With so many options to choose from, finding the perfect mascara can feel like a daunting task.
The good news is that you can find some fantastic mascaras at drugstore prices, and L’Oreal is one of the best drugstore mascara brands when it comes to delivering quality at an affordable price.
Whether you want to add serious volume to your lashes or achieve a more natural look, L’Oreal has something for everyone. So get ready to discover your new favorite mascara!
Here’s a list of some of the best L’Oreal mascaras based on mascara type:
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Best L’Oreal Mascara:
Let’s start with the best overall L’Oreal mascara that I think checks all the boxes!
L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara
L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara (shown above in the shade Black Brown) is a fan favorite for its volumizing, lengthening, and long-lasting formula that lasts up to 36 hours.
I don’t recommend testing it for 36 hours, though! You’re better off removing your mascara before you go to sleep each night!
Lash Paradise’s applicator wand has a wavy brush that contains 200+ bristles to create a full fan effect on your eyelashes.
A single coat creates a more natural lash look, but you can apply multiple coats for a more dramatic lash look.
The new formula contains floral oil and nourishing panthenol, which leaves your lashes feeling conditioned and supple to the touch.
This has been one of my favorite drugstore mascaras over the years. One of the best qualities of this mascara is that it leaves my lashes soft and doesn’t clump or flake around my eyes.
I love the long lash look it creates, and I think it performs better than mascaras which are more than twice the price. Plus, Lash Paradise mascara is suitable for sensitive eyes.
The mascara comes in four washable shades:
- Blackest Black (Washable)
- Black (Washable)
- Black Brown (Washable)
- Mystic Black (Washable)
The mascara also comes in a few Waterproof shades:
- Black (Waterproof)
- Blackest Black (Waterproof)
Best L’Oreal Lengthening Mascara
L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Mascara
L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Mascara (shown above in the shade Black Brown) is THE L’Oreal mascara for length and separation.
L’Oreal describes it as a telescopic extension. Maybe a little dramatic, but this lengthening mascara really does lengthen your lashes.
It’s lightweight enough for everyday use, but I find the formula is still long-lasting and doesn’t flake or smudge throughout the day.
I love the flexible elastomer wand. The flat side of L’oreal’s patented Precision Brush lengthens your eyelashes by up to 60%.
Then flip it over to the comb side of the brush, which separates your lashes for a clump-free precise lash look.
You don’t get the crazy volume with this mascara like some of L’Oreal’s other mascaras, but my lashes get fantastic length, separation, and definition.
This mascara leaves my lashes super long yet feathery and soft. Excellent for short lashes that need an extra boost! And it’s suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.
The mascara comes in four washable shades :
- Black (Washable)
- Carbon Black