Anyone who knows me knows that I’m an advocate for drugstore mascaras. Quite a few of these budget-friendly (and unmatched) formulas have even earned a coveted spot on my list of top 10 mascaras of all time. Yes, they’re that good, and no, you don’t have to pay a fortune for good mascara.
For years—even before I became a beauty editor—I shopped at one particular retailer for all my mascara needs. Would you believe me if I told you the absolute best formulas can be found at Target? Well, start believing, my friend. I’ve found so many great mascaras there over the years that simply aren’t talked about enough. Okay, maybe a few on this list happen to be TikTok famous, but I still think a majority of these deserve more love. I’m not the only one who thinks so. I also asked two celebrity makeup artists to give me the scoop on what mascaras they’d pick up if they were making a quick Target run. Keep scrolling—there are a few they agree are the best formulas the retailer has to offer.
“You can create bold and intense lashes with this mascara. One coat of this mascara gives drama but you can create a lot of drama with multiple coats!” —Allison Kaye, Celebrity Makeup Artist. “This is virtually transfer proof, lasts all day, and never flakes. It’s truly super black, and also buildable!” —Judi Gabbay, Celebrity Makeup Artist
Another formula both Kaye and Gabbay agree is the absolute best is Maybelline’s Lash Sensational Sky High Lengthening Mascara. And you’re in luck today folks; it’s available at your local Target. “The skinny silicone applicator lets you get to the roots of your lashes. With a few coats of this mascara, you can get a lot of length. Hence the name Sky High!” — Kaye. “It lifts and separates lashes while also lengthening. Stay confident that this will stay in place ALL day with no leaks, smudges, or inking around eyes. Truly a favorite.” — Gabbay
“I always find myself going back to this mascara over and over again. I get volume and length from this mascara. The brush is thicker, which lets me create drama for my lash look as well!” — Kaye
“This mascara pumps up lashes with 10 times the volume, is always clump-free, and comes in three wearable shades—my favorite being Jet Black. It’s also cruelty-free and hypoallergenic, which makes this an easy choice for a great mascara that won’t break the bank.” — Gabbay
Benefit’s Roller Lash is a formula that really grew on me. When I first tried it, I was a tad indifferent and added it to my no pile of beauty products. After talking to WWW Beauty Director Erin Jahns, though, I decided to reconsider. She told me she loved this formula and would do several coats, so I decided to give it another try and do the same. I paired several coats with a good lash primer and never looked back. I now use this one daily and love the curl it offers without being even a hair clumpy.
This $5 Essence formula is one I continue to come back to time and again. As a bonus, it also happens to be available at Target. It continues to impress me with how much volume and length it adds with just one swipe. At just $5, it’s absolutely one of the best mascaras I’ve ever used. My only complaint is that there is a bit of transfer after wearing it awhile, but I always try to pair it with a primer now to mitigate and it helps.
Run, don’t walk—one of Clinique’s best-selling mascaras is, indeed, carried at Target. It adds a good amount of volume and length while still looking extremely natural.
This ultra-black formula from Milani applies seamlessly and is enhanced with castor oil (which helps condition your lashes) and other plant- and fruit-based waxes. The hourglass-shaped brush also helps sculpt and coat every individual lash for an extra voluminous look.
This matte-black option from Nyx features an innovative applicator that’s part round part hourglass to lift your lashes like never before. The result is curlier lashes that appear thicker and even make your eyes look bigger.
L’Oréal Paris has so many great budget-friendly mascara options, but this is another one of the brand’s star formulas that’s available at Target. Like the above Nyx formula, this one is designed to create an instant eye-opening effect with a hefty dose of volume. It’s also smudge-resistant and won’t clump over time.
This buildable, clump-resistant formula from MAC gives you an instant lash lift and is totally customizable. You can opt for a more natural-looking lash look or add several coats to pump up the volume.
Makeup Revolution’s unique formula includes hyaluronic acid to help rebuild weak lashes and condition them. It also offers a great amount of length with just one swipe.
