A great mascara doesn’t have to drain your bank account. In fact, makeup artists often say they’ll spend big on other products like foundation and primer, but turn to affordable makeup brands for cheap mascaras, because there are just so many great options that do just as good a job as the expensive brands.
The trick is in the application.
How Do You Apply Mascara Like A Pro?
Chances are, you haven’t been applying your mascara correctly. The number one mascara brand in the United States, Maybelline New York, say to start at the root of your lashes, and wiggle the brush as you follow your lashes while lifting up and out. Want more volume? That’s when you then blink your lashes onto the wand. Three coats, max, by the way! Any more and you risk clumps.
Should You Apply Mascara on Top of Your Lashes?
The jury is out, but from personal experience adding mascara on top of my lashes, not just underneath, was a game-changer. This is especially true if you have light-coloured lashes — blonde, red or light brown. Coating both sides will ensure a fuller finish.
Below, find our favourite cheap mascaras — all $25 or under.
Barry M
Feature Length Mascara, Barry M
British brand Barry M makes some fantastic, affordable beauty products. The Feature Length Mascara ($15) has maintained a 4.5/5 rating on Adore Beauty with over 40 reviews that speak to the volume and length it gives lashes. “It never clumps, goes on evenly and lasts all day,” one user raves.
Sephora
Outrageous Curl Mascara, Sephora
Sephora’s in-house collection gets plenty of praise for boasting products that work as hard as some of the top beauty brands, but for half the price. One such release is the Outrageous Curl Mascara ($16). Fans love the small brush — which can catch even the tiniest of corner lashes — and the smudge-proof finish.
Rare Beauty
Perfect Strokes Universal Volumising Mascara, Rare Beauty
There are loads of mini mascaras you can buy for under $25, but we chose this one by Rare Beauty ($20) because of its masses of fans. Maintaining a 4.5/5 rating with over 1,400 votes, users say you need just one coat to get maximum volume and length, and rave about the clump-free formula. “I recently tried this mascara and was blown away by how great it was. It lengthens and thickens my lashes beautifully,” one fan says.
E.L.F
Clear Brow and Lash Mascara, E.L.F
If you haven’t tried E.L.F’s beauty products yet, this is your sign to get buying. The super cheap makeup brand is known for prices that have to be seen to be believed; with formulas that work far harder than what you paid. Those who prefer a clear mascara for separation and hold will love the Clear Brow and Lash Mascara ($4.87), which users say is flake-free and dries quickly.
Milk Makeup
Rise Lifting and Lengthening Mascara, Milk Makeup
Milk Makeup has made waves with hard-working formulas and hyped products, and this Rise Lifting and Lengthening Mascara ($21) has garnered a strong 4.3 out of 5 rating on Sephora, with over 700 reviews. “Rise is the perfect mascara if you’re looking for something to darken, lengthen and lift your lashes individually,” one reviewer says, noting that the brand’s famous (and more exxy) Kush Mascara ($40) is great for volume, but not as useful if you want length and lift.
Maybelline New York
Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara, Maybelline New York
You can’t write a list about affordable mascaras without including Maybelline New York. One of the most popular makeup brands for makeup artists, Maybelline has been making top-rated mascaras for decades. One of the more recent favourites is the Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara ($25), which has taken TikTok by storm for the volume and wild length.
