Top 5 Drugstore Mascaras (with photos)

You may be wondering what qualifies me as the mascara expert…

Well, ever since my mom bought me my first tube of Maybelline Great Lash as a freshman in high school, I’ve been on a quest for the most lash maximizing, eye popping mascara out there.  I’m telling you, I have tried it ALL (in washable and waterproof).  I’ve found that drugstore mascaras are just as good, if not better than the fancier mascaras that you can only find in department stores, Sephoras, or Ultas.

As you can probably guess, I have a wide collection of mascaras in my makeup drawer, so I decided to choose my five favorites, wear them on consecutive days, and take a photo each day so that I could rank them (and share with you).

I’ve always been the girl to Google “best mascaras”, and it’s hard to trust random articles without photographed proof!  But don’t worry, girls…I’ve got you covered:)

So here they are (duh, duh, duhhhh!)…my top 5 favorite drugstore mascaras:

5) CoverGirl The Super Sizer Washable Mascara

Pros: This mascara is easy to apply, and looks great for everyday wear! It adds volume to lashes without making them look “overdone” (if you think there’s such a thing). It also comes off when wash your face at the end of the day but doesn’t smudge throughout the day (that’s always THE WORST).

Cons: Lashes lack length (in comparison to some other mascaras in this review). The formula is a little dry and sometimes becomes flakey. The brush is thin and can be difficult to use on lower lashes.

Bottom line: This mascara is a good “everyday” mascara that’s more natural and easy to remove when you’re ready.

4) Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious Washable Mascara

Pros: This mascara fans out lashes. It adds a little more length with about the same amount of volume as Covergirl’s The Super Sizer mascara. It’s quick to apply and to remove.

Cons: The brush in Lash Sensational tends to clump lashes together, and the formula is a bit more “wet” than other Maybelline mascaras, in my opinion, which makes it messier.

Bottom line: Lash Sensational is a great mascara to maximize lashes for everyday wear.

3) L’Oreal Telescopic Washable Mascara

Pros: This mascara brings out the natural beauty of your lashes. If you are the kind of girl who goes for the “no makeup-makeup” look, this is the mascara for you! Telescopic lengthens and defines lashes beautifully.

Cons: I’m not a fan of this brush. The bristles are small and plastic, and the formula is a little on the “wet” side, which makes application a bit challenging and messy.

Bottom line: This mascara is great for a lengthening natural look (and it’s also my mom’s favorite:)).

2) Maybelline Colossal Volum’ Express Waterproof Mascara

Pros: This mascara has been one of my favorites since high school. It’s a trusty summer go-to for me. Colossal Volum’ Express is invincible! I wear it in the pool, to the gym, hiking, golfing…pretty much everywhere that warrants mascara smears, and guess what? It never smears and adds tons of length AND volume.

Cons: This mascara is industrial strength, and it’s very difficult to remove, even with eye makeup remover for waterproof mascara. Sometimes it feels like I’m ripping my eyelashes out when I scrub it off.

Bottom line: Colossal Volum’ Express is great for all-day wear, especially during active days, but it can be a pain (literally and figuratively) to take off.

1) Maybelline Pumped Up! Colossal Volum’ Express Waterproof Mascara

Pros: This mascara is my personal favorite! It makes anyone’s lashes pop with volume and length. The brush is perfect for easy application. Pumped Up! stays on and doesn’t smudge during everyday wear, but it (mostly) comes off with hot water or in a steamy shower.

Cons: It can make lashes a little too clumpy for some people (but I obviously don’t mind that part)…the more dramatic the lash, the better, in my opinion!

Bottom line: Pumped Up! is a great mascara to unleash your diva for a full, fanned out lash look.

So what’s in my bag, you ask?

I ALWAYS have three active mascaras (yep, I’m that girl).  I keep a washable mascara at all times, and after doing this experiment, I’ve decided that L’Oreal Telescopic is my favorite of my washables.  I also always keep Maybelline Colossal Volum’ Express waterproof mascara for super active days and beach days.  Of course, you can guess that I keep Pumped Up! Colossal Volum’ Express waterproof mascara on hand at all times too.  It’s kind of an “in between” mascara, and it’s the one I always run out of first.

Now that you’re inspired, hop your little (educated) booty off the sofa and out to the drugstore to pick up your new fave mascara;)