I Refuse to Spend Over $20 on Mascara, so I Asked MUAs for Their Diamond-in-the-Rough Drugstore Picks

Shades: Two

Benefits: Lengthening, curling, and volumizing formula

Essence's Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara has been my go-to for years. It's only $5 a tube, so it costs less than a large latte from my favorite coffee shop, and it gives me long, fluttery, curled, and volumized lashes. It's a true "do it all" formula at an incredible price, and there's a tube sitting in my makeup bag as we speak.

Shades: Eight

Benefits: Lengthening, lightweight, and washable formula

There's no doubt that Maybelline's Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara delivers long, fluttery, "look at me" length on even the shortest lashes. What really sets it apart from other lengthening mascaras, though, is its light-as-air feel. Unlike heavier formulas, it won't weigh your lashes down or defeat a just-crimped curl.

Shades: One

Benefits: Volumizing, lengthening, fiber-filled formula

New York City–based celebrity makeup artist Neil Scibelli recommends this mascara for full, fluffy lashes. "Essence's What the Fake! Volumizing Mascara is really amazing for both the price point and the dramatic finish. It has nylon fibers in it, which instantly give an extra coat of volume, thickness, and length to the lashes. It's also vegan and cruelty-free, which is always a plus," he says.

Shades: Four

Benefits: Lifting, volumizing, lengthening, and lightweight formula

Maybelline's Lash Sensational Mascara is a one-way ticket to lifted, fanned-out lashes. It's all thanks to its unique brush design. It has a whopping 10 layers of bristles to sweep the mascara up and out on the lashes for a wide-eyed look.

Shades: Three

Benefits: Volumizing, curling formula

I have stick-straight lashes, so I know what it feels like to curl your lashes, apply mascara, and see them fall back down before you even head out the door. As it turns out, this lash-gripping mascara is the fix. The buildable formula and curved bristle brush grab each lash to volumize, define, and, most importantly, set the curl.

Shades: Three

Benefits: Separating, volumizing, and washable formula

In my opinion, the only acceptable time to wear clumpy mascara is to create a Charli XCX–coded, Brat-aesthetic lash look. Otherwise, I'll kindly go without it, thank you very much. If you can't seem to outrun the clumps, Scibelli recommends this under-$20 mascara, which promises to create Kendall Jenner–level lash separation. "L'Oréal's Voluminous Panorama Mascara has been one of my latest drugstore favorites," he says. "It truly gives the lashes a dramatic, wide-awake finish without clumping or smudging. The brush hits all angles of the lashes because of its multilevel bristles, so you have the option of using the smaller side for separating every individual lash or the wider side for volume and thickness. It comes in a washable and waterproof formula."

Shades: Two

Benefits: Defining, lengthening, volumizing, lash-growing ingredients, good for sensitive eyes

If inky, ultra-defined lashes are your thing, Scibelli recommends reaching for this mascara. "Neutrogena's Healthy Definition Mascara is one of my all-time favorite drugstore mascaras," he says. "This healthy definition formula is hydrating with panthenol but also contains biotin for lash growth. It also features a dual-sided brush, which I love for both separating the lashes as well as getting that volume and thickness. The formula is also really great for sensitive eyes, and it doesn't flake!"

Shades: One

Benefits: Lengthening, defining, lifting, volumizing, jet-black pigment

Natural-looking lashes are a vibe, but sometimes, you want a false-lash effect from your mascara. In that case, celebrity makeup artist Misha Shahzada recommends Makeup Revolution's 5D Lash Mascara. It delivers big, bold lashes. It "multitasks to lengthen, define, curl, volumize, and lift lashes for a dramatic, full-fan effect in a single swipe," she says.