The Best Drugstore Mascaras in 2021

I’ve been on a mission this month: to find you the BEST DRUGSTORE MASCARAS in 2021. Some people swear by high-end, expensive makeup brands of mascara but I know that there are many great options in your local drugstore or supermarket that don’t have the hefty price tag. I personally put multiple tubes to the test and narrowed it down to 6 mascaras that I promise you will love. Read on to find out which one might be right for you!

It’s all about the eyes!

Since most of your face is covered up with a mask during this pandemic, women are making more of an effort with their eye makeup. It’s all about the eyes now! You have to convey a lot with just your eyes and finding the perfect, affordable mascara is a great start.

I asked for your input on my Instagram Stories for your favourite mascara and added a few more on my list to try and vet before writing this post. If you’re looking for the two best brands for mascara at a drugstore, it is without a doubt Maybelline New York and L’Oreal Paris. Both brands have numerous mascaras that meet all of the criteria that I was looking for. In all honesty, I tried a couple that was recommended to me including Rimmel Wonder’Luxe (too clumpy) and L’Oreal Telescopic (too flaky) but they didn’t make the cut this time around.

Don’t let the price tag fool you. During my research, the brand that I was most surprised about is Essence. I’ve never really given their makeup a chance before, perhaps because it’s so cheaply priced, I figured that it couldn’t be any good. I was so wrong. Their $5.99 Lash Princess is a fantastic mascara for the price. Another staple is Maybelline Great Lash mascara, it’s one that I’ve been using for years and you can never seem to go wrong with it. There’s no reason why you should be spending $30 on a tube of mascara when you can be spending under $10 for the same result.

Mascara Judging Criteria

For the mascara application, I like to curl my lashes twice. Once before applying mascara and then again before the second coat. I use a lash comb after the second curl to separate and fan lashes. This makes for a pretty good test to see if the mascara formula will flake or clump… two major factors that can land a tube in the trash can. Here are the criteria that I used to narrow down my favourite 6 drugstore mascaras:

smudge-proof
doesn’t clump lashes
doesn’t flake off
lasts all-day
lashes look longer
lashes look thicker
easy to wash off
affordable!

Best Drugstore Mascaras in 2021

L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara

Here’s a mascara that I’m sure you’ve seen before. It has been L’Oreal’s star mascara for over 25 years and the staple choice of many women out there. I’ve bought L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara over and over throughout the years and have always been happy with the results. It builds lashes while resisting clumping, making them look thicker and longer. There are a few shades to choose from, I personally love the carbon black!

Maybelline New York Great Lash

My mom always swore by this mascara and it was the first tube I ever bought when I was a teenager (in electric blue, of course). The iconic pink and green packaging of the Maybelline Great Lash Mascara is a staple in my makeup bag. It debuted in 1971, and there’s a reason it’s still on the market! It has great coverage and lasts all day, without flaking or smudging.

Essence Lash Princess Mascara

Have a look a the end of the aisle so that you don’t miss Essence makeup. This Lash Princess Mascara is being raved about in many beauty round-ups and it’s definitely worth a try. Another thing that might surprise you at this price point is that it is a vegan formula that’s both cruelty and gluten-free. This mascara stood up to the test of all-day wear and has a rich black pigment. I’d absolutely buy this one again and again!

COVERGIRL Lash Blast Volume Mascara

After reading mixed reviews, I almost didn’t buy COVERGIRL Lash Blast Volume Mascara for testing but I’m so glad that I did. It’s definitely my new favourite! I have never used a mascara that separates lashes like this one. The big brush may take a little getting used to but I found that the formula made my lashes look so full and individually defined. It’s also a hypoallergenic mascara if you’re more sensitive to formulas. Love this on my bottom lashes too. Definitely give this one a try if you want a bold, volumizing mascara!

L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara

This mascara boasts over 200 bristles in its brush. They do glide easily over every lash and you will definitely notice that your lashes look very thick and full after even one coat of L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara. I love the dramatic feel of this mascara, perfect for day and evening wear. I also found that the formula was lightweight and easy to wear all day long.

Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High

Maybelline New York’s new Sky High mascara went totally viral and is now sold out everywhere! I’ve looked online and in every drugstore and yep, it’s gone! I’ve included it here because I did get to try it when it first came out and it is definitely worth the hype. So if you see one in your travels, make sure to scoop up one, or two tubes. It is a washable mascara formula infused with bamboo extract and fibres to help you get those lashes looking extra long. The brush allows you to really pick up every little wispy lash. It’s suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.