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The best drugstore mascaras can hold their own against high-end mascaras that cost three times as much—and oftentimes, they're even better. If you’ve written off the mascaras you swore by in high school, consider this your reminder that some classics earn their longevity. Take OGs like L’Oréal Paris’ Telescopic Mascara and CoverGirl Clump Crusher, for example: It's proof that a true classic never loses its charm.
To find the best mascaras in the drugstore aisle, we turned to two makeup artists and cosmetic chemists. Today’s drugstore mascaras are more advanced than ever, meeting every lash need: buildable volume without clumps, natural-looking separation and definition, noticeable length that feels weightless, and subtle tints that last long after the mascara's gone.
Our Top Drugstore Mascaras
- Best Overall: L'Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Waterproof Mascara, $15
- Best for Lifting: Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara, $14
- Best Tinted: Almay Thickening & Tint Mascara, $10
- Best for Lengthening: Milani Highly Rated Lash Extensions Tubing Mascara, $14
- Best for Volume: L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara, $13
- Best Waterproof: Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara, $5
- Best for Defining: CoverGirl Clump Crusher Extension Mascara, $13
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What drugstore mascaras do dermatologists recommend?
- What ingredients should you look for in mascaras for more mature lashes?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Ahead, discover seven of the best mascaras that beauty editors keep coming back to for that falsies-like look at home, and why these budget-friendly staples deserve a permanent spot in your routine.
Best Overall: L'Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Waterproof Mascara
L'Oréal Paris
Telescopic Original Waterproof Mascara
Ulta Beauty
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Waterproof Mascara
Sarah Han
Why we love it: When it comes to ultra-defined length, L’Oréal’s Telescopic Original Waterproof Mascara is unmatched. Its agile precision brush features tiny elastomer bristles that comb through lashes, lifting, separating, and extending each one for clean, skyward length without clumping. The formula glides on seamlessly and locks into place for a long-wearing, smudge-proof finish that resists humidity, tears, and sweat. Despite its staying power, it still feels lightweight and comfortable from morning to night. It’s also a standout for those with sensitive eyes or contact lenses.
Han before applying the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Waterproof Mascara
Sarah Han
Han after applying the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Waterproof Mascara
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“My short lashes and I adore how skinny and precise this mascara wand is—thicker wands often result in smudging, no matter how careful I am. This one separates as well as it lengthens—which is to say, very well—and it helps my lashes actually hold a curl (with an assist from a lash curler, of course). It’s my ideal lash look: not too dramatic (although you can certainly build it up), but just enough that you notice a ~fluttering~ effect. The waterproof claims are definitely true because I walked up and down Flushing in the middle of a light rainstorm and teared up multiple times watching a drama, and through it all, Telescopic stayed put.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
Expert feedback from makeup artist Zak Taylor
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“This is an all-time favorite for me. I can never get mascaras to keep my lashes curled except this one! It has a really thin wand (perfect for people with smaller lashes) that combs through every lash for amazing length, but the waterproof formula keeps them stuck and curled, and it does not budge! This one doesn't add much volume, so it's gonna be for someone who likes their lashes to look long but not full.” —Zak Taylor, makeup artist
More to know
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- Key ingredients: carnauba wax, beeswax, rice bran wax
- Benefits: lengthening, defining, clump-free, waterproof
- Shades: Black
Best for Lifting: Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
Maybelline New York
Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure contributor Jailynn Taylor applying the Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
Jailynn Taylor
Why we love it: If you have straight or flat lashes, Maybelline New York’s Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara can help them stay lifted and defined. The flexible “Flex Tower” brush bends to grab every lash, stretching them upward for a fanned-out, eye-opening effect. The buildable formula delivers noticeable volume and length without stiffness or flaking, keeping lashes soft and separated all day. Infused with bamboo extract and collagen, it nourishes and strengthens while maintaining a smooth, lifted curl with every coat. Additionally, it’s designed with sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers in mind, ensuring comfortable wear from morning to night.
Taylor before applying the Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
Jailynn Taylor
Taylor after applying the Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
Jailynn Taylor
Tester feedback from contributor Jailynn Taylor
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“On days when I skip my usual lash clusters, this Sky High Mascara never lets me down. It gives my barely-there lashes a lifted, defined look without weighing them down. I’m constantly touching my face and eyes, yet this formula doesn’t flake into my contacts or smudge across my makeup. And while black is my everyday go-to (it’s a true pigmented inky shade), I keep the Burgundy Haze shade nearby for when I want a warmer finish that makes my brown eyes pop.”—Jailynn Taylor, contributor
Expert feedback from Taylor
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“This one is great because it adds lots of length and a bit of volume, but isn't a clumpy formula. I find this one to be really popular with mascara lovers. People who don't necessarily go for the false lash look but like their lashes to look nice and long. It's my 14-year-old sister's favorite: She is very picky with mascaras and consistently repurchases this one!” —Zak Taylor, makeup artist
More to know
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- Key ingredients: bamboo extract, soluble collagen, carnauba wax
- Benefits: lifting, lengthening, volumizing
- Shades: Blackest Black, Black, Brownish Black, Brown, Purple, Burgundy, Silver, Blue, Green
Best for Defining: CoverGirl Clump Crusher Extension Mascara
CoverGirl
Clump Crusher Extension Mascara
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure senior editor Sarah Felbin applying CoverGirl Clump Crusher Extensions Mascara
Sarah Felbin
Why we love it: No one wants spidery lashes, which is exactly why CoverGirl Clump Crusher Extension Mascara lives up to its name. Its curved brush features fine, comb-like bristles that separate and define while building volume, and the straight edge contours to the lash line to hug every curve and catch even the tiniest corner lashes. The formula layers cleanly with no flakes, stiffness, or smudging. Despite its lightweight texture, it grips and lifts for long-lasting curl and definition. Infused with conditioning ingredients like soybean oil and vitamin E, it keeps lashes soft, flexible, and feathery all day long.
Felbin before applying the CoverGirl Clump Crusher Extension Mascara
Sarah Felbin
Felbin after applying the CoverGirl Clump Crusher Extension Mascara
Sarah Felbin
Tester feedback from senior editor Sarah Felbin
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“I'm very picky about mascara, but this one meets all of my high standards. It makes my lashes look so long and never smudges or flakes, even in high humidity or a thunderstorm. The curved wand fits my lashes exactly and makes it easy to coat every single one. My tip: Use it on the ends of your lashes after you've applied a different mascara for long, curled lashes that last all day (without the hassle of removing waterproof mascara).” —Sarah Felbin, senior editor
Expert feedback from Marie
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“CoverGirl’s Clump Crusher Extension Mascara is a great lengthening mascara that lifts, separates, and defines for a clump-free finish. The curved, fine-tooth applicator and wet formula make it easy to coat each lash evenly from root to tip. For extra volume, apply a second coat while the formula is still tacky. Overall, it’s long-wearing and resists smudging or flaking, even on active days. The small wand is also ideal for bottom lashes, and I love using a dental micro applicator to mimic the wand for precise application on my clients.” —Jada Marie, makeup artist
More to know
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- Key ingredients: panthenol, glycine soja (soybean) oil, tocopherol (vitamin E)
- Benefits: defining, volumizing, non-clumping
- Shades: Black, Very Black, Black Brown
Best for Tinting: Almay Thickening & Tint Mascara
Almay
Thickening & Tint Mascara
Amazon
Allure manager of creative development Lauren Alberti applying the Almay Thickening & Tint Mascara
Lauren Alberti
Why we love it: For naturally darker, fuller-looking lashes over time, Almay's Thickening & Tint Mascara delivers both instant and long-term results. The dual-action formula provides immediate volume and gradually deepens your natural lash color with regular use, so they look fuller even on bare-faced days. A lash-care complex and plant-derived powders condition lashes with every application, keeping them soft, smooth, and clump-free. The precision wand distributes pigment evenly for a lifted, defined finish that resists flaking and smudging throughout the day.
Alberti before applying the Almay Thickening & Tint Mascara
Lauren Alberti
Alberti after applying the Almay Thickening & Tint Mascara
Lauren Alberti
Tester feedback from the manager of creative development Lauren Alberti
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“This has quickly become a part of my daily makeup routine. Mascara may seem simple, but things can quickly go awry. After several months of use, this mascara has yet to fail me. It's gotten through sweaty subway rides, getting caught in the rain without an umbrella, and days out at the beach. Without mascara, my eyelashes are almost nonexistent, and since using this Almay mascara, I get complimented for having nice, long eyelashes much more often than before. It stays on great, doesn't give raccoon eyes at the end of the day, and makes my lashes nice and thick.” —Lauren Alberti, manager of creative development
More to know
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- Key ingredients: lash-caring complex, plant-derived powders
- Benefits: tinting, thickening, conditioning, long-lasting, non-flaking
- Shades: Black, Blackest black, Brown
More drugstore mascaras we love:
Best for Length: Milani Highly Rated Lash Extensions Tubing Mascara
Milani
Highly Rated Lash Extensions Tubing Mascara
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: Get the “I-just-got-lash-extensions” look at home with Milani’s Highly Rated Lash Extensions Tubing Mascara. The tubing formula wraps each lash in flexible, tube-like polymers that stretch and lift from root to tip. The wand's slim, spiked bristles are ideal for short lashes, catching even the tiniest ones along the inner corners, fanning them out evenly for a fluttery effect. It's 16-hour, smudge-proof wear means no flakes under your eyes by midday, and when you’re ready to remove it, the tubes slide off cleanly with just warm water. Infused with shea butter and castor seed oil, the formula nourishes and conditions lashes as you wear it, making it ideal for those who want length without compromising lash health.
