It’s pretty damn inevitable that you’re likely to find yourself strolling through the florescent-lit aisles (and aisles) of mass-market beauty products at the CVS around the corner… at least once a month, let's be honest. And we feel you. As you can tell by our previous round-ups of the best drugstore skincare products AND face makeup, we’ve quizzed practically every single makeup artist and beauty-obsessed Cov-alum worth their touché e’clat on the cheap thrills that take up real estate on their vanities. After a deep-dive into our archives, we dug out the best of the best mascaras, liners, shadows and falsies as told by the pros. That trip to Walgreens just got a lot more informed. You’re very, very welcome.
Mascara
"L'Oréal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black is the best drugstore mascara because it is highly pigmented and allows you to build on the lashes and add incredible volume, without clumping and looking dry." – Mario Dedivanovic
“My favorite lash is a kind of barely-there/no mascara/weekend look, but sometimes I need a little more just so my eyes actually look open. I've been using CoverGirl LashBlast Length (the one in the yellow tube) since it first came out, which was way back in 2009. I try different mascaras here and there, but always end up always coming back to the CoverGirl. It just gives you long, clean, defined lashes that don't necessarily yell 'I'm wearing mascara!'" – Simone Kitchens
“If I could only spend $20 at a drugstore for my beauty bag, I would get: tweezers, a small magnifying mirror and Maybelline Great Lash mascara." – Miranda Kerr
“"In my beauty arsenal you’ll find Physician’s Formula Organic Wear Mascara.” – Jessica Alba
“I use this MaxFactor Falsies mascara, which makes your lashes crazy.” – Candice Swanepoel
“I’m a huge fan of L’Oréal Carbon Black Voluminous Mascara. It’s one of the richest blacks available on the market and makes every eye color pop without flaking or smudging." – Beau Nelson
“I love CoverGirl’s Lashblast mascara, I’ve used that almost my entire life." – Shay Mitchell
"Then, my daily ritual using my trusty favorites; L'Oreal Waterproof Mascara, L'Oreal Glam Bronze Loose Powder, L'Oreal's True Match Super Blendable Powder and & Other Stories lipstick, a new found love."– Cipriana Quann, Urban Bush Babes
“Butterfly Mascara from L'Oréal makes your lashes gorgeous and gigantic.”– Jean Godfrey June
“For mascara, Covergirl LashBlast is still one of my top mascaras ever. It lengthens and thickens my very sparse lashes without clumping.” – Milly Almodovar
“L'Oréal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara delivers long, thick shiny lashes that rival mascaras that cost four times the price. Even just one coat with the wing-like brush (trust me, the thing is a feat of engineering) extends your lashes instantly." – Alexandra Parnass
“Maybelline's Falsie mascara has accompanied me from high school through college and though I've definitely strayed and dabbled with others, it will always have a soft spot in my heart for its one-swipe volume and definition.” - Faith Xue
“For makeup, I’m one of the rare beauty editors who won’t tout the wonders of Maybelline Great Lash—although it has a place in my heart for being my first. I do, however, adore the brand’s Volum’ Express The Colossal Washable Mascara in classic black. I recommend it to everyone who asks me for a drugstore option—it adds loads of volume and length without clumps.” - Joanna Douglas
"I'm a big believer in drugstore mascaras: brands like L'Oréal and CoverGirl have some of the best mascara technology and tend to be first with new innovations. I wear CoverGirl Lash Blast Length every single day—I have naturally thick lashes (I know, I'm lucky!), so volumizing formulas look too heavy on me. This mascara gives nice, clean definition and deep black color; it's perfect for work.” - Victoria Kirby
“Physician’s Formula has a new two-step mascara with little fibers for those crazy, spidery lashes that is pretty great for nighttime.” – Jamie Rosen
Eyeliner
"Flower Beauty Kohl Eyeliner in Espresso: it goes on super smoothly, smudges just enough to impart that relaxed, lived-in lash line and stays strong all day." – Jane Larkworthy
“L'Oréal Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner is one of the few eyeliners that make doing the winged eye look a breeze. Love!” - Milly Almodovar
Eyeshadow
Extras
“Another great drugstore find are the Ardell Individual Lashes in Flare Mini Black. These tiny faux lashes are perfect for the tricky inner corners of the upper eyelid—I use them with longer flares or with strips to blend them into the natural lashline. I also like to flip them upside down and use them on the bottom lash line for a subtle '60s effect!" – Robin Black
"I love Ardell lashes. They are always easy to find and are so cost effective. My faves are the #318 Accent lashes that can be applied with Duo Glue (also available at most drugstores) to the outer corners of the lash line for a lil drama but not too much!” – Amber Dreadon