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We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Because great lashes shouldn't cost a fortune.
Promising review: "I cannot even begin to declare my love for this mascara. Two words: holy grail!! I've tried every mascara on the market, high end to low end, and this has got to be my favorite so far. I don't have very many lashes and they are thin but this made me look like I had hundreds and hundreds of beautiful, separate, long, thick lashes. It's everything you could want in a mascara. I'm in love!!" —iKhadijeh
Get it from Amazon for $5.99 (available in seven colors).
Promising review: "Let me start off by saying that the primer is amazing. As soon as I put it on my lashes grew over twice in length! It didn’t clump and it separated my lashes like whoa, it dried in about 20 seconds, and then I put on the coal-black mascara. Vavoom! Instant fabulous lashes. So far, I have experienced zero flaking after wearing for long periods of time, it hasn’t smudged or melted when I’m dancing up a storm or getting my workout on, and the length of my lashes is practically miraculous. It’s super easy to remove and doesn’t tear out any of my eyelashes, so that’s another plus! Also, I am allergic to SO MANY products it’s ridiculous, but luckily I am not allergic to this magic mascara. I recently discovered that this doesn’t smudge on my bottom lashes either!" —Queenofthehouse
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
(P.S. While you're browsing for new inexpensive makeup, here are 18 other beauty products that are better than the expensive versions.)
Promising review: "This is a great mascara. It goes on smoothly, has no clumps, and stays on all day. I don't have to worry about smudges or smears beneath the eyes. This is truly a waterproof mascara. I can go swimming, or take a bath, and it still looks fabulous! It comes off easily when I want it to. With my casual summer job, I have even worked with 'yesterday's mascara,' just washing the rest of my face." —Amanda M. Moore
Get it from Amazon for $3.50+ (available as waterproof and washable).
Promising review: "This is like a legit magic wand in a bottle! As I moved the brush through my lashes, they seemed to transform before my very eyes! They looked longer, even fuller, and my eyes just POPPED! I honestly couldn't stop sneaking peeks at myself at work LOL. It is waterproof, it has no clumping, and it washes off easily with face wash/micellar water. And did I mention the ADORABLE bottle?! I mean, I really can't say enough good things about this mascara! I absolutely love it, and this will be my new go-to." —Megs D
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
Promising review: "I used to spend $40+ on mascara, but I couldn't keep justifying that to myself, so I Googled what the best drugstore mascara was. This beauty is the best thing I've ever learned about on Google. My lashes stay beautiful all day. I get SOOOOO many compliments from coworkers, strangers, family, and friends. They're all extremely jealous of my 'lashes,' but they should really just go out and buy this stuff." —Sarah Whittaker
Get it from Amazon for $8.09 (available in four colors).
Promising review: "I have a really hard time finding a mascara that doesn't make my eyes all watery and puffy. Given the organic tag, and the reputation of the brand, I thought I'd give this mascara a try — y'all, it's great. Good coverage. Easy to apply. Great price, great product!" —Crystal Cooper
Get it from Amazon for $15.
(While we're talking about inexpensive products that are truly top-notch, here are 39 skincare products under $20 that are better than expensive brands.)
Promising review: "This is now my favorite mascara! It proves that you don't need to spend big bucks in order to achieve a great look with mascara. It glides on great and 'puffs' up thin lashes a lot! I like that there is a collagen ingredient that feels very moisturizing on your lashes. Oh, and the #1 reason why it gets 5 stars is that it stays on all day, doesn't fall onto my face during a sweat, and during makeup removal time at night, it comes off super easily! As someone with aging eyes, I don't want to have to scrub my eyes to get off mascara. One little drop of vitamin E oil was applied to a soft cotton ball, and poof, it was off." —Lenise Holmes
Get it from Amazon for $6.98 (available in five colors).
Promising review: "I LOVE IT!!! It takes a lot to make me enthusiastic about a product and I am TOTALLY ENTHUSIASTIC about this! My eyes get irritated with every mascara to the point where my eyes are pink and my eyelashes fall out. I tried this because it's natural and I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! I can wear this! I go around with glam lashes everywhere now. I don't get irritated; I don't even feel I have anything on! The color is deep and rich — looks exactly like what lash color SHOULD be. I'm very pleased with that. Applying it is a breeze! It takes me at most six minutes from the tube to completely finishing the mascara on both of my eyes." —Skye Heilman
Get it from Amazon for $9.09 (available in two colors).
Promising review: "This L'Oreal mascara is hands down the best one I've EVER owned and I will never try another so long as they keep making this one! No clumps, makes them full with one application, and doesn't flake even in the 90-degree heat today. I love love LOVE this stuff!! I don't know how I never heard of it before. I accidentally found it on Amazon one day looking for a new cheap mascara and BOOM! Love at first sight, I tell ya! All the 5-star reviews are true! This stuff is the bomb diggity! Don't waste your money on expensive mascara when this one right here will do all that and more for a fraction of the price!" —Oksana Peysakh
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $8.70+ (available in seven colors).
