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12 best drugstore mascaras for seriously long, thick lashes from just £5
Legit tricked people into thinking I had lash extensions with this £9 pick
Sorry, not sorry, but we are a bougie b*tches, k? Like, Beth just got back from a trip where she checked a bag just for her skincare and makeup. (Ahem, she needed full-size setting spray; it's summer, after all!) However, the one thing that goes against our fancy taste is that we almost exclusively use drugstore mascaras. Sure, some formulas cost more than a cocktail in the Big Smoke, and we get on with them just fine. But we're also a firm believers that mascara doesn't have to cost a wedge when drugstore brands consistently offer similar results and innovation. Here, we're sharing all of our top favourites below, including some notes from makeup artist Neil Scibelli.
Our top picks for the best drugstore mascaras:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
All of the best drugstore mascaras, ahead, including favourites from Maybelline, L'Oréal, Milani, and more. Then, if you still can't choose (don't blame ya), read on for a guide to choosing the best mascara for you.
Rimmel Thrill Seeker Extreme Volume Mascara
Pros
- Grabs every lash
Cons
- Can be a bit messy to apply
Getting the London look has never been more purse-friendly! I love the brush on this mascara, it's big and fibrous and delivers fluttery lashes. If you struggle with getting mascara on your top lids, you will need to be ultra-precise with application, just where the brush is so very big.
The formula lengthens really well but the volume it creates is where it made my lashes standout, it's giving XXL. I'd call it a proper 'night out' mascara and if you fancy another Brat summer this also lasts 24 hours without flaking or smudging.
✨Editor rating: 3.5/5
Glowing customer review: "Immediate increase in volume, just one layer is enough for a natural look. Does not smudge all day long and has a dark black color. Gives such effects for which it is intended that why I am happy with this mascara, If someone wants immediate volume without effort, they should buy this mascara."
L'Oréal Paris Volume Million Lashes Panorama Mascara Black
Pros
- Volumizes, lengthens, and separates for a fanned-out, wide-eyed effect
- Doesn't clump, per my testing
Cons
- A few reviewers wished it were better for very short lashes
The highest praise I can give a product is bringing it on a trip—because when that's the only option I have, it'd better do its job. And on a recent trip, the only mascara I stashed in my bag was L'Oréal Panorama. And I genuinely enjoyed every single minute of swiping it onto my lashes.
This mascara adds length and volume to every single lash, from the itsy-bitsy ones in the inner corner of my eyes to the outer lashes that are prone to clumping. It makes my eyes look so open and fresh, since it also separates each lash and fans them out.Don't just take my word for it, though: Scibelli also raves about this mascara, calling it his latest drugstore favourite.
"It truly gives your lashes a dramatic, wide-awake finish without clumping or smudging," he says. "The brush hits all angles of the lashes, too—you have the option of using the smaller side for separating every individual lash or the wider side for volume and thickness."
✨Editor rating: 5/5
Glowing customer review: "I was using a very expensive mascara that I was enjoying, but wanted to try out some less expensive brands to save money. Boy, did I find something amazing in this mascara! It separates, but also gives volume to my lashes! I will continue to buy this mascara."
Pros
- Least expensive mascara on this list
- Has a serious cult-following (250,000+ five-star reviews)
Cons
- Can smudge a little bit, according to some testers
Can't believe in the year 2025 there is a mascara that still clocks in at less than £5 a tube. Even more shocking? It's a Cosmo-editor fave for length and volume. Just look at Cosmo US assistant beauty editor Jasmine Hyman's lashes — they look long and full, but still defined and not clumpy at all whatsoever.
"Out of all the cheap mascaras I've tried, Essence’s def take the cake," she says. "Whether I want length, volume, a tint of brown, or literally anything else, I can snag an Essence mascara that gets the job done for less than £5."
✨Editor rating: 5/5
Glowing customer review: "Holy moly, this mascara is amazing! It lifts, it separates, it lengthens, and it thickens. It is EVERYTHING! My eyes haven’t looked this open and alive in years. Unless this formula changes, I’ll be using this for years to come! I couldn’t be more pleased!"
L'Oreal Paris Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara
Pros
- Extremely easy to remove
- Adds major length, per reviewers
- Dual-ended formula includes a primer and mascara
Cons
- Can be annoying to do both steps
This dual-ended mascara comes with a primer (which seriously doubles the length of my lashes, I swear) and a tubing formula that defines lashes.
You don't have to do both steps, but it'll significantly amp up your results, per my testing. I've even found myself pairing this primer with other mascara formulas (like my favourite brown mascaras) to increase length and longevity.
✨Editor rating: 4/5
Glowing customer review: "I love it, a bit overpriced but it can last for days if you want it to - is not irritating and comes off very easily when you want. I’ve bought it for my mum and recommend it to all my friends."
