I'm a Beauty Editor, and I Don't Believe in Overspending on Mascara—10 Under-$12 Tubes You'll Love
Here's your definitive guide.
When I tell people I'm a beauty editor, I'm met with one of three responses. First, they may ask, "What's a beauty editor?" I explain that I test, research, and write about all things beauty-related for a living. Second, they ask, "What's the best [insert product here]?" Third, their eyes light up, and they say something similar to "You must only use the best beauty products." Over time, I've realized that they associate the word "best" with "expensive." And honestly, that's not true. I might be lucky enough to get access to expensive items, but many of the beauty products I use daily come from the drugstore. I'm a firm believer that price doesn't always equal quality.
That's definitely true when it comes to mascara. While I have some high-end faves, I pretty much only purchase under-$20 formulas—and the pros would agree that a good mascara has little to do with price. “I don’t care if there was a 24-karat gold mascara—if it streaked down my face, I would never pick it up,” says celebrity makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell. The MUA says that the dream drugstore formula is one that “gives volume and length, but does not flake or run,” though she also recommends looking for a wand with “defining bristles” to avoid unsightly clumping.
I truly believe that you can get the same look—whether you like long, voluminous, lifted, or defined lashes—for less. Keep scrolling to see the 10 best drugstore mascaras (plus three honorable mentions), according to professional makeup artists and yours truly.
The Best Drugstore Mascaras, at a Glance
- Best Overall: Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
- Best Lengthening: Maybelline Sky High Mascara
- Best Volumizing: Essence What the Fake! Volumizing Mascara
- Best Lifting: Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
- Best Curling: e.l.f. Cosmetics Incredi-Curl Mascara
The Best Drugstore Mascaras in 2026
Best Overall: Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
Pros: Low price, noticeably lengthening, doesn't clump
Cons: Can flake after many hours of wear
Shades: 2 | Benefits: Lengthening, curling, volumizing
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.
Customer review: "THIS IS THE BEST MASCARA EVER. PERIOD. I used to use Benefit Fan Fest, but I've officially made the switch. Price, size, results, and how big the tube is makes it so worth it. Sometimes I feel like it works too well because my lashes come out SO long and full. I can guarantee if you buy this, you won't regret it."
Beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock wearing Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
Best Lengthening: Maybelline Sky High Mascara
Pros: Adds falsies-level length, lightweight formula, easy to wash off
Cons: None we can think of
Shades: 9 | Benefits: Lengthening, volumizing, defining, curling
There's no doubt that Maybelline's Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara delivers long, fluttery, "look at me" length on even the shortest lashes. "Maybelline Sky High Mascara is my go-to," Sewell raves. "This mascara is in my professional kit and I use it on every client—every shade." What really sets it apart from other lengthening mascaras, though, is its "silky," light-as-air feel. "The wand is flexible and reaches the smaller lashes well, helping you coat from root to tip," Sewell adds. "It holds up well during the day and doesn’t smudge or flake. EVER."
Customer review: "This mascara is a fantastic option if you're looking for a formula with serious staying power. It holds up beautifully all day without smudging or flaking, and it gives my lashes great volume and length. I'll definitely be buying it again for the formula alone."
Best Volumizing: Essence What the Fake! Volumizing Mascara
Pros: Dramatically boosts the density of lashes, fiber-filled formula, great price point
Cons: Some shoppers cite clumpiness
Shades: 1 | Benefits: Volumizing, lengthening
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.
Customer review: "Hands down the best mascara in existence, and the price is quite unbelievable at under 5 bucks! I have light eyelashes and have tried an unbelievable amount of mascaras, cheap and super expensive, and this is THE ONE!"
Best Lifting: Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
Pros: Grips hard-to-reach lashes, lightweight formula, waterproof option
Cons: Pricier than most on our list
Shades: 4 | Benefits: Lifting, volumizing, lengthening
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.
Customer review: "This is my favorite mascara of all time—drugstore or high-end. I keep trying new releases, but I always come back because of this mascara's performance. I get no clumping or transfer/flakes over the day. Only long fluttery lashes."
Best Curling: e.l.f. Cosmetics Incredi-Curl Mascara
Pros: Grips and holds curl, long-wearing
Cons: Some reviewers experience clumping
Shades: 3 | Benefits: Volumizing, curling
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.
Customer review: "Great drugstore mascara option! A lot goes a long way, and it gives definition. Gets a little clumpy at first, but easy to fix. Zero issues with flaking or falling throughout the hot day."
