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The best mascaras brighten your face and draw attention to your eyeswith just a swipe or two.

Close up of woman

Sarah Hansen via Getty Images

This may sound easy enough, but actuallychoosing the right mascarais a a real pain.

There are so many factors to weigh: Is themascara waterproof?

Does it actually volumize or lengthen your lashes, or just claim to do both?

Volumizing Covergirl Exhibitionist Mascara

Do the formula or bristles smudge, flake, clump, or irritatesensitive skin?

And is it even affordable?

These mascaras differ in wands, bristles, and ingredients.

Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara in white tube

And some are pricy, high-end picks, while the bestdrugstore mascarasare only a few bucks.

Its a lot to consider!

Per the experts, the formula containshydrating peptidesand strength-building biotin.

Urban Decay Wild Lash

At an under-$16 price point, this is one of the best mascaras on the market.

The lift is in thanks to its curved brush and quick-drying formula, which make lashes fluttery and full.

This is my new go-to mascara, said one tester.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara in pink tube

The shape of the brush head is perfectly contoured to lift and get mascara on my individual lashes.

I feel like I only need a few strokes to coat them all.

I didnt even need to curl them afterward because this was able to curl them on its own.

YSL Beauty Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara

One of our testers agrees: I cannot sing the praises of this mascara enough.

I have worn this out several times, and each time I got compliments on my eyelashes.

All around, I would absolutely recommendthis is worth the splurge.

Saie Mascara 101 Lengthening and Lifting

Bonus for beauty lovers: SL will engrave your mascara tube for free.

Kaye appreciates the mascaras wand: The skinny silicone applicator lets you get to the roots of your lashes.

The mascaras formula uses argan oil to hydrate and define lashes while simultaneously boosting volume.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in pink tube

They raved about its tapered wand, as it helped them easily coat their finest lashes without smudging everywhere.

He follows it with theThe Curlingmascara for even more volume.

If you want the drugstore dupe, theTotal Temptation Mascarais a great budget option.

mascara

Williamson recommends itsvegan mascara, which she says has mega staying power without the crunchy feel."

I recommend this one to those wanting lift and separation, says Williamson.

It creates the biggest, fluffiest lashes, she says.

Image may contain Cosmetics and Mascara

The volume is amazing.

I love that it has long wear without flaking, says Williamson of her favorite glossy black mascara.

After using it I feel like I can see every single hair standing out.

Image may contain Cosmetics and Mascara

She added that the Benefit mascara is highly buildable.

Not only is it safe for contact lenses and hypoallergenic, but its also grippy.

Makeup artistCourtney Donovannotes that it wont smudge, even in a rainstorm.

Image may contain Cosmetics and Mascara

Its been a regulardrugstore favoritein her makeup routine for years.

My light brown lashes definitely looked longer after swiping on two coats of this super-black formula.

Its formula helps build a voluminous lash that wont flake or smudge off, without weighing down lashes.

Image may contain Cosmetics and Mascara

Its also easy to remove, which I love for sensitive eyes.

It’s also agreat makeup dupefor theLancome Lash Idole Lash-Lifting and Volumizing Mascara.

This mascara makes lashes a little bit thicker and a little bit longer without clumping, he says.

Image may contain Cosmetics and Mascara

I love that the tube is refillable, the ingredients are natural, and that the company hassustainablepractices.

The mascara has a rich pigment that enhances lighter lashes while conditioning with moisturizing jojoba oil.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Washable Mascara in pink tube

Image may contain Cosmetics and Mascara

IT Cosmetics Lash Blowout Volumizing Mascara in gray and yellow tube

Pink and orange Tower 28 MakeWaves Lengthening  Curling Clean Mascara tube on white background

Image may contain Cosmetics and Mascara

Image may contain Cosmetics and Mascara

Image may contain Cosmetics and Mascara

Image may contain Cosmetics and Mascara

Image may contain Cosmetics and Mascara

Image may contain Cosmetics and Mascara

Image may contain Cosmetics and Mascara

Maybelline Total Temptation Mascara in pink tube

Image may contain Cosmetics and Mascara

Image may contain Cosmetics

Lancôme Hypnôse Buildable Volume Mascara

Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara in black tube

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Image may contain Cosmetics and Mascara

Image may contain Cosmetics and Mascara

Image may contain Cosmetics and Mascara