9 Drugstore Mascaras That Will Replace Your Luxury Faves
You don’t have to splurge to get gorgeous, fanned-out lashes.
If you're searching for the best drugstore mascara, you're likely aware of how overwhelming the selection can be. Whether you’re after sky-high length, dramatic volume, or a little bit of both, there’s a budget-friendly mascara that can cater to your needs. Ahead, we’re breaking down the best affordable mascaras from L’Oréal Paris to help you find your perfect match—no splurge required.
Hi everyone I'm Erin Nicole and today we're going to talk about five best selling mascaras from L'Oréal Paris. I'm going to demonstrate each one show you a close up of the end result We're going to talk about the wands the formulas the benefits that way you know which one is best suited for your lash type We have the Telescopic Original Mascara Voluminous Original Mascara Voluminous Panorama Mascara Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara and Paradise Big Deal Mascara Let's begin with the L'Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Mascara this is the ultimate mascara for intense length and precise separation It has a washable formula designed to enhance lashes to appear up to 60% longer fragrance-free ophthalmologist tested and safe for sensitive eyes and contact wearers Now this is a great mascara wand I like a wand that's a little bit thinner that way you can get really close to the base of the lashes without accidentally poking yourself in the eye and smudging it all over the place you get great separation no clumping and this wand is also really great for getting the lower lash line as well this mascara is really best suited for anyone with straight or short lashes but I will tell you it's one of my all time favorites I'm using shade Blackest Black it goes on so easily the formula is really creamy and smooth I always like to do a little wiggle motion whenever I apply mascara I like to apply to the top and the bottom and then I always do a little flick right at the outer corner to create a very elongated sort of cat eye effect the before and after is incredible you can see just how easily I was able to coat the entire lash hair from base to tip absolutely incredible mascara Now let's take a look at the L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara the classic icon for buildable volume and everyday wear It has ingredients like Panthenol and Ceramide R to condition and protect lashes keeping them soft and healthy over time a lightweight formula that acts as a primer and allows full control for building up volume the wand is full and uniform slightly tapered at the end this mascara is best suited for anyone with thin or sparse lashes or anyone who just wants to enhance their natural lashes without looking too heavy the texture of this formula is very plush and feathery and the end result is really up to you fun fact this mascara was actually in my makeup bag when I was a competitive dancer and cheerleader growing up decades ago it might even be the first mascara I ever wore consistently there's a reason it's still a best seller just look at this before and after she's timeless perfect every single day and that's why this is in a lot of people's top drawer Next let's take a look at the L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Panorama Mascara this is a newer love for me it gives that very striking fanned out effect this formula has a bit of stretch to keep lashes soft and full clump and flake resistant it wears beautifully for up to 24 hours with a lightweight feel now this wand has it all it's tapered so you can use the tip to get those inner lashes that are hard to reach the bristles are straight and not too long so it acts as a comb to reach every single hair and that's why you get that 360 degree volume effect Now this mascara is for those of us who love a little drama and who doesn't? I love how it covers the entire lash line corner to corner I have to tell you this is currently sitting in my top drawer it's one of my all time favorites you can layer and build it up if you really want to but it's kind of unnecessary In fact I can usually apply to both eyes without having to dip the wand back into the tube Just look at that end result the before and after, falsies where? Just a stunning mascara now this is the L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara the People's Princess universally loved for its fragrance-free gentle formula with sensitive eyes in mind it's meant to give you lush volume and a dramatic effect that lasts up to 24 hours the formula is infused with floral oil to help condition lash hairs the wand is ultra soft with wavy bristles you have a slight hourglass shape so it will fit nicely with the natural curvature of the eye it's best suited for anyone looking for dense fuller looking lashes this is going to give you a ton of volume very quickly it's a thicker formula you don't have to build it up too much and it gives that very soft feathery look which I absolutely love if you're one of the lucky ones that naturally has very thick dense lashes you are absolutely going to love this mascara the Lash Paradise will be for you let's take a look at the before and the after there's no question why this is a best seller and finally we have the L'Oréal Paris Paradise Big Deal Mascara the key difference here is with the customization this mascara is so buildable without getting clumpy no matter how much you layer you can achieve any desired lash result it has a self-smoothing complex to keep the formula lightweight you know I love a good comb and this one features a cross conic brush to ensure every lash is evenly coated for max impact this is a hybrid model there's a slight hourglass shape it's slightly tapered at the end you have a different length bristles going on it's really innovative if you wanna keep it more natural you can go in with just one coat you're gonna get a ton of separation and then if you like the idea of building up a little drama you can keep going and it's just going to get a little bit bolder a little bit bolder never clumpy never messy it still looks more natural ish but full glam you get all of the drama without the fuss and this is the final result absolutely beautiful I have had so many people recommend this mascara to me I finally tried it so it's a relatively recent discovery I absolutely love it now that you've seen all five best sellers in action hopefully you have a better idea of which one is best suited for your lashes honestly I don't think you can go wrong with any of them it's way too difficult to choose one single favorite they all serve a different purpose they'll meet different moods different occasions and you may decide on more than one formula to create a lash wardrobe and there you have it if you want to learn more about these products and find out where to buy head to L'OréalParisUSA.com links are below
Our Best Drugstore Mascara for Lift and Separation
Clumpy lashes rank right up there with a cakey foundation as a beauty no-go, throwing off your entire look. If you’re looking for a mascara that can lift, lengthen, and volumize your lashes without those dreaded clumps, make the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Instant Lift Washable Mascara your new go-to.
