Best drugstore mascaras 2025, ranked by a beauty editor

Unlike blush and lip liner, mascara is a makeup item that we tend to stick to once we’ve found a good one. Whether it’s the same brand you’ve used since college or the game-changer that finally helped you to discover your lashes (and no other tube compares), venturing out to try a new mascara can seem daunting.

One thing that hasn’t changed since your college days: the humble drugstore mascara. Their innovative wand designs and universally loved formulas have greatly improved over the years, but they were pretty exceptional to begin with. While clean mascara formulas have taken off from brands like ILIA and Tower28, many classic drugstore brands have introduced comparable versions — plus, newer clean brands such as Pacifica have emerged with their own offerings.

As a beauty editor who’s always kept a mixed bag of drugstore and high-end mascaras, I’m here to guide you on the most loved affordable mascaras and what sets each of them apart. For instance, why CoverGirl’s lash blast supercloud mascara ($12.99, Cvs.com) was my favourite overall and e.l.f’s lash XTNDR ($7, Cvs.com) if you’re on a strict budget. Whether you’re a spider lash-lover or like a subtler frame for the eyes, there’s something at the drugstore for everyone.

How I tested

I’ve researched extensively to find the drugstore mascaras that have had the highest status over the past few years and added cult classics that never drop off the shortlists (my own included). I applied one coat of each mascara to my top and bottom lashes with no eyeliner, coating both the underside and topside of my upper lashes (a must for instantly extending their length). After letting it sit for several hours, I recorded the following information:

• Application: I assessed how easy each mascara wand and formula was to use, including whether or not it was runny, crumbly, or the brush was just too big to wrangle.
• Removal: No one wants to peel their mascara off with their fingernails, so I washed my face as usual and assessed how well each formula melted away (or didn’t).
• Lash effect: I like different mascaras for different moods and makeup styles, from barely-there to full-on spider lashes, so the following reviews won’t be affected by a strict personal preference. However, I did analyze which formulas and brushes were the best for volumizing, defining, lengthening, and curling. Any mascaras that left my lashes looking clumpy or droopy weren’t included in my final round-up.

One thing to note is that my eyes don’t get along with waterproof mascara, so all of the following mascaras are standard.

Why you can trust IndyBest U.S. reviews

Ava Welsing-Kitcher is a beauty editor with years of industry experience, accruing a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the products that do (and importantly don’t) work. She’s familiar with beauty brands both big (think: Benefit, Shark) and small (Kulfi or Ceramonia), and puts all the products she tests through their paces, to ensure they’re truly worth your money. Having researched and tested a broad range of mascaras, from budget-friendly to luxury formulas, she is an expert you can trust.

The best drugstore mascaras for 2025 are:

• Best overall – CoverGirl lash blast supercloud mascara: $12.99, Cvs.com
• Best for a natural look – Pacifica vegan collagen fluffy lash mascara: $12.41, Amazon.com
• Best for lash lengthening – L’Oreal Paris telescopic original mascara: $11.12, Amazon.com
• Best for seperation – E.l.f. Cosmetics lash XTNDR: $7, Amazon.com