8 Best Drugstore Mascaras for Falsie-Level Lashes on a Budget

ProsComes in three shadesLooks luxuriousFabulous at holding a curlConsIt tends to smudge when we get super sweatyHoused inside this pretty chrome tube is a mascara that does everything you could ever want. The lengthening formula—made with magnetic pigments—extends each individual lash for a falsie effect; the wand seamlessly lifts and separates every piece of fringe; and it’s completely buildable, so you can make your lashes as natural or dramatic as you want. This seriously rivals most of our pricey mascaras that are double or even triple the price.One Cosmo editor says: "I love all of L'Oreal's mascaras, but this one outperforms them all. First off, the packaging looks so luxe, and it comes in three different shades. This is officially my favorite drugstore mascara; the length I get from it after just a few swipes is truly unmatched. Let my photos speak for themself."—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITORJasmine HymanAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsCompletely weightlessLengthens and lifts with a single swipeKeeps eyelashes looking soft and naturalConsCan smudge slightly after 8+ hours of wearNot all makeup looks need dramatic, look-at-me lashes. When you want to embrace a more natural face, a few swipes of this lifting mascara give your fringe the perfect amount of fluttery definition. The skinny wand prevents any smudging or mishaps—even if you have hooded eyes—while the conditioning formula lifts and lengthens.One Cosmo editor says: “I usually want my lashes to be so big and bold people mistake them for falsies. However, this mascara opened my eyes (literally and figuratively) to how soft, natural-looking fringe can enhance my features. It’s become an everyday staple, especially in brown.”—MARY HONKUS, CONTRIBUTING BEAUTY EDITORMary HonkusAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsShea butter and castor seed oil in the formulation helps to condition your lashesEasy removalConsThe brush makes it easy to go overboard. Work in light layers to avoid smudgesIf you’re prone to mascara smudging and flaking no matter what you do, you’ll probably benefit from a tubing mascara. This type of mascara wraps each lash with tube-like polymers that stay securely in place until you wash it off with water at the end of the day. And while many are expensive, Milani created a formula that beautifully lifts and lengthens lashes on a budget. We always keep an extra stashed in our vanities.One Cosmo editor says: "If you haven't tried a tubing mascara yet, let my review of Milani's Highly Rated be the one to convert you. It's incredibly long-lasting on my lashes and oily lids but also very easy to remove. Just a little warm water, and the mascara disappears from lashes with zero tugging or pulling."—LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTORLauren BalsamoAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsCruelty-freeGreat for curling lashesWe love a reliable mascara that costs less than a latte. Essence's $5 mascara lengthens and lifts, is waterproof, and won’t smudge or flake—what more can you ask for? We also love the tubing formula and flexible wand that can reach even the tiniest of corner lashes for added drama.One Cosmo editor says: "Low key, I kinda thought I hated tubing mascara. Sure, it makes my lashes look long, but it doesn't give me the volume or separation I want most of the time. But this reinvented what I thought a tubing mascara could do. Three people have told me I look like I'm wearing lash extensions when I've had this on, because not only do my lashes look long, but also defined. It also holds a curl for quite a few hours—huge win for my straight lashes."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITORAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsBrush bends to help catch every lashTons of color optionsConsBottle might dry out quicklyThis mascara delivers dramatic volume and sky-high length to our lashes. But we shouldn’t be surprised—it’s literally in the name. Bamboo extract and fibers add weightless length and longevity. With just a few swipes, your fringe will be looking dramatic from morning till night. Plus, this comes in a variety of fun colors (including burgundy and navy) allowing you to really experiment with your makeup looks.One Cosmo editor says: "There's a reason this mascara has won like a million beauty awards. The spoolie is the perfect size and shape for lengthening and defining lashes without creating clumps, and it get legit never smears or gives me raccoon eyes." —LBLauren BalsamoAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsGreat for grabbing itty-bitty hairsLengthens and separates lashesThe precision brush on this mascara reaches and