TL;DR
My favorite mascara at the drugstore is the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara, thanks to the easy-to-control brush, buildable formula, long and voluminous results, and impressive wear. But if you’ve been looking for a great, affordable tubing mascara, your hunt can end now with the e.l.f. Lash Xtndr Tubing Mascara—the results and performance seriously rival high-end options.
I’m saying it: If there’s one makeup item the drugstore does best, it’s mascara. It all started when Maybelline’s Great Lash Mascara hit the market in 1971 and instantly became a mass sensation, but since then, brands have made major strides in their offerings. From volumizing standouts that create the appearance of faux lashes to lengthening formulas that eliminate the need for lash extensions, the options lining the makeup aisle of your local drugstore are abundant.
They’re so plentiful that choosing one to suit your preferences may make your head spin. As someone who gets immense joy from finding a superior mascara, I took it upon myself to find the best of the bunch by testing dozens of drugstore mascaras over the last few months. For context, I have fairly long and curled lashes, and I look for formulas that keep them lifted, give them some drama, and resist smudging. I evaluated each mascara based on its brush and formula, how well it grips and separates the lashes, how much length and volume it provides, how long it lasts, and how easy it is to remove. The products included on this list have all made the tough cut.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall, Runner-Up:
Best Tubing:
Best Curling:
Best for Glam Looks:
Essence Cosmetics Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara at Amazon$5
What We Like
Non-clumpy formula
Dramatically lifts and lengthens
Doesn't flake or smudge
Buildable for a bolder look
What to Consider
Slightly difficult to remove
Size: 0.24 oz | Color: 4 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Out of all the drugstore mascaras I’ve tested to date, this is the one I recommend most. It features a long, narrow brush that makes targeting each lash easy and has perfectly dispersed bristles for separating and evenly coating the lashes. The formula is pretty wet but not in a thick or goopy way—it just makes combing through your lashes and building up the formula effortless.
This mascara truly does it all: It makes my lashes look longer, fuller, beautifully lifted, and fanned out. I can wear it on minimal makeup days or build it up to suit more dramatic looks. Perhaps the best part is that it doesn’t flake or smudge—even on the most humid days. It is slightly tricky to remove because it comes off in small bits rather than dissolving with eye makeup remover, but thankfully, it’s not so difficult that it requires tugging at your lashes. If you’re looking for a long-wearing mascara that promises to give you beautiful definition, I highly recommend this gem from Maybelline.
Best Overall, Runner-Up
Essence Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara
What We Like
Under $5
Fluffy brush creates tons of volume
Lightweight, non-irritating formula
What to Consider
Smudged near outer corners of the eye
Size: 0.4 oz | Color: 1 | Cruelty-Free: No
Drugstore mascaras are typically more affordable than high-end options, this one is inexpensive even by those standards. The larger-than-average brush does a great job of building the formula onto the lashes to create impressive volume that isn’t clumpy or spidery. It helps pack on the formula quickly without needing to apply several coats, but despite its size, it could still grip my lashes, separate them, and apply the mascara precisely. One coat gave me noticeable length and thickness, while a second coat created more drama. And even after building it up a bit, I never felt like my lashes were heavy or losing their curl.
The one con I experienced with this one was a tiny bit of smudging near the outer corners of my eyes. It was far from the worst smudging I’ve experienced when testing mascaras, but if you’re prone to mascara bleeding or smearing, just keep this in mind.
What We Like
Tube-like coating creates dramatic length
Doesn't smudge or flake
Separates lashes well with no clumping
What to Consider
Not the most volumizing
Size: 0.25 oz | Color: 3 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
I’m a die-hard fan of tubing mascaras thanks to their budge-proof yet easy-to-remove formulas. This one truly meets higher-end options. The skinny brush gives you complete control over where you apply it, and the semi-wet formula glides on effortlessly without ever looking clumpy. It does a fantastic job of separating the lashes, giving them noticeable length, and adding some beautiful definition, though it’s not ideal for creating super dramatic volume.
Not only do I love how easy it is to apply and how gorgeous it makes my lashes look, but the way it wears throughout the day and the ease of removal makes it truly top-tier. After testing it for several months, I can confirm that I never experienced flaking or smudging—not one time. Like a true tubing formula, it’s painless to remove with just warm water and your go-to face wash.
