Mascaras are essential in the world of makeup. From getting everyday looks and party-ready voluminous lashes to lifting your tired eyes, these magical wands can save your day anytime. And the cherry-on-top part is you don’t have to spend much cash on getting the perfect mascara when you have the best drugstore mascara.
The best thing about some drugstore products is their quality deliverance at affordable prices. Making them the top alternate pick against the high-end mascaras. These mascaras come in various formulations to cater to different lash needs, including volumizing, lengthening, and curling. Moreover, drugstore mascaras are widely available and easily accessible, making them a convenient option for anyone looking to add a new mascara to their makeup collection.
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What To Look For In A Drugstore Mascara
Hold up! Before we present our top picks, Let’s take a quick look at the essential things to consider when choosing the best drugstore mascara.
- Long-lasting formula
- All-skin type friendly formulation
- Easily washable
- Quick drying time
- Delivers High definition without clumping
- Easy application
- The wand shape fits your lash type
We have rounded up the ultimate toss-in-your-cart options to make your hunting game easier.
Here are the best drugstore mascaras you can stock up on.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Washable Mascara ($9)
Pros
- High-volumizing results with just a single application
- Easy application: a spiked plastic wand that gives ultra-defined lashes with smooth application
- Long-lasting
- For all lash types (short, straight, unruly, sparse)
- Waterproof and easily washable formula
- Features 4 black shade variations
- Works with all kinds of looks
- Formula type: creamy
Cons
- It may not be suitable for sensitive eyes
- Some reviews on amazon point out that the mascara is not easily washable as claimed
Our Verdict
This mascara has all the tendencies of becoming your go-to mascara option. The product’s highlight is the plastic bristles that make the application smooth without clumping. You don’t have to worry about smudging. You can also check out other Maybelline mascara options with the same quality results. This popular brand can easily create the best drugstore mascara.
L’Oreal Paris Makeup Voluminous Original Volume Building Mascara ($9)
Pros
- Amazon’s choice drugstore mascara
- Rich pigment
- Variety of color options to choose from
- 5x fuller look with buildable volume
- Suitable for all lash types
- Formula type: creamy
- Easy application
- Buildable coverage
- Volumizing and lengthening formula
- Waterproof and easily washable
Cons
- Some reviews on amazon highlight that the mascara gets smudgy
- Formula contains paraffin
Our Verdict
Despite the slight flaws, this drugstore mascara provides high-quality results. You won’t regret buying it.
essence | Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara ($5)
Pros
- No.1 best seller on amazon
- Easy application
- High coverage
- Instant volumization
- Densely pigmented
- Buildable converge
- Works for all lash types
- Formula type: creamy
Cons
- Gets slightly clumpy with more application
- It lacks long-lasting coverage and gets flaky with time
Our Verdict
This best-seller mascara is your deal to achieve a quick false lash effect. With a few simple strokes, you can get instantly lifted lashes. What makes the application smooth is the wand bristles that coat and separate each lash to give them more definition. The wand bristles are very flexible, making the application easy and quick, making it a good drugstore mascara.
The only flaws worth mentioning are the dense texture makes it a bit clumpy. So, wiping off the wand tip before applying the mascara is recommended. Also, it drys off and gets flaky with time. Overall, this drugstore mascara is perfect for creating a no-makeup makeup look with statement-making lifted eyelashes.
COVERGIRL Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara ($9)
Pros
- An organic formula containing marula oil and argan oil
- Perfect for casual everyday use
- Buildable coverage
- Easy application
- Long-lasting
- Non-clumping
- Formula type: creamy
Cons
- Medium coverage but can be built with multiple applications
- Mascara Wand might not be suitable for short-lash types
Our Verdict
This is your option if you are looking for a light to medium lash volume with vegan formula.
Check out this best drugstore mascara here!
Neutrogena Healthy Lengths Mascara for Stronger, Longer Lashes ($8)
Pros
- Amazon’c choice item
- Perfect for a naturally lifted lash look
- Easy application: soft wand bristles soft-bristles combs through every lash
- Non-clumpy and non-flaky mascara
- Antioxidant-rich Formula: contains Olive Oil, Vitamin E, and Rice Protein
- Formula type: Liquid
Cons
- Light coverage in terms of volumization and lengthening of lashes
Our Verdict
Likable option For those who prefer mascara-coated lashes to make their eyes pop instead of using eyeliner. Use this nourishing formula by Neutrogena to achieve your no-makeup makeup look with soft, naturally lifted lashes. Not recommended for those looking for high-pigmented volumizing formula mascaras, as this product delivers light coverage overall. However, if you want a natural look, this is easily the best drugstore mascara for you!