grips every single one of our lashes, and the super-pigmented formula defines even the tiniest ones. We love that it’s enriched with vitamin E to protect and soften our natural lashes while depositing otherworldly color. Since it’s everything-proof—literally: Waterproof, smudge-proof, sweat-proof, and humidity-resistant—it’s great to swipe on your lashes if you’re heading to the gym or during the hottest days of summer.One Cosmo editor says: “I gravitate towards waterproof mascara because it actually stays and doesn’t cause raccoon eyes. It doesn’t matter the season, my mascara is bound to end up in my under-eye area. I really like this one from Wet n Wild because it makes my eyes pop. I like to use my eyelash curler prior to application for extra volume.”—TARYN BROOKE, CONTRIBUTING BEAUTY WRITERTaryn BrookeAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsCruelty-free and vegan formulaLengthens and separates the lashes wellConsThe tubing removal isn't as seamless as othersThere is so much jam-packed into this drugstore mascara. Its unique tubing technology is super lightweight for all-day wear, it lengthens, it’s smudge-resistant, and it contains jojoba seed oil that conditions your lashes while providing enviable length. That being said, our favorite thing about the formula is how it mimics the look of lash extensions. Sorry to your lash artist—this will make you break up with her.One Cosmo editor says: "Just because a mascara is sold in a drugstore, doesn't immediately make it a bargain. But this $8 wand from e.l.f. is actually budget-friendly. It darkens and volumizes my lashes with just a few swipes, perf for when I don't want to spend time meticulously applying mascara for 5 minutes in the morning."—JHJasmine HymanAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsGreat for contact lens wearersDon’t need to use a ton of product to get the falsie effectConsCan be difficult to removeMaybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s Maybelline Falsies Mascara. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.) Ideal for people who love the look of false lashes but can’t seem to figure out how to glue them properly (it’s me, I’m people), Maybelline’s Falsies Mascara is like the Wonderbra of mascaras: It lifts and separates for a dramatic look-at-me effect.One Cosmo editor says: “I have been using eyelash serums for some time to grow my lashes so they look fake, but I’m not as consistent as I should be—oops! When I want that false lash look (which is most weekends), I use this mascara, and no joke, my lashes look insanely long and fluffed. I use Blackest Black and it’s perfect.” —TBTaryn BrookeAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowWhy trust Cosmopolitan?Mary Honkus is a contributor for Cosmopolitan with over eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories, including reviewing every Maison Margiela Replica perfume and finding the most spot-on Baccarat Rouge 540 dupes. She's an authority in all beauty categories, but the one thing she refuses to live without is mascara. For this story, she tapped Cosmo beauty editors to bring you this tested-and-approved list of drugstore mascara favorites.Taryn Brooke is a beauty writer and editor in digital media with more than 10 years of experience. She has covered the newest and most innovative makeup, aesthetic treatments, and beauty trends. She is obsessed with trying new beauty products and has an overfilled bathroom full of products to prove it.Mary Honkus is a freelance writer who covers beauty, home, fashion, health, and wellness (just call her a jack of all trades!). She has held staff roles at Real Simple, People, and InStyle, and her bylines can be found in numerous other publications. When she's not testing the latest and greatest products, she can be found chilling on her Hell's Kitchen rooftop, checking out NYC's hottest new restaurants, or recording her podcast Good Trouble NYC. Follow her on Instagram.Taryn is a beauty writer and editor in digital media with more than 10 years of experience. She has covered the newest and most innovative skincare and beauty products, aesthetic treatments, and plastic surgery trends. Her stories touch on everything from the best products to treat hyperpigmentation to why fat grafting is the better alternative to filler. In addition to Cosmopolitan, she currently contributes to Allure, InStyle, PS (formerly POPSUGAR), Marie Claire, The Zoe Report, and Bustle. In addition to her writing, Taryn directs, produces, and writes short films that have appeared at numerous film festivals around the country. Whenever she has a free moment, you can find her hopping around New York City with her Maltese pup, Bryn, and probably daydreaming about being at the beach. Follow her on Instagram for the latest.