I've Tested Hundreds of Mascaras—These 9 Are All Under £15 and Genuinely Amazing

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Best for: Those who find their usual mascara flakes or smudges

Shade options: Black

Waterproof: No

Brush type: Bristle

Pros: Adds length and curl, smudge and flake free and good for sensitive eyes

Cons: Doesn't come in many shades or a waterproof option

This has become one of Beauty Pie's most raved about products. It's a tubing mascara, meaning that it creates glossy, black tubes around each lash, boosting volume, length and lasting curl hold. These kinds of tubing mascaras wash off with warm water, and don't flake off or smudge like other mascaras do, making them a lot easier to wear and remove. For just £10, you really can't go wrong with this.

Best for: Fanned out volume

Shade options: Black and Brown

Waterproof: No

Brush type: Bristle

Pros: Adds serious volume without being clumpy and comes in two different shades

Cons: Needs two coats to see best results and doesn't have a waterproof version

L'Oréal Paris do amazing affordable mascaras, and this might be the brand's best one yet. The flexible brush captures every little lash for a fanned-out effect that really makes it look like you just got lash extensions. I like to add two coats for that false lash effect, and when I want things to look a little more subtle I opt for the brown version instead of black. Read our full review of the Panorama mascara.

Best for: False lash effect

Shade options: Black

Waterproof: There is a waterproof version available

Brush type: Plastic

Pros: Easy to apply, one coat gives a false lash effect and there is a waterproof version available

Cons: Only comes in one shade

Maybelline's Firework mascara promises fanned out lashes with its SuperSpark™ brush that features bristles in a spiral, firework-like pattern. It lengthens and volumises for amazing impact. If you want a dramatic false lash effect, this mascara will do the job with just one coat.

Best for: Volumising and lengthening

Shade options: Black

Waterproof: No

Brush type: Plastic

Pros: You can change the shape of the brush for both length and volume

Cons: Doesn't have a waterproof version

This is the closest thing you can get to haute couture for your eyelashes. Max Factor's clever mascara wand shape-shifts by twisting the tip, allowing you to change the shape of the brush for either length or volume. The longer shape beautifully lengthens and fans out lashes, while the shorter length dials up volume for a dramatic effect.

Best for: Length, lift and hold (especially with the waterproof version)

Shade options: Black

Waterproof: Yes

Brush type: Plastic

Pros: Adds serious length, separates lashes for a fanned effect and holds them in place

Cons: Can smudge a little bit throughout the day

I would say, right now, this is my favourite high-street mascara. The length you can achieve is incredible, and while it doesn’t create lots of volume, because it catches the little lashes, it really is an all-round winner. If you struggle to hold a curl with your lashes, try the waterproof version. It holds my lashes up all day long.

Best for: Lifting and lengthening

Shade options: Black

Waterproof: There is a waterproof version available

Brush type: Bristle

Pros: Offers lasting lift, lengthens lashes and is easy to apply

Cons: Only comes in one shade

If it is lift and length that you're after, then it doesn't get better than L'Oréal Paris' new version of its iconic Telescopic Mascara. This one offers a new brush and formula that promises lasting lift throughout the day, giving you long and fluttery lashes. The brush features hooked bristles that lengthen each lash to its full potential, while the flatter side of the brush is ideal for dispensing product at the base of the lashes for a false-lash effect.

Best for: Lash definition

Shade options: Extreme Black and Black Brown

Waterproof: There is a waterproof version available

Brush type: Bristle

Pros: The wand coats every lash and conditions the lashes

Cons: It has quite a large wand so can be more difficult to apply

This is the mascara I reach for when I want serious definition. It has an hourglass-shaped brush to grab every lash, and the formula is infused with panthenol to condition your lashes for a smooth finish.

Best for: Lift and length

Shade options: Black

Waterproof: No

Brush type: Plastic

Pros: The small wand makes this easy to apply and it adds natural lift and length to the lashes

Cons: Doesn't come in a waterproof version and not the best choice if you want lots of volume

The small wand of this mascara is perfect for top and bottom lashes, and you can really create lift by getting right to the root of the lash comfortably. I would opt for this one for length rather than volume.

Best for: Curling

Shade options: Black

Waterproof: There is a waterproof version available

Brush type: Bristle

Pros: The curved wand gives impressive hold

Cons: Only comes in one shade

If curl is your top priority, this is an excellent choice. The curved brush grips your lashes to coat them and give 24-hour hold. I haven’t ever worn it for a full 24 hours, but for a solid 12 hours, it didn’t budge.