If there's one makeup item I can't leave the house without wearing, it's mascara. It helps me feel my best and allows me to look more awake, especially since I like to keep my everyday makeup routine effortless and to the bare minimum.
And while a bad hair day is frequently talked about, a bad mascara day is often overlooked. There's nothing more frustrating in a beauty routine than applying mascara hoping to have long and lush lashes, only for it to clump, flake and end up streaking on your eyelids throughout the day. I have come across plenty of those woes in my search for the best mascara.
From the day I was allowed to wear makeup as a teen to then having to wear loads of it while working as a performer, I've tried at least 50 mascaras. Plus mascara is a makeup item that needs replacing more often; I go through one every three months. And all I really am looking for is a product that doesn't flake, clump, transfer onto skin and is easy to take off. Of course, I want it to look like I just walked out of a lash extension appointment, too.
My top 5 mascaras | More editor-loved and award-winning mascaras | How we chose
That's why, no matter how many new mascaras I give a chance (after all, I've sampled at least 50), I always come back to these five options — with drugstore finds under $10. Plus you'll find some more editor favorites from our Shop TODAY Beauty Awards.
My top 5 mascaras
Maybelline The Falsies Mascara
In my opinion, this is the best mascara the beauty industry has to offer. No matter how many mascaras I try or test, I always go back to Maybelline Falsies — and not just for its affordable price. When I lived abroad, I'd make sure to pack at least five of these and stocked up on more during my visits home.
I normally buy the color "Blackest Black." According to the brand, the formula has keratine fibers to build and lengthen your lashes. I find it to be super pigmented and long-lasting, you just need a few swipes in the morning and you're set for the rest of the day. It doesn't flake, cause your lashes to clump and I don't find myself rubbing off residue from my brow bone at the end of the day. The brush is different from most mascaras, it has a slight half-moon shape so you can really control the application and it gives your lashes that cat-eye and lengthening effect. I get tons of compliments on my lashes when wearing this!
L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Panorama Mascara
In the past year, L'Oreal recently launched this mascara and after trying it out, it's been added to my mascara hall of fame. The formula is very pigmented and doesn't flake or transfer on your eyelids during application. Also, the brush is tapered towards the end, so you can really get in between your lashes to achieve that glamorous length and lift. If you've been wondering how to achieve "doe eyes," this is the pick for you!
Maybelline The Colossal Mascara
Another noteworthy and affordable Maybelline option is "The Colossal." This is my go-to if my Falsies color is out of stock or only sold in waterproof. The brush is a bit different, but I find it has a similar formula and results to Falsies.
According to the brand, the mascara is infused with collagen, which they say will help plump your lashes and give them extreme volume, which I definitely notice while wearing this all day long.
Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara
I received this Tarte mascara in a PR package and was a little skeptical because I've used mascara from similar brands and was immediately disappointed — but this one proved me wrong! It's number one on my splurge-worthy list that I'd buy again and again. The formula applies extremely pigmented (which is great for those with lighter lashes), doesn't smudge and didn't budge one bit. The spoolie looks like a traditional mascara brush that tapers towards the end; it's easy to control and helps curl and lift my lashes.
The brand says the ingredients are 100% vegan and cruelty-free, and dermatologist-tested, which I love the most about it. And it doesn't irritate my contact-wearing eyes one bit. Plus the packaging is really cute and fancy!
Clinique High Impact Mascara
If you bought anything from Clinique during one of their in-store bonus weeks, you might have received the mini version of this in a free gift set. This mascara was one of the first ones I ever tried and it really set the bar for what I wanted in the product (maybe that's why I'm so picky!).
There's a reason why the brand says it's their bestselling mascara, it promises to build dramatic and bold lashes, and it really delivers. The buildable formula applies effortlessly without any clumping. And for sensitive eyes, the first ingredient in it is water, so I found it to be super gentle when taking off at the end of the day.
Essence Lash Princess Mascara
This cult-favorite mascara lengthened the lashes of one Shop TODAY writer — and it boasts a $5 price tag.
