For makeup enthusiasts, the quest for the perfect mascara is an ongoing journey. While high-end brands often promise exceptional results, the drugstore aisle is brimming with affordable options that can deliver equally impressive outcomes. This article delves into the realm of drugstore mascaras, focusing specifically on those that cater to the unique needs of short eyelashes.
It's a common misconception that quality is solely determined by price. Mascara, in particular, defies this notion. The best drugstore mascaras, ranging from as low as $4 to around $20, offer a plethora of innovative formulas and wand designs to lengthen, curl, and lift lashes. These days, you can find completely vegan and clean formulas from brands like Covergirl that don’t skimp on the drama, and there’s never been more affordable options for lash-extending tubing mascaras from L’Oréal, Maybelline, and E.l.f. Cosmetics.
Celebrity makeup artist Katie Mellinger, who has worked with the likes of Sofia Coppola, Chloë Sevigny, and Emma Watson, advises considering your desired finish and lash goals when selecting a mascara. "For example, L’Oreal Paris’ Voluminous Original Mascara is going to build a lot of volume and make them look thicker, whereas Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara is going to focus more on lengthening the lash."
To identify the best drugstore mascaras, we conducted hands-on evaluations of numerous top-rated options. Our testers scoured local drugstores, scrutinized ingredients, and applied and removed countless formulas. We consulted with a celebrity makeup artist for her must-try recommendations, while also combing the internet for standout customer reviews and bestsellers worth trying.
E.l.f. mascaras are among the most affordable at drugstores. The Lash It Loud Waterproof mascara is our top pick for its volumizing and defining effect, and also ranks as the best drugstore mascara for short lashes that we tried. That’s all thanks to its flexible silicone wand applicator that separates and lengthens each and every lash, with long bristles that run both vertically and horizontally. The bristles form a spiky ball tip at the end of the wand, which allows for easy access to fine lashes at the inner and outer corner. And this top E.l.f. beauty product has a rich black pigment that creates a bold lash look without the risk of running.
Read also: Hairspray Buying Guide
This newcomer impressed our testers with its one-swipe-and-go results. Its densely bristled brush coats each lash with dark pigments in just one to two coats, making it ideal for those seeking a boost in volume and curl.
Editor testing and review notes: “This drugstore mascara impressed me with how quickly I was able to build it up to my desired definition (I’m someone who likes falsies-level volume even if it’s a casual lunch or a denim day at work). Where wetter mascara formulas require a minute or two between passes to build up the volume I’m after, this one dries down quickly for easy layering.
At just under $5, this viral sensation delivers impressively rich black pigment and buildable thickness and volume that rivals falsies. It features a conic fiber brush that resists clumping and builds up for intense volume. The mascara’s standout features are its super dark, dramatic color payoff and instant thickening effect. You really only need a maximum of two coats with this mascara, unless you prefer a chunkier lash look, because just one coat will provide substantial volume and length. As the product name suggests, the tapered wand aptly reaches each corner of the eye to fan out the lashes and create a cat-eye, false lash effect. Notably, two coats of this mascara does feel heavier on the eyes compared to other drugstore mascaras we tested.
This mascara has been a makeup artist favorite for years. Since launching in 1991, this matte gray tube has made appearances in the makeup bags of esteemed artists like Mario Dedivanovic. Although it’s a volumizing formula, Voluminous Original Mascara is unique in its ability to create a soft daytime look with one coat, and high-drama density with two to three passes. Its classic wand shape slightly tapers to a point to evenly coat the lash line with product, and smoothly extends lashes to a falsies-level length. Not only is the Voluminous Original Mascara one of the best drugstore volumizing mascaras, but it also comes with the added benefit of conditioning ingredients like panthenol and ceramides. It results in soft lashes that flutter (and don’t flake!), and the formula also works long-term to support the health of natural lashes.
Editor testing and review notes: “Of all the volumizing formulas we tested, L’Oréal’s Original Voluminous Mascara was the clear winner. The formula is richly pigmented, requiring fewer coats to achieve a dramatic lash look, but it’s the wand and bristles that this tester adored. Ultra-soft, densely-packed bristles grab lashes without too much handiwork required, and the slim wand makes it simple to target lashes on the inner and outer corners of your lash line. Because the bristles are so dense, we recommend wiggling the wand close to the lash line for an even, fully-fanned out result. Throughout an eight-hour testing period, this mascara didn’t flake or smudge.
