On the rare occasions I wear mascara, I know I'm asking a lot of one product. My lashes are stick-straight, fine and grow downward—not an easy trifecta to transform. (Safe to say I'm not mad at the no-mascara look that's been trending over the last year.) I've tried many mascaras in the 25-plus years since I started wearing makeup; always on the hunt for formulas that create the appearance of faux lashes, lift them to my eyebrows and don't leave me with raccoon eyes by EOD. What I've (pleasantly) discovered is, if there's one makeup category where drugstore formulas are just as good, if not better, than their expensive counterparts, it's mascara.
The affordable mascara options lining the shelves—virtual and IRL—are plentiful enough to make your head spin, so we rounded up our favorite mascaras of 2025 for length, definition, volume and more that fall under $25. Scroll on to see the ones that made our top 10.
Top Mascaras Under $25
1 / 10
Best Volumizing
Look up "viral mascara" and you'll see Maybelline's The Colossal Bubble Mascara everywhere. TikTok loves it for how voluminous, dramatic and clump-free lashes look after just two swipes, and rave over how easy it is to wash off.
BUY ON AMAZON - $13
BUY ON ULTA - $13
2 / 10
Best Lengthening
Rare Beauty's Perfect Strokes is a lightweight formula with a uniquely-curved, multi-length brush that expertly lengthens every kind of lash type. In fact, in a clinical study, all participants reported more length and volume while wearing it.
BUY NOW - $22
3 / 10
Best Defining
An offshoot of the OG (and beloved) Lash Blast mascara, CoverGirl's newest addition to the collection adds an extra benefit to its already impressive lash-defining formula: a bonding complex that protects and strengthens lashes.
BUY NOW - $13
4 / 10
Best Waterproof
NewBeauty's Award winner in 2025 for Best Waterproof Mascara is Milani's Highly Rated Anti-Gravity Waterproof Mascara, a formula that, according to our editors, holds up even after sweaty summer runs.
BUY NOW - $13
5 / 10
Best Lifting
Not only does this formula live up to its name in expertly lifting lashes, but it also makes lashes look longer, fuller and fanned out, thanks to a long, narrow brush that find every lash and coats every one evenly.
BUY NOW - $13
6 / 10
Best 2-in-1
You won't find a beauty editor who doesn't love good multitasking makeup, and Honest Beauty's Mascara + Lash Primer is good. Start with the primer, it's made with jojoba esters to help soften lashes, wait 30-ish seconds and then coat lashes with the lengthening mascara to see your smoothest, longest lashes yet.
BUY ON HONEST - $20
BUY ON AMAZON - $20
7 / 10
Best Curling
If your goal is to curl straight lashes, I can't think of one reason not to try e.l.f.'s Lash 'N Roll Mascara. Shoppers rave it curls lashes like no other and won't flake or smudge. And for just $6, what do you have to lose?
BUY NOW - $6
8 / 10
Best for Sensitive Eyes
Tower 28's safe-for-sensitive-eyes mascara uses a triple-wave wand to grip every single lash and coats them with the brand's Aquaflex Technology that softens, lifts and shields lashes from humidity (preventing drooping and smudging).
BUY ON TOWER 28 - $20
BUY ON AMAZON - $20
9 / 10
Best Buildable
My personal favorite mascara is the best of both worlds. On minimal makeup days, one swipe instantly creates natural-looking fluttery lashes. A couple more coats deliver a bold and glamorous look that won't weigh lashes down or smudge on your lids.
BUY ON ULTA - $11
BUY ON AMAZON - $11
10 / 10
Best Clump-Free
Glossier Lash Slick is unrivaled when it comes to a natural flutter that'll enhance any "no-makeup" look. Its nourishing formula includes biotin and vitamin B5 that wraps around each lash; the "slick" look creating a lash extension effect that absolutely never clumps, never smudges and washes right off when you're ready.
BUY ON GLOSSIER - $20
BUY ON SEPHORA - $20
