10 of the best mascaras under $20

Finding a good mascara is like discovering chocolate at the back of the fridge when you’ve got a sugar craving – AMAZING. Finding a good mascara that’s under $20 is like finding a lifetime supply of chocolate with a signed letter from Michelle Bridges promising you won’t put on any weight if you eat it all –LIFE CHANGING. So in order to help change your life for the better, we’ve tracked down 10 of the best mascaras under $20 (which will hopefully keep you busy until we get this chocolate thing sorted...):

LACURA® Volume Mascara - $4.99

The combination of beeswax and wheat protein will add some serious volume to your lashes. This five-dollar gem is also available in waterproof.

essence Lash Mania Reloaded False Lashes Mascara - $4.95

“At such a ridiculous price you don't expect much, but this mascara is the best I've ever used, and I am ALWAYS buying the latest mascara. Don't be put off by the plastic bristle brush as it is amazing.” –Tracey622

Ulta3 The Big Mascara - $6.95

With a name like The Big Mascara, you can expect nothing less than BIG lashes. If thick, long and black is what you’re after, this one’s a goodie.

Australis Voluptulash Mascara - $10.95

If you’re a little lazy when it comes to taking off your make-up you’ll be pleased to know this mascara has an easy wash-off formula so they’ll be no risk of residue or panda eyes after a shower.

Rimmel 100% Waterproof Mascara - $12.50

“This mascara lasted all day and all night. When the tears came there was no smudges on our eyes! And it was not too hard to get off at the end of the night. Perfect!” –Elissa351

Designer Brands Beyond Amplifying Mascara - $12.99

Worried a budget mascara may ruin the health of your lashes? Designer Brands Beyond Amplifying Mascara contains pro-vitamin V5 and keratin to help condition and keep lashes strong.

Models Prefer Big Lash Mascara - $14.99

“It applies beautifully to amplify your lashes with no clumps and sits nicely on the lashes with such a light feeling. Better still, it comes off really easily with no scrubbing or pulling required. My new fave mascara!” - SusieBee

NYX Cosmetics Provocateur Mascara - $14.95

This mascara has a wand that features two different levels. Level one allows for heavy application, while level two will lighten and separate.

COVERGIRL Volume Exact Mascara - $16.95

“This mascara gives great volume without clumping lashes together and I also find it gives my lashes lift. It’s great to wear everyday and is not strenuous on the lashes.” -VioletRandom

Maybelline New York Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara - $15.95

I will never forget this fluro green and pink mascara as it was a constant in my mother’s make-up draw for years. I’m pretty sure she still uses it every day.

Have you tried any of the above mascaras? Do you prefer to save or splurge on mascara?

146 Member Comments

lgauci 20 Feb 2021 2:37 PM

I love mascara my lashes look so much better too.

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Ameena0805 1 Oct 2019 8:05 PM

I love a good affordable mascara.

S-P 19 Aug 2019 6:34 PM

I've used a couple of these brands. They're usually pretty good for the price.

Rose_P 15 Aug 2019 6:55 PM

I’ve tried the Maybelline Great Lash. I have to be very careful with budget mascaras as they tend to irritate my eyes.

ThisIsMe 26 Jun 2019 2:05 PM

I don't like the Maybelline New York Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara. Haven't tried any of the others.

abbeyleee12 27 Dec 2018 8:07 AM

essence lash princess in the green tube is amazing holy grail for drugstore mascaras!

Dilettante 22 Nov 2018 11:09 AM

ModelCo Lash Extend is my fave. And it's a tubular mascara so just slips off in the shower!

Kate Giddy 19 Nov 2018 5:18 PM

DB always had fantastic affordable mascaras!

Kate Giddy 19 Nov 2018 5:17 PM

Iv'e never tries the Maybeline mascara but iv'e heard great things about it!

Peach perfect 16 Nov 2018 4:34 PM

Rimmel and Model's prefer both look good - somehow colorful packing for a mascara always puts me off so even if Maybelline great lash is the best mascara ever I can't convince myself to try it.

laurenforrester_ 7 Nov 2018 2:50 PM

Essence Lash Mania is so good!

Cathec9 11 Aug 2018 11:24 AM

I'd like to share this hot tip from none other than Kate Moss! Ms Moss applies her mascara on the top of her eyelash first, then applies under the lash - it creates so much more depth. I love the volume! At the moment I'm using Revlon's Bold Lacquer, by Grow Luscious - one of my pet peeves is clumpy mascara! No clumps ladies! There are sooo many mascaras out there, I just keep trying new ones. Maybelline Great Lash is always great though! Easy to find with its hot pink & bright green design!

vtjh 3 Jul 2018 11:07 PM

I like Maybelline’s range of falsies mascara, they always make my lashes look gorgeous!

clearcrystalwater 28 Jun 2018 4:17 PM

I have a nyx mascara in brown. I am liking brown mascara on me atm - I don't know why!

abby.liana 27 Jun 2018 2:40 PM

Wanna try some of these!

You beauty 3 May 2018 8:52 PM

I have not tried any of these mascara but wouldnt mind trying.

Peta908 25 Feb 2018 3:39 PM

Maybelline had become a staple of mine

jaydet 24 Feb 2018 2:53 PM

That Rimmel waterproof one is everything proof. You can cry a literal river in that stuff and it will not move.

lena25 17 Feb 2018 10:56 PM

Essence mascaras are actually the bomb

Jannz 11 Jan 2018 12:19 PM

I picked up a maybelline one the other day (it's one of their newer ones) and it literally sticks all of my lashes together and is really hard to get off! Not a fan.

ceelicious 12 Dec 2017 10:40 AM

Love budget mascaras, can enjoy having fun with beauty without taking out a bank loan!

alice1908 8 Nov 2017 10:17 AM

Kmart also has some super cheap mascaras by the brands OXX (mostly everything from that brand is $2-$4) and e.l.f

SuziEllie 18 Oct 2017 8:42 PM

Hi girls, thanks for all the information on our magic wands. I’ve picked out two for the next makeup shopping spree.

From SuziEllie

Marisa294 29 Aug 2017 4:49 PM

The better than sex by Too Faced is my go-to, but Maybelline's range is always my number one back up!

Fluffybunny 13 Aug 2017 7:33 AM

I don't wear it every day but when I do I use a budget one. I'm a uni student.

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