I Just Tried All of L'Oréal's Best-Selling Mascaras—These Are the Ones I Would Actually Buy
One beauty editor put the most popular L'Oréal mascaras to the test, and was seriously impressed.
If I'm honest, mascara is one of those beauty products that I don't like to spend a fortune on. As a beauty editor, I've tried so many formulas over the years, and I truly believe that the more affordable mascaras are some of the best on the market. There's one brand in particular that everyone raves about, and most of their mascaras are under £15. Yep, I'm talking about none other than L'Oréal.
Possibly one of the best affordable beauty brands of all time, L'Oréal offers an incredible range of mascaras that cater to a wide range of needs and wants. They have mascaras for volume, length, lift and definition, plus formulas specifically made for sensitive eyes and brown mascaras if you want to switch things up. Although I've tried a few of these formulas before, I was keen to give more a go, so I decided to put all of the brand's bestselling mascaras to the test to see which ones I rated the most.
As you'll see below, I was very impressed by my findings. If you're in the market for an affordable mascara but are not sure which one to go for, keep on scrolling for my top recommendations. I've listed each product's pros and cons so you can make an informed decision and be on your way to your best lashes yet...
The Best L'Oréal Mascaras, Tried & Tested
- Best Mascara for Natural Volume: L'Oreal Paris Volume Million Lashes Panorama Mascara, £13
- Best Mascara for Sensitive Eyes: L'Oréal Paris Paradise Castor Oil Enriched Mascara, £13
- Best Mascara for Length and Lift: L'Oréal Paris Telescopic Lift Mascara, £13
- Best Mascara for Statement Volume: L'Oréal Paris Volume Million Lashes Mascara, £12
- Best Mascara for a Fanned-Out Finish: L'Oréal Paris Telescopic Mascara, £12
1. L'Oréal Paris Volume Million Lashes Panorama Mascara
Rating: 9/10
Waterproof: No
Colour: Black and brown
Pros
- Adds volume
- Easy-to-use wand
Cons
- Doesn't hold a curl as well as other options in this roundup
The whole Who What Wear UK team loves the L'Oreal Paris Panorama Mascara, myself included. It's a great mascara if you're after natural-looking (but still statement) volume. It has a slightly smaller wand than the mascara below, which makes it easy to coat hard-to-reach lashes, and I also like that it is available in a brown shade for when I want my eye makeup to look a little softer.
2. L'Oréal Paris Paradise Castor Oil Enriched Mascara
Rating: 9.5/10
Waterproof: No, but there is a waterproof option available
Colour: Black
Pros
- Easy to use wand
- Adds length and volume
- Doesn't irritate eyes
- Doesn't smudge
Cons
- Not as impactful as other mascaras in this roundup
I don't know why, but I didn't expect to love this mascara as much as I did. I think the fact that it contains castor oil made me think that it would be greasy or move around on my eyes, but I couldn't have been more wrong. In fact, it actually stayed in place for the entire day, which is quite rare for me. It has quickly become my favourite mascara as it lengthens and defines my lashes for a super fluttery finish. Plus, this held a curl really well. I have quite sensitive eyes, and this has been specifically designed to be gentle on the eyes, thanks to soothing cornflower water and nourishing castor and rose oil. Honestly, I couldn't recommend this formula enough.
3. L'Oréal Paris Telescopic Lift Mascara
Rating: 9/10
Waterproof: No
Colour: Black
Pros
- Lifts and lengthens lashes
- Has a double-sided wand that is easy to use
- Holds a curl well
Cons
- Doesn't add loads of volume
This is another mascara that really blew me away. It has a totally different wand from the other two, which features two-sided brush technology to help lengthen and lift. While it doesn't add as much volume as other options in this roundup, it was the lift that really impressed me. I felt like this mascara really opened up my eyes, and since testing, I've found myself reaching for it daily.
4. L'Oréal Paris Volume Million Lashes Mascara
Rating: 8/10
Waterproof: No, but there is a waterproof option available
Colour: Black
Pros
- Large wand that coats every lash
- Adds volume without clumps
Cons
- Can sometimes smudge a little bit under my eyes
I already knew I would like this mascara, as both my mum and I have had it in our own makeup bags for years. It's one of those mascaras that you just know is going to deliver. It has a larger wand (the brand calls it a Millionizer brush) that features both long and short bristles to ensure it's reaching every single eyelash. The result? Serious volume without any clumps.
5. L'Oréal Paris Telescopic Mascara
Rating: 8/10
Waterproof: No, but there is a waterproof version available
Colour: Black
Pros
- Small brush makes it easier to coat every single lash
- Adds a fanned-out finish
Cons
- Can take a little longer to get the desired result
Last but by no means least, let me introduce you to the Telescopic Mascara. This was my first time testing this mascara, and I was a little sceptical at first as the wand is much smaller than the others. However, I'm starting to learn that sometimes this is best, as although it can take a little longer to apply, every single lash is left looking flawless. This mascara is great for that fanned-out finish that so many of us love, and I actually think that it adds impressive volume too.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning fragrance, skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
