The Best Drugstore Mascaras for Long, Thick, and Clump-Free Lashes

We all know and love the original formula of this mascara, and this newer iteration is just as impressive. CoverGirl's Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara stands out from its predecessor for its argan- and marula oil-infused formula that conditions lashes while creating length, lift, and volume — without clumping or flaking. Its fresh formula is so long-lasting and defining that it even won a Best of Beauty Award in 2021.

Blk/Opl Super Volumizing Mascara is not messing around when it comes to thickening lashes. It's not making a mess while it does it, either, thanks to a creamy, fast-drying formula that has no interest in flaking off. Although its volume may wash away when you remove it at the end of the day, this mascara's impact lives on through conditioning vitamins like tocopherol (vitamin E) and panthenol (vitamin B5).

The Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara is the viral sensation of drugstore mascaras. In September 2017, a Redditor shared before-and-after photos using the $5 find, and people on the makeup side of the Internet freaked out. Her lashes were dramatically lengthened to false-lash proportions.

This No7 mascara is infused with shea butter and vitamin E to condition and keep lashes feeling and looking soft and fluffy. Plus, its hourglass-shaped wand coats lashes from top to bottom, giving off a dramatic, voluminous look. 

For intense pigment, swipe on the Maybelline New York The Falsies Lash Lift Ultra Black Intensifier Mascara. It comes in three ultra-dark shades (Blackest Black, Ultra Black, and Very Black), and uses a fiber-fueled formula that delivers all the dramatic volume, definition, and length you desire.

Normally, "super fake" doesn't read as a good thing, but in the case of Lottie London's Super Fake False Lash Effect Mascara, it's high praise. The TikTok-beloved brand has managed to bottle up some major flutter power, encouraging astonishing length that normally takes a strip to achieve. We'll take this easy-to-apply, nourishing formula over lash glue any day of the week.

The hourglass shape of E.L.F. Big Mood Mascara, combined with its volumizing and lifting formula, makes this Best of Beauty Award winner hard to beat. This jojoba wax-based mascara holds your lash's curl effortlessly throughout the day while creating a fuller, thicker finish. The unique brush head separates and defines your lashes so well that you may reconsider picking up false lashes ever again.

Jason Wu Beauty's Hot Fluff Mascara has a slim wand that grabs onto each lash and coats it with its water-resistant formula. Speaking of formula, this one is loaded with jojoba and castor oil to condition and moisturize lashes. 

Milani named its latest mascara Highly Rated Anti-Gravity Mascara not because it anticipated the inevitable five-star reviews, but as a play on its instant and noticeable lifting effect. Lashes look, longer, thicker, more defined — even the teensiest ones — and the hourglass-shaped brush ensures that the delightfully light formula won't clump as it creates an eye-opening impact.

Believe us — you can trust The Lip Bar with your eyes, regardless of its expertise in another facial feature. LashFlash Strengthening Mascara is proof of the brand's perfectionism in every makeup category, with its nourishing, green tea-infused formula and beautifully defining effect that works perfectly for everyday wear. 

For a feathery, fanned-out look, look no further than Flower Beauty's Warrior Princess Mascara. The buildable formula simply refuses to clump, instead creating a silky, soft finish with an incredibly dark pigment.

Once you get past your mind being blown by the no-twist cap of Makeup Revolution's 5D Lash Pow Mascara, it's just going to happen all over again when you see how much volume it adds in a single coat. Wiggle this 2022 Best of Beauty winner on for lashes that walk the line between well-defined and nearly impossible to see through.

We didn't know how badly we wanted diamond dust in our mascara until Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Diamond Mascara came along. In addition to lengthening and separating lashes for an everyday-glam look, it adds a subtle shine that we wouldn't be able to take our eyes off of if it weren't on our eyes. Another stand-out, unexpected ingredient: peptides that help strengthen lashes so they feel fabulous when they're not all dolled up.