The mascara’s double-hook bristle brush does it all—one side lifts and defines, while the other separates for a clump-free finish. The result? Long, luscious-looking lashes—and up to 36 hours of wear, to boot.
Our Best Volumizing Drugstore Mascara
If you’re after buildable, dramatic volume—without a heavy or clumpy finish— the L'Oréal Paris Paradise Big Deal Washable Mascara might be just what you are looking for. The formula is designed to deliver endlessly buildable volume and length and provides an even, clump-free finish (no matter how many coats you apply). Plus, the ceramide-infused formula feels lightweight on the lashes—just another reason why we’re declaring it one of ourbest drugstore volumizing mascaras to try this year.
Our Best Drugstore Mascara for Lengthening
When longer lashes are your ultimate goal, reach for the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Mascara. The flat side of the patented flexible precision brush coats your lashes and helps lengthen them up to 60 percent, while the comb side separates your fringe for a wispy, clump-resistant finish. Just a few strokes of the wand andeven your short, stubby lashes will look noticeably longer. Consider your search for the best drugstore mascara for length complete.
Our Best Drugstore Mascara for Length and Volume
For a mix of volume and length, reach for the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara. This affordable mascara features a soft, wavy bristle brush that holds just the right amount of product and catches every lash for an instant volumizing effect. The result is long, dense-looking lashes that resists clumping, flaking, and smudging for up to 24 hours. What’s not to love?
Our Best Drugstore Mascara for Thickening
If thick, luscious lashes are on your wishlist, reach for the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Washable Bold Eye Mascara. This classic mascara has a volume-maximizing brush that evenly coats every lash, leaving your fringe looking up to 15 times thicker. Bonus: It comes in classic black, plus some fun shades, like burgundy, green, and cobalt blue—perfect for any time you want to embrace a less traditional eye makeup look.
Editor’s tip: Before applying mascara, prep your lashes with a mascara primer to condition them and create a smooth base for your application. Try the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Primer to help you with this step.
Our Best Drugstore Mascara for Swimming and Sweating
Before hitting the beach (or pool), swipe on the L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara. The drugstore mascara’s waterproof formula is infused with floral oil and keeps lashes soft while delivering instant volume and length that lasts up to 36 hours—no clumps, smudging, or flaking. Plus, it’s ophthalmologist-tested and gentle enough for sensitive eyes.
Our Best Drugstore Mascara for a Doe-Eyed Look
You know the doe-eyed look—wide, bright eyes surrounded by lashes that seem to be never-ending. Even if you weren’t born with large, round eyes, you can get the look with the L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Panorama Washable Mascara. Its multi-level bristle brush evenly coats each lash for dramatic corner-to-corner volume that wears for up to 24 hours. Plus, it’s made with a 5% stretchflex complex and leaves the lashes looking soft and full—never stiff or crunchy.
Our Best Conditioning Drugstore Mascara
The L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Noir Balm Washable Mascara is a good drugstore mascara for those looking to green-ify their beauty routine. The caring formula contains 99% natural-origin ingredients, but volumizes, lifts, and lengthens just like any other lash-enhancing formula. Swipe it on when you’re after a natural finish for full, healthy-looking fringe that looks as good as it feels.
Our Best Drugstore Mascara for a Winged-Out Effect
If you haven’t mastered winged eyeliner yet, try giving your lashes a winged-out effect instead. To get the look, use the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Mascara. The brush has an asymmetrical lash line shape to extend and lift the outer corner lashes, creating a winged-out effect without liner. It also gives your lashes volume from the roots to the tips while stretching them outward to create intense length.
Which Drugstore Mascara Should I Use?
With so many beauty products out there, finding the perfect mascara can feel overwhelming. The truth is, no single formula works for everyone—your lashes, preferences, and routine all play a role. Want a little help? Take L'Oréal’s Mascara Finder Quiz! This quick and easy quiz will help you discover the best drugstore mascara for your unique lash needs.
Next Up: How to Do Natural Eye Makeup for Every Skin Tone
Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris
