After working for 10 years as a beauty reporter, I’ve tried my hand at a number of drugstore mascaras. What I love so much about this beauty product is that it’s accessible, affordable and (makeup artists agree!) made with high-quality ingredients that actually take your lashes from flat to fabulous.
When I don’t have any mascara on my eyes, my lashes tend to stick out straight instead of curling upwards. That’s why I’m super particular about which mascara brushes and formulas help achieve the results of sky-high lashes that I’m after.
To help you narrow down your options at the drugstore the next time you’re in need of a mascara restock, we asked makeup artists to list out their favorite affordable finds at the local store.
What to look for | Best drugstore mascara, according to experts | Best drugstore mascara, according to editors | How we chose | Meet the experts
What to look for while shopping
While shopping for the best drugstore mascara, you'll want to take two things into consideration: your budget and your unique beauty goals.
Makeup artist Azesha Ramcharan tells Shop TODAY, "To get the best value, it pays to price check at different drugstores when mascara shopping." Ramcharan continues, "Sometimes there are great deals depending on the store."
When it comes to your specific makeup needs, celebrity makeup artist Elaina Badro says you should "begin by thinking about what you want your lashes to appear like." She continues, "Lengthened? Volumized? Curled? Then go from there."
Badro also notes the importance of determining whether or not the mascara you're buying is "smudge-proof and/or water-resistant."
Best drugstore mascaras, according to experts
Essence Lash Princess Mascara
- Over 200,000 five-star ratings
- Adds significant volume
- May be flakey
Colors available: 2 | Waterproof option available? Yes
“My holy grail waterproof mascara is the Essence Beauty — Lash Princess False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara,” says Nydia Figueroa, a celebrity makeup artist based in New York and New Jersey. “This formula is beautiful and lasts all day with no smudging and gives your eyes a false lash effect!”
Plus, the conical-shaped fiber wand helps lift and separate each lash so they reach the sky each time you blink.
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara
- Doesn't clump or smudge
- Can be easily removed
- Doesn't add enough volume for some
Colors available: 8 | Waterproof option available? Yes
“Maybelline’s Great Lash mascara is an absolute classic,” says Badro. “This mascara was one of the first to be water-based. This allows for easy removal of the mascara. It’s also great because you can build with it: coat after coat lengthening and colonizing clump-free.”
Jess Bender, a senior editor at Shop TODAY, also uses Great Lash mascara. She says, "When I think of timeless beauty products, my mind goes straight to this classic Maybelline mascara with its vibrant pink tube and green top."
Bender continues, "I learned how to apply mascara for the first time using this option, and my mom always packed me some in various care packages from college onward. It’s a no-frills formula, but it does exactly as advertised: make my lashes long and luscious."
L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara
- Doesn't clump on lashes
- Provides good volume
- May smudge easily
Colors available: 7 | Waterproof option? Yes
Makeup artist and expert Deanna Paley says this mascara is a must-have in her daily makeup kit. “It’s jet black which I love and builds bold beautiful lashes full of volume,” says Paley. Plus, it “doesn’t clump up or flake and stays put.”
There are so many different versions of this mascara, including the L’Oreal Voluminous Panorama Washable Mascara, which Paley also loves. “This is a new one I’ve been loving,” she says. “It separates lashes beautifully and gives a fanned out doll-like effect. The applicator allows you to reach every lash including inner corners. Doesn’t feel heavy and won’t smudge or clump up.”
Covergirl Lash Blast Clean Mascara
- Good for sensitive eyes
- Creates a "bold" lash look
- Some experienced clumping
Colors available: 6 | Waterproof option? Yes
Covergirl has decided not to test its products on animals since 2018, ever since then, their clean beauty line has been expanding. This clean version of the Lash Blast mascara became an instant hit.
“I always have Covergirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara in my kit,” says Ramcharan. “I love this formula because it’s lightweight, applies smoothly and leaves lashes full of natural volume. Since the ingredients don’t include mineral oil, talc or sulfates it’s suitable for even the most sensitive eyes.”
Honest Beauty Extreme Length 2-in-1 Mascara
- Doesn't clump or smudge
- Creates a "fuller" lash look
- May dry out quickly
Colors available: 1 | Waterproof option? N/A
Since this mascara loads up primer and mascara in one formula, you can say sayonara to falsies once and for all. Makeup artist Stephanie G-M loves this formula for its ingredients list, which she says “doesn’t have anything questionable in it.” She also loves that it provides a natural look without having to load up on primer, “so it’s versatile for day and night looks.” On top of all that, it holds up well overtime for being a clean mascara.
Best drugstore mascaras, according to editors
L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Mascara
- Goes on smoothly
- None to note at this time
Colors available: 4 | Waterproof option? Yes
Kara Quill, a social media editor at Shop TODAY, says she "absolutely love[s] this mascara and have for many years!" Quill continues, "The applicator fans out at the bottom to really flare out the eyelashes furthest from your tear duct, giving it a fanned out look. I am constantly buying this mascara. I have tried many other brands/type and while I’ve found some I think, I always come back to this one."
Maybelline Volum' Express The Rocket Mascara
- Affordable
- Adds volume
- None to note at this time
Colors available: 4 | Waterproof option? Yes
Allie Wise, an associate editor at Shop TODAY, says she "love, love, love[s] this mascara!" Wise continues, "It goes on smooth, is long lasting and makes my lashes look extra long. I use the blackest black shade and it does wonders for my lashes! Highly recommend."
Maybelline Sky High Mascara
- Tube lasts a long time
- Gives excellent volume
- Dries out quickly if left open
Colors available: 5 | Waterproof option? Yes
Amanda Fama, a commerce editor at Shop TODAY, saw this Maybelline mascara on Instagram one day and has been using it ever since. She says, "I'm always shocked at how much volume this mascara gives my lashes. I've gone through multiple tubes of Sky High and don't plan on changing that anytime soon."
L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Lift Washable Mascara
- Lengthening
- Very pigmented
- A little hard to take off
Colors available: 5 | Waterproof option? Yes
Alexandra Deabler, the deputy editorial director at Shop TODAY, recommends this popular mascara from L'Oreal Paris. She says, "This went viral on TikTok a while ago, and for good reason. It really is lengthening and volumizing. I’ve written about it in the past, but I get compliments seriously every single time I wear it."
How we chose
These picks for top drugstore mascaras come directly from the experience of makeup artists who keep these as their go-to mascaras in their makeup kits. We also included editor-approved drugstore mascara from editors on the Shop TODAY team.
Meet the experts
- Elaina Badro is a California-based celebrity makeup artist who's also the CEO and founder of her own makeup brush line, the Elaina Badro® Elite Brush Collection.
- Azesha Ramcharan is a certified professional makeup artist who's located in the Hudson Valley of New York.
- Nydia Figueroa is an experienced celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert who works in both New York and New Jersey.
- Deanna Paley is a celebrity makeup artist and expert with over 450,000 Instagram followers. She's based in Los Angeles.
- Stephanie G-M is an Austin-based celebrity makeup artist who's worked in various cities including New York City, Los Angeles and London.