I have to start this off by stating that I am a self-professed mascara expert. I have tried nearly every mascara on the market to find my holy grail formulas and have scouted mascaras that my friends and family are now hooked on, too. Hunting for the right mascara can seem like such a feat because there are so many different brands, formulas, and brushes to choose from. I’m always looking for a good brush that lengthens, separates, adds curl and volume that doesn’t flake or smudge. I need major staying power throughout the day, especially during the summer when it’s hot and humid and also during the winter when my eyes water on the regular (thanks to NYC winters). I truly consider mascara to be one of the most important elements of your makeup routine so I’m really happy to share the mascara that I’d have a total identity crisis without.

HYPNÔSE DRAMA INSTANT FULL BODY VOLUME MASCARA

This was the first mascara I fell in love with and I still keep it in my rotation today. This brush is amazing and this formula is amazing for getting fluttery-like volume. I will always repurchase this mascara and keep it close by. It is a bit of a splurge at the price but a tube should last you up to four months.

L'OREAL PARIS TELESCOPIC MASCARA

This mascara is my go-to drugstore by. The brush is designed to really separate your lashes but you can also add clean volume by layering a few times (allow layers to dry for more volume). If you’re wanting a go-to mascara for under $10, try this one out.

THRIVE CAUSEMETICS LIQUID LASH EXTENSIONS

Mandy ordered this mascara from Thrive and asked me to put it to the test. I’ll admit that I was somewhat skeptical because the reviews were overwhelming. This mascara absolutely lives up to the hype. This is a tubing formula (forms tubes around your individual lashes) so it can be a little bit messier to remove but the staying power and formula is truly amazing.

LE VOLUME DE CHANEL

Chanel does many things really well and this mascara is no exception. I love this mascara for both the formula and the brush. The formula is more of a liquid, slick formula and the brush is different than your traditional wand but is designed with a lot of small bristles to grab every lash and take them to their full potential.

ARMANI EYES TO KILL

This Armani mascara is to die for. I really love this brush - it is soft but allows you to coat and fluff out your lashes really beautifully. This can be layered nicely if you allow each layer to dry. This is a good “butterfly” like mascara.

L’OREAL VOLUMINOUS

This mascara is an OG drugstore fave and for very viable reasons. This mascara is a classic and reliable formula for clean, easy lash separation and volume. I find that it doesn’t last for me like my go-to from Hourglass but it’s still a wonderful option, especially at the price.

L’OREAL LASH PARADISE

L’Oreal is (in my opinion) the best drugstore mascara brand — (for those of you who don’t know, they own Lancomè who does no wrong for me in the mascara department) so the formulas are sisters in a way. This mascara is a dupe for the Better Than Sex mascara from Too Faced but at a much better price.

HOURGLASS UNLOCKED MASCARA

This Hourglass Unlocked mascara has been flooding the internet recently and I had to take it upon myself to see if it really was going to deliver on the claims people were making about it. I dropped in Sephora and picked up a tube and I have to honestly say — I am FLOORED. It takes a lot for mascara to knock me off of my feet. This mascara lifts, curls, adds amazing volume, doesn’t smudge or flake AND is long-lasting! I have left it on overnight a few times since purchasing and it still looks amazing which seems like a miracle itself.

UNLIMITED LENGTH AND LIFT MASCARA

This mascara from L’Oreal is a little pricier for a drugstore mascara but for very good reason. This formula is the closest drug store option I have found to my high end favorites that give my lashes the long-staying volume that I live for.