Whether you want to crank volume up to 11 or just want something that won’t leave you spider-lashed, there is truly a tube of mascara out there for everyone — and it’s not unusual to be very particular about what you coat your lashes with. But what if your priority is saving some cash? Do great mascaras that don’t break the bank really exist?
Luckily, the answer to that is a resounding “hell yes.” Ahead, we’ve rounded up the top mascaras for just about every need — including two picks from our 2019 Beauty Innovator Awards — that won’t cost you more than your favorite brunch order. Click through and find your heart’s desire in a tube. Your lashes, and your bank account, will thank you.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission. Check out the rest of the 2019 Beauty Innovator Award winners.
Covergirl Exhibitionist Mascara
Lengthening
This 2019 BIA winner visibly lengthens and thickens after just one — yes, as in a single — coat. Plus, the curvy wand helps grip and coat the tiniest of lashes.
COVERGIRL Exhibitionist Mascara, $, available at Walmart
L’Oréal Unlimited Length and Lift Mascara
Lengthening
The bendy wand on L’Oréal’s new Unlimited mascara defies everything we thought we knew about drugstore mascaras. However, the genius behind the flexible wand goes much deeper than novelty factor alone: It allows you to get this close to the lash line to coat each lash from root to tip.
L’Oreal Paris Unlimited Length and Lift Mascara, $, available at Amazon
Milani Dangerous Lengths 3D Mascara
Lengthening
If you’re looking for ultra-fluttery, defined lashes, then this curling and lengthening formula is the one for you.
Milani Dangerous Lengths 3D Mascara, $, available at Ulta Beauty
Revlon Super Length Mascara
Lengthening
Revlon’s lengthening mascara has a fiber formula that helps to extend each lash, and a plush brush also helps with volume for long, lush lashes.
Revlon Super Length Mascara – Blackest Black, $, available at Walmart
Physicians Formula Eyelash Enhancer
This dual mascara kit is the easiest way to apply false(-ish) lashes, ever. The set comes with a black lengthening mascara, as well as an “extensions” wand, which is a spoolie for applying false-lash fibers. All you have to do is apply a swipe of black mascara, another swipe of the extensions fibers, and then seal it all in with the black mascara. That’s it — and you’ll have lashes that look like falsies. Plus, you’ll have saved all that time it takes to glue on a strip.
L’Oréal Voluminous Carbon Black Volume Building Mascara
This mascara is an editor and consumer favorite for a reason: It seriously plumps lashes. The fat brush has hundreds of tiny bristles that grab every hair and coat it with a volumizing formula that layers easily without veering into clumpy or crunchy territories.
Maybelline Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Mascara
This formula promises to give your lashes the same treatment that a stop-them-in-your-tracks pair of Loubs does to your confidence.
Almay Get Up & Grow Extreme Length Mascara
The name says it all: Almay’s Get Up & Grow not only lengthens, but its conditioning formula helps strengthen your lashes over time.
Almay Extreme Length Mascara, $, available at Amazon
E.l.f. Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara
Think you can’t get much for $4? E.L.F.’s mascara will give you long and fuller lashes for just four bucks.
Maybelline Volum’ Express The Rocket Waterproof Mascara
Waterproof
This mascara is a classic for a reason — its densely packed plastic bristles make it super-easy to coat every single lash with a layer of its volumizing formula. Add a little waterproof action into the mix, and your mascara won’t be going anywhere — whether you’re sweating it up at the gym or trudging through a rainstorm.
Maybelline Volum’ Express The Rocket Waterproof Mascara, $, available at Walmart
COVERGIRL LashBlast Volume Mascara
CoverGirl’s original Lashblast Volume mascara is one of our favorites. But when we need our makeup to last all day (sans raccoon eyes), we always reach for the waterproof version.
Avon Wash-Off Waterproof Mascara
Want to wear mascara to the gym? This one won’t run down your face after a 45-minute sweat session.
COVERGIRL LashBlast Clump Crusher
Clump-Stopping
There’s a reason this tube is a favorite among quite a few of our beauty editors. Coat after coat, you’ll never see a single clump.
L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Mascara
The secret of L’Oréal Voluminous Butterfly is the butterfly wing-shaped wand. It combs through each lash for a perfectly even application.
Any mascara with the name Doll Eye has got to give your lashes a serious volume boost, right? And that’s just what this formula does — at a very pretty price.
Pixi by Petra Lash Lift
Volumizing
If you’re looking for the ultimate eye-opening effect, this dual set will give you exactly that, thanks to a larger wand meant for volumizing and lengthening and a finer precision brush that gets into the inner and outer corners for fanned-out lashes.
Maybelline Total Temptation Mascara
The whipped formula, which contains coconut extract, helps separate lashes to create are they real?-level volume.
Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
This cone-shaped brush helps whip the wimpiest of lashes into glam territory.
Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Primer
This lash duo from Honest Beauty helps to create both length and volume at the same time. First, the primer protects and nourishes the lashes while also intensifying the color. Then, the mascara goes on extra-smooth to lift and amplify each and every lash.
Essence Lash Princess Volume Mascara
Consider this mascara a Wonderbra for your lashes. It lifts, separates, and makes every individual lash look bigger.
Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies Mascara
For those of us who love wet mascaras that are almost too goopy on the wand, this is the stuff of magic. Whether you have long or short lashes, this not only volumizes them, but also makes them look darker.
Haven’t tried Great Lash yet? You’re missing out. There’s a reason this lash-bulking formula has been a favorite among pros for decades.
L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara
This mascara will seriously beef up limp lashes thanks to its full, thick brush and volumizing formula.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
This fluffy brush creates fluttering lashes that won’t sag or fall throughout the day. Plus, the formula can be layered for serious drama.
This mascara does such a stellar job of separating and defining lashes that we would be happy if that were its only trick. But it also contains conditioners geared to help lashes grow, too.
Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Nourishing Mascara
Conditioning
We’re sure Emma Watson would agree that finding a natural mascara that defines lashes and lasts all day is a challenge. Then, Burt’s Bees launched its first full makeup collection and blessed our sensitive eyes with this lightweight formula that perfectly separates and won’t smudge in the heat.
Essence Forbidden Volume Mascara, $4.49, available at Ulta Beauty.
Lovatics by Demi Mascara, $4.47, available at Walmart.
Circa Beauty Absolute Lash Icon Mascara, $12, available at Walgreens.
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