The Most Popular Mascara on Amazon Is Only $8 Right Now (2024)

This mascara earned many top ranks in our consumer tests: It nabbed the highest satisfaction score, with testers rating it best for creating the desired look and 100% for resisting smudges. It got one of the highest scores for curling, too, thanks to a curved wand that curls so well, one tester said, "I did not have to use a curler before applying."

It also scored highly for lifting, volumizing and thickening lashes while resisting flakes and applying smoothly with its easy-to-use brush, though the formula does have a tendency to clump. As far as its staying power? In the Lab, it got perfect scores for resisting running when exposed to water, and our testers said it stood up to naps, swimming, Florida humidity and even showers without running.

A best-seller, this iconic pink tube impressed our experts with how well it resisted smudging in Lab tests, and our testers loved its easy-to-use brush and that the formula went on smoothly and didn't clump or flake all day long. "It's so easy to put on, looks amazing and doesn't get all clumpy during the day," one expert evaluator said. "The smaller brush also helps me apply it neatly to every lash."

One tester noted that it "held a curl well," even on "long lashes that like to stick straight out." Another said, "it makes my eyelashes look longer and more defined without much effort." The cons? It's difficult to take off, isn't very volumizing and doesn't separate lashes as well as other wands, but it's still a solid choice.

GH Beauty Lab pros — and over 63,000 reviewers on Amazon — were wowed by this smooth, flake-free formula. One expert tester found the mascara went on smoothly without clumps and wore without smudging. "The brush is flexible and small rubbery bristles separate and lengthen lashes without making them feel stiff like other waterproof mascaras," she said.

One reviewer added, it "lengthens your lashes so well, it looks like you have on false lashes." They love that the buildable formula adds volume and length and is easy to remove at the end of the day. Our expert's one gripe? "I wish that it would keep my lashes curled for a bit longer."

A budget-friendly pick, this is a cult classic for great reason. Our testers loved that the formula went on smoothly, added lots of volume and lengthened without flaking or smudging a bit, even on very oily lids. "The formula is good for multiple applications; I was able to do two coats without it clumping," said one tester, who added it "gives nice volume and length."

Although the bristles are short and the diameter of the wand is wide, testers still said this brush was the easiest to use, and the formula also snagged perfect scores for being non-irritating, even on sensitive eyes and skin. In the Lab, it earned a perfect score for not running even when doused with water, so it's even ideal for long days spent swimming. The trade-off is that it can be tough to remove.

With over 6,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, reviewers can't get enough of this waterproof formula. Customers swear the formula lasts longer than other mascaras without flaking, and that "the wand does an excellent job coating and separating lashes with little to no clumping."

Our testers loved the brush, with one citing "lots of fluffy fibers that seems to grab my lashes really well. The mascara is great at both volumizing and lengthening and the shade of black is dark and intense," though she wished it volumized lashes a bit more. Reviewers say just one coat does the trick, and that it stays put no matter what. "If you are looking for a mascara that will withstand a waterfall landing on your face ... this is the one for you."

Prepare for feathery lashes, thanks to the unique helix shape on this rubber wand. This mascara earned the highest scores in the Lab for resisting smudges, smears and runs, and testers noted that it was non-irritating and had a pleasant scent, making it great for sensitive skin (and noses!).

"I liked how much separation I got on my lashes,” said one tester. Testers also thought the brush applicator was easy to use, but noted that they needed a few coats to get their desired look, saying they "would have like to seen more volume." It's also worth noting that reviewers have found the formula a little difficult to remove at the end of the day.

With nearly 19,000 (!) reviews on Amazon, reviewers can't get enough of this budge-proof formula. Five-star reviewers swear the buildable formula "stays on all day" and "makes a huge difference in how full lashes look," "does not flake," yet "removes easily with makeup wipes" at the end of the day.

