No makeup look is finished without the perfect coat of mascara.
Whether you’re looking for something waterproof to last you through your best friend’s wedding or a go-to volumizing mascara for everyday wear, this is your guide to shopping for the perfect mascara at Walmart.
Every product on this list is available for under $20 on Walmart.com, with most picks priced at less than $10.
Contents
What To Look For In A Mascara
Before we dive into the list, let’s go over the basics of choosing your perfect mascara.
Some might tell you it’s all about the brand.
We all know about the iconic mascara brands, right? Maybelline, Covergirl, L’Oreal… but what’s the difference between these name-brand mascaras? Are they all the same, just in different packaging?
Not exactly.
Some mascara brands are known for designing top-of-the-line waterproof mascaras while other brands are more focused on offering hypoallergenic formulas with clean ingredients. So, choosing the brand for you will depend on what you’re looking for.
Before choosing a mascara, it’s important to consider what you’re looking for in your ideal product. Not all mascaras are created equal, so you could end up with a very different result depending on which one you choose.
There are literally thousands (maybe even tens of thousands?) of mascaras available on the market, so choosing the right one can feel like a daunting task. Some mascaras are designed to promote volume while others are best if you’re looking for a curly, lifted lash. Some mascaras are waterproof while others are easily washable with water. There are colorful mascaras, clear mascaras, and even nourishing mascaras that will help your eyelashes become naturally fuller and longer.
So… where to begin? First, you’ll want to ask yourself a few questions…
Are you looking for maximum volume, length, and curl? Are you looking for a long-lasting waterproof mascara? Are you looking for a natural product suitable for sensitive skin and eyes? Consider your answers to these questions, and then check out our list below of the best mascaras at Walmart based on your specific needs.
Most mascaras are designed for one or more of the following goals or concerns…
- Volumizing
- Lengthening
- Curling or lifting
- Waterproof wear
- Smudge-free wear
- Eye or skin sensitivity or allergies
Based on these factors, we’ve gathered up a list of the six best mascaras at Walmart to meet all of your individual lash needs.
The 6 Best Mascaras At Walmart
Best Waterproof Mascara
L’Oreal Paris Bambi Eye Waterproof Mascara ($10.88)
This volumizing waterproof mascara has been cited time and time again by beauty reviewers as one of the best waterproof mascaras on the market. It’s known for maximizing both length and curl and has even been called a dupe for false lashes.
This mascara currently holds a 4.5-star rating from over 800 customer reviews on Walmart.com, making it one of the highest-rated mascaras at Walmart. You can find L’Oreal Paris Bambi Eye Waterproof Mascara on Walmart.com for $10.88.
Best Mascara For Sensitive Eyes
Burt’s Bees Natural Nourishing Mascara ($17.55)
Priced a bit higher than some of the other picks on this list, Burt’s Bees Natural Nourishing Mascara is made with natural ingredients and can help moisturize your lashes for healthy growth and natural length. This hypoallergenic mascara comes in both black and brown and is the best go-to natural mascara available at Walmart due to its clean ingredients and non-irritating formula.
Neutrogena’s line of Healthy mascaras can also be a good option for those with sensitive eyes. Healthy Lengths Mascara and Healthy Volume Mascara from Neutrogena are both available for $8.14 on Walmart.com.
Many people have expressed curiosity about Sephora’s line of Size Up Mascaras as a potentially hypoallergenic option at Walmart as well. Unfortunately, these mascaras are not entirely hypoallergenic and do not include as many “clean” ingredients as the Burt’s Bees pick. They’re rated as 91% free of top allergens, including fragrances, gluten, coconut, and nickel. However, they still contain some ingredients that certain users might find irritating for skin and eyes.
Best Volumizing Mascara
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara ($9.98)
This mascara is by far the best-selling mascara available at Walmart, and for good reason. Touted as one of the best mascaras for both volume and length by countless beauty and cosmetics reviewers, Maybelline Sky High Mascara does just what its name suggests–it will make your lashes look like they’re reaching for the sky.
Available for just $9.98, this mascara is also a great value for the quality. If you have $10 to spare and you want your lashes to look as long and thick as possible, give this stuff a try ASAP. Not only is it one of the best mascaras at Walmart–it’s one of the most popular drugstore mascaras sold anywhere in the world.
Best Curling Mascara
Covergirl Lash Blast Clump Crusher Mascara ($8.67)
A roundup of the best mascaras wouldn’t be complete without a shoutout to Covergirl. This anti-clumping mascara helps promote lash curl with its specially designed brush and lightweight formula that won’t weigh down your lashes. (Just remember that in order to get the most curl out of your lashes, you’ll want to use a lash curler before you apply your mascara.)
