Our 13 Best Mascaras of 2020

If you ask us, we’d say the world is a better place thanks to drugstore mascara. Applying mascara is a necessary step in every makeup look since fabulous lashes are something we all crave. But with that being said, it isn’t always in the best interests of our bank accounts to splurge on expensive, high-end makeup. Luckily, you don’t have to break the bank to get the best mascara. Continue reading to find out all about our best drugstore mascaras for 2020—including our best waterproof option—so you can find the perfect one to use in your next eye makeup look.

OUR BEST DRUGSTORE MASCARA FOR VOLUME

Turn up the volume with the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara. This drugstore mascara features a soft, wavy bristle brush that holds the maximum amount of formula while the 200+ bristles catch every lash for a dramatic volumizing effect. You’ll get a full lash fringe that’s feathery soft with no flaking, no smudging, and no clumping! What’s not to love?

OUR BEST DRUGSTORE MASCARA FOR LENGTHENING

More of a length gal? The L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Mascara is your drugstore mascara match! The flat side of the patented flexible precision brush lengthens your lashes while the comb side of the brush precisely separates lashes for a clump-free result. Our best drugstore lengthening mascara, you’ll be left with lashes for days!

OUR BEST DRUGSTORE MASCARA FOR SWIMMING AND SWEATING

Want eye-catching lashes that won’t succumb to a day at the beach or a dip in the pool? The L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Waterproof Lengthening Mascara is our best waterproof drugstore mascara. The waterproof formula enhances lashes with intense length while providing unique lash by lash separation for a captivating eye look that can withstand a little H2O. What’s more, the mascara is fragrance-free, ophthalmologist-tested, and allergy-tested, making it suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

OUR BEST DRUGSTORE MASCARA FOR DOE-EYES

You know the doe-eyed look—wide, big eyes surrounded by lashes that seem to be never-ending. Well, the L’Oréal Paris Bambi Eye Washable Mascara, Lasting Volume will help you achieve it with just a few swipes of its wide-eyed brush, complete with short and long bristles to separate and coat every lash. The velvety formula glides on smoothly for lifted, elongated lashes without clumps.

OUR BEST DRUGSTORE MASCARA FOR MATURE LASHES

If you have mature lashes, you may find that your fringe needs a little extra TLC. That’s where the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Lash Magnifying Mascara with Conditioning Serum comes in. This volumizing mascara is formulated with a conditioning serum and jojoba oil, allowing you care for your eyelashes and leaving you with magnified, defined lashes.

OUR BEST DRUGSTORE MASCARA FOR A LASH LIFT EFFECT

If you’re looking for a mascara that will instantly lift your lashes, the L’Oréal Paris Unlimited Lash Lifting and Lengthening Washable Mascara is the drugstore option for you. This mascara, which is inspired by the makeup artist hack of bending your mascara wand for added control and ease of application, has a unique two-position wand that can be used straight or bent to customize your lash look. This bendable wand also helps to guarantee a precise, effortless application on harder-to-reach areas of your fringe like the inner and outer corners. Glide the stretchable formula onto your lashes to get intense length and build up your look without any clumps or flakes.

OUR BEST DRUGSTORE MASCARA FOR ALL-AROUND INTENSITY

False lashes and extensions aren’t the only way to take your lashes to the next level and really create an intense lash look. A fiber mascara can also amp up intensity! If drama and intensity are what you’re all about, try the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous X Fiber Mascara. The black primer and fiber mascara combo will give your fringe extreme volume and length. First, apply the black primer to build intense volume and color instantly. Then apply the fiber-infused smudge-proof mascara formula to take your lashes to extreme lengths.

OUR BEST DRUGSTORE MASCARA FOR SEPARATING LASHES

The L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Million Lashes™ Mascara is perfect for the lash perfectionist, who we know hates clumpy lashes that are all stuck together. The brush will give your fringe definition lash by lash while the buildable, collagen-infused, no-clump formula thickens and separates every lash from corner to corner—leaving you with a breathtaking, ultra-volumized lash look! The built-in wiping system wipes the brush free of clumps, leaving the perfect amount of mascara behind. So, it’s basically foolproof. This is also a prime drugstore mascara pick for those with sensitive eyes. The formula is fragrance-free, ophthalmologist-tested, allergy-tested, and suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

OUR BEST DRUGSTORE MASCARA FOR THICKENING

Are thick lashes what you’re after? Look no further than the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara. This cult classic mascara has a volume maximizing brush that thickens lashes evenly and smoothly, leaving them soft with virtually no flakes, smudges, or clumps while the maximizing formula quickly thickens and builds lashes in a single application for a full and dramatic look. Bonus: It also comes in fun shades, like burgundy, green, and blue, if you feel like getting creative with your makeup look.

OUR BEST DRUGSTORE MASCARA FOR MULTI-TASKING

Not into layering your mascara? An all-in-one product is right for you! For a primer and mascara duo, try the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Superstar Mascara. The super-volumizing primer builds dramatic volume on every lash and creates an ultra-smooth base to maximize mascara performance while the super-extending mascara, which has a fiber-rich black formula, leaves you with a super-volumized, super-extended, superstar fringe!

OUR BEST DRUGSTORE MASCARA FOR A HIGH-SHINE FINISH

Want to be camera and red carpet ready? Use the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Superstar Red Carpet. This primer and mascara duo builds dramatic volume on every lash while extending your lashes to the extreme. Most importantly, the formula is infused with light-reflecting pearls that will glisten throughout the night!

OUR BEST DRUGSTORE MASCARA FOR A WINGED-OUT EFFECT

If you haven’t quite mastered winged eyeliner, you can take the easy way out and give your lashes a winged-out effect. So much simpler! To get the look, use the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Mascara. The mascara’s brush has an asymmetrical lash line shape to extend and lift the outer corner lashes, effectively giving you a winged-out look, instantly volumizing your fringe at the roots, and stretching lashes outward. A coat or two later and you’ll have silky, spectacular lashes that flutter.

OUR BEST DRUGSTORE MASCARA PRIMER

Mascaras are amazing in their own right, as you know, but there’s always room to kick things up a notch. Not convinced? Layer a mascara primer underneath your favorite drugstore mascara, and you’ll see what we mean! Before anything else, brush the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara Primer/Base onto your lashes. The pale pink primer (so pretty) will wrap around your lashes, acting as a smooth surface for your first layer of mascara and amplifying the impact of the mascara formula.

Keep reading: Looking to build the perfect drugstore makeup routine? We can help! Next, brush up on more of Our Best Drugstore Makeup Products for 2020.