Drugstore Mascaras That Beat High End...IMO

These days I hardly ever invest in an expensive, prestige brand mascara because I just don't feel like it's necessary. With so many incredible drugstore mascaras on the market, I feel like I can either find high end dupes or a better product at my local CVS or Walgreens. The drugstore is KILLING IT in general on the beauty front, so I tend to go drugstore for most items, but especially when it comes to mascara.

Below are four products that make my lashes look like Twiggy's without breaking the bank!

1. L'Oreal Lash Paradise

$10.99

This is my holy grail mascara. I have tried so many others, but I always come back to this one in the end. Fair warning, I like a bit of a "clumpier" lash and this one does have that effect. However, this mascara does it all. It lifts, it creates volume AND length. I love the natural brush bristles because they do a great job of holding onto my lashes when I swipe the brush up. I usually do one coat for every day, and two or three coats when I want a more dramatic look. This mascara does not smudge or break down on me throughout the day which is a MUST in my collection. Also, how adorable is the millennial pink tube? Très chic!

2. Essence Lash Princess Sculpted Volume

$4.99

Essence makes some incredible mascaras and at an amazing price! A beautiful mascara for UNDER $5! I enjoy all of the mascaras in the Lash Princess line, but the purple tube is my favorite. I love the curved wand because it really hugs the lashes well. This one gives a ton of length and volume, but is definitely less of a clumpy formula than the L'Oreal Lash Paradise.

3. Maybelline Lash Sensational

$9.99

The Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara is exactly as it's named--sensational. I love the fanning effect it has on my lashes, and how it separates and lengthens each lash. The brush is similar to the Essence Lash Princess. but it's a rubber brush with spiky bristles on each side. I love that one side has shorter spikes which are great to use for defining the lower lashes. Overall a great product!

4. Elf Smudge Proof Mascara

$6

Elf makes some amazing drugstore products, but they are not known for great mascaras. However, this mascara is the exception. I love this dual ended tube that has one end for your top lashes, and another for your bottom lashes. The top lash brush is a skinny natural bristle brush that creates long lashes that look very natural. The real star of the show is the lower lash brush though, which has a tiny little brush end that is perfect for coating those fine hairs that are very close to the inside of your eye. This mascara lives up to its name as it WILL NOT BUDGE. AT. ALL; however, it is quite difficult to remove and will take a bit of elbow grease to get off. Still, I love this mascara for every day and I use the lower lash brush for almost every single mascara application.

Are you a drugstore or high end mascara buyer? Do you have any holy grail drugstore mascaras that didn't make it on my list? Share in the comments below!