- Drugstore makeup has stepped up its game in recent years — including mascaras.
- Some of the best-loved mascaras have been available at the drugstore for decades, but new products are constantly emerging.
- I tested 40 drugstore and affordable mascaras from the top brands to find the best of the best.
While there have always been hidden gems in the fluorescent aisles, drugstore makeup gained a rap for generally being lower quality. It became known for powdery eyeshadows and overly scented lipsticks, drawing preteens buying their first-ever makeup products or anyone trying to save a few bucks on their beauty routine.
However, the recent beauty renaissance has forever changed drugstore makeup. Suddenly, the formulas can compete with high-end and even luxury offerings, and new, affordable brands are emerging all the time.
Here, I tested 40 drugstore mascaras to find what's good, what's great, and what's not worth your money. Read on to hear my thoughts on every single one — plus the top 10 picks.
Here are the top 10 best drugstore mascaras in 2021:
CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara
Simply put, CoverGirl has some of the best mascaras at the drugstore. I've personally used this one since high schoo,l and will continue to as long as it's around. The brush perfectly distributes the product and it's easy to build up — plus, you'll never have to worry about raccoon eyes.
CoverGirl Clump Crusher
The name says it all; there are no clumps to be seen with CoverGirl Clump Crusher. The curved brush is incredible for fanning out the lashes and adding fluttery length.
CoverGirl The Super Sizer Fibers
The fibers in this mascara tack on length to your lashes, giving a false lash effect. I love how wispy and natural my lashes look with this product and find myself reaching for it all the time.
Essence Volume Stylist Lash Extension Mascara
Essence is another drugstore brand that hits it out of the ballpark with its mascaras. This one also gives the effect of false lashes, adding intense length without clumps. The brush is also slightly thicker in the middle, helping it grip and coat each lash.
Essence Volume Stylist Curl & Hold Mascara
If you have stick-straight eyelashes, it can be near impossible to get them to hold a curl, making applying mascara a daunting task. This one from Essence deposits fibers for a lengthening effect, while the paddle brush helps create a gorgeous curl that lasts.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
Love a more dramatic lash look? You'll love Lash Sensational. The curved brush helps coat and lengthen lashes while adding a ton of volume. The only downside (or upside, depending on how you look at it), is that it's a bit more difficult to remove than the average non-waterproof mascara. However, I found that an oil cleanser or micellar water tends to do the job.
Maybelline The Falsies Lash Lift
Yet another product that gives the appearance of false lashes. This particular mascara has a fluffier brush, which I have typically found to be prone to clumps, but that's not the case here. I love how easy this product is to apply and how instantly it lifts my lashes.
NYX Worth The Hype Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara
To me, not having to wipe off excess product before applying is the sign of a great mascara. I was pleasantly surprised by this one from NYX. The fluffy brush deposited the perfect amount of mascara to my lashes, giving a ton of fluttery length.
Sephora Collection Lash Craft Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara
A lot of mascaras claim to provide incredible amounts of both length and volume, but rarely deliver. The Sephora Collection mascara really does pump up my lashes while lengthening them — probably due to the unique two-sided paddle brush. I do find there tends to be a teeny bit of clumping, but nothing a few extra strokes through the lashes can't fix.
Neutrogena Healthy Volume Waterproof Mascara
Neutrogena Healthy Volume Waterproof Mascara fans out my lashes so beautifully and clump-free, it basically looks like I'm wearing wispy false lashes. Plus, it's flake-free and water-resistant, so it's great for all-day wear.
What else we considered
Almay Length & Lift Mascara
It's great that this product is cruelty-free and fragrance-free, but it just didn't do much for my lashes.
Covergirl Exhibitionist Mascara
This mascara falls flat when it comes to length, and there isn't much volume either (it claims to be an ultra-volumizing product). Plus, the brush comes out with way too much product, which is a recipe for clumps.
CoverGirl Peacock Flare Mascara
While somewhat lengthening, the brush shape on this mascara is hard to work with and the large, bulky packaging is a bit wasteful.
E.l.f. Lash It Loud Mascara
Upon first application, I was impressed at how lengthening this mascara was, but it doesn't hold a curl very well. After a little while, my lashes fell and didn't look as nice.
E.l.f. Length & Volume Mascara
Don't let the tiny, round brush scare you. This product makes my lashes look pretty and fluttery with zero clumps. However, because the brush is smaller, it takes a bit longer to apply.
E.l.f. Volumizing Mascara
This mascara doesn't do much of anything for my lashes — I can hardly tell that I have any product on. When it comes to drugstore mascaras, there are far better options.
Essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara
The thin bristles on the brush give the lashes a nice lengthening effect. However, there's not a lot of volume, much less "crazy volume."
Essence I Love Extreme Volume Mascara
The ultra fluffy brush makes this mascara prone to clumping, but it gives a nice, fluttery effect.
Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
I could instantly see why this mascara is so popular, as it is super lengthening and volumizing. The only downside was that I noticed it beginning to transfer after only a couple of hours of wear.
Essence What the Fake! Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara
I don't feel like this gave me much volume at all and even looked a little clumpy. It also transferred pretty quickly and smudged beneath my eyes, even though I didn't apply it to my lower lashes.
Florence By Mills Built to Lash Lengthening Mascara
Given the drier formula and flakiness, this mascara just didn't work for me. I could see it being liked by younger teens, whom the brand is geared towards, but compared to other affordable options, it doesn't hold up.
L'Oreal Air Volume Mega Mascara
This mascara gives me voluminous, fluttery lashes, but only after I wipe off a ton of product from the brush. The brush is designed in such a way that all the product gets clumped together and way too much is deposited. It's a pretty mascara (especially the packaging), but it's not worth the trouble.
L'Oreal Bambi Eye Washable Mascara
When it comes to length, I do feel like this mascara gives the "wide awake" look that it claims to, but there could definitely be more volume.
L'Oreal Bambi Oversized Eye Washable Mascara
Aside from brush shape, I don't see too much of a difference between the Oversized and regular Bambi Eye mascara. It's definitely a pretty mascara, but you'll definitely need a separate spoolie to brush through any clumps.
L'Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara
I like the lengthening effect of this mascara (and bonus points for the creative packaging), but the extremely small bristles make it a bit difficult to apply.
L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara
This mascara is great for every day, as it gives great volume and doesn't transfer at all. However, the large brush holds a lot of product, so careful application is necessary to avoid clumps.
L'Oreal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara
I love how natural, fluttery and soft this makes the lashes look, but it transfers during the day (unusual for waterproof mascara) and is difficult to remove.
Maybelline Volum' Express The Colossal Washable Mascara
Overall, this is a great drugstore option. It gives nice length and volume with minimal clumping.
Maybelline Great Lash Washable Mascara
Great Lash is a cult favorite mascara, and while the iconic green and pink tube was definitely a staple in my makeup bag throughout my young adulthood, I found that it doesn't back the same punch that it used to. It does a fine job of evenly coating the lashes, but the spiral bristles make it difficult to build volume.
Maybelline Lash Discovery Mascara
This mascara is very similar to Great Lash in that it has a smaller brush applicator with spiral bristles. Again, it coats the lashes nicely but doesn't provide much volume.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
You may remember this mascara going crazy viral on Tik Tok, where beauty creators touted its ability to create insanely long lashes. The brush applicator is wobbly (making it a bit unstable when applying), but it does give a great deal of length to the lashes. Plus, there is zero flaking or transferring even after a long day of wear — pretty rare for a non-waterproof mascara.
Maybelline Total Temptation Washable Mascara
This mascara claims "soft and full volume", which is pretty spot on. However, the brush is not the best for application — you'll need to wipe off quite a bit of product in order to avoid clumps.
Neutrogena Healthy Lengths Mascara
While a little lackluster on the volume, Healthy Lengths certainly does give the lashes a lot of length with no clumping or flaking.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Plumping Mascara
If there was an 11th slot in the top recommendations, this likely would have taken it. In addition to the gorgeous full lash effect, it applies seamlessly and easily.
NYX On The Rise Volume Liftscara
This mascara is meant to mimic the look of a lash lift, and it definitely gives the lashes noticeable volume and length with only a couple of swipes.
Physicians Formula Organic Wear Natural Origin Mascara
If you're looking for a nourishing, weightless mascara, this is a great option. It lengthens while still looking really natural — great for "no makeup makeup" days.
Physicians Formula Rosé All Day
You can count on this mascara for fluttery volume, but the strong rose scent will likely be a dealbreaker if you're sensitive to fragrance.
Pixi Large Lash Mascara
The oversized brush on this Pixi mascara intimidated me at first, but it applies beautifully and builds well without clumping. It definitely gives a "large lash" look.
Wet N' Wild Mega Volume Mascara
Though I wouldn't say this mascara achieves "mega volume," it produces a lovely, fluttery effect. I goes on clump-free and would be a great option for those who like a more natural-looking lash.
