The 10 Best Mascaras Of All Time – From Drugstore To Luxe
Buying your first mascara is like a rite of passage in the beauty world. You go to the store with your squad and look for the mascara that will bless you with longer, thicker lashes. After that, it’s the makeup bag staple you can’t live without. Even fake lash lovers like ourselves, can’t live without a good mascara. But this also means there are literally hundreds on the shelf, and most brands stock multiple mascaras for different lash effects. So, to help you guys pick the perfect mascara, we’ve rounded up 10 of our all-time faves from drugstore to luxe. Whether you want to add length and drama or you love a fluffy lash look, these mascaras do it all.
For Full, Thick Lashes: Too Faced Better Than Sex, $25
Source: Too Faced
While the name is a pretty wild claim, it’s a damn good mascara, which is why it’s pretty iconic in the beauty world. The brush itself is inspired by a woman’s hourglass figure and is designed to hug every curve of your lashes. The stiff bristles separate the lashes for definition and volume while simultaneously curling the lashes.
The collagen-infused formula is intensely black and boasts a film-forming polymer so it won’t smudge through the day. It’s one of our fave formulas!
We’re also BIG fans of the new Too Faced Damn Girl Mascara, which boasts a supersize wand and insane volume from root to tip. Check out our full review here.
For the Royal Treatment: Maybelline Lash Sensational Washable Mascara, $10
Source: Maybelline
If Meghan Markle uses and recommends a drugstore mascara, that’s all the proof we need to know this mascara is the one. But the actual wand and formula speak for themselves. The fanning brush has ten layers of bristles to separate and build drama to give a very full-lash effect.
The formula is also infused with three essential oils; rose oil, argan oil, and safflower oil to nourish the lashes and prevent them from looking brittle. There’s also a waterproof sister if you’re looking to sweat-proof your mascara.
For Fluttery, Wispy Lashes: YSL Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils, $29
Source: YSL
If you like your lashes to look super fluffy, long, and thick, this is the mascara for you. It gives your lashes that sexy wispy feel that we’re obsessed with. Plus, you can layer TF out of it and add drama and volume in minutes.
After six weeks of use – which btw is the average life expectancy of a mascara – it did get a little dry, but we added one drop of castor oil into the bottle and it softened up to give us another two weeks use. There is a little bit of fallout with this mascara (it’s a small price to pay for the level of volume) so check in on your bathroom trips!
For Lashes that Last: Benefit BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara, $25
Source: Benefit
This mascara has a cult following for a reason – the smudge-proof, water-resistant mascara adds INSANE drama in seconds.
The formula contains aero-particles, derived from space technology to add thickness without weighing down your lashes. It’s also infused with Provitamin B5 to help strengthen your lashes. The brush is slightly wider at the base, so you can reach the inner corners of your lashes, which makes application super easy and mess-free.
For Defined Drama: Lancome Hypnose Mascara Instant Full Body Volume, $28
Source: Hypnose
This mascara is an oldie but a goodie. You can use it every day or when you’re going all-out glam.
We love that it’s easily buildable as the patented brush reaches from root to tip to lengthen the lash while the formula (enriched with vitamin b5) thickens the lashes without clumping them together.
For MAJOR Volume: Maybelline The Colossal Big Shot Mascara, $9
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Source: Maybelline
If you want to achieve that false lash effect, this is the ultimate mascara. The long thick wand adds volume in just one coat as the wavy bristle cradle the lashes, allowing you to reach from root to tip.
The formula is infused with collagen to thicken and plump the lashes without looking clumpy. There can be a little fallout when this formula gets dry, so remember not to pump your mascara to increase the shelf-life.
For Fluffy Lash Lovers: Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes Statement Mascara, $23
Source: Tarte
This ultra-black mascara is ideal if you want to lengthen and curl your lashes without the risk of clumps. The rubber, dual-molded brush has shorter and longer bristles to separate and magnify the lashes to amp up your look.