Best Drugstore Mascaras

Updated April 2020
Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
L'Oreal Paris
Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
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For Fuller, Longer Lashes
Bottom Line

Whether your lashes are thin, short, pale, or all of the above, this mascara does it all – makes them appear thicker and longer while delivering awesome color.

Pros

Volumizes and lengthens lashes, so it's almost like 2 formulas in one. Makes lashes feel soft and look "feathery." Color is richly pigmented, and buildable if you want a bold, dramatic look. Stays put until you take it off.

Cons

A bit clumpy. Mixed opinions on the brush – some users love it, others found it too bulky. A few reports of itchy, irritated eyes after using it.

Best Bang for the Buck
COVERGIRL LashBlast Volume Mascara
COVERGIRL
LashBlast Volume Mascara
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Longtime Top-seller
Bottom Line

A popular mascara by CoverGirl that has earned many loyal customers who love the buildable formula that can take lashes from drab to fabulous with a few swipes.

Pros

This thickening mascara adds volume to thin lashes, and makes them look full and defined. Doesn't have the tendency to clump on lashes and provides decent wear. Available in 4 classic colors: brown, black-brown, black, and very black. Sold in single or double packs.

Cons

A lot of mascara comes out of the tube when you remove the wand, so you may have to blot it before you apply it. Some users gripe that the product dries out in the tube fairly quickly.

Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Mascara
Physicians Formula
Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Mascara
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Natural Option
Bottom Line

If you are looking for a natural mascara, this one is worth considering. But keep in mind that it's not ideal for lengthening or thickening short, sparse lashes.

Pros

Stands out from other mascaras for being made of natural ingredients and not containing artificial or harsh chemicals or fragrance. Also contains 70% organic ingredients. Great for sensitive eyes.

Cons

Color isn't very bold or buildable. Tends to smudge and flake. Doesn't wear well in humid weather.

Neutrogena Healthy Lengths Mascara
Neutrogena
Healthy Lengths Mascara
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Lengthens & Conditions
Bottom Line

This mascara won't work for everyone, but provides the dual benefits of nourishing and lengthening the lashes of those who can use it.

Pros

Great for mascara enthusiasts with short lashes, as it's formulated to make them appear much longer. Contains nourishing olive oil and vitamin E that may actually strengthen lashes, and promote growth.

Cons

Product starts to dry out somewhat quickly, then becomes clumpy to apply. Somewhat flaky. Some users with sensitive eyes report irritation after using it.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Washable Mascara
Maybelline
Lash Sensational Washable Mascara
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Easy to Remove
Bottom Line

A top-selling Maybelline mascara that works as promised for most consumers, and delivers many more benefits than frustrations.

Pros

Earns praise for creating a fanned-lash look, thanks to the curved brush with thick bristles. Builds volume and provides long wear in most conditions. Dries pretty fast, plus it's easy to take off with cleanser or makeup remover when you are ready to remove it. Buildable.

Cons

Although it wears well for most users, hot, humid conditions can hamper its longevity. Can be clumpy when you first put it on, making lashes difficult to separate.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

54 Models Considered
8 Hours Researched
1 Experts Interviewed
676 Consumers Consulted
Zero products received from manufacturers.

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

If you love the look of long, thick eyelashes but yours are less than impressive, brushing on mascara will do the trick. In fact, no makeup collection is complete without it, because mascara can make short, sparse, or pale lashes pop. But you don't have to break your budget to get that fluttery effect, because there are many quality drugstore mascaras available at inexpensive prices. However, affordability doesn't mean you sacrifice quality, because many mascaras that fall into the drugstore category are made by popular, trusted brands and are available in a variety of formulas and popular color options. Think about your lashes before you buy, and look for lengthening, thickening, volumizing, or conditioning mascara depending on your individual needs.

Other Products We Considered
The BestReviews editorial team researches hundreds of products based on consumer reviews, brand quality, and value. We then choose a shorter list for in-depth research and testing before finalizing our top picks. These are the products we considered that ultimately didn't make our top 5.
Essence
Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
Maybelline
Volum' Express The Rocket Washable Mascara
COVERGIRL
Clump Crusher by LashBlast Mascara
L'Oreal
Voluminous Original Volume Building Mascara
Maybelline
Volum' Express The Falsies Clump-Free Mascara
The team that worked on this review
  • Jennifer
    Jennifer
    Writer
  • Melinda
    Melinda
    Web Producer
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L'Oreal Paris

Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara

L'Oreal Paris

Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara

Whether your lashes are thin, short, pale, or all of the above, this mascara does it all – makes them appear thicker and longer while delivering awesome color.

$7
×

Physicians Formula

Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Mascara

Physicians Formula

Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Mascara

If you are looking for a natural mascara, this one is worth considering. But keep in mind that it's not ideal for lengthening or thickening short, sparse lashes.

$17
×

COVERGIRL

LashBlast Volume Mascara

COVERGIRL

LashBlast Volume Mascara

A popular mascara by CoverGirl that has earned many loyal customers who love the buildable formula that can take lashes from drab to fabulous with a few swipes.

$6
×

Neutrogena

Healthy Lengths Mascara

Neutrogena

Healthy Lengths Mascara

This mascara won't work for everyone, but provides the dual benefits of nourishing and lengthening the lashes of those who can use it.

$5
×

Maybelline

Lash Sensational Washable Mascara

Maybelline

Lash Sensational Washable Mascara

A top-selling Maybelline mascara that works as promised for most consumers, and delivers many more benefits than frustrations.

$6

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