Best Separating: L'Oréal Panorama Mascara
Pros: Long-wearing formula, easy to wash off, has a waterproof version
Shades: 5 | Benefits: Separating, volumizing, lengthening
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."
Customer review: "Really nice mascara considering the fact that I don’t have that many lashes and my lashes are average length. Doesn’t make my eyelashes clumpy and nicely separates them which I love. Nice price, too."
Best for a Natural Look: Neutrogena Healthy Definition Mascara
Pros: Made with lash-growing ingredients, safe for sensitive eyes, offers a subtle lift
Cons: Not the best for a dramatic effect
Shades: 2 | Benefits: Defining, lengthening, volumizing
If natural-looking 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!"
Customer review: "Love this stuff! Separates and lengthens your lashes, making them look so beautiful. Doesn’t flake off or smear. It’s a true waterproof mascara—stays on until you take it off. I get asked all the time what mascara I use. Totally recommend great value for your money."
Best for a Dramatic Look: Makeup Revolution 5D Lash Mascara
Pros: Impressive volume, jet-black pigment, doesn't clump
Cons: Some shoppers noticed smudging
Shades: 1 | Benefits: Lengthening, defining, lifting, volumizing
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.
Customer review: "I have bought ALL of the high-dollar mascaras, some even with this same order, but this mascara is a game changer. I have zero lashes, short, stubby, non-existent. You can actually see lashes with this mascara. Whoo hoo! Get this! You won't be sorry! My new go-to fav mascara."
Pros: Highly pigmented, long-wearing, flake-resistant
Cons: Nothing to add here
Shades: 8 | Benefits: Volumizing, lengthening, lifting
If you're anything like us, then you, too, fell for Dua Lipa's cool-girl turquoise mascara this summer. While her exact shade turned out to be YSL Beauty's Lash Clash in Scandalous Green, associate beauty editor Alyssa Brascia leaned on this impressively pigmented formula from Colourpop in the interim. The $10 tube delivers potent color in just a few swipes while remaining entirely flake-free for long hours of wear, even in the NYC summer humidity. Plus, there's an array of trendy colors to choose from—including royal blue, brown, and burgundy.
Best 2-in-1: Sheglam Lash Besties 2-In-1 Mascara
Pros: Adds volume, two benefits for the price of one
Cons: None
Shades: 1 | Benefits: Lengthening, volumizing
Okay so this technically isn't a drugstore brand, but it's sold at a drugstore price, and that deserves a call out. Rather than getting one mascara that has a single set of perks, this one from Sheglam comes with two separate brushes with the tube. The smaller brush provides volume, while the shorter one separates and adds definition. For six dollars, it's a steal.
What to Look for in a Drugstore Mascara
The drugstore beauty aisles can be intimidating with so many options set under fluorescent lights. That's why Scibelli recommends starting off with a plan: "I would start by accessing what your personal lash needs are and [tailoring] your drugstore mascara pick to your specific needs and lifestyle. Maybe that means more volume, or maybe you have sensitive eyes. Do you need waterproof? Built-in lash growth? Then, check out what the market offers from there. I also love reading reviews before doing a drugstore shop, which can be helpful without the pretesting option."
Are expensive mascaras better than drugstore?
While fancy brand names and high price tags might separate the inky tubes lining the shelves of your favorite beauty retailer, Sewell says these products are more alike than you'd imagine. "There is no difference IMO… I don’t think you need to break the bank when it comes to mascara," she muses. "There are maybe two to three formulas I like that are high-end or 'luxury,' but I choose drugstore every time."
How can you prevent mascara from clumping?
Ah, the age-old question. You'll be hard-pressed to find a mascara that never clumps, as most formulas tend to dry out and cause those pesky mounds of buildup over time (though do we trust the L'Oréal Panorama Mascara for lash separation). However, Sewell advises keeping these few factors in mind when selecting a mascara for minimal clumpage.
"It really depends on the wand design, the formula (if it’s a bold volume formula or lengthening and defining), and ultimately, if it’s old," the makeup artist says. "Mascara is something that expires [in] around five-to-six months… so I definitely am swapping them out consistently." However, if you can't quite part with that old tube, Sewell likes to use the Tweezerman iLashcomb to eradicate clumpy buildup.
How I Chose
After researching the most popular drugstore mascaras and making a master list, I put them to the test. I wore them for a minimum of eight hours to accurately and honestly assess everything from wear time to added length, volume, definition, and more. Then, I consulted celebrity makeup artists to get their go-to picks. Once it was all said and done, I finalized a list of the nine best drugstore mascaras.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.
