BARGAIN ALERT: The Difference Between These Affordable Cult Mascaras

A wise woman once told me mascaras are like bananas.

There’s a small window of precious time, between the too-runny newness and the dried-out crustiness, in which a mascara is perfection.

It’s for this exact reason I’m a big fan of affordable mascaras. HUGE.

And the fact mascaras expire three months after opening (yes, really), so replacing mascaras that often adds up real quick if your holy grail mascara costs more than a fancy pub parmi.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly new mascara to add to cart, this article was literally written for you.

Keep scrolling for a breakdown and review of five excellent L’Oreal and Maybelline mascaras.

And the best bit? None of them cost more than $27.

Side note - our editor shares 21 epic mascara tips in this YouTube video below!

Best Affordable Mascaras.

Mascaras are deeply personal.

What works for me and my lashes might not work for you and yours.

That’s why I love reading super detailed mascara reviews that go a bit deeper than ‘this mascara is epic’.

I need to know all the things.

Like, is it the best lengthening mascara, or is it a volume mascara - or both? 

How well does the mascara hold a curl, especially on straight lashes?

What does the mascara wand look like? Is it a genuinely smudge-proof mascara?

Below, I explain the difference between five of our best-selling affordable mascaras and which one’s best for you.

Plus, I’ve included mascara before and after photos so you can see what they look like up close!

1. Maybelline Colossal Curl Bounce Mascara.

What:

• Maybelline Colossal Curl Bounce Washable Mascara

• Maybelline Colossal Curl Bounce Waterproof Mascara

Fast facts:

• Curling and volumising mascara that resists clumping, flaking and smudging.

• Wears for up to 24 hours, with a Memory Curl formula that helps lashes last.

• Curved, tapered wand with traditional brush bristles fits perfectly under the lash root to add volume.

• Love a good cry? It also comes in a waterproof formula.

Smudge factor: 0.5/5, veeeeery minimal smudging!

Best affordable mascara for:

Would it be presumptuous to say everyone?

But really, everyone I know who has tried this new Maybelline mascara loves it as much as I do.

Those with super straight lashes will still want to use an eyelash curler, but I found it enhanced and held my natural lash curl into a ‘lash lift’ fan.

It’s also the perfect balance of curl, length, volume and definition. A solid all-rounder!

2. L'Oréal Telescopic Mascara.

What:

L'Oréal Paris Telescopic Clean Definition Lengthening Mascara - Black

Fast facts:

• Telescopic is a lengthening mascara designed to define and separates lashes rather than add volume.

• Claims to make lashes look 60% longer lashes.

• Clean look, clump-free finish formula comes in a rich black shade that's easy to remove.

• Flexible, comb-like brush has super fine, spiked bristles small enough to grab every single lash.

Smudge factor: 1/5, and I wore this one for a 16-hour day in humid Sydney!

Best affordable mascara for:

Anyone who wants a refined, defined lash look.

If the telescopic mascara was a celeb fashion look, it’d be Hailey Bieber in a faux leather blazer with a sleek bun.

Our resident makeup artist Megan is obsessed with how this mascara makes the eyes look wide awake.

The natural, clean finish is great for every day or if you have lots of lashes, but want them to look longer.

3. Maybelline Falsies Mascara.

What:

• Maybelline The Falsies Lash Lift Volumising Mascara - Ultra Black

• Maybelline The Falsies Lash Lift Volumising Mascara - Blackest Black

Fast facts:

• Maybelline The Falsies Lash Lift Mascara is a volumising and lengthening mascara that creates a lash-lift effect.

• Double-curved ‘Coke bottle’ brush with full bristles gives a fluffy false lash look.

• The formula contains little fibres that add volume and thickness to sparse or short lashes.

• Ophthalmologist-tested, suitable for contact lens wearers and sensitive eyes.

• Comes in a waterproof mascara version, too.

• AB customer Sarah says, "I used to Stan Too Faced mascara but since hearing the girls talk about this on the pod a while back I tried it out and haven't looked back!"

Smudge factor: 2/5, a little bit of smudging in the outer corner along the bottom lash line that looks semi-intentional.

Best affordable mascara for:

Love thick lashes with stacks of volume? This Maybelline mascara delivers.

Just one coat makes a dramatic difference to lashes. You can also pack on the product and go for two or three coats.

Hot tip: To avoid crunchy lashes, don’t let the mascara dry between coats.

You’ll love the wand too if you’re into a more traditional, firm mascara brush that lets you really push from the roots for extra volume along the lash line.

A really good affordable mascara for anyone after maximum impact with minimum effort.

4. L'Oreal Paris Paradise Mascara.

What:

• L'Oreal Paris Paradise Mascara - Black

• L'Oreal Paris Paradise Mascara Intense Black

Fast facts:

• A volumising, thickening mascara for intense volume and dramatic length.

• Waved brush has super soft traditional bristles, making it an easy-to-use mascara wand.

• Adds bulk to thin, sparse lashes.

• Formula contains castor oil to help keep lashes healthy, without any clumping.

• Comfortable to wear, even for those with sensitive eye areas.

• AB customer Jobi says, "This is my HG mascara. It gives me thick and full lashes and is a good dupe for Too Faced Better than Sex. If you build it up it can be slightly clumpy, but in a good way - like, a sexy intense lashes kind of way. I love it!"

Smudge factor: 2.5/5, nothing a quick touch up couldn’t fix!

Best affordable mascara for:

People who want an unstuffupable mascara!

The formula is silky smooth and glides onto the lashes so effortlessly, making it really quick and easy to get a full, fluttery lash look in just a few swipes.

Personally, I found it smudged a bit along the bottom lash line after a few hours of wear, but there wasn’t a flake in sight!

And it made my lashes look so good, I didn’t mind a quick Q-tip tidy up.

5. Maybelline Sky High Mascara.

What:

• Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara - Blackest Black

• Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Waterproof Mascara - Very Black

Fast facts:

• This mascara went absolutely viral on TikTok in early 2021!

• A lengthening and volumising mascara infused with bamboo extract and volumising fibres.

• Lightweight formula won’t weigh lashes down and is easy to remove.

• Tapered 'Flex Tower' brush is super bendy and flexible, and features lots of individual bristles to make coating every single teeny tiny lash with product really easy.

• Ophthalmologist-tested, suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

Smudge factor: 2/5, puts in a decent effort for such a dramatic mascara!

Best affordable mascara for:

Those who want long, thick, bold lashes even Google could see from the moon.

Or anyone who likes trying viral TikTok beauty products for themselves!

Sky High is what you'd get if a volumising mascara, a lengthening mascara and a set of false lashes had a baby.

While this wouldn't be my everyday mascara choice, you can also wipe the mascara wand before applying for a very slick lick of product.

You can read our full Maybelline Sky High Mascara review on Beauty IQ here.

So there you have it: Enough close up shots of my eyeballs than anyone asked for.

But seriously, there's a Maybelline or L’Oreal mascara to suit every type of lash and makeup preference.

Now all that’s left to do is to decide which one to add to cart…

Want more mascara tips and recommendations? Check out these articles here:

• 21 Life-Changing Mascara Hacks to Try Today for Longer, Thicker, Fuller Lashes

• I’ve Tried Hundreds of Mascaras - Hands Down, These 5 Are the Best for Every Type of Lash

• Bargain vs Bougie: The Difference Between Our 4 Best-Selling Mascaras

• Our Editor Tried the New 'Magnetic Mascara' Everyone's Talking About...

• Sick of Panda Eyes? I've Got Oily Skin & This Tubing Mascara Is a Game Changer