Available for just $8.67, this mascara deserves a spot on this list for multiple reasons–it’s designed to promote optimal curl, eliminate clumping, and it’s certified cruelty free.
Best Mascara For All-Day Wear
IT Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara ($18.55)
IT Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara has been called one of the best smudge-free mascaras for all-day wear by beauty reviewers across the web. It’s also one of the highest rated mascaras on Walmart.com, currently holding a 4.7-star average rating from customer reviews.
It’s considered a “tubing” mascara, which means that it coats each individual lash with a casing that will not smudge or flake until you’re ready to remove it. The best part is that despite holding up to all day wear, this washable mascara is also super easy to remove with water and a little facial cleanser at the end of the day. It might not hold up to an ugly cry, but it’s amazing for everyday wear.
Not only will this mascara protect you from unwanted smudges and flakes–it will also promote the overhealth and fullness of your natural lashes. That’s because this stuff is loaded with peptides, proteins, biotin, and more, which can help promote growth, length, and volume along your lash line.
Best Mascara For The Price
Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara ($5.98)
Originally introduced in the 1980s, this iconic pink bottle and green lid is recognizable to just about anyone who’s browsed a makeup aisle in the past 40 years.
As Maybelline’s longest-standing fan favorite, this Great Lash Waterproof Mascara is available for just $5.98 and cannot be beat when it comes to an affordable waterproof mascara. If you’re looking for a trusty everyday mascara that won’t run down your cheeks in the rain, this stuff is definitely worth a try.
Mascara Application Tips For Full Lashes
Mastering your lash look isn’t just about buying the perfect mascara–it’s also about fine-tuning your application technique. Because even with the best mascara in the world, you can still hold yourself back if you don’t know all the tips and tricks.
Here’s a list of application techniques to help you master the art of the perfect full lash…
Apply from the root to the tip
One of the most common mistakes people make when applying mascara is not covering their whole lash. Make sure you’re starting at your lash line (the root of your lashes), and draw your brush all the way through to the tip. If you’re worried about hand-eye coordination, try simply holding your applicator at your lash line, then blinking slowly onto the applicator brush to apply.
Wiggle your wand
Did you know that if you simply pull your mascara brush straight through your lashes, you might be robbing yourself of potential coverage and volume? Yup. The best way to apply mascara according to cosmetics experts is to plant your applicator brush at your lash line, wiggle it slightly from side to side to get in between as many individual lashes as possible, and then draw up toward the top of your lashes. This will help prevent clumping and ensure that your lashes are thoroughly coated.
Don’t overapply
Another big mistake that a lot of people make in their makeup routine is applying too much mascara. The general rule says not to apply more than three coats of mascara. If you apply more, you’ll start to notice clumping and your lashes will become heavy, giving you less curl. Too much mascara can also lead to excessive flaking later in the day once the product dries. Stick to about two coats, and call it good.
Use a lash curler
If you really want your lashes to pop, then you definitely want to invest in a lash curler. Lash curlers help emphasize the length and volume of your lashes naturally without having to apply fake lashes. Just remember to always curl your lashes before applying your mascara. Curling after will leave you with a dirty lash curler, and it can even break your lashes as mascara tends to make lash hairs more stiff and breakable.
Here’s a hot tip… If you want your lashes to stay curly well after using your lash curler, try using waterproof mascara. It’s been shown that waterproof mascara helps lashes hold their shape for much longer than washable mascaras.
Make sure your applicator is fully coated
Using a dry or partially dry mascara brush is a sure-fire way to get a lackluster lash look. To make sure your applicator is fully coated, try swirling it around in the mascara tube before taking it out. If you’re still not seeing much product on your brush even after swirling, then it’s probably time to buy a new tube of mascara.
Always apply mascara to clean lashes
Making sure your eyelashes are clean before applying your mascara is another good way to ensure the best result possible. Applying to oily lashes or lashes that already have product on them can lead to heavy lashes that just don’t have the kind of curl and volume you’re looking for. Make sure to wash your face before applying your makeup, and consider using an eyelash primer first to maximize your mascara’s potential.
Never reapply over dry mascara
This is a big one. Once your mascara has dried, leave it alone! Reapplying fresh mascara over dry mascara is almost guaranteed to cause major clumping, and can even cause the dry product to flake off onto your face. If you really need to reapply mascara for some reason, try using a small, narrow brush and reapply sparingly just where you need it.
Try combining brushes
If you’re going for a specific look that combines volume, length, and curl, then your best technique might involve using multiple applicator brushes. First, apply with a thick brush designed to maximize coverage and volume. Then, follow up with a thin, narrow brush for your second or third coat to promote length.