Promising review: "I bought this mascara because it’s supposed to be good for people with sensitive skin. First and foremost, this mascara is awesome for long-looking lashes! One of the best I’ve ever tried. Secondly, I’ve been using it for about a week and haven’t had any skin reaction or irritation from it after taking it off. Great mascara!" —Christine B.
Get it from Amazon for $7.49+ (available in three colors).
(And if you thrive off easy-to-use makeup, you'll love these 32 products.)
Promising review: "Worth every penny and perfectly priced! I’ve spent between $25–$30 for other mascaras and they bombed! The thickness is great and easy to remove from eyelashes. Best bang for your buck!" —Lesley
Get it from Amazon for $6.74 (available in three colors).
Promising review: "I am so very pleased with this mascara. I wanted a natural-looking mascara that lengthens, darkens, and makes my lashes look fuller, without looking fake and over the top, and this did the job! It wasn't thick and artificial as many of the mascaras are, and so far, it hasn't gotten clumpy. I also like the applicator ,which looks like it's a type of rubber or silicone rather than a brush. This seems to make it easier to apply and I think it helps with it not getting clumpy. A great added bonus is that it's so reasonably priced AND it rivals mascara at any price. I'm sold!" —informed shopper
Get it from Amazon for $2.98.
Promising review: "I usually never buy drugstore mascara, but this kept my lashes curled all day long, no raccoon eyes, no flaking, no sensitivity to my eyes, and no problems with wearing contacts. My lashes looked so good I hated to take off the mascara at bedtime. I have it on auto-ship. Saving money is awesome, but even more so when the product is great! Bye-bye, high-end, costly mascara." —U S Man Of Steel
Get it from Amazon for $8.40 (available in seven colors).
Promising review: "Holy cow! I was expecting a good mascara but I was not expecting to be completely blown away by how amazing this mascara is! It made my thin eyelashes so gorgeous! It curled them and made them look like extensions. I love that the applicator is plastic and very bendable. It makes it easy to apply on all of the lashes. I will be buying ONLY this mascara for as long as they make it. I was definitely not disappointed." —Amber
Get it from Amazon for $8.98 (available in four colors).
Promising review: "I just don't understand how they made this mascara that gives an all-day super lift to my thin, short, straight lashes without curling...and then it washes off completely with regular face wash?!? I'm mad that I wasted my time and money on other mascaras before this. Just one coat will add amazing length and neatly separate and darken lashes to perfection!" —masque3000
Get it from Amazon for $7.69+ (available in five colors).
Promising review: "This is by far the BEST mascara that I have ever purchased! It gives my short lashes length and volume and the eyeliner glides on!! I’ve bought several sets and will continue to use this brand!! It’s a MUST-HAVE!!!" —Carshena Lawrence
Get the duo from Amazon for $9.75.
Promising review: "This worked fantastically to lengthen my short little eyelashes. My lashes are straight and short, so I was pleased that the mascara extended them as much as they did. The mascara goes on smoothly without clumping, separates lashes quite well, and gives them great length. This particular mascara also didn't smudge or flake when I wore it, and most importantly, it did not give me a case of raccoon eyes after a day of use. Overall, this is a great lengthening mascara that wears well throughout the day." —K. Chan
Get it from Amazon for $5.71 (available in three colors).
Promising review: "I don't like to wear true (tinted) mascara. I don't find it comfortable or natural looking on me. I just want something that highlights my lashes without too much buildup. This mascara is perfect for that. I can definitely see a difference in that they make my lashes darker and more defined, and so my eye looks more 'dressed up.' They are so easy to apply and remove and are very gentle. I also used these to keep my eyebrows in place!" —Dumpling
Get it from Amazon for $4.19.
(And while we're here, here are 31 beginner makeup products for anyone who has no clue where to start.)
Promising review: "Best mascara I've used in decades for my sensitive eyes! This formula doesn't irritate and lasts all day and night so it's my all-time favorite. It's a value price, especially in this two-pack! I hope Almay never changes this formula." —MicB
Get the two-pack from Amazon for $7.97.
Promising review: "I think I've found the holy grail!!! When Maybelline claimed this mascara adds extra length to your lashes using fibers contained in the formula, I was skeptical. After using it, I'm a believer! I really don't need extra length, I just WANT it, and this product delivers in a big way. In fact, I was wearing it when I went for my eyeglass exam and the girl measuring my pupils said, 'Wow, your lashes are so beautiful!' 'Nuff said! Highly recommended, I'm so glad I found this!" —chanteleigh
Get it from Amazon for $7.33 (available in three colors).