"The brush shape was slightly curved which really helped to reach all of my eyelashes," said one GH tester, and the varying bristle lengths make the wand perfect for nabbing and lifting lashes. It lengthened my lashes a lot," the tester added, and she liked that the formula "didn’t make lashes too thick, more wispy and natural," though some may prefer a more pigmented black color or a higher impact look.

If clean beauty (or vegan and cruelty-free makeup) is a must for you, this "clean" version of the cult classic is all that and it got a perfect score in the Lab for not running when exposed to water. Consumer testers rated it best for volumizing and thickening lashes and it got second-highest scores for overall satisfaction and creating the desired look. "I like how easy it was to coat all of my lashes," said one tester. "It made them look longer and fuller."

Another tester liked the formula, saying that although it was a little sticky, "it was super easy to build on and didn’t dry as quickly. It made my lashes look much thicker and darker so it’s something I’d wear to draw more attention to my eyes." This high-impact formula is easy to remove, but the downside of that, as several testers noted, is flaking and smudging.

This waterproof powerhouse is the favorite of Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann (a.k.a. a scientist who tests mascaras for a living). "I like that it goes on smoothly, dries fast and stays put through humid days and allergy seasons without compromising the plush look of my lashes," she says.

"Its non-waterproof sister formula is the top pick in our latest mascara test so I usually buy them together." Wizemann notes that "for a more dramatic look, it really needs to be layered quite a few times," so it may not be best for those looking for a high drama lash look.

The GH Beauty Lab tests thousands of makeup, skincare and haircare products each year to find the best beauty products that are worth your money. In our most recent test of waterproof mascara, we started with 96 mascaras and whittled down the field to the 21 best. We then conducted a consumer at-home study on 402 testers, who used the assigned product at least three times before completing a standardized questionnaire rating ease of use, performance and overall satisfaction on everything from application (smoothness and brush design) to desired look (think: whether the product was volumizing, curling, defining or thickening) and how it wore (including whether it flaked, ran or smudged) and if it was easy to remove at the end of the day.

In the Lab, our panel of experts evaluated waterproof claims by applying a controlled amount of product, letting it dry for a set time and splashing it with a set amount of warm water to see how well the waterproof mascaras resisted smearing and running. In past tests, we've used VISIA imaging for before-and-after imaging to score how well the mascara lengthened and volumized the eyelashes. After applying 420 strokes of mascara in Lab testing and tallying the results of 6,432 questions from 402 testers, we compiled this list of the very best waterproof mascaras.

"Waterproof mascaras are typically superior in keeping lashes lifted and curled," says Wizemann. While "they are usually a bit stickier [and] require more time to dry, once set, they're designed to not smudge," she says.

That's because "waterproof mascara contains ingredients like synthetic waxes, silicone and film-forming agents that create a water-resistant barrier [which] help the mascara adhere better to the lashes and resist being washed away by water, sweat or tears." These robust additions may feel heavier on the lashes, yet keep lift and curl better.

Nope, stick to special occasions only. "Because waterproof mascaras have stronger adherence to the lashes, they can sometimes lead to more lash breakage or loss during removal if not done carefully," explains Wizemann. Waterproof formulas require harsher solvents to remove; the pulling and rubbing required to remove can cause lashes to fall out and irritate the skin around the eyes over time.

Because of this, Wizemann suggests reserving waterproof mascara for special events only, or for regular wearers, up to three times a week. "Use regular or go mascara-free on other days to give your lashes a break."

Because waterproof mascaras are designed to withstand pretty much anything, you should rely on a gentle eye makeup remover formulated for waterproof cosmetics, like Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover. Our experts also recommend wearing waterproof mascara sparingly, since the removal can be irritating to skin and eyes.

"Always make sure to saturate lashes thoroughly with eye makeup remover before removing the mascara," says Wizemann. Hold a cotton pad soaked with remover on the eye for a few seconds before swiping downward and away. Wizemann suggests using a Q-tip saturated in makeup remover to gently clean mascara in between lashes to avoid smudges the next morning.