What We Like
Large brush adds major volume
Buildable without getting clumpy
Thickens lashes
What to Consider
Formula is on the dry side
A bit of smudging
Size: 0.25 oz | Color: 6 | Cruelty-Free: Noo
Those looking for a mascara that offers buildable volume should try this one from L'Oréal. It has a large brush, which can make it tricky to apply the formula to your corner lashes, but it holds a nice amount of product so you don’t need to keep re-dipping. One coat did a nice job of thickening my lashes while keeping them separated and lightweight, while a second coat created a slightly more dramatic look. It’s buildable without getting too clumpy.
The formula is on the drier side compared to others I tested, which is a nice thing if you can get a little messy with your mascara application—you won’t get as much product all over your eyelids. I was pleased with how full and separated my lashes looked, and that they remained lifted all day long. I experienced a tiny bit of smudging under my eyes with this one, so I recommend applying a bit of setting powder to that area to keep it at a minimum.
What We Like
Curved wand adds curl to lashes
Adds a nice lift
Lightweight formula
What to Consider
Not as lengthening or volumizing
Size: 0.32 oz | Color: 3 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
People with straight lashes know how frustrating it can be to achieve a lifted look. If that’s you, I recommend starting by using an eyelash curler to give your lashes a lift, and then applying a curling mascara, like this e.l.f. Lash N' Roll. While I do have relatively curled lashes to begin with, I noticed that this mascara accentuated their curve. The half-moon-shaped brush hugs your eyes, gripping each lash from the root and coating it in the formula. Because the brush allows you to get really close to the base of your lashes, it helps to give them a serious lift. I also found that the formula was super lightweight, which is essential to maintain your curl and not weigh your lashes down.
Although I would have loved to see a bit more length and volume from this one, I was pleased with the naturally defined look it created. I didn’t experience smudging or flaking and the removal process was painless.
What We Like
Bristles comb and separate lashes
Lengthening without clumping
Doesn't flake
What to Consider
Flexible brush may be difficult to use on thicker lashes
Size: 0.27 oz | Color: 3 | Cruelty-Free: No
If you struggle with your eyelashes sticking together when applying mascara, try this one. This popular mascara has had a large fan club for many years, and I’ve been a proud member since high school. The narrow brush features perfectly dispersed bristles that grip, separate, and comb your lashes to create a beautiful fanned-out look. It adds a healthy dose of length and volume, is never clumpy, and wears nicely without smudging or flaking. I love that I can coat my lashes from root to tip thanks to the skinny brush that houses the perfect amount of product. I never experience clumping or weighed-down lashes when I wear this one—I’m always left with clean-looking definition that lasts.
What We Like
Fully coats lashes, creating a fuller-looking effect
Defines and separates lashes
Buildable for a bolder look
What to Consider
Minimal flaking
Subtle effect
Size: 0.32 oz | Color: 3 | Cruelty-Free: No
The curved brush of this lifting mascara from Maybelline hugs your lashes beautifully, gripping them right at the base to give them a serious boost—perfect if you notice your lashes falling throughout the day. It evenly coats them from root to tip, lending to a voluminous, separated, and defined look that’s beautiful for everyday makeup looks and more glam looks when built up. I love that the inner part of the brush has short bristles to grip the lashes, while the outer curve features longer bristles to comb them and add some length to the tips.
While it added serious volume, this formula never weighed down my lashes or depleted their curl. I was able to achieve a wide-awake look that lasted all day. I never experienced smudging when using this pick, just a tiny bit of flaking, which I could easily brush away with my fingers.
Best Buildable
L'Oreal Voluminous Original Washable Bold Eye Mascara
What We Like
Buildable formula great for bolder looks
Defines lashes
Volumizes and lengthens
What to Consider
Got a bit clumpy but were easily brushed out
Size: 0.26 oz | Color: 8 | Cruelty-Free: Noo
A mascara formula that goes on lightly and can be built up to create a dramatic effect is a versatile product that everyone should have in their makeup bag. This one from L'Oréal does just that. With one coat, my lashes looked dark and naturally defined. But with two and then three coats, I got significant volume and noticeable length. It did get a bit clumpy as I layered it up since I don’t think the brush shape is ideal for separating the lashes, but I was able to smooth the clumps by wiping the excess product off the brush and combing through them again. The formula didn’t weigh down my lashes or create significant smudging—it lasted well throughout the day.
What We Like
Brown hue is perfect for natural-makeup days
Vegan and clean
Long-lasting
What to Consider
Not the most lengthening or volumizing
Size: 0.32 oz | Color: 7 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
I have a serious bone to pick with a lot of brown mascaras out there. Most of them are not the rich, chocolatey brown I crave, rather they’re black-brown and look pretty much like plain old black on the eyes. The drugstore is particularly lacking in the true brown mascara department, and while I do wish this one from Covergirl was even more saturated in color, I still think it’s a solid option. It does look noticeably brown on my lashes, and the formula is fantastic. Not only is it vegan and clean, derived from 72% natural-origin ingredients, but it looks beautiful and lasts all day without smudging or flaking. It nicely defined my lashes, giving them moderate length and volume that’s perfect for minimal makeup days. This is the brown mascara you want for a natural look and top-tier performance.
