If diamonds are a girl's best friend then I would say mascara is right beneath that at #2. We all know that feeling of watching our little (sometimes non-existent) lashes go from thin and sad to thick and voluminous. Lashes are supposed to be flirty. Whether you like them thicker or long and wispy this is your top guide to mascaras at the drugstore.
I LOVE drugstore makeup. The price is amazing and you don't have to feel guilty if you accidentally lose it. I love higher end makeup too but mascara in particular I think is better spent on the cheap stuff. Now don't get me wrong, that doesn't mean that the higher end brand mascaras are a "rip off" or that they're "bad". But mascara is one of the most used and most abused beauty products that needs to constantly be replaced. It dries out quickly and for sanitary reasons you shouldn't hold onto that tube of mascara you've been using for more than 6 months (ideally only 3). With that all said and done would you rather spend $100 a year on mascara or about $25? Over the years that money saved will really add up.
You may love higher end mascaras and that's OKAY! Not every single product works for every person and if you love your Chanel mascara you do you. But if you want BOMB lashes and want to save a little extra cash at the same time this list is for you!
1. Essence Lash Princess Mascara
The Lash Princess mascara is one of the best mascaras at the drug store. It comes in three different formulas: volume mascara, sculpted volume mascara, and false lash effect. Each one having it's own unique brush to fit whatever your desired look may be. And with it coming in just less than five bucks at $4.99 this little guy is a no brainer!
2. L'Oreal's Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara
If you want bigger, blacker lashes this is the mascara for you! The Voluminous Carbon Black mascara gives your lashes the thickness and hold they need without making them crunchy. The big fluffy brush coats lashes to deepen them to the darkest black while not clumping. And it comes in waterproof as well if you prefer. At $7.99 this is definitely a great buy!
3. Maybelline Volum' Express The Falsies Mascara
One of the best lengthening mascaras on the market. This mascara has the ability to lengthen your lashes while thickening them at the same time. No spider lashes just nice volume and extra length. The curved wand helps you hit every single lash while giving extra lift. Coming in at $6.99 this mascara is a great choice!
4. L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise
This has been one of the drugstore's newest and most sought after mascara. After trying it it's not hard to see why! This is the better and less expensive version of Too Faced's famous Better than Sex mascara. I mean EVERYTHING about it is identical down to the brush shape and the pink packaging. However, this L'Oreal one beats the Too Faced one hands down in my opinion. With all the same great elements in the brush and cute pink tube this formula is way better in wear time. This does not flake and fall on your cheeks (a very common problem with its counterpart)! A little more than half the price at $9.99 this mascara has my vote.
5. Covergirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara
I saved the best for last! This has been my holy grail mascara for almost 10 years! Out of all the mascaras I listed this is the only one that has a synthetic brush, and I think that's what makes this one my favorite. Natural bristle brushes tend to dry out quicker because the brush is absorbing some of your product. With synthetic brushes no product is wasted and there's more to coat your luscious lashes. Covergirl has other formulas of this mascara but I keep coming back to this one. Also if you have straight lashes like me that you need to use an eyelash curler, the waterproof version holds a curl like no other! At $8.99 this one is definitely my number 1!