Why it's great: Readers call this their "fantasy mascara" for its smooth application and ability to lengthen lashes beautifully. "'I love your eyelash extensions!' — that's what I keep hearing," writes one reviewer. "I keep telling everyone, it's Maybelline Pumped Up in the pink tube.... It's an impressive mascara that any lash-lover should try."
"It gives great separation, volume, length and stays all day," another reviewer describes. "It's good for your appearance and your pocket."
Why it's great: With more than 200 reviews in our beauty product database, this drugstore mascara clearly gave readers a lot to say. Reviewers gave it top marks because it "separates" each lash, coating every last one from "root to tip." Those in search of a "natural" look will appreciate that this mascara "never clump[s]," but leaves lashes "lengthened, darkened and separated from each other."
Why it's great: After giving this "cheap" drugstore mascara a shot, readers say they "couldn't be more pleased." "There is absolutely nothing bad to say about this mascara," declares one reviewer. She says it "doesn't clump" or "flake off" — it just makes lashes "extremely volumized and longer," with a "wonderful curl." Another user says the "small," "shortly packed bristles" are "perfect for the lower lash line." With a "dark, but not overly dramatic" pigment, this drugstore mascara "works just like a high-end one," according to TotalBeauty.com readers.
Why it's great: Readers say this drugstore mascara is "one of the best mascaras ever" for its ability to create a stunning "false lash effect." One reader writes, "The color is a nice intense black, which is not very common for drugstore mascaras. It makes lashes full, soft and long." Other readers agree, adding that the product "lengthens and volumizes without smudging, and lasts all day."
Why it's great: Many reviewers initially chose this mascara because of its eco-friendly packaging and natural ingredients (47 percent of which are organic) — but they kept it for its ability to make lashes "gigantic and gorgeous."
One reader, who reports that she normally has a bad reaction to mascaras, writes, "This mascara doesn't give me an allergic skin reaction or irritate my eyes. I can put it on generously and be comfortable all day!" Another reader admits she was skeptical of "natural" mascara, but this product made her lashes longer and fuller than high-end brands.
Thanks to Adele's signature falsies and Kim K's spidery fringe, eyelashes are doing a lot more than protecting eyeballs from dust particles these days. Between Latisse and the eyelash extension craze, who isn't enhancing their eyelashes? But, not everyone who lusts after the faux-lashed look has the time, funds or steady hands to apply these instant come-hither-ers.
So, to get bat-worthy lashes, we turn to the most essential of all makeup: mascara. In fact, even if you were born with long, full lashes, a coat or two of quality mascara can be the difference between looking dull and looking fresh-faced, wide-eyed and youthful.
However, not all mascaras are created equal. That's where this list of the best mascaras comes in. The best mascara lengthens, volumizes and curls your lashes. It's also flake-free and smudge-proof. On top of that, the best mascara comes with a well-designed brush that doesn't leave a single eyelash without mascara, as well as a formula that doesn't massacre your lashes when you remove it at the end of the night.
The best part about mascara (as opposed to say, foundation or anti-aging serum) is that price doesn't dictate quality. In fact, we scoured through thousands of reviews to find drugstore mascaras that readers believe are comparable, if not better than the leading high-end brands. Once and for all, say goodbye to mascara flakes and smudges, and hello to gorgeous, long, easy-to-come-by lashes.
