I've Tried Dozens of Mascaras, and the Best Ones Are All Drugstore Formulas Under $15

Yahoo

24-06-2025

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
I'm not gonna lie, there are times where I love splurging on luxury beauty products like perfumes and skincare devices, but one product that does the job just as well (if not better) than its luxe rivals, is drugstore mascara. Some of my favorite $10 formulas have the same wands, innovations, and results as $40 tubes (and they're all available online so you don't need to shlep to your local CVS or Walgreens to search for it).
Team Cosmo has been curating this list of the best drugstore mascaras for literal years, and we also consulted makeup artist Neil Scibelli for his insight and picks.
Find all of the best drugstore mascaras, ahead, including favorites from Maybelline, L'Oreal, Covergirl, and more. Then, if you still can't choose (don't blame ya), read on for a guide to choosing the best mascara for you.This mascara adds length and volume to every single lash, from the itsy-bitsy ones in the inner corner of the lid to the outer lashes that are prone to clumping. It makes my eyes look so open, since it also separates each lash and fans them out.
Don't just take my word for it, though: Scibelli also raves about this mascara, calling it his latest drugstore favorite. "It truly gives your lashes a dramatic, wide-awake finish without clumping or smudging," he says. "The brush hits all angles of the lashes, too—you have the option of using the smaller side for separating every individual lash or the wider side for volume and thickness."
One editor says: "The highest praise I can give a product is bringing it on a trip—because when that's the only option I have, it'd better do its job. And on a recent trip, the only mascara I stashed in my bag was L'Oreal Panorama. And I genuinely enjoyed every single minute of swiping it onto my lashes."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
$12.97 at amazon.comNot only is this viral mascara from Maybelline ideal for lengthening, curling, and volumizing your lashes, but it also comes in more color options than you'll ever need. I'm talking three different shades of black, a pretty shade of maroon, and it even has some glitter finishes. My personal favorite is the brown, pictured above, and more on that below.
One editor says: "As someone with pretty long lashes (sorry not to flex) I do need some help in the darkening department. I don't love a stark black mascara at all times, and Maybelline's Sky High Mascara makes my favorite brown shade for a defined yet natural lash."—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
$12.99 at ulta.comI can't believe in the year 2025 there is a mascara that still clocks in at $5 a tube (and I'm def not complaining!). Essence's Lash Princess is a hero for making your lashes look long and full, but still defined and not clumpy whatsoever. Need more proof? More than 250,000+ five-star reviewers on Amazon agree.
One editor says: "Out of all the affordable mascaras I've tried, Essence's def take the cake. Whether I want length, volume, a tint of brown, or literally anything else, I can snag an Essence mascara that gets the job done for less than $5."—JH
$4.99 at amazon.comWant your lashes to look natural and soft? Go for this tubing mascara, which helps A) separate every lash and B) coat them with this lightweight formula. It's basically the opposite of clumpy, according to Scibelli. "This one not only gives a dramatic finish in one coating, but it also nourishes the lashes with jojoba seed oil," he says. "I also like the feel of the flexible silicone brush which allows you to really zero in on those hard-to-get lashes."
One editor says: I tested it myself (see the above image for proof) and was shocked by how fanned out my eyelashes looked with just one coat. It gave them a little bit of length and fluffiness without bulking on any clump to chunk 'em together. Instead, they're spread from inner to outer corner to perfection."—BG
$7.00 at amazon.comIf you want a mascara that will get you through any amount of tears, humidity, sweat, or whatever else might come your way, this O.G. formula from Covergirl. It's beloved by Cosmo editors and readers alike—so much so, that it won a Cosmo Readers' Choice Award for its iconic formula that adds tons of fullness.
One editor says: "I've yet to use a waterproof mascara that holds up as well as Covergirl Lash Blast. It's a mainstay in my summer makeup bag every year (has been since–legit—2010). I can swipe it on, wait 10 minutes, then legit jump in a pool. My mascara will still look pristine, even after I rub at my eyes. It coats and defines my lashes to make me look more awake and bright-eyed on."—BG
$9.44 at amazon.comIf you're after big, bold, borderline-falsie-level lashes, this drugstore mascara brings the drama. The hourglass-shaped nylon brush loads up lashes with product for serious fullness, while still keeping them lifted and curled. One coat gives you a mix of length and volume, but it's that second layer where things really pop: thicker, darker, and more fanned-out lashes from root to tip.
One editor says: In high school, I used to draw the tiniest wing at the outer corners of my eyes with a brow pencil as if my lashes were just so fluffy and heavy that they created a shadow. Of all the drugstore mascaras I've tried, this one gives me the biggest oomph. It makes my lashes look full and fluffy, but still holds a curl and keeps my lashes lifted all day. —BG
$9.97 at amazon.comIf you've got naturally long lashes that tend to fall flat with most mascaras, this one's about to change your routine. The curved wand grips and lifts every lash (even the tiny ones in the inner corner), while the lightweight formula adds volume without making them droop. It layers well, doesn't feel heavy, and actually helps hold and accentuates the shape.One editor says: 'I just started testing this mascara, but I've already raved about it to the dozens of people who've complimented my eyelashes while I was wearing it. Most mascaras make my lashes lose their curl fast, but this one holds them up all day—and still feels super lightweight, even with multiple coats.' —BG
