The Best Drugstore Mascaras for 2026
Mascara is one of those makeup products that people tend to stick with once they find a formula they love. Whether it’s the same brand you’ve used since college or a game-changer that helped you discover your lashes, trying something new can feel intimidating. However, drugstore mascaras have come a long way over the years. With innovative wand designs and universally loved formulas, they remain a popular choice for many.
While clean beauty brands like Ilia and Tower28 have gained traction, classic drugstore brands have also introduced comparable options. Newer clean brands such as Pacifica have emerged with their own offerings, making it easier than ever to find a mascara that suits your needs without breaking the bank.
As a beauty editor who has tested a mix of drugstore and high-end mascaras, I’ve compiled a list of the most loved affordable options. Whether you prefer spider lashes or a more subtle look, there’s something at the drugstore for everyone.
Top Picks for Different Lash Needs
Best Drugstore Mascara Overall: CoverGirl Lash Blast Supercloud Mascara
Rating: 5/5
Lash Effect: Long and defined
Vegan and Cruelty-Free: Yes
Shades: Super black, black-brown, brown, black
Waterproof Version Available: No
Wand Type: Twisted comb brush
Why We Love It
Feathery light with lots of definition
Take Note
Might need extra layers
CoverGirl’s Lash Blast Supercloud Mascara is a standout choice for its lightweight feel and impressive results. It delivers long, defined lashes without feeling heavy. The twisted comb brush helps pick up every lash, making it easy to apply. The formula contains vegan collagen, which may help promote lash growth and thickness over time.
Buy Now
£9.99, Amazon.com
Best for a Natural Look: Pacifica Vegan Collagen Fluffy Lash Mascara
Rating: 5/5
Lash Effect: Subtle definition, lengthening
Vegan and Cruelty-Free: Yes
Shades: Black
Waterproof Option Available: No
Wand Type: Hourglass shape, bushy bristles
Why We Love It
Feels healthy for your lashes
Take Note
Very subtle definition
Pacifica’s Vegan Collagen Fluffy Lash Mascara is ideal for days when you want a natural look. The formula is nourishing and plumping, thanks to vegan collagen and plant fibers. It’s easy to remove and free from harmful ingredients like parabens and mineral oil.
Buy Now
£13, Amazon.com
Best for Lash Lengthening: L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Original Mascara
Rating: 5/5
Lash Effect: Impossibly long
Vegan and Cruelty-Free: No
Shades: Black-brown, black, blackest black
Waterproof Version Available: No
Wand Type: Very long and thin
Why We Love It
Eyebrow-grazing length
Take Note
Fiddly brush
L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Original Mascara is a classic choice for those looking for maximum length. The wand is very long and thin, making it perfect for extending lashes to unprecedented heights. It’s great for achieving that dramatic, eyebrow-grazing look.
Buy Now
£11.97, Amazon.com
Best for Separation: E.l.f. Cosmetics Lash XTNDR
Rating: 5/5
Lash Effect: Defined
Vegan and Cruelty-Free: Yes
Shades: Black
Waterproof Version Available: No
Wand Type: Straight, comb bristles
Why We Love It
Foolproof application
Take Note
Not so great for layering
E.l.f. Cosmetics Lash XTNDR is excellent for separating lashes and creating a defined look. The straight, comb bristles make it easy to apply without clumping. The jojoba oil in the formula leaves lashes soft and flexible.
Buy Now
£8, Amazon.com
Additional Recommendations
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
Rating: 5/5
Lash Effect: Fanned out with medium intensity
Vegan and Cruelty-Free: Brand states it is cruelty-free, but parent company L’Oreal tests on animals
Shades: Black, brown, burgundy, blue, plum, cosmic black (with sparkles), very black
Waterproof Version Available: Yes
Wand Type: Thin straight cone, plastic comb bristles
Why We Love It
Long-lasting
Easy to remove
Take Note
The formula can be quite wet for the first uses and it’s at its best when slightly dried out
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High is a versatile choice for different eye colors and preferences. It lasts all day and is easy to remove. The formula layers well without clumping.
Buy Now
£10.82, Amazon.com
Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
Rating: 4.5/5
Lash Effect: Lash extensions
Vegan and Cruelty-Free: Yes
Shades: Black
Waterproof Version Available: Yes
Wand Type: Bushy bristles
Why We Love It
False lash look in one coat
Take Note
Prone to clumping
Essence Lash Princess offers a false lash effect in one coat, making it a budget-friendly option. It creates a dramatic, spidery look but may clump if not applied carefully.
Buy Now
£4.99, Ulta.com
Your Drugstore Mascara Questions Answered
What is the best drugstore mascara?
The best drugstore mascara on test is CoverGirl’s Lash Blast Supercloud, thanks to how soft and conditioned my lashes felt throughout the day, without compromising on definition. However, for more drama and impact, I’d recommend L’Oreal’s Telescopic and Elf’s Lash XTNDR, closely followed by Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High as a midpoint between soft and glam.
How I Tested and Selected the Best Drugstore Mascara
I’ve researched extensively to find the drugstore mascaras that have had the highest status over the past few years and added cult classics that never drop off the shortlists (my own included). I applied one coat of each mascara to my top and bottom lashes with no eyeliner, coating both the underside and topside of my upper lashes (a must for instantly extending their length). After letting it sit for several hours, I recorded the following information:
- Application: I assessed how easy each mascara wand and formula was to use, including whether or not it was runny, crumbly, or the brush was just too big to wrangle.
- Removal: No one wants to peel their mascara off with their fingernails, so I washed my face as usual and assessed how well each formula melted away (or didn’t).
- Lash Effect: I like different mascaras for different moods and makeup styles, from barely-there to full-on spider lashes, so the following reviews won’t be affected by a strict personal preference. However, I did analyze which formulas and brushes were the best for volumizing, defining, lengthening, and curling. Any mascaras that left my lashes looking clumpy or droopy weren’t included in my final round-up.
One thing to note is that my eyes don’t get along with waterproof mascara, so all of the following mascaras are standard.
What is the best budget drugstore mascara?
If you are on a tight budget, I’d recommend Essence’s $4.99 Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara.
Which drugstore mascaras are tubing?
Maybelline’s Lash Sensational Sky High and Elf’s Lash XTNDR mascaras are both tubing formulas from the ones I tested.
What is the best drugstore mascara for length and volume?
L’Oreal’s Lash Paradise wins when it comes to lengthening and volumizing. This is the best drugstore mascara for long-lasting hold, too, and gives extra definition at the base of the lash, so it’s a great all-rounder.
Why You Can Trust IndyBest U.S. Reviews
Ava Welsing-Kitcher is a beauty editor with years of industry experience, accruing a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the products that do (and importantly don’t) work. She’s familiar with beauty brands both big (think: Benefit, Shark) and small (Kulfi or Ceramonia), and puts all the products she tests through their paces, to ensure they’re truly worth your money. Having researched and tested a broad range of mascaras, from budget-friendly to luxury formulas, she is an expert you can trust.
The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking news brand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. We have grown a huge, global readership of independently minded individuals, who value our trusted voice and commitment to positive change. Our mission, making change happen, has never been as important as it is today.