Expert feedback from makeup artist Jada Marie
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“I love this mascara as a safe option for everyday wear since it’s a wet formula with rubbery consistency; unlike other mascaras, it stays smooth instead of stiff and flaky. In my experience, it can weigh the lashes down if too much is applied at the root. To avoid weighing lashes down, I curl first and apply from mid-lash to tip rather than at the root. It can smudge slightly during application, so I usually wear it without a full glam for easy clean-up. However, it wears beautifully throughout the day and removes effortlessly—just add warm water and gently slide the tubes off with your fingers. Very satisfying!” —Jada Marie, makeup artist
More to know
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- Key ingredients: shea butter, castor seed oil, carnauba wax
- Benefits: lengthening, lifting, smudge-proof, non-flaking
- Shades: Black, Brown
Best for Volume: L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
L'Oréal Paris
Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: The L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara lives up to its lush name. The wavy brush, packed with over 200 bristles, hugs every lash to build instant body and fan them out evenly for a dense, wide-eyed effect. Its silky formula glides on effortlessly, creating more volume and nearly doubling your lash length. Infused with a conditioning blend of floral oils and beeswax, it keeps lashes soft and flexible even after multiple coats, while resisting smudging and flaking. Whether you opt for one coat or three, this volume mascara won’t weigh your lashes down, instead providing fluttery fullness that transitions seamlessly from day to night.
Expert feedback from Marie
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“L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara is my absolute favorite and holy-grail drugstore mascara. For those with longer lashes or bigger eye shapes like me, the large wand on this mascara is made for you! The thick formula layers beautifully, adding both volume and length, to deliver a beautiful glam moment. The applicator can be tricky for bottom lashes. I recommend using a micro applicator for a precise, smudge-free application. —Jada Marie, makeup artist
More to know
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- Key ingredients: carnauba wax, beeswax, flower oils
- Benefits: volumizing, lengthening, smudge-resistant
- Shades: Black, Blackest Black, Black Brown, Brown
Best Waterproof: Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara
Essence
Lash Princess False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: Waterproof mascaras can be hit or miss, but Essence’s Lash Princess False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara delivers defined lashes that stay put through sweat, tears, and rainy days. The formula grips every lash, holding curl and adding noticeable volume without flaking or smudging. Its conical-shaped fiber brush fans lashes outward for a visibly soft, fluttery finish. Despite the budge-proof wear, removal is easy; just a little oil-based remover takes everything off without tugging. Infused with panthenol (a humectant that attracts and retains moisture), jojoba seed oil, and vitamin E, it conditions as it lengthens, so lashes feel as good as they look. But the best part? It’s only $4.
Expert feedback from Taylor
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“I love this formula because it's very affordable but brings the drama! These Essence mascaras are definitely for the mascara lovers who want lots of volume and length. I prefer the waterproof formula for all-day wear, but you just have to make sure you have an oil makeup remover or cleanser to remove these formulas.” —Zak Taylor, makeup artist
More to know
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- Key ingredients: panthenol, jojoba seed oil, tocopherol (vitamin E)
- Benefits: waterproof, lengthening, volumizing, smudge-resistant
- Shades: Black
Frequently Asked Questions
What drugstore mascaras do dermatologists recommend?
When it comes to finding the right formula, cosmetic chemist Laura Lam-Phaure notes that “evaluating mascaras is very individualistic based on lash type, and wear needs.” “For someone with thinner lashes, going with a molded wand such as the Maybelline New York Lash Sensational and CoverGirl Lash Blast,” she says. “Where someone with fuller lashes is better with Fiber Wands such as L’Oréal Paris Lash Paradise and Essence Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara.” Ultimately, Lam-Phaure explains, the best pick depends on personal goals: “Selecting the type of mascara to use in terms of formula should be based on what results a person wants, such as pigment load, water resistance, wear time, etc.”
What ingredients should you look for in mascaras for more mature lashes?
“For more mature lashes, assuming that means that lashes are on the thinner and on the weaker side,” says Lam-Phaure. “Off the bat, work with a molded wand.” She adds that certain formulas can help enhance the appearance of sparse lashes: “A tubing mascara may be helpful here to give the illusion of thicker and darker lashes; the ingredient you are looking for here is acrylates/tthylhexyl acrylate copolymer.” And for long-term lash health, Lam-Phaure recommends looking for strengthening actives: “It is always nice to see formulas containing panthenol and peptides to help reinforce the strength of the lashes as well in the long term.”
Meet the experts
- Jada Marie, a makeup artist in Brooklyn, NY
- Zak Taylor, a makeup artist in Indianapolis, IN
- Laura Lam-Phaure, a cosmetic chemist in Los Angeles, CA
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best drugstore mascara, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from two dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
