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I Tried 9 Budget-Friendly Drugstore Mascaras And Here’s My Review
The beauty industry is arguably the OG of drops.
New collections are announced everyday, ranging from the newest and improved beauty tool technology to claims of ingredients that house the fountain of youth. There seems to be something launching daily for just about everyone.
When it comes to the mascara world, popular classics like Maybelline Great Lash and CoverGirl Lash Blast have managed to hold the titles of holy grail mascaras for years. While it would be a dream to try every new mascara that hits the shelves on the daily, a girl's only got so much lash and so much coin.
So, if you've ever found yourself contemplating between saving your coins for those holiday gifts or re-upping your beauty stash, I've narrowed down and tested out nine budget-friendly mascaras for every girl, every lash, and pretty much every budget. Peep my selects below!
No 7 Exceptional Definition Nutrient Enriched Mascara
Left: With Mascara; Right: Without Mascara
Color: Black
Price Tag: $8.99
Lash Purpose: Thickening, Lengthening
Claims: Its innovative 3-in-1 wand gives volume and definition to every lash. The left side of the brush loads lashes, the right side combs lashes, and the top targets hard-to-reach lashes. It's also hypoallergenic.
Final Thoughts: I loved the definition and natural look. It felt nourishing while being applied, was easy to remove with a makeup wipe, and was buildable for added volume.
Revlon Ultimate All-In-One Mascara
Left: With Mascara; Right: Without Mascara
Color: 501 Blackest Black
Price Tag: $5.99
Lash Purpose: Length, Volume, Lift, Definition, Color
Claims: High impact formula delivers 5 lash-transforming benefits: volume, length, definition, lift, intense color. The Power Mini Brush leaves no lash behind.
Final Thoughts: I noticed the volume and length the most with this mascara. I liked how it was buildable while leaving my lashes with a glossy finish. It gave me glam vibes and was easy to remove with a makeup wipe.
Maybelline x Shayla: The Colossal Big Shot Mascara
Left: With Mascara; Right: Without Mascara
Color: 228 Baddest Black (also comes in blue & purple)
Price Tag: $6.99
Lash Purpose: Volume
Claims: Delivers fully loaded volume in just one coat. The brush features unique, wavy bristles that cradle lashes, which the collagen formula delivers bold volume.
Final Thoughts: This mascara was one of my favs. First impression, the brush head it totally my style because I'm after mega volume & length. I liked how it had a darker pigment but was still easy to remove with a makeup wipe. I'm definitely interested in trying the blue and purple shades next!
e.l.f 3-in-1 Mascara
Left: Without Mascara; Right: With Mascara
Color: Very Black
Price Tag: $3.00
Lash Purpose: Volume, Lengthening, Definition
Claims: The newest and reformulated mascara by e.l.f. This all-in-one mascara helps lengthen, define, and volumize lashes. The silicone brush has precision bristles to coat lashes for a dramatic look.
Final Thoughts: This mascara is a steal as far as price goes. It separated my lashes nicely and looked natural (more so than dramatic) while still lengthening. The ball end of the brush head made it easy to get to the smaller inner corner hairs. It's also buildable and easy to remove with a makeup wipe.
Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
Left: Without Mascara; Right: With Mascara
Color: Black
Price Tag: $4.99
Lash Purpose: Volume, Lengthening
Claims: Mascara for an irresistible false lash effect. The conic shape brush provides lashes with dramatic volume and sculpted length. Opthalmologically tested.
Final Thoughts: This mascara was also one of my favs that provided mega volume and lots of pigment. It was buildable, but you have to be careful not to layer too many coats. I found the more I swiped on, the more clumpy it seemed to get. Tip: If you notice slight clumping, take a clean mascara spooly and run it through your lashes as needed for separation.
CoverGirl Total Tease Mascara
Left: With Mascara; Right: Without Mascara
Color: Very Black
Price Tag: $10.49
Lash Purpose: Separation
Claims: To be used for sexy, teased lashes. Use the lash teasing mascara comb for ease and control to tease even the tiniest corner lashes for a full, voluminous look. Said to be suitable for contact lens wearers.
Final Thoughts: First impression, I thought the brush head looked pretty weird, and this was also the priciest of the mascaras tested. I noticed right away how it separated my lashes and made them look longer at the same time. This mascara is great to use on top and bottom lashes and is easily removable with a makeup wipe.
NYX Doll Eye Mascara
Left: Without Mascara; Right: With Mascara
Color: 02 Black
Price: $9.99
Lash Purpose: Volume
Claims: For irresistibly fluttery lashes, this mascara uses a unique blend of natural oils, Vitamin E, and nylon fibers to extend eyelashes for a bold and beautiful look.
Final Thoughts: I had pretty high hopes for this mascara. I was really expecting the wide-eyed doll effect, but the mascara gave more natural vibes. The brush head was a bit flat in the middle, which caused the bristles to be a bit stuck together (at least in the tube I purchased). All in all, this mascara was ok, but I don't think it rose to the occasion to match its name.
Black Opal Color Splurge Waterproof Mascara
Left: With Mascara; Right: Without Mascara
Color: Black
Price: $8.95
Lash Purpose: Curl, Volume, Lengthen
Claims: This splash-proof mascara seals each individual lash with a unique fortifying formula. It curls, volumizes, lengthens, and sets lashes into place for day-to-night wear. The curved brush is carefully designed to fit the contour of the eye, coating each lash with intense black pigments to reveal a lush, defined, and clump-free look.
