The Best Mascaras EVER: 5 Totally Worth the Hype

If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you already know how much I love mascara! My lashes are nice without it, but mascara provides the added length and definition needed to really make my eyes pop. I've tested so many mascaras, but I always return to a few essentials that I can't seem to do without. Today I want to share the best mascaras ever (premium and drugstore) that I always keep on hand.

These are mascaras with staying power; the ones that are already cult classics or that are headed for that status. I'm also including samples of each mascara in use so you can see what they look like on my lashes and decide for yourself which one you prefer.

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Want to see 5 amazing premium and drugstore mascaras in action? Here are samples of each. #mascara Click To Tweet

The Best Mascaras Ever

Ready? Let's get to it. These are in no particular order, other than the fact that the premiums are listed first and then the drugstore brands last. You can't go wrong with any of them! (PS: I don't have fake lashes on in any of the sample photos. That's all the work of the mascara! You can see my bare lashes in this post.)

Too Faced “Better Than Sex”

This one is worth every penny I've ever spent on it. I even give it as gifts! One of my close friends had a birthday this month, and she said the only thing she wanted was the same mascara that I use because my lashes always look so amazing. So, that's what she got!

She's not the only one who compliments me when I wear this mascara; I've had strangers ask what brand I use when I have it on, too. It's great for depositing lots of color and adding volume. Best of all, it's vegan-friendly and certified cruelty-free.

Buy it here: Too Faced “Better Than Sex” mascara

Too Faced “Better Than Sex” in action (see another photo here)

It's a great combination mascara that's good for adding both length and volume. (You only need one coat to add significant drama.) It's also a cult classic and loved by makeup addicts.

I would cry, but my mascara is designer. Click To Tweet

MASCARA TIP: Gently twist the mascara wand back and forth inside the tube to deposit additional color on the brush. Never pump it up and down, because this will push more air into the tube and cause it to dry out faster.

 Benefit's “they're real!” Lengthening Mascara

Benefit's “They're Real” is my “can't live without it/daytime look” mascara. My lashes look natural, but still very striking when I use it. The wand does a fantastic job of separating lashes so each one stands out, and it also darkens them in a way that looks beautiful but not overwhelming.

The formula contains Vitamin B4 and Serine (an amino acid) to keep lashes moisturized, so I love that this one helps to keep my lashes healthy on a day-to-day basis. It doesn't flake either, which I really appreciate. Benefit is another company that does not test their products on animals.

Buy it here: Benefit's “they're real!” Lengthening Mascara

Benefit's “they're real!” lengthening mascara (see more pictures on this Simple Everyday Makeup post)

This mascara has won the following awards, so I'm obviously not the only fan:

• #1 best selling Prestige Mascara in the US for 3 years (source: The NPD Group, Inc.)
• Allure Readers' Choice for Best Mascara (department stores, specialty stores), 2014
• Women's Health Beauty Awards, Readers' Choice for Best Mascara, 2014

MASCARA TIP: The Tweezerman Folding I-Lashcomb is a favorite because the metal does a better job of separating than plastic brushes do. It's very handy because it folds up to fit in a purse (and won't catch on anything and break). It's also inexpensive!

BareMinerals “Lash Domination” 

This is another 5-star mascara that continually tops my list of favorites. It's a great all-in-one mascara that adds length, volume, and does a good job of separating lashes. My eyelashes reach up to my brows when I wear it! People always think I'm wearing fake lashes when I have it on.

Buy it here: BareMinerals “Lash Domination” mascara

BareMinerals “Lash Domination” is one of the best mascaras ever (see the rest of the photos on this Audrey Hepburn makeup post)

I wear this one when I want more drama or sometimes for an evening look, like in my Messy Fishtail Braid look for nighttime. This is a great one when you want that “wow” factor. BareMinerals does not test on animals or work with companies that do animal testing or use child labor.

MASCARA TIP: To make lashes appear even fuller, after applying one coat of mascara to your lashes as you normally would, look down and coat the back side. Add a second coat to the front of your lashes to flare them back upwards as a final step.

NYC “Sky Rise Lengthening Mascara”

This is one of my favorites for my bottom lashes! It has a tiny wand that holds a lot of product. It deposits lots of color on lower lashes without getting annoying brush strokes on the skin underneath my eyes.

Buy it here: NYC Sky Rise mascara  [discontinued – see below for my a substitutes]

One of my biggest makeup struggles has been finding a mascara for my bottom lashes that doesn't deposit residue under my eyes. 

In a tie for the bottom lashes are NYX “The Skinny Mascara” and Maybelline's The Falsies “Push Up Angel”.  They both have small wands that are perfect for lower lashes. You really can't go wrong with either one, and both are inexpensive (under $10). Buy NYX here. Buy Maybelline's Angel here.

MASCARA TIP: Mascara has the shortest shelf life of all the makeup products. Replace it every 3 to 4 months. If it smells funny or if the texture changes, be on the safe side and throw it out. Also, never share mascara with anyone because you can transmit eye infections that way.

Maybelline “The Falsies Push Up Drama” & Maybelline The Falsies “Push Up Angel”

These are my favorite all-in-one drugstore mascara options. They're my go-to for full, dark lashes because they provide so much volume.

Since they're half the price of the premium brands, I keep them in my makeup bag at school and take them if I'm headed to the lake for the day and want to look nice for dinner afterwards, etc. In other words, if there's a chance they may get stolen, then these are good options because they work just like “Better than Sex” but don't cost as much to replace.

Buy it here: Maybelline “The Falsies Push Up Drama” mascaraHere is Maybelline's The Falsies mascara in action!

These 2 options definitely bring the “wow” factor. I love them so much that I've written a full post about the “Angel” version of this mascara, which you can find here. It's one of my favorite mascaras of all time!

Maybelline is owned by L'Oreal and their policy is not to test on animals unless it is required by law for safety or regulatory purposes. I'm 100% convinced that Maybelline makes the best drugstore mascaras, but I do wish L'Oreal would go 100% cruelty-free!

MASCARA TIP: Check out How to Get Doll-Like Lashes if you're interested in adding volume to your lashes with lash fibers.

I hope this was helpful! What mascaras would you pick as the best mascaras ever? If you have any questions about the ones I recommend or what might be right for you, just let me know in the comments!

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