Best Drugstore Mascaras by BestofMakeupAlley

May/09/2025#Mascara#Drugstore
Related attributes:
Mascara
Article Image

Mascara is the ultimate beauty game-changer - just a few swipes can take your lashes from barely-there to bold and beautiful. Great news is that you don’t have to splurge on high-end brands to get those fluttery, voluminous results. Drugstore aisles are packed with hidden gems that deliver dramatic length, sky-high volume, and all-day wear, often for less than the price of your morning latte. Whether you’re a makeup newbie or a seasoned pro, we’ve rounded up the best drugstore mascaras that truly live up to the hype. Get ready to meet your new lash BFFs, no fancy price tag required!

The recommended products by MakeupAlley users for "Mascara"

48 MakeupAlley members posted reviews and ratings for Maybelline New YorkLash Sensational Sky High Mascara related to "Mascara".

5.0
Created with Sketch.
I bought this mascara based on good reviews and deciding to try a brown mascara (I have blonde hair and hazel eyes). First, I love tubing mascaras, of which this mascara is one per the Maybelline website (there is some confusion around that). Like all tubing mascaras, it applies very wet; it is best to apply more layers when the one before is still wet; and it is easily removed with water. Maybelline advertises volume and length from this mascara, but don’t like the crusty look one gets from applying too much mascara, so I apply only one to two thin layers to achieve length. Most tubing...

About reviewer (344 reviews)

Age44-55

SkinSensitive, Fair, Cool

HairBlond, Wavy, Fine

EyesHazel

70 MakeupAlley members posted reviews and ratings for essenceLash Princess Mascara related to "Mascara".

5.0
Created with Sketch.
from
Because I have sensitive eyes, dry eyes and allergies I replace my mascara almost monthly therefore buying a HE mascara is economically prohibitive. This mascara came recommended so I bit. I have to say I really, really like this product. I love the heft of the tube, the brush, how it thickens and holds a curl all day and its pitch black color.. I have had no issues with flaking or damage to my lashes. I remove this (and all m/u) with a micellar water saturated swissper. I will repurchase and will try other Essence mascara in the future. For the price I suggest you try this one.

About reviewer (392 reviews)

Age56 & Over

SkinSensitive, Fair, Neutral

HairBlond, Wavy, Fine

EyesBlue

4 MakeupAlley members posted reviews and ratings for e.l.f. CosmeticsLash XTNDR related to "Mascara".

5.0
Created with Sketch.
Love how this is a drier formula than some others because it doesn’t weigh my lashes down since I already have a hard time with getting them to hold a curl. Tubing formulas are my favourite mascara formulas because they do not smudge or flake as much as regular mascaras, which my eyes appreciate given I have allergies and tend to have itching and watering occurring often. The tube is black with a teal cap, and not oversized. The wand is rubbery/silicone spiky cone shaped and does an excellent job of applying product without clumping. Great affordable mascara, highly recommend if you...

About reviewer (1194 reviews)

Age56 & Over

SkinDry, Fair-Medium, Cool

HairBrunette, Wavy, Medium

EyesBlue

4 MakeupAlley members posted reviews and ratings for L'Oreal ParisMillion Lashes Panorama Mascara related to "Mascara".

4.0
Created with Sketch.
Panorama's a good mascara, and I think other people will like it more than I do. The non-waterproof version is already water resistant and doesn't smudge on me. It flakes a bit though, which I've experienced with other tubing mascaras. It does a good job at lengthening, but it doesn't hold a curl at all on straight lashes. It's not that big of a deal since I think it looks good anyways, but I still prefer the look of gravity defying, super waterproof Asian mascaras that don't bring my lashes back to default position. It's tubing (found out by accident), but I've had success with using...

About reviewer (58 reviews)

Age19-24

SkinAcne-prone, Fair, Warm

HairBrunette, Straight, Medium

EyesHazel

798 MakeupAlley members posted reviews and ratings for COVERGIRLClump Crusher Mascara related to "Mascara".

4.0
Created with Sketch.
Well, I'm pleasantly surprised! I decided to give this a shot since mascara clumping is one of my big makeup peeves, and this did not disappoint. I found it drier than some mascaras, but it applied easily and the slight dryness contributed to holding a curl. And although I found the applicator a bit awkward to work with at first, after a minute or two I got the hang of it and found the end of the wand very effective for getting corner lashes. I got what I consider to be decent length and volume, but I prefer a natural look for daytime. It wore well--no flaking or smudging--and came off...

About reviewer (1217 reviews)

Age56 & Over

SkinDry, Fair-Medium, Neutral

HairBrown, Other, Medium

EyesBlue

7 MakeupAlley members posted reviews and ratings for e.l.f. CosmeticsLash 'N Roll Mascara related to "Mascara".

4.0
Created with Sketch.
from
My favorite drugstore mascara other than Maybelline Lash Stiletto waterproof(double the price of elf) I have very straight lashes that point down and this mascara is not labeled waterproof but it holds an ok curl. It doesn't smudge even after sweaty workout and doesn't flake. The curled brush doesn't bother me and isn't messy for my almond shaped hooded eyes. I want to try this in Deep Brown too but I heard it isnt that much difference to the Black that I have. It isn't too wet or dry of a formula and so affordable

About reviewer (746 reviews)

Age30-35

SkinCombination, Fair, Neutral

HairBlack, Straight, Medium

EyesBrown

4 MakeupAlley members posted reviews and ratings for MILANIHighly Rated Lash Extensions related to "Mascara".

5.0
Created with Sketch.
Dupe for Caliray Come He’ll or High Water for half the price. Does not dry out as fast as Caliray. Easy to remove with warm water and a washcloth. Really makes lashes long with some volume. Lasts all day. I only wear tubing mascara now, and this has the #1 spot in my rotation. Made in Italy.

About reviewer (561 reviews)

Age56 & Over

SkinCombination, Fair-Medium, Neutral

HairSilver, Straight, Fine

EyesHazel