5 Current Budget-Friendly Mascara Favorites

I know this probably sounds ridiculous to the common makeup wear-er, but I’ve really minimized the amount of mascara tubes I have open at once. I’m down to just five, which I rotate through depending on the look I’m going for that day. To be fair, I think this is pretty reasonable since mascara formulas and wands can vary for different effects.

My current favorite mascaras are all budget-friendly at the drugstore, besides one that’s online-only. Keep reading to discover my favorites and see before-and-after application photos!

ALSO READ: Best Drugstore Mascaras for 2020

1. AOA Fat Lash Mascara ($1)

For a dollar, this mascara is a daily warrior! Perfect for adding a ton of length and darkening the lashes. I love this for daytime looks, and the comb wand really separates the lashes to coat them evenly. You don’t get a ton of thickening action here, but it’s perfect for my dense-yet-short natural lashes. It’s the only one on this list that isn’t available in-store, so check out my other makeup suggestions from Shop Miss A so you can put in an order that reaches the free shipping threshold!

2. NYX On The Rise Volume Liftscara ($11)

This mascara brings the drama! It adds a ton of volume, lift and length in one coat. The wand is in between a round and hourglass shape, with comb bristles to separate the lashes. I’ll admit this one is a bit harder to apply to the bottom lashes because of the wand size. But the before/after speaks for itself— this is what I reach for when I want statement lashes without putting on falsies.

3. Covergirl Flourish by LashBlast Mascara ($9.49)

If you watch my YouTube videos, then this mascara is probably no stranger to you. This is a great daily mascara that offers a little boost of length, operation and thickening for more natural looks. I also like wearing it underneath false lashes because it doesn’t add too much, but just enough to blend everything together. Otherwise, I wear it on its own with neutral shadow shades and no-makeup makeup looks.

4. Covergirl Exhibitionist Mascara ($7.99)

Another great option from Covergirl is their new Exhibitionist mascara, which is all about the volume. Apply with a light hand, because it builds up quickly! This mascara has an hourglass brush wand appilcator to grab and flare the lashes from corner to corner.

5. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Plumping Mascara ($8.99)

The newest addition to my mascara collection, I love the length and volume this mascara gives me while staying flexible and soft to the touch! The formula contains hyaluronic acid that nourishes the lashes, and it’s not going to flake or crumble on you. It’s a great middle-of-the-road mascara since it definitely boosts the appearance of your eyelashes, but the soft appearance looks more natural.

What’s your favorite budget-friendly mascara?