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Worth The Hype Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara ($10)
Pros
- Gives your lashes a dramatic darker, longer, and fuller look
- Smooth application thanks to its tapered brush that separates and curls each lash
- Doesn’t get clumpy
- Formula type: creamy
- Buildable volume
Cons
- The mascara formula lacks rich pigmentation
- It might not work well for straight lash types
Our Verdict
Add this to your cart to get dramatic yet natural-looking lashes.
e.l.f. Big Mood Mascara ($8)
Pros
- Creates bold and lifted lashes
- Smooth application
- Separates and coats each lash without clumping, all thanks to its feathery hourglass-shaped brush
- Creamy texture
- Richly pigmented smudge-proof formula
- Long-lasting volume
- Infused with Jojoba Wax
Cons
- It might not give the claimed mega volume to short lashes
- Difficult to remove
Our Verdict
Thanks to its super creamy formula, this mascara gives instant ultra-voluminous lashes in a single coat. The best thing about this mascara is its richly pigmented formula that provides a noticed darker and fuller false lash look in a few coats.
Overall, the mascara has the potential to become your hot favorite for creating bold, glamorous eye-makeup looks. Another icing on the cake feature is its hydrating formula (jojoba oil) that prevents drying out and flaking of the product, making it a perfect long wearable mascara.
The only drawback is that the formula of this elf mascara is difficult to remove. We suggest using the combo of makeup melt and micellar water to remove it altogether. However, it’s staying power is another reason it’s one of the best drugstore mascaras.
Wet n Wild Mega Length Mascara ($3)
Pros
- Lengthening – super-defined longer lashes
- Perfect for short lash types
- Nourishing formula; Enriched with Vitamin E that softens, moisturizes, and protects lashes from falling out
- Precision comb brush that coats every lash from root to tip for lengthening
- Ophthalmologist-tested and safe for contact lens wearers
- Cruelty-free. Gluten-free. Sulfate-free
- Buildable coverage
Cons
- Unable to give high voluminous lashes
Our Verdict
This is the ideal mascara for those with short lash types, as this mascara by Wet n Wild will give your lashes the desired high-definition length.
The formula is highly nourishing and clumps-free; however, you can’t achieve the dramatic voluminous lash look.
It has buildable coverage. This mascara offers the best results and is worth the price range. Also, you can use it to create a natural, no-makeup makeup look.
If you’re searching for cheap makeup, this is going to be the best drugstore mascara for you! The low price doesn’t impact the quality, and it’s hard to find a brand that can compete with the low price point of Wet n Wild.
Milani Highly Rated – 10-in-1 Volume Mascara ($10)
Pros
- Lengthening and voluminous mascara
- Separates and builds lashes
- It gives coverage to the inner shorter lashes
- Formula type; liquid
- Non-flaky formula
Cons
- The applicator might not deliver the desired results for straight lash types
Our Verdict
This is the best liquid-based mascara formula for those who prefer liquid formulations over creamy ones. With a single stroke, get the instant lifting lash effect to make your eyes pop out dramatically. Rock this look by pairing it with a bold red lip and dash a bit of color to your cheeks.
Mascara by Revlon, Volume & Length Eye Makeup ($7)
Pros
- Ultra-definition volume and length
- Long-staying power
- square brush to deliver the intense lifting and lengthening of lashes
- Available in waterproof and non-waterproof options
Cons
- Not easy to remove
- It might not work for short lashes
Our Verdict
Overall a worth buying mascara product that delivers quality volume and length to your lashes. The best part of this drugstore mascara is they offer 4 color variations and two formula options (waterproof and non-waterproof) to pick from.
L’Oreal Paris Bambi Eye Washable Mascara ($10)
Pros
- Promises to give you a doe-eyed look and delivers
- Lengthening: does an excellent job of lengthening your lashes, providing a more dramatic and defined look
- Curling: it also has a curling effect that adds a natural-looking curve to your lashes without making them look too stiff or unnatural
- Volumizing: adds volume to your lashes, making them look fuller and thicker
- Smudge-proof: Once applied, this mascara stays in place and does not smudge for extended periods
- Easy application: The brush is easy to handle, and coats each lash evenly without clumping
- It also offers a waterproof option
Cons
- Not waterproof
- May clump: While the mascara is easy to apply, it can sometimes clump if too much product is applied due to multiple coats
- May irritate sensitive eyes: Some reviews on amazon have reported that the mascara can irritate their eyes, causing redness or itchiness.
Our Verdict
L’Oréal Paris Bambi Eye Mascara is an excellent product that delivers on its promises. It enhances your natural lashes and gives you a dramatic, doe-eyed look. However, it may not be the best drugstore mascara for those with sensitive eyes or needing waterproof mascara. Overall, we recommend it as worth trying out the product if you’re looking for high-quality mascara.