I’ve been on quite a journey trying to find a mascara that I love for everyday wear. There have been a few contenders over the years, but I have yet to find the perfect one. I’ll admit that I also didn’t realize how much I’ve been limiting myself. I’ve always just bought black drugstore mascara since I have extremely dark-brown hair, but now I’m ready to expand my horizons. A makeup artist once told me to go a few shades lighter with my eyebrow pencil color and I loved the results so I thought, Why not try it with mascara too?
Brown mascara tends to look a bit more natural than jet black, and makeup artists love it too. Celebrity makeup artist Judi Gabbay says, “I love a brown mascara for daytime when you’re looking to slightly amp up the eyes without looking like you’re trying too hard. Brown mascaras are also beautiful on all eye colors, making it an easy foolproof choice.”
As someone who loves a good no-makeup makeup look, I’m now convinced my perfect mascara shade is actually a rich brown instead. To get some more insight into the best formulas in this shade, I turned to a few more experts including Gabbay. Celebrity makeup artists Hailey Hoff, Dakota Alexandra, and Alexa Perisco also offered up a few of their favorites and some advice. “Brown mascara is a great option for people with blue or green eyes, as the softer shade often brings out the color in the irises,” says Perisco. “It also prevents the too-dark look that black mascara brings. Choosing a brown mascara is also a great way to pair eye shadow and eyeliner for a smoky look that doesn’t look overdone.” Keep on scrolling for the best brown mascaras money can buy, according to the experts.
Armed with an extra-long brush for a lash-multiplying effect, this brown mascara is a favorite of Gabbay’s. “The Diorshow brown mascara is hydrating, long-lasting, and buildable!”
This creamy formula is loved by so many makeup artists. Gabbay loves this option because it volumizes every lash, lifts them, and provides the perfect rich brown pop of color without any clumping.
“Maybelline’s Great Lash Lots of Lashes boasts a vegan formula that lasts 24 hours and also helps lengthen and keep a curl!”—Gabbay
Wispy, defined, and natural-looking lashes are just a swipe away with ColourPop’s Act Natural Lash Defining Mascara. The formula is smudge-proof, clump-free, and comes in the perfect shade of chocolate brown. It’s also one of Alexandra’s all-time favorite mascaras.
Tarte’s Maneater is also one of Alexandra’s favorite brown mascaras because it gives you an instant eye lift and a natural-looking finish. “I like to use brown mascara when I’m going for a more natural look or if it fits a cosplay I’m doing,” she says. “Though, most of the time, I find myself using black mascara.”
“This has been a favorite of mine since I was a teen! It is a volume-building mascara that will build lashes up to five times their natural thickness. It features a volume maximizing svelte bristle brush that thickens the lashes smoothly and makes them appear full naturally.”—Perisco. “The only brown mascara I use and love is the L’Oréal Voluminous Mascara in the shade Black Brown. It’s a dark brown so it still gives the eye depth without the harshness of a black mascara.”—Hoff
“Maybelline never fails to deliver some great affordable products, and this brownish-black mascara is no exception. The mascara features a tilted fanning brush to cover the lashes from roots to tips and separate each lash for a plump and fuller look. The fanning brush also has 10 layers of bristles to offer a full-fan effect to your lashes and make the lashes look longer without clumping or flaking them!”—Perisco
“What I love most about this mascara is the innovative brush! It is designed with a flat side for loading and coating the lashes, and a bristle side for combing mascara through the lashes. The diamond-shaped bristles grip each individual lash from root to tip and follow the geometry of your eye to create an eye-opening effect.”—Perisco
Thrive’s award-winning tubing mascara builds and extends the lashes for a false lash effect. It also comes in a rich, natural-looking black-brown shade and is extra gentle on sensitive eyes.
Everyone likes different things when it comes to mascara. Some like more length while others want more curl out of a formula. Luckily, this Benefit formula does both and separates the lashes to give them a bigger, bolder look. As a bonus, it comes in this lovely dark-brown shade.
Eyeko’s unique formula contains caffeine to wake up the lashes and biotin, castor oil, and arginine for extra nourishment. This shade of brown is definitely on the lighter side so it’s also great for those with blonde lashes.
This Chanel formula has a unique brush that perfectly defines, separates, and lifts the lashes. A blend of waxes also adds volume and shine. An innovative formula and unique brush ensure that each lash, even the finest, is perfectly defined and separated without clumping.
Boasting a clean formula and almond oil which promotes strong and long lashes, this formula is definitely a must when it comes to brown mascaras. It’s totally smudge-proof, water-resistant, and long-lasting making it perfect for everyday wear.
