Brown Mascara Is More Subtle Than Black, but These Formulas Still Give Me Volume and Length
It's my secret to natural-looking lashes.
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If your makeup routine lives somewhere between “barely there” and “soft glam,” allow me to introduce the most underrated product in your rotation: brown mascara. Yes, black mascara will always have a place in our makeup bags—but sometimes it can feel a little… intense. Brown mascara, on the other hand, gives your lashes the same lift and definition with a softer, more natural finish.
That’s why it’s my go-to whenever I’m leaning into a no-makeup makeup vibe. A few swipes instantly add depth and dimension without the stark contrast of traditional black formulas. And if you naturally have lighter lashes? Even better—brown mascara enhances them in a way that looks effortless rather than overly done. Basically, brown mascara is the low-key MVP of a fresh, polished makeup look—and one that deserves far more credit than it gets. The best part: Anyone can wear it, you just have to find the right formula.
The best brown mascaras, tested by beauty editors:
Ahead, the best brown mascaras for lashes that look soft, defined, and perfectly finished—all tested and loved by Cosmopolitan editors.
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Pros
- Affordable and easy to pick up at most drugstores
- Gives lashes a fanned-out, separated look while also adding volume and length
- Soft, medium brown color that really shows up on lashes
Cons
- Some reviewers found it clumpy if they added multiple coats
Why we love it: This drugstore pick really does it all: lengthens, separates, volumizes, and curls—all in a gorgeous chocolate brown shade. Meant to fan out lashes so they look fluttery, Fan Club Mascara helps make your eyes look brighter and more awake, all for less than $15. What it doesn't do, though, is smear, smudge, or flake throughout the day.
Features at a Glance
| Tubing? | No |
| Waterproof? | No |
One Cosmo editor says: "I've been testing brown mascaras for years, and upon first swipe, this immediately made its way into my favorites. The chocolate brown color is neutral and soft, adding just enough color to my lashes to brighten my eyes but doesn't look too light or artificial. But I really fell in love with the formula over time. It gives my lashes a doll effect, picking up every single individual lash from corner to corner for a wide-eye effect."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Pros
- Comes in a gorgeous deep brown shade
- Water resistant tubing formula doesn't smudge
Cons
- Doesn't hold a curl very well
Why we love it: Caliray's brown mascara comes in a deep shade they're calling "espresso brown"—an apt name for such a rich shade. It's perfect for someone who wants something less intense than jet black but still makes your lashes dark. Plus, this tubing mascara is water-resistant, so it won't smear down your face throughout the day.
Features at a Glance
| Tubing? | Yes |
| Waterproof? | No, but water resistant |
One Cosmo editor says: "I love the idea of tubing mascara, but often get annoyed by the flakes throughout the day. But Caliray's is above that, offering lots of length and lift without chunks of mascara falling on my face throughout the day. And the dark-brown shade basically looks black on my lashes, just ever-so-slightly softer."—BG
Pros
- Tubing formula is easy to remove and feels lightweight on lashes
- Lengthens and lifts lashes
Cons
- Doesn't do much for volume
Why we love it: Cosmo editors are huge fans of this clean, tubing mascara in black because it separates and lengthens lashes without getting clumpy or feeling too heavy on lashes. So when it came out in this deep brown shade, we quickly all tested it to see if it would be even more natural-looking. All three of our editors were impressed by this formula, most notably how it's easy to remove (shout-out tubing) and the subdued look it adds to lashes while still opening up your eyes.
Features at a Glance
| Tubing? | Yes |
| Waterproof? | No |
One Cosmo editor says: "Ilia's Limitless Mascara in black lengthens, separates, and curls my lashes so well, while adding bold pigment to my naturally light lashes—so the brown version had *a lot* to live up to.I really liked this shade of rich brown on my lighter eyes. It still made my lashes stand out, but the deeper hue didn’t wash me out the way other brown mascaras tend to. It’s more of a dark chocolate—not as harsh as black, but not obviously light brown either."—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Pros
- Large wand helps pick up every single lash and evenly coats them
- Volumizes lashes without making them look spidery
Cons
- Some testers said the formula dries out quickly
Why we love it: Just because brown looks more subdued doesn't mean you have to skimp on the drama. YSL Lash Clash's oversized brush helps coat every single lash, even the tiny ones you didn't even know existed. It makes lashes suddenly look more weighted and fluttery, adding just a bit of length to widen eyes too. And it does it all in a warm, rich brown shade.