$7.70 at amazon.comIf you're on a healthy lash journey, this multitasking mascara is great for nourishing the lashes as you wear it. It's filled with peptides and vegan collagen, which works to strengthen the lashes, as the mascara also works to visibly darken and lengthen lashes.
One editor says: "If you're looking for a wearable drugstore mascara that's perfect for everyday, this new mascara from Covergirl is super lengthening and adds the ideal amount of definition to my eyes. It's not overly volumizing, but it simultaneously conditions and lengthens my lashes, which I love."—JH
$12.99 at ulta.comATTN: This is Madelyn Cline's favorite mascara. (I would know; I asked her.) And if you've ever seen her lashes, they look extra af in the best way possible. This mascara offers up some serious length and volume with one single coat. And if you want even more ~drama~, add a few extra layers to build it up.
One editor says: "This drugstore mascara is great for darkening my light lashes. It's ideal for that eye-popping look (à la Madelyn Cline) and will take any blonde lash to a bold black."—BG
$7.00 at amazon.comIf you love the clean, lengthened finish of a tubing mascara, this one from Milani is a must-have in your rotation. The liquid-y formula wraps each lash in tiny tubes for major length and definition without the flakey or spidery finish that a lot of lengthening mascaras leave behind. Instead, it leaves the lashes looking naturally long, dark, and lifted—no flaking, no smudging, and no makeup remover needed (just rinse with warm water to take it off)
One editor says: 'The first thing I noticed was how rich the black color was—it instantly made my lashes pop. As I kept layering it on, it gave me this crazy length and definition without the tarantula effect I usually get with lengthening mascaras. Like, it just looked like I was born with mile-long, jet-black lashes… despite being naturally blonde. It can clump a bit while applying, but I keep a lash comb nearby and that fixes it in two seconds.' —BG
$12.97 at amazon.comIf you're all about clean beauty products, you've probably got a stash of pricey makeup. However, Pacifica is my go-to clean drugstore makeup brand, and this mascara performs just as well as the $$$ options I've tried at Sephora. It's filled with softening and moisturizing jojoba oil and polyglycerides, plus a peptide to help strengthen the eyelashes as you wear it.
One editor says: "No matter how many coats I layer on, this mascara never smudges or clumps on me. It's my go-to when I know I'll need to touch up my mascara at the end of the workday before heading to a dinner or event. One extra layer, and my lashes are practically revived."—BG
$15.52 at amazon.comThe name colossal definitely lives up to its expectations. This mascara defines every single lash (without clumping) while giving them a lifted and voluminous false-lash effect. The spiral brush reaches right down to the roots, helping your lashes stand up and appear longer and fuller from the base to tip.
One editor says: "I've been team high-end mascara, but this single-handedly just brought me back into the drugstore game. Just look at my lashes!! And this is after eight hours of wear—no flakes, smudging, or drooping of my ultra-straight lashes. I mostly love how the wand makes it easy to separate my lashes after I've coated them with the formula by twisting it over to use like a lash comb."—BG
$12.99 at ulta.comEver tried a tubing mascara? If you have, then I'm willing to bet you're prob a convert. Luckily, there are hella drugstore formulas (I noted them all above) that'll save you money and time removing it at night. But if you prefer a more bold look, then you'll probably like a traditional formula over tubing, as these usually use a nylon-bristle brush, which can distribute more product. IMO, tubing mascara is great for length and definition, while regular non-tubing formulas are ideal for volume.
Plus, you've also gotta decide if you're a waterproof person or nah. Waterproof mascaras are fab for reducing smudging, especially if you have oily eyelids or live in a hot, humid climate. And ofc, if you plan to swim or sweat in your mascara, waterproof comes in clutch. But some people don't love that they have to use a oil-based remover (like cleansing balm or cleansing oil) to take it off at night. In that case, choose a smudge-free regular mascara (I included a few picks above that didn't smudge on me).
As noted above, the brush type will definitely enhance the type of look you're going for. Generally, there are nylon-bristle brushes and narrow, comb-like synthetic wands. "A fat and fluffy applicator will give you voluminous lashes," makeup artist Jenna Nicole has told Cosmo. Meanwhile, she says, "a long, skinny, more-precise wand will give you long, skinny, clump-free lashes." I've included a mix of brush types above, for reference, so it all depends on your lash style and ~vibes~. is a makeup artist based in New York, NY who works with celebrities and talent for TV interviews, press appointments, and more.
Jenna Nicole is a Los Angeles-based celebrity makeup artist who has worked with Selena Gomez and Cassie Randolph. Nicole recently spoke to Cosmo about how to find the best mascaras.Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with six years of experience researching, writing, and editing makeup stories that range from drugstore concealers to lip stains. She's an authority in all makeup categories, but is an expert when it comes to drugstore mascaras after testing dozens of formulas throughout her life, plus constantly asking experts for their recs.
You Might Also Like
Here's What NOT to Wear to a Wedding
Meet the Laziest, Easiest Acne Routine You'll Ever Try