20 Best Drugstore Mascaras That Look Expensive
Save serious cash on your lashes.
getty The right mascara can take lashes from sparse and drab to full of volume. Whether you are looking for length and volume or a pop of color, there's no reason to spend a fortune on mascara. The drugstore has some amazing options that are budget-minded and still look and feel great.
When looking for the best drugstore mascara, remember that you have lots of options. You can go for volume, length, bold colors, shimmer, conditioning, and so much more. And, of course, you may want to pick up a few instead of just one at a time. A woman has the right to change her mood, her mind, and her lash look, whenever she wants.
1. Milani Cosmetics Big & Bigger Lashes Maximum Volume Mascara
This mascara saturates each lash in pigment and conditioners via a full volume sculpting brush. It has a flat side that deposits just the right amount of mascara for clump-free results.
(Milani Cosmetics, $9)
2. Revlon Super Length Mascara
Long bristles on this mascara's brush helps to deliver plush length, and a tapered tip coats even the smallest lashes.
(Amazon)
3. NYX Professional® Makeup Double Stacked Mascara
This mascara's fiber formula stacks your lashes via three simple steps that lead to fuller, lusher lashes.
(Target, $7.49)
4. Wet n Wild Mascara Mega Protein
This formula is made of soy and wheat proteins, Acai oil, and D-Panthenol to help protect, strengthen, nourish and beautifully condition lashes to help make them fuller and thicker naturally.
(Amazon)
5. L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Mascara
This great mascara is a cult favorite for a reason, and resists clumping, softens lashes, and builds volume up to 5X their natural thickness!
(Amazon, $5.55)
6. e.l.f. Waterproof Length & Volume Mascara
The waterproof formula helps prevent clumps and is quick-drying. The brush head gives edge to edge control and even coating for multiple applications for length and volume.
(Walmart, $3)
7. Revlon Volumazing Mascara
Ultra creamy formula enriched with nourishing Carnauba and Olive waxes add to an amazing fanned out volume. Unique tapered brush designed with a curved center and wavy fibers act as mini reservoirs to load formula on even the smallest lash.
(Amazon)
8. Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara
This formula contains a touch of olive oil for up to 400 percent fuller, more beautifully conditioned lashes, and sweet almond to protect the outside of each lash.
(CVS, $9)
9. Burt's Bees Mascara
Made with Jojoba Oil and naturally moisturizing Glycerin to nourish lashes, this 100 percent natural mascara is gentle enough for your delicate eye area.
(CVS, $9.74)
10. Almay One Coat Thickening Mascara
This is one of Almay's top selling mascaras that are doctor tested and suitable for sensitive eyes. It guarantees 100 perfecnt thicker lashes that are non-clumping, extra gentle and non-irritating.
(CVS, $8.29)
11. Maybelline Great Lash Mascara
This mascara features a lash-doubling formula that glides on to build great-looking lashes. The lash-building brush makes it easy to get a full-lash look.
(Amazon)
12. CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara
LashBlast Volume Mascara instantly provides up to 10x more volume than bare lashes and achieve a big, bold lash look. The LashBlast volume-boosting, hypoallergenic formula and brush are designed to max out every lash.
(Target, $6.29)
13. Avon True Color Love at 1st Lash Mascara
This innovative heart shaped fiber mascara won’t weigh down lashes over time. The brush is made up of a combination of both short and long bristles. The shorter bristles create instant volume as the tapered tip can easily reach corners and lower lashes, while the longer bristles evenly comb through the lashes for perfect definition and total control in application.
(Avon, $10)
14. La Roche-Posay Respectissime Waterproof Mascara
This waterproof mascara is specifically formulated for sensitive eyes and is made up of texturizing waxes that are volume-enhancing and visibly amplify lash density with a lightweight texture that’s easy to remove.
(Amazon)
15. IsaDora Stretch Lash Mascara
Stretch Lash helps create customizable volume and lash length with its expandable 2-in-1 brush. It also comes in cool colors like dark blue or burgundy for when you want to go extra bold.
(Walgreens, $18)
16. Ardell Beauty Faux Mink Multi-Layering Mascara
Give lashes a luxurious faux mink look. With one indulgent coat, this mascara helps define the lashes by adding dimension and length for an effortless glamorous look.
(Amazon)
17. Gabriel Cosmetics Mascara
This formula is water-resistant and non-irritating with vitamin B-5 to lengthen and thicken lashes without clumping or smudging. The luxurious nylon brush is specially designed to expertly define the lashes with a tapered wand, and is enriched with herbal extracts to help protect each fragile eyelash and encourage maximum growth.
(Target, $16)
18. ModelCo LASHXTEND Mascara
LASHXTEND is a rich glossy, lengthening black mascara with innovative tube-technology. The formula forms water-resistant "tubes" around each and every lash for maximum definition and hold. Once applied, the lightweight, glossy formulation binds to lashes and will not run, smudge, clump or flake.
(Model Cosmetics, $25)
19. Pacifica Stellar Gaze Length & Strength Mascara
The long-lasting mascara not only looks good and stays in place once it's applied, but it supports the health of your lashes with an infusion of vitamin B and coconut oil. Let your lashes be the talk of the town with mascara designed to create and enhance your beautiful eyes.
(Target, $10.34)
20. TIGI Luxe Lash Mascara
Intensified with volume and length from root to tip, this fiber-packed formula creates thick, defined lashes. You also have the option of creating dramatic eyelashes that are a bit bolder.
(CVS, $17)
Aly Walansky is a NY-based lifestyles writer. Her work appears in dozens of digital and print publications regularly. Visit her on Twitter or email her at alywalansky@gmail.com.
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