This $6 Mascara Gives High-End Mascaras A Run For Their Money

I like big lashes and I cannot lie.

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I'm a sucker for drugstore beauty products. Give me something cheap that does the job of a product three times its price just as well, and I'll be forever loyal.

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Unfortunately, perusing the aisles of CVS for new makeup can often be a crapshoot, with lots of items not living up to their promises, and others not even coming close to the quality you'd find in similar beauty-store products.

But hark! If you're in the market for a new, affordable mascara, you can push all your worries about quality aside — because Maybelline's Volum' Express The Falsies mascara is one drugstore product that truly comes THROUGH, with a price tag just under $6.

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The volumizing mascara features an applicator designed to lift and separate lashes, so they look both thicker and longer, while minimizing clumps — resulting in an effect akin to, well, falsies. It's available in both washable and waterproof options and in five colors (brownish black, very black, blackest black, black drama, and navy), so you can go ahead and live your best long-lashed life however you'd like!

It's a customer favorite on Amazon, with over 1,100 positive reviews, and umm, I'm sorry, what?! What is this witchcraft.

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"Your mascara search is over. This is it. As someone who fosters a healthy obsession with makeup, I don't say this lightly. Mascara is perhaps the most important product in my daily beauty routine, and over the years I've bought expensive brands like Dior and Benefit. This Maybelline formula is drugstore-priced, but high-end quality. The fact that this product is under $6 is absolutely ridiculous — I wish I'd bought it years ago!

I love the application wand. It's curved at the end, which gives your lashes a lot of curve, ideal for people who like to skip the eyelash curler in the morning. The shape also makes it perfect for really getting into those small spaces and curves of your lash line that are sometimes missed with a straight wand. The formula is, in a word, DREAMY. The black is the kind of true black that creates such drama and intensity in your lashes. It goes on easily — a few swipes of the wand and your lashes, like the name claims, WILL look almost like falsies. It doesn't feel thick or heavy, and it's shockingly hard to create clumps (with the amount of volume you get with this product, you'd expect much more clumping). The length is like nothing I've ever experienced with other mascara brands — when I use this, my eyelashes LITERALLY brush my brow bone. Every single time I wear it, I get endless compliment on my eyelashes, and at least one person asks me what mascara I use. Every day. That's just the kind of product this is. So do yourself a favor and buy this, you won't regret it." —Kayla

I mean, this before and after:

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"I've told myself for many years that I was never going to wear false eyelashes, and thanks to Maybelline The Falsies, I can continue without! I was hesitant to buying this mascara for a while actually because I heard some bad things about it. like clumping, flaking, and being a bit hard to get off. But I have to say the cons are definitely worth the pros! If you're looking to lengthen your eyelashes, this is the one. They look so beautiful and long that they give the appearance of false eyelashes. My eyelashes touch my eyebrows when I use this! Doubt I'll find anything better, but if I do, I will return with an update. Pictures included." —anjanette

Did we mention it's under $6? It's under $6. Your former mascara could never.

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"This mascara seriously gives the appearance of false lashes! It really is kind of amazing — a single layer will lengthen and thicken your lashes considerably. It is very easy to apply and doesn't clump at all. It especially looks good if you put it on over a dry layer of another mascara." —CJ

"This mascara is amazing. When I wear this mascara I have to curl my eyelashes because otherwise they hit my glasses when I blink. It can be a little flaky by the end of the day if you touch your eyes too much, but when you apply it if you scrape the excess off the brush back into the bottle first, and take the time to brush it on a few times more than you're used to, it doesn't flake like that. So it does take more care and a little longer to apply correctly. Don't let it dry between coats, just keep brushing it on until you reach the desired length. I don't really have any issues removing it. I use the waterproof one, and it comes right off with micellar water. I just soak a cotton pad in micellar water, and hold it over my eyes for a few seconds and then gently wipe the mascara off. I LOVE this mascara. One of my friends asked me if I started wearing false eyelashes, or had extensions. Nope, I just use this cheap but awesome mascara. Love it!" —Sarah T

"Best mascara ever and I've used at least two dozen different brands. Separates and lengthens." —Amazon Customer

It's also ophthalmologist-tested and safe for people who wear contact lenses — plus, it appears to be a great choice for those prone to eye irritation as well.

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"Phenomenal product! Love it! I have very sensitive eyes and it doesn't agitate them. Really makes my thin strawberry blonde lashes look great." —Letti

"This has become my go-to mascara; I'm on my second tube now and I'm really happy with it. I love it for four reasons: 1) This applicator makes it much faster and easier and is by far the best I've ever used — I don't understand why all applicator tips aren't shaped like this. It follows the natural curve of the eye, going on without clumps and greatly reducing the amount of smudges left around my eyes that I have to clean up afterwards with makeup remover. 2) It makes my eyelashes look the way I've always wished a mascara would make them look — thicker and a lot longer, forming a smooth arch with nice, tapered, clump-free tips. 3) Length of wear: This mascara isn't waterproof, but I haven't had a problem with it smudging or wearing off, unless it's exposed to serious amounts of water or tears. Last night I was cutting onions and when my eyes started watering and I wiped them with a tissue the mascara came off — but it ALL came off easily, without leaving any residue around my eyes like always happens with other mascara. It washes off completely with soap and water and also comes off easily with makeup remover wipes, and it doesn't flake off at all during the day. 4) It doesn't irritate my eyes: I have pretty sensitive eyes and most mascaras will irritate them a little — just to the point where they're a bit red and itchy for an hour or so after I wash my makeup off in the shower. That doesn't happen with this product." —Sarah B

You, wearing your new mascara:

Bravo

Get it from Amazon for $5.11+.

Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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