Pros
- Doesn't smudge or flake, per my testing
- Separates my lashes, so they look very natural
Cons
- The flexible brush can make application a little messy
My usual state is the meme of the little girl with glitter all over her eyes who looks like she just waltzed off the Euphoria set. But! But! But! Some days, I do prefer to look more ~au naturel~, and those are the days I reach for Sky High Mascara from Maybelline.
It makes me look like I have naturally long af, defined lashes. It separates every single lash, so there is zero clumpiness at all—which is one of the things that's made this formula so loved on TikTok.
✨Editor rating: 4/5
Glowing customer review: "I have tiny, fine lashes and small eyes. And I HATE fuzzy spider legs on my lashes. THIS brush is PERFECT! I do a single layer to grab all the lashes and shape them, and a second layer to darken and thicken them. NO SPIDER LEGS! The formula applies evenly and clump-free. It looks like I've had my lashes tinted—natural and very dark."
Pros
- Flexible, silicone brush helps grab and comb through every lash
- Tubing formula is easy to remove
Cons
- A few testers said it made their lashes feel a bit dry (though, I did not experience this)
Like your lashes to look natural and soft? Go for this tubing mascara, which helps A) separate every lash and B) coat them with this lightweight formula. It's basically the opposite of clumpy, according to Scibelli.
"This one not only gives a dramatic finish in one coating, but it also nourishes the lashes with jojoba seed oil," he says. "I also like the feel of the flexible silicone brush which allows you to really zero in on those hard-to-get lashes."I tested it myself (see the above image for proof) and was shocked by how fanned out my eyelashes looked with just one coat.
It gave them a little bit of length and fluffiness without bulking on any clump to chunk 'em together. Instead, they're spread from inner to outer corner to perfection.
✨Editor rating: 3.5/5
Glowing customer review: "This mascara is amazing, especially for the price point a coat or lashes evenly without leaving them a clumpy mess I curl my lashes before using, and this holds the curl all day definitely my go to affordable mascara."
Pros
- Coats every single lash
- Unreal lift that sticks around
Cons
- If layered too much, it could clump
Tubing mascara comes in SO clutch in summer when you want a long-lasting lift and lengthen without having to commit to waterproof mascara and the tug of war it takes to get off. I love the lift and curl this gives my lashes – super fluttery and natural.
✨Editor rating: 5/5Glowing customer review: “I love this so much. It’s so great to apply, with no clumps. It leaves my lashes looking long and wispy. I love how easy it is to remove too.”
Pros
- Can withstand summer pool dips
Cons
- So waterproof that it can be a lil difficult to remove
I've yet to use a waterproof mascara that holds up as well as this O.G. Covergirl Lash Blast. It's a mainstay in my summer makeup bag every year (has been since–legit—2010). I can swipe it on, wait 10 minutes, then legit jump in a pool. My mascara will still look pristine, even after I rub at my eyes. It coats and defines my lashes to make me look more awake and bright-eyed on pool days or at the gym (yup, it's pretty damn sweat-proof too).
✨Editor rating: 4/5
Glowing customer review: "The older you get, the finer and lighter they become; this mascara makes them look like when I was young. And it is definitely waterproof. I know because I’m a sentimental idiot and ugly-cried at a movie recently, and it didn’t budge…yet it isn’t difficult to remove."
L'Oreal Paris Paradise Castor Oil Enriched Mascara Intense Black
Pros
- Formulated for sensitive eyes
- Keeps my lashes lifted and separated
Cons
- Large wand can be a bit difficult to use with small eye shapes
In high school, I used to draw a teeny-tiny wing with brow pencil on the outer corner of my eyes, as if my lashes were just so fluffy and heavy that they created a shadow. All of this to tell you: I like 'em as gigantic as humanly possible.
And of every drugstore mascara I've tested, this gives me the biggest oomph; I'm talking fanned-out lashes that look thicker from root to tip.The hourglass-shaped, nylon brush is v large, which is great for adding hella product to my lashes (but can be a bit tricky if you have small eyes, FYI).
One coat adds a nice mix of volume and length, but when I brush on a second layer, that's when the thickening really happens. What I love most is that it makes my lashes full, but also holds the curl and keeps my lashes lifted all day.
✨Editor rating: 4.5/5Glowing customer review: "I recently tried the L’Oréal Paris Makeup Lash Paradise Mascara, and it has quickly become my go-to for achieving voluminous, lengthy lashes with a soft and feathery look. This mascara delivers on its promise of voluptuous volume, making my lashes look fuller and more defined with just a few coats. The formula is not too thick or clumpy, which is a huge plus for achieving a natural yet dramatic effect."