Read also: Achieve Voluminous Hair
This unique formula is blended with a mix of fatty acids, vitamins, and keratin to strengthen lashes and leave them soft to the touch. Its creamy formula applies smooth for controlled, buildable volume and definition, while the traditionally-shaped wand works to flair and lift the lash line.
Editor testing and review notes: “I had never used an eye makeup product from Physicians Formula but the brand’s Butter line always leaves me impressed, so I was excited to take this one for a whirl. It gives the lashes a fluttery and natural look that I find ideal for daily wear. The texture of the product leans dry, which works best for building volume and separating sparse lash lines, and I’m happy to report that the conditioning ingredients worked their magic - the mascara washed off cleanly and left my lashes feeling so soft at the end of the day.
This top waterproof drugstore mascara delivers impressive results for its price point. The dual-sided wand has shorter bristles for fine lashes as well as longer ones to coat the outer corners quickly, plus a vitamin E-infused formula that prevents lashes from feeling overly brittle after wearing it (a common issue with many waterproof formulas). This drugstore mascara also provides a good amount of hold, meaning it’ll lift and set your lashes if you curl them first.
Editor testing and review notes: “Waterproof mascaras are something I tend to splurge on - I find that many drugstore alternatives tend to smudge or irritate my eyes. So you can imagine how surprised I was to swipe on a generous amount of Wet n Wild’s mascara without it transferring to my eyelids or creating raccoon eyes after wearing it while swimming. The formula lengthened my fine lashes as promised, but it also did a great job of keeping them curled.
This mascara is a top choice for sensitive eyes and those after voluminous lash results: It features a bushy, bristly brush for the outer corners of the lashes that tapers into a fine point for detail work on smaller lashes and the lower lash line. And best of all, this mascara rehabs brittle, dry lashes with a blend of plant-based oils that condition the lashes without causing smudging or smearing.
Read also: Comprehensive Guide: Eyelash Primers for Sensitive Eyes
Editor testing and review notes: “This mascara is a dream for daytime wear. A lot of volumizing formulas can leave your lashes looking dense and heavy, but this one nicely separates each little hair, resulting in a fuller look without clumps.
It’s a tubing mascara, which means it’s designed to deliver on extreme length, thanks to tiny fibers that wrap around each lash. This mascara diverts from other options on the market because Maybelline’s Hybrid Fiber technology employs fibers of all different sizes. The exaggerated helix brush shape melds the extensions from root to tip to majorly amplify lash volume. The Falsies Surreal Extensions Mascara is also formulated with plant-based oils that condition the lashes for a soft, not stiff, feel. This breakout star is clump-, smudge-, flake-, and smear-resistant. It’s also ophthalmologist tested, safe for sensitive eyes, and contains no animal-derived ingredients or byproducts.
Editor testing and review notes: “This mascara goes on like a dream. While I’ve been a fan of the Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies Mascara in the past, the Surreal Extensions Mascara is my new favorite from Maybelline. The large bristle wand evenly coats the lashes in the same ultra-black formula the brand is known for, while extending them to eye-popping lengths without any clumps. Other tubing mascaras I’ve tried have applied extension fibers haphazardly, where the fibers sit in jagged angles at the tips of the lashes like appendages, however this mascara smoothly fuses them to the natural lash. I found this mascara to be very buildable, as three coats beautifully applied to increase volume and length, without approaching spider-lash territory. The finished product appears wispy, feels lightweight, and aptly holds a curl.
Garnering hundreds of millions of views, searches, and reviews among beauty lovers on the app, it impresses with exceptional length and definition. Its feels featherweight on the lashes, while its fanned out wand grabs and coats each lash in one swipe for feathery, elongated eye look. Its clean, clump-free application and touchable hold makes it a stellar new discovery for daily and dramatic glam.
Editor testing and review notes: “The L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Panorama Mascara wand successfully combed product from root to tip, resulting in a pretty wispy effect that effectively transformed my eyes without appearing overly dramatic or overdone. I found it easy to flare the outer corners of my lash line for a flattering cat-eye effect and noticed zero flakes or smudges after a long day at the office and a post-work fitness class.
When selecting a mascara for short lashes, consider the following factors:
With the right products and proper removal, mascara should not damage short lashes. Choose mascaras with nourishing serums and always remove eye makeup gently at the end of the day.
tags: #best #drugstore #mascara #for #short #eyelashes