Final Thoughts: Although the packaging is pretty plain and basic, I liked the look of the dark pigment leaving a glossy finish on my lashes. I usually don't use waterproof mascara because of the hassle to take it off, but this one passed the test and was still easily removable with a makeup wipe.
L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise
Left: With Mascara; Right: Without Mascara
Color: Blackest Black
Price: $9.99
Lash Purpose: Volume
Claims: L'Oreals first mascara for voluptuous volume & length. The soft wavy bristle brush holds maximum formula for a dramatic volumizing charge and full fringe effect. The smooth glide formula provides silky volume in one coat. Lashes are feathery soft to the touch.
Final Thoughts: At first glance, the packaging is very similar to Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara (one of my all-time high end favs by the way). I thought it was a pretty comparable dupe and I liked the brush head, making it buildable for extra volume.
Gripe: The waterproof formula is entirely too hard to get off. A makeup wipe was not enough. I had to use an oil-based makeup remover afterwards and I still noticed there was leftover residue on my lashes the next morning. If you get teary-eyed or are looking for run-proof mascara, this formula is definitely the one.
THE VERDICT
So there you have it: the 9 best tried-and-true drugstore mascaras you can turn to the next time your lashes need a little somethin' somethin'. As far as my personal favorites, my top 3 were:
1. Maybelline x Shayla The Colossal Big Shot
2. Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect
3. No7 Exceptional Definition Mascara
What about you? Which ones are you feeling the most? If I left some of your favorites off the list, what are your favorite go-to drugstore mascara picks?
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
'Love Island USA' Star JaNa Craig On The Reality Of Black Women On Dating Shows
Love Island USA just wrapped up its sixth season, and it has been the talk of the town. According to Nielsen, it's the No. 1 show on streaming, proving it's just as entertaining as the UK version. One of the reasons this season has been successful is due to the authentic relationships formed between the islanders in the villa.
You have the sisterhood between Serena Page, JaNa Craig, and Leah Kateb, aka PPG, and the real relationship moments between couples like Serena Page and Kordell Beckham, who were named the winners of this season. The other finalists include Leah Kateb and Miguel Harichi, Nicole Jacky and Kendall Washington, and JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez.
While JaNa made it to the finale with her boo Kenny, her journey in the villa was far from perfect. Viewers saw the Las Vegas native get her heart stomped on a few times after many of her connections didn't work out.
At one point, it even looked like she was getting kicked off the island. While she had a lot of support from people watching the show, it was clear that she was in a position that many Black women on reality dating shows find themselves in: not being desired.
It has been an ongoing conversation among Black women watching reality dating shows as we see time and time again that non-Black women or racially ambiguous-looking women are often chosen over Black women, especially dark-skinned women. In a discussion with Shadow and Act, JaNa opened up about the support she received from viewers.
@cineaxries i love them 🤧 #janacraig #janaandkenny #loveislandusa #foryou #peacock #loveisland #janaloveisland #xybca #kennyloveisland #janaedit #loveislandedit #janaedits #loveislandusaedit #viral #loveislandusaseason6 #foryoupage #peacocktv
"You know what’s so crazy? I’m so grateful, because when I got my phone, the way they’re making us The Princess and The Frog…I felt honored. I will be that beautiful chocolate queen if I need to be. And the comments like 'beautiful chocolate girl,' I’m like, all Black women are beautiful. There’s the whole light skin versus dark skin, which breaks my heart. I just really don’t understand that, but I will take pride and represent us well," she said.
She also candidly discussed her experience as a dark-skinned Black woman on the show. JaNa and Serena had been in the villa since the first episode, and they were the only dark-skinned Black women there. As new men aka bombshells came into the villa, they found themselves not being wanted by many of them.
"Me and Serena literally had a heart-to-heart before Kenny came in and she’s like, I just don’t think it’s fair that the Black girls don’t get enough fair chance.' Every islander that came in, we were not their top pick. And we just [thought], maybe because we’re Black girls, and the dark-skinned Black girls. It sucked," she said.
"I’m like, 'Serena, we know what we bring to the table. We’re great personalities. A guy’s going to come in for us.' That’s when we manifested what we wanted, and that’s when I manifested Kenny."
@ashleyvera__ We love to see it 🥰 #loveislandusa #loveisland #loveisland2024 #janaandkenny #loveislandseason6 #peacock #realitytv #fypage
After many failed connections, Kenny came in and immediately turned JaNa's experience around. America watched the model get the care and attention that she deserved.
"I’m not going to hold you. When I was in the bottom for a quick second, I’m like, ‘There’s no way America doesn’t [ride for us]. I know Black America had to ride for me, but maybe because I’m a dark-skinned … hmm … maybe … you feel me? And you saw the Casa Amor lineup. Beautiful, beautiful light-skinned [women]," she said.
"We looked at each other like, 'Damn, Love Island did their big one with this. And every single Casa Amor girl was like, 'You girls are gorgeous, you guys are stunning.' They expressed love. You guys are beautiful and it felt good."
Although she and Kenny came in third place, JaNa is happy that she got her man in the end. "I think the thing I’m most grateful about is the fact that this is a beautiful love story like you guys complement each other and there’s no hate toward the skin color. It’s all love and support. I love that more than anything," she said.
"That’s why I was like, 'I won,' even though I didn’t win. And the fact that Serena won, we were like, 'Yeah, run that.' Either way, we won. And I love the support from all communities."