$4.99
Amazon
$4.99
Ulta
$4.99
Target
Julep Eyeshadow 101 Crème to Powder
Craft the perfect eye look with this crème-to-powder stick.
$10.98
$18.00
Amazon
Nivea Skin Firming Lotion
According to the brand, this gel cream can firm and tone skin in as little as two weeks.
$8.99
$10.27
Amazon
$10.27
Walmart
$12.99
$10.29
Target
Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation
Suitable for all skin types, this award-winning foundation helps reduce redness and even skin tone.
$45.00
Sephora
Dermaplaning Tool Set
Remove unwanted dead skin and facial hair in one easy, quick motion with this dermaplaning tool set.
$8.99
Amazon
Derm Correxion Contour Cream
This anti-aging moisturizer targets signs of aging and is gentle enough for daily use, says the brand.
$32.99
RoC Skincare
$24.27
Amazon
$34.99
Ulta
Monochromatic Multi-Stick
Add color to your eyes, lips and cheeks with this cream-to-powder blush stick.
$5.00
Amazon
What The Foundation
This tinted moisturizing balm combines makeup and moisturizer, offering light-medium coverage.
$44.00
Jones Road Beauty
Ogee Sculpted Lip Oil
Nutrient-rich butters and waxes in this lip oil offer a light tint and soothe your lips, according to the brand.
$28.00
Amazon
$32.00
Saks Fifth Avenue
Advanced Neck Firming Cream
Made with hydrating ingredients, the brand says this cream delivers a smoother, firmer neck area.
$54.00
Amazon
$54.00
DRMTLGY
Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation
This medium-to-full coverage foundation also hydrates skin for 24 hours, helping you achieve a natural glow.
$47.00
Amazon
$47.00
Sephora
$47.00
Macy's
Kitsch The Satin Pillowcase
Tired of bed head? This satin pillowcase claims to reduces frizz.
$19.00
Kitsch
$15.19
$18.99
Amazon
$9.50
$19.00
Ulta
Kitsch Ice Roller for Face
This roller claims to improve circulation to your face and neck, reducing irritation and inflammation.
$17.99
$23.00
Amazon
Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set
Achieve heatless curls overnight with these rollers, says the brand.
$15.98
$18.00
Amazon
$16.00
Ulta
More editor-loved and award-winning mascara
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
“This mascara definitely lives up to its name as a lengthening mascara, who knew my lashes were this long? It also left my lashes looking curled, which is impressive because they’re normally pretty flat,” says associate social editor Dani Musacchio.
Former Shop TODAY page, Laura Millar says she'd buy this again, too. "This is a traditional, easy-to-use (and wash off) mascara. It’s quick to apply and lengthens lashes," says Millar.
Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara
“It has a nice lift after two applications and I really enjoyed the fanning on the lower lashes,” says senior editor Jess Bender. “There was slight smudging around the lower lash area after applying setting spray, but it generally lasted the duration of the day, even during sweatier times. It was also generally easy to remove, though a few small clumps remained on my face after a double cleanse.”
Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Curling Mascara
“Lashes were lengthened and lifted without the usual clumping,” says Ashley Parrish, senior vice president of commerce. “The wand separated each lash and made application super easy. [It] lasted through work and a workout each day with no flaking or transfer.”
Lancome Definicils Defining and Lengthening Mascara
“This was my absolute favorite product, there’s nothing I didn’t like about it. My eyelashes were longer and thicker — I didn’t even have to curl my eyelashes!” says TODAY.com contributor Anne Smith.
I had the chance to try this Lancome mascara, too, and I was pleasantly surprised at the length it provided. My pet peeve is when mascara formula rubs under your eyes or on the lid and I was happy to see that this one did not!
How we chose
Ever since I started wearing makeup, I've tried over 50 mascaras and counting. I independently chose my favorite picks based on quality and how often I've used them.
For other editor-picked mascaras, which are Shop TODAY Beauty Award winners, we sorted through nearly 1,200 new launches, editor recommendations, trending and tried-and-true products to come up with 155 winners. We hosted an in-house glam session, putting them through practical experiments to see if they meet requirements when it comes to value, satisfaction and quality for makeup, skin care, beauty and hair products and tools.
