29-07-2025
I'm a beauty writer who's swapped my go-to £28 mascara for one that's under £10 - and my lashes look better than ever
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I am a Charlotte Tilbury make-up lover. Look in my bathroom and you'll find the Flawless Filter Foundation; the Contour, Blush and Highlighter Wands; about five Pillow Talk Lipsticks and glittery Beautifying Eye Shadow Palettes galore.
Until recently, you would have found the £28 Legendary Lashes Mascara too. It has been my go-to since the age of 18: smudge-proof; long-wear and super-volumising, with just one quick sweep lasting all day.
That was until a few months ago when, having run out of my trusty Legendary Lashes, I needed to pick up a new mascara on Kensington High Street. Sadly, my bank account was not in a position to splurge £28 on a mascara (payday was two days away, okay?) so I thought I'd pop into Boots for a cheap one to bridge the gap.
The mascara in question? NYX's £9.50 Worth the Hype Mascara. My plan was to use it for two days, then shove it into my bathroom cupboard as an emergency back-up. Except after using it for two months, I can safely say it is the best mascara I have ever used – and a quick scour of online reviews shows plenty of shoppers agree.
NYX Worth the Hype Mascara
My main issues with budget mascaras are: a) having to apply three layers to get any length and volume and b) near-immediate smudging, so I look like a panda by the time I get into work. I'm happy to say Worth the Hype Mascara delivers serious oomph with just one layer and honestly, does not budge. I'm not talking 'lasts a few hours', I'm talking 'lasts an entire day at Glastonbury / sweaty workout class/ tears at my friend's engagement party'.
Don't just take my word for it. NYX's product has hundreds of five-star reviews across online retailers calling it the 'best mascara out there', with one writing: 'It performs like high-end mascara for a fraction of the price… my lashes have never looked so good.' Hear, hear.
This is the formula I'll be sticking to going forward (although I may well use the £18 I save on more Charlotte Tilbury products, TBH). But if you're looking for a slightly less dramatic budget buy for your lashes, I've listed some great, natural options below. Happy shopping!
L'Oreal Paris Panorama Mascara £12.99 Shop
e.l.f. Lash 'N Roll Mascara £6 Shop
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