Top 5 best drugstore mascaras
By Fatima Yazdi
May 8, 2021
Image Credit: Aleksandra Rupar for Unsplash
Whether it be a full glam smoky eye or a natural, everyday look, mascara is an essential step in almost any makeup routine. Your lashes can do wonders for your look, which is why it's important to do your research when selecting mascaras.
There are a great variety of mascaras, all with different formulas, wands and price points. It can definitely be overwhelming - do you want a lightweight lengthening mascara, a trustworthy buildable formula or a dramatic false-lash look? Either way, we’ve got you covered.
After years of trial and error, testing mascaras from every price point and lots of clumpy lashes, we’ve narrowed down the options. Here are our top five drugstore mascaras you can rely on:
L'Oreal Paris Telescopic Original Mascara
The Telescopic is a collection staple. The thin wand and short bristles make this mascara perfect for lengthening. If you start by building at the root of the lashes and wiggling it up to the tips, you’ll find this mascara is lightweight, easy to build and separates the lashes beautifully. You can’t go wrong with Telescopic; wearing it with simply one coat gives you long, natural looking lashes, while layering will allow you to build volume.
Maybelline Eye Lash Sensational Mascara
Speaking of layering, the Maybelline Lash Sensational is a solid happy medium mascara that can do it all. With its unique fanning brush, the lashes naturally curl with the stroking of the wand and create a stunning fanned-out look. Starting at the root is especially important with this mascara, as you’ll miss out on the optimal fanned-out look if you only build at the tops of the lashes.
We recommend layering with The Telescopic - this dynamic duo will give you maximum length with a voluminous, fluttery finish.
L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
If you’re looking for the voluminous, fluttery lash effect false lashes often create, look no further: the L'Oreal Lash Paradise has everything you need. The soft bristles combined with the relatively dry formula make it so simple to achieve long and voluminous lashes. This mascara is especially great for layering. Make sure to start at the roots of your lashes and swipe up - you’ll notice this wand creates stunning wavy lashes.
Though volumizing mascaras can be tricky since there’s a risk of clumpy lashes, Lash Paradise is flexible in a way that you can easily avoid this, especially when your mascara is new, as the wand can carry too much product. If you find that you’re unhappy with the amount of product coming off, simply wipe some of it off around the edge of the tube.
essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
If you’re a fan of that fluffy, false lash effect, this mascara is the one for you. The essence Lash Princess is made for dramatic volume. The fiber brush separates lashes well while building the product to achieve volume and shape. You’ll be surprised at your lashes’ potential with this mascara - it’s insane how much volume and length you can achieve. The more you layer, the bolder your lashes will go.
If you find that your wand had too much product or you went a bit overboard with the layering, take an eyelash comb and run it through to separate your lashes.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
Last but certainly not least, we have our ultimate drugstore pick: the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High. This new Maybelline mascara quickly went viral, and trust us, it's worth all of the hype it's getting. Right off the bat, you’ll notice that with this mascara, you get maximum length and volume, and the volume doesn’t weigh down your lashes. Especially with the waterproof version, the curl lasts all day, something that is often difficult to find in mascaras. It’s quite impressive how this mascara has perfected both the ultimate length and defined curl.
Additionally, the uniquely flexible brush makes it easy to reach every angle that you want. You can also very easily layer with this mascara. The first coat will give you immense length, while the next two or three will build volume and define your curl. You can’t go wrong with Lash Sensational.
You don’t need to splurge on mascara for your ideal lashes. Ranging from classic lengthening brushes to a great curl and insane volume, this brief list has some of the best mascaras the drugstore can offer.
There are a great variety of mascaras, all with different formulas, wands and price points. It can definitely be overwhelming - do you want a lightweight lengthening mascara, a trustworthy buildable formula or a dramatic false-lash look? Either way, we’ve got you covered.
After years of trial and error, testing mascaras from every price point and lots of clumpy lashes, we’ve narrowed down the options. Here are our top five drugstore mascaras you can rely on:
L'Oreal Paris Telescopic Original Mascara
The Telescopic is a collection staple. The thin wand and short bristles make this mascara perfect for lengthening. If you start by building at the root of the lashes and wiggling it up to the tips, you’ll find this mascara is lightweight, easy to build and separates the lashes beautifully. You can’t go wrong with Telescopic; wearing it with simply one coat gives you long, natural looking lashes, while layering will allow you to build volume.
Maybelline Eye Lash Sensational Mascara
Speaking of layering, the Maybelline Lash Sensational is a solid happy medium mascara that can do it all. With its unique fanning brush, the lashes naturally curl with the stroking of the wand and create a stunning fanned-out look. Starting at the root is especially important with this mascara, as you’ll miss out on the optimal fanned-out look if you only build at the tops of the lashes.
We recommend layering with The Telescopic - this dynamic duo will give you maximum length with a voluminous, fluttery finish.
L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
If you’re looking for the voluminous, fluttery lash effect false lashes often create, look no further: the L'Oreal Lash Paradise has everything you need. The soft bristles combined with the relatively dry formula make it so simple to achieve long and voluminous lashes. This mascara is especially great for layering. Make sure to start at the roots of your lashes and swipe up - you’ll notice this wand creates stunning wavy lashes.
Though volumizing mascaras can be tricky since there’s a risk of clumpy lashes, Lash Paradise is flexible in a way that you can easily avoid this, especially when your mascara is new, as the wand can carry too much product. If you find that you’re unhappy with the amount of product coming off, simply wipe some of it off around the edge of the tube.
essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
If you’re a fan of that fluffy, false lash effect, this mascara is the one for you. The essence Lash Princess is made for dramatic volume. The fiber brush separates lashes well while building the product to achieve volume and shape. You’ll be surprised at your lashes’ potential with this mascara - it’s insane how much volume and length you can achieve. The more you layer, the bolder your lashes will go.
If you find that your wand had too much product or you went a bit overboard with the layering, take an eyelash comb and run it through to separate your lashes.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
Last but certainly not least, we have our ultimate drugstore pick: the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High. This new Maybelline mascara quickly went viral, and trust us, it's worth all of the hype it's getting. Right off the bat, you’ll notice that with this mascara, you get maximum length and volume, and the volume doesn’t weigh down your lashes. Especially with the waterproof version, the curl lasts all day, something that is often difficult to find in mascaras. It’s quite impressive how this mascara has perfected both the ultimate length and defined curl.
Additionally, the uniquely flexible brush makes it easy to reach every angle that you want. You can also very easily layer with this mascara. The first coat will give you immense length, while the next two or three will build volume and define your curl. You can’t go wrong with Lash Sensational.
You don’t need to splurge on mascara for your ideal lashes. Ranging from classic lengthening brushes to a great curl and insane volume, this brief list has some of the best mascaras the drugstore can offer.