelline and L’Oréal have perfected their brush designs to deliver great results.
• Longevity: High-end mascaras may sometimes have more long-lasting formulas, but there are plenty of affordable mascaras that wear well throughout the day without flaking or smudging.

While expensive mascara might offer some premium features, drugstore mascaras are still a great option, especially for those who need a mascara that gets the job done at a lower price.

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3. How long does drugstore mascara last?

Generally, drugstore mascara lasts about 3-6 months after opening, depending on factors like usage and storage. Here’s a breakdown:

• Expiration Date: Check for an expiration date on the packaging. Mascara typically has a shelf life of about 6 months once opened, as the formula can dry out or become contaminated.
• Signs it’s time to replace: If your mascara starts to clump excessively, has an odd smell, or the consistency becomes too thick, it’s time to replace it.

To make your mascara last longer, make sure to keep the tube tightly closed, and avoid pumping the wand in and out (this introduces air and bacteria).

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4. Which Maybelline mascara is best for short lashes?

For short lashes, the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara is often considered one of the best options. Here’s why:

• Lengthening Formula: The brush is designed to reach every lash, even tiny ones, and the formula is buildable, making it perfect for short lashes that need both length and volume.
• Flexible Brush: The flexible wand can reach the shorter lashes on the inner corners of the eyes, helping them appear longer.
• Why It’s Great: It’s ideal for anyone looking to lengthen short lashes and achieve a dramatic, sky-high look. It provides great lift and separation without clumping, making it especially beneficial for shorter lashes.

Other great options for short lashes from Maybelline include:

• Maybelline Great Lash Mascara (a classic for natural length and definition).
• Maybelline Falsies Lash Lift Mascara (for added length and volume, with a lift effect).

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Summary:

• Best Drugstore Mascaras: Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High, L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise, and Essence Lash Princess are top contenders.
• Expensive vs. Drugstore Mascara: Drugstore mascaras can often deliver comparable results to high-end mascaras, depending on your needs.
• How Long Mascara Lasts: 3-6 months after opening; replace when it dries out, smells odd, or clumps excessively.
• Best for Short Lashes: Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara is particularly great for adding length and definition to short lashes.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the best drugstore mascaras across different categories, based on popular recommendations and customer reviews:

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1. Best Drugstore Waterproof Mascara

• L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara
  • Why It’s Great: This waterproof version of the popular Lash Paradise delivers bold volume and length without smudging or flaking. The formula is highly resistant to water and humidity, making it ideal for long-lasting wear.
  • Price: Around $9
  • Why Choose It: It’s waterproof but easy to remove with makeup remover, making it a great option for those who need something to stay put through long days or even in rain.

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2. Best Drugstore Mascara (Reddit Recommendations)

• Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
  • Why It’s Great: Reddit users rave about its lengthening and volumizing capabilities. The flexible brush ensures that every lash is coated, delivering dramatic length and volume without clumping.
  • Price: Around $9
  • Why Choose It: It’s often recommended on Reddit for its long-lasting formula and the ability to give lashes a “sky-high” appearance without feeling heavy.

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3. Best Drugstore Mascara 2024

• CoverGirl Exhibitionist Waterproof Mascara
  • Why It’s Great: For 2024, the Exhibitionist mascara is gaining popularity for its bold, voluminous effect and long-lasting wear. It delivers thick, full lashes with intense color and holds up throughout the day.
  • Price: Around $8
  • Why Choose It: It’s a versatile mascara, offering both volume and definition, and has a waterproof version that is especially useful for hot or rainy days.

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4. Best Drugstore Lengthening Mascara

• L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Lengthening Mascara
  • Why It’s Great: Known for its ultra-thin brush and lengthening formula, the Telescopic mascara can create a dramatic, long lash effect with minimal clumping. It’s great for those who want longer lashes without added volume.
  • Price: Around $10
  • Why Choose It: If your primary focus is length, this mascara delivers excellent results, helping to extend your lashes to their fullest length without weighing them down.

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5. Best Drugstore Mascara for Volume

• Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal Mascara
  • Why It’s Great: This mascara offers instant volume with a bold, thickening formula. The large brush ensures that lashes are coated evenly and separated, creating a full, voluminous effect.
  • Price: Around $7
  • Why Choose It: Ideal for those looking to add volume to sparse lashes. It’s one of the top picks for creating dramatic, full lashes on a budget.

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6. Best Drugstore Mascara That Doesn’t Smudge

• Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof Mascara
  • Why It’s Great: This mascara offers a waterproof formula that resists smudging or flaking, even in humid or wet conditions. It separates and defines lashes while delivering volume and length without transferring to your skin.
  • Price: Around $9
  • Why Choose It: It’s a great choice for those who need a long-wearing, smudge-proof mascara that delivers both volume and definition.

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7. Best Drugstore Mascara for Short Lashes

• L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
  • Why It’s Great: This mascara is excellent for short lashes, providing both volume and length. The brush’s soft, tapered design helps coat short lashes from root to tip, making them appear fuller and longer.
  • Price: Around $9
  • Why Choose It: Its buildable formula allows you to customize the amount of volume and length, perfect for short lashes that need both enhancement and definition.

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8. Best Drugstore Mascara for Asian Lashes

• Shiseido Perfect Mascara Full Definition
  • Why It’s Great: Although not typically classified as “drugstore,” Shiseido’s mascara is often found at more affordable prices and is known for working well with Asian lashes. It provides definition and volume without clumping or weighing lashes down, making it ideal for straight, short lashes.
  • Price: Around $20 (though often discounted in drugstore sales)
  • Why Choose It: It works well with the natural shape of Asian lashes, lifting and curling them without requiring an eyelash curler.

Alternatively:

• Maybelline Falsies Lash Lift Mascara: This mascara is great for creating dramatic lift and volume, ideal for straight or shorter lashes typical of Asian eye shapes.
  • Price: Around $9
  • Why Choose It: It provides a similar curl-lifting effect that mimics the look of professional lash lifts, offering voluminous, lifted lashes.

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Summary of Best Drugstore Mascaras for Different Needs:

1. Waterproof: L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof
2. Reddit Recommendations: Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High
3. Best for 2024: CoverGirl Exhibitionist Waterproof
4. Lengthening: L’Oréal Telescopic
5. Volume: Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal
6. Smudge-Proof: Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof
7. Short Lashes: L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise
8. Asian Lashes: Shiseido Perfect Mascara (for straight lashes) and Maybelline Falsies Lash Lift

All of these mascaras are top-rated for their performance, affordability, and ease of use, making them excellent choices for your lash needs. Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara Makeup, Volumizing, Lengthening, Defining, Curling, Multiplying,