Once upon a time you'd be lucky if the best drugstore mascaras held a curl, let alone held up to best mascaras you'd find at your nearest department store. But that was then, and this now: And in 2020, whether you're looking for a formula that adds volume, amplifies length, or simply stays put all day long, you can get a great, holy-grail-worthy option for the price of your average lunch salad (or less). That is, so long as you know where to look and what to grab.
While the prices are affordable enough that you could go brand by brand trying everything they have to offer (in fact, we've done that with CoverGirl and Maybelline), sometimes you just want a rec for a highly specific result, and that's where our editors come in. Collectively, we've tried all the best drugstore mascaras, from waterproof formulas to those created for sensitive eyes to pretty much every volumizing, clump-free creation in between.
Scroll on for our reviews of the best cheap mascaras that’ll give you the look of extensions for less.
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