Pros
- Only needs one (!) coat
- Doesn't smudge through sweating
Cons
- Brush can be a bit too large for small eye shapes
ATTN: This is former Cosmo US cover star Madelyn Cline's favourite mascara. (I would know; I asked her.) And if you've ever seen her lashes, they look extra af. Since I've tested this myself, I see how, as this mascara offers up some serious length and volume with one single coat. And if I want even more ~drama~, I can add a few extra layers to build it up, though this definitely runs the risk of getting a little bit clumpy and spider-y.
✨Editor rating: 3.5/5
Glowing customer review: "Love this mascara! Been using it for years, it always makes my lashes pop and doesn't run too much when it gets hot/sweat etc."
Pros
- Lengthens and defines my lashes with an ultra-black colour
- Tubing mascara, so v easy to remove
Cons
- Formula takes a long time to dry, so can be smudgey
The first thing I noticed as I swiped this tubing mascara on my lashes was how rich the black colour was. But as I kept building up the liquid-y formula, I saw just how lengthened and defined it made them look, without the spider-y, tarantula-esque vibe that can happen with lengthening mascara. Instead, it just looks like I naturally have mile-long eyelashes that are completely black (despite my also-natural blonde hair 😉). Because the formula is so thin, though, it can get slightly messy and clumpy while I'm applying.
✨Editor rating: 3.5/5
Glowing customer review: "Let me tell you, I was at the pool every day and not a single smudge, smear or streak was found. After every dip in the water, I asked friends and family for a mascara check. All the gals started asking me to send them the Amazon link. I also used it at nights when we all went out for dinner and it made my lashes look fuller and longer. I will definitely buy this again, possibly on a subscription if there is one so I'm never without."
Maybelline Volum' Express The Falsies Waterproof Mascara - Black
Pros
- Nylon brush wand grabs your lashes at the base to seriously lift them up
- Doesn't clump or smudge, based on testers' notes
Cons
- Brush can be messy
The chunky, nylon brush of this mascara really gets into your lashes at the root and lifts them up, so they appear longer and fuller from the base of your lashes. FWIW, one of my friend's has the best eyelashes I've ever seen; they legit touch her eyebrows. And every time someone compliments them, she doesn't thank her genetics, an eyelash curler, or some bogus eyelash serum—she credits Maybelline The Falsies.
"It still defines every lash—aka no clumps—yet makes them look like I'm genuinely wearing false eyelashes because of how lifted they are," she told me the last time I bugged her about her lash routine.
✨Editor rating: 4/5
Glowing customer review: "I love the way this mascara separates and lifts my eyelashes while still giving volume. I get compliments on my eyes when I wear this. The waterproof formula lasts all day with no smudging or black dots by my eyebrow where my lashes touch my skin."
How to choose the best drugstore mascara for you:
Consider the formula
Ever tried a tubing mascara? If you have, then I'm willing to bet you're prob a convert. Luckily, there are hella drugstore formulas (we noted them all above) that'll save you money and time removing it at night. But if you prefer a more bold look, then you'll probably like a traditional formula over tubing, as these usually use a nylon-bristle brush, which can distribute more product. IMO, tubing mascara is great for length and definition, while regular non-tubing formulas are ideal for volume.
Plus, you've also gotta decide if you're a waterproof person or nah. Waterproof mascaras are fab for reducing smudging, especially if you have oily eyelids or live in a hot, humid climate. And ofc, if you plan to swim or sweat in your mascara, waterproof comes in clutch. But some people don't love that they have to use a oil-based remover (like cleansing balm or cleansing oil) to take it off at night. In that case, choose a smudge-free regular mascara (I included a few picks above that didn't smudge on me).
Assess your brush type.
As noted above, the brush type will definitely enhance the type of look you're going for. Generally, there are nylon-bristle brushes and narrow, comb-like synthetic wands. "A fat and fluffy applicator will give you voluminous lashes," makeup artist Jenna Nicole has told Cosmo. Meanwhile, she says, "a long, skinny, more-precise wand will give you long, skinny, clump-free lashes." I've included a mix of brush types above, for reference, so it all depends on your lash style and ~vibes~.
Meet the experts:
- Neil Scibelli is a makeup artist based in New York, NY who works with celebrities and talent for TV interviews, press appointments, and more.
- Jenna Nicole is a Los Angeles-based celebrity makeup artist who has worked with Selena Gomez and Cassie Randolph. Nicole recently spoke to Cosmo about how to find the best mascaras.
Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan US with six years of experience researching, writing, and editing makeup stories that range from drugstore concealers to lip stains. She's an authority in all makeup categories, but is an expert when it comes to drugstore mascaras after testing dozens of formulas throughout her life, plus constantly asking experts for their recs.
Keeks Reid is beauty director at Cosmo UK with a decade of experience writing about beauty. While hair is her passion she has racked up a serious makeup and skincare stash and her fear of in-clinic lash treatments has led her to be a real mascara connoisseur.
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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