Best Drugstore Mascara List Qualifications
Let’s be honest, it’s hard to make it onto the best drugstore mascara list. There are a million mascaras on the market, at various price points, and not all are good. But, you also don’t have to break the bank to get a good performing mascara. Here at Milabu HQ, we’ve put together a list of the best drugstore mascara products around $10. Keep scrolling for our top picks that deliver big results whatever your lash goal is. Bonus points, they’re easy on the wallet.
Here are some of the characteristics we look for in a mascara:
- (1) is it a lengthening mascara
- (2) does it provide separation/definition free of clumping
- (3) is it volumizing mascara with immediate intense pigment, and
- (4) minimal smudging/transferring or flaking.
- (5) extra benefits like is it a waterproof mascara, is it a clean Mascara…
In addition, the specific mascara claims should be met. If it claims volume, it best deliver great lash volume. After all, who wants a volumizing mascara that makes lashes fall flat?!
Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
Lash Sensational Mascara
Milabu Rating
Best For: Lash Volume, Lash lengthening, definition, curl, fuss free application
Wand Type: Curved fanning brush with 10 layers of silicone bristles
Mascara Formula(s): Liquid, Washable; Waterproof
Color Range: Very Black, Midnight Black, Blackest Black, Brownish Black
Extra Benefits: Ophthalmologist tested; Suitable for contact lens wearers
Why We Love it: Lash Sensational Maybelline Mascara is the industry standard in the value or drugstore category for a good reason, it’s good at everything. This might be the best drugstore mascara period. This formula has a long wear time that resists smudging, transfer, and flaking. Its intense black pigment gives a false lash effect and really gives that va-va-voom volume. We think this is the great affordable dupe for one of our faves, the iconic Lancome Lash Idole mascara.
Check out the individual post(s) (click the photo above) to see how it compares to other great mascara formulas. You will find detailed comparisons with ratings and reviews breaking it down to important features like: the best lengthening mascara, or the best mascara for volume. And let’s not forget best defining, curling, and waterproof mascara categories…
Milani Highly Rated Anti-Gravity Mascara
Highly Rated Anti-Gravity Mascara
Milabu Rating
Best For: Volume, length, intense black pigment
Wand Type: Hourglass shape boar bristles brush
Mascara Formula(s): Liquid, Washable
Color Range: Black
Extra Benefits: Formula contains castor oil, plus plant and fruit-based waxes; Up to 24 hours of wear; No clumping or smudging; Cruelty free; Vegan
Why We Love It: Milani Highly Rated Anti-Gravity Mascara is superb. It features an hourglass shaped brush that delivers intense black pigment and makes it easy to build volume. Lashes look lengthened and lifted, too. The formula isn’t too dry or wet, which makes it easy to work with and allows lashes to stay curled. The one thing we will say about this mascara is that it does flake throughout the day. However, there is no smudging and no transfer!
Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
Milabu Rating
Best For: Volume
Wand Type: Conical-shaped fiber brush
Mascara Formula(s): Liquid, Washable
Color Range: Black
Extra Benefits: Cruelty free; Vegan; Free of fragrance, oil, parabens, gluten, and alcohol
Why We Love It: At just shy of five bucks, this Essence Mascara is bomb. We love that False Lash Effect adds volume, length, and helps to lift lashes. These are important elements that I personally want out of a formula. The application is clump free, and the tapered brush makes it easy to coat those pesky inner corner lashes. If you are on a very tight budget, but still want a bang for your buck, this is why this makeup product makes the best drugstore mascara list.
We do want to note that this mascara can flake/smudge/transfer depending on skin type. To prevent as much as possible, we recommend always setting your under eye concealer.
CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara
Lash Blast Volume Mascara
Milabu Rating
Best For: Volume, length, separation
Wand Type: Spin shape brush
Mascara Formula(s): Liquid; Washable; Waterproof
Color Range: Black, Very Black, Black Brown, Brown
Extra Benefits: Cruelty free; Hypoallergenic
Why We Love It: This OG just brings out all the nostalgic vibes. Lash Blast is your classic mascara that does a bit of everything with a big focus on volume. It’s been reinvented many times over the years, but this orange tube is iconic. It even comes in a clean version now, which is just as good (if not better) than the original.
L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
Milabu Rating
Best For: Volume and length
Wand Type: Wavy hourglass-shaped brush
Mascara Formula(s): Liquid, Washable; Waterproof
Color Range: Black, Blackest Black, Mystic Black, Black Brown
Extra Benefits: Fragrance free; Suitable for sensitive eyes; Formula is infused with floral oil to condition lashes
Why We Love It: Ah, the classic L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara. This pink tube has been around the block and then some! Best for volume and length, this drugstore mascara has a long wear and smooth, clump free application. We love that this formula is fragrance free and doesn’t irritate sensitive eyes. It’s also a wallet-friendly dupe for the cult favorite Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, right down to a nearly identical wand!
L’Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes™ Mascara
Double Extend Beauty Tubes™ Mascara
Milabu Rating
Best For: Longevity, length, and separation; Easy removal
Wand Type: Dense boar bristles
Mascara Formula(s): Tubing
Color Range: Black; Blackest Black
Extra Benefits: Primer is infused with Ceramide R and D-Panthenol to protect and strengthen lashes; Removes easily with just warm water; Ophthalmologist and allergy tested; Suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers
Why We Love It: L’Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes™ Mascara is a two-in-one mascara and primer. This tubing mascara gives lashes length, separation, and subtle volume. It has a quick set formula that can clump, so its best to build intensity while the formula is still wet. The best part about this mascara is its budge proof formula that has no flaking, smudging, or transfer. Plus, it removes easily with just warm water at the end of the night!
What Are Milabu Picks?
Milabu Picks are makeup products that lead the industry in their price categories (i.e. value, pro-grade, luxury) and product type. These products are reviewed and chosen by the Milabu team on a yearly basis. Many of these makeup products exceed the industry standard favorites, and some of them are, to this day, the industry standard leading the makeup industry.
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Edited by Maddie