Features at a Glance
| Tubing? | No |
| Waterproof? | No |
One Cosmo editor says: "Lash Clash makes my lashes double in size—literally. The wide, natural wand picks up every single lash and multiplies it, coating them in a gorgeous chocolate brown shade. It really amplifies the green in my eyes too (and is fantastic for gingers and redheads)."—BG
Pros
- Doesn't smudge when you sweat
- Separates and defines lashes
Cons
- I wish it held a curl better
Why we love it: A natural-looking mascara is great for workouts if you're a wear-makeup-while-you-sweat person. But most formulas will just run down your cheeks (and sure, it won't be black streaks, but brown isn't all that much better). But this formula from CoverGirl was designed to be sweatproof, meaning it won't smear or smudge. Whether you're in hot pilates, sauna-ing, or going through life in the depths of summer, rest assured this mascara won't give you panda eyes.
Features at a Glance
| Tubing? | Yes |
| Waterproof? | No (but very sweatproof, per our testing) |
One Cosmo editor says: "The brush is perfection, applying pigment evenly and smoothly with zero clumps. Unlike many tubing mascaras that feel wet or sticky on the lashes, this one hits the sweet spot—just the right texture for easy coverage.I was equally impressed by the staying power. I sweat profusely when I Peloton and am constantly wiping my face with a towel during my workout. This mascara didn't budge—nor did it irritate my sensitive eyes."—LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Pros
- The most natural-looking mascara on this list
- Seriously lengthens lashes
Cons
- Light shade might not show up well on very-dark lashes
Why we love it: Many brown mascaras are of the "chocolate" variety, but this one is a lighter brown that looks so soft against fair skin or blonde lashes. Plus, the tubing formula helps elongate and separate lashes without clumping.
Features at a Glance
| Tubing? | Yes |
| Waterproof? | No |
One Cosmo editor says: "I wear this mascara at least thrice weekly. It's truly the most natural-looking formula I own, creating the illusion that I grew these long, stunning lashes on my own. (People compliment my lashes constantly when I'm wearing this, FWIW.)"—BG
Pros
- Can find at every drugstore
- Adds mega volume without sticking lashes together
Cons
- Takes a few layers to build up length
Why we love it: It's important to have a go-to affordable mascara (you know, for when you forget on a trip and have to run to the nearest drugstore to pick one up). L'Oreal Panorama is exactly that. The reliable formula really volumizes, giving lashes a soft, fluffy look (and will add some length too with a few coats).
One Cosmo editor says: “If you’re a brown mascara lover who wants to add both volume and length to your lashes (many formulas make you sacrifice one for the other), I cannot recommend this mascara enough. It doesn’t flake or smudge even when my eyes are tearing from NYC’s frigid winds. Plus, it separates my lashes so nicely and is a true brown that isn’t too harsh on my lighter-colored eyes.” —JH
How to choose the best brown mascara:
Consider the shade.
Brown mascara isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some formulas skew nearly black, while others land in softer, milk-chocolate territory. Start by considering the natural shade of your lashes: If they’re already very dark, a lighter brown may barely register. But if you have blonde or light lashes, those softer tones tend to look far more believable than a stark, inky hue.
Assess your goals.
Think about what you want your mascara to actually do—add volume, length, separation, or some combination of the three. The best formula is the one that delivers on your priorities. The options above span the spectrum, from mascaras that create a fluttery, fanned-out effect to ones that noticeably lengthen and thicken (and a few that manage all of the above). It also helps to consider your typical makeup look: If you gravitate toward full glam with eyeshadow and blush, a more dramatic mascara will hold its own. But if your everyday routine is more skin tint and lip balm, a softer, barely-there brown will likely feel more in step with the vibe.
Why trust 'Cosmopolitan'?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with more than seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing makeup stories.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
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