Best for Glam Looks
Essence Cosmetics Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
What We Like
Quickly builds for bold looks
Voluminous
Lash-extension looking
What to Consider
Tends to smudge
Size: 0.4 oz | Color: 2 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
I’m not sure I’ve ever used a mascara (drugstore or otherwise) that built up so quickly to create such a dramatic effect. Just one coat of this formula made my lashes look super voluminous and long, while two coats made them look like falsies (hence the name). The narrow-ish brush was perfect for separating each lash, targeting my corner lashes, and evenly coating them in the volumizing formula. The application process was fast and easy, and the look it created was among my favorites.
Things got tricky with its performance. On one of the days I tested it, I only experienced minimal smudging. But on another day that was humid and drizzling, it smudged significantly underneath my eyes even though I didn’t apply it to my bottom lashes. This was undoubtedly disappointing, but I’m still willing to recommend it on drier days and for those who don’t usually have an issue with smudging. Plus, it only costs $5, so I think it’s absolutely worth trying if you like how it looks.
What We Like
Subtle, natural looking effects
No smudging or flaking
Doesn't weight lashes down
What to Consider
Not overly volumizing
Not very buildable
Size: 0.32 oz | Color: 3 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
I recommend this lightweight mascara from Covergirl for a no-makeup makeup look or if your lashes are easily weighed down.Admittedly, I think the name of this mascara is a bit misleading. I’ve tested it several times throughout my decade-long makeup journey, and while I really like it, I don’t find it to be particularly volumizing. I think it’s best for those who want to achieve subtle, fluffy-looking lashes. The formula is drier, so it doesn’t layer up as well as wetter mascaras, and the brush doesn’t deposit a ton of the product onto the lashes at once. One layer tinted my lashes and gave them minimal thickness, and a second layer added a bit more volume—but still, nothing dramatic. It wore nicely throughout the day without smudging, bleeding, or flaking.
What to Look for When Buying a Drugstore Mascara
- Brush: A mascara’s brush is a major determining factor in your final eye makeup look. Brushes that are fatter with traditional nylon bristles are usually ideal for building up volume. Those with more narrow brushes and molded bristles are great for lengthening and separating the lashes. If you have smaller or hooded eyes, opting for a mascara with a small, narrow brush will help you control your application and target your inner and outer corner lashes.
- Formula: Traditional washable mascaras are great for a variety of benefits, like length and volume, and they’re usually pretty easy to remove with makeup remover. However, these formulas are more prone to smudging and flaking than other options. Tubing mascaras are fantastic for creating length, staying put all day, and removing with warm water and face cleanser. Finally, waterproof mascaras are ideal for those who live in humid climates or are prone to significant smudging.
- Color: When it comes to color, it's all about personal preference. If you're opting for something bolder and dramatic, a jet-black hue is the way to go. On the other hand, if you want a more subdued, everyday look, a coffee-colored mascara is a great option.
How I Tested Drugstore Mascaras
After conducting research (aka scrolling TikTok religiously) and calling on some of my favorite celebrity makeup artists for their recommendations, I landed on my initial product list of 30 drugstore mascaras for testing. That list was eventually narrowed down to the picks you see on this page after much consideration and a testing period that spanned many months. I separated the mascaras by benefit—think: volumizing, waterproof, lengthening, curling, lifting, and more—to be able to compare them side-by-side for the results they promised to deliver. When applying each mascara, I took note of how many coats it took to achieve my desired look. I also paid close attention to the mascara's brush and overall formula: Does it grip onto the lashes well and separate them? Does it last all day without smudging, bleeding, or flaking? Lastly, I removed each mascara using the same eye makeup remover to assess its ease of removal without any forceful rubbing or tugging at the delicate eye skin.
Why Trust Byrdie
Alyssa Kaplan is an associate commerce editor, an experienced writer in the beauty industry, and a product tester specializing in cosmetics. She’s been using and testing mascaras for 15 years—she’s tested nearly 100 options in her journey to find the best ones. When evaluating whether a mascara is a standout product, she looks for options that deliver on their claims (lengthening, volumizing, etc.), wear well without flaking or smudging, and aren’t a pain to remove. Alyssa received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry as well as fashion business marketing. She has been at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.
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