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.
Why it's great: "The color is intense, it makes my lashes longer and more voluminous and it rarely clumps and never smudges," sums up one reviewer of this "amazing" drugstore mascara.
Users also love that this affordable product "lasts up to a good eight hours" and "doesn't do your lashes any damage when you wipe it off." Though some say the brush can take some getting used to, most agree that it "really gets every eyelash" and "the bristles are wonderful for making lashes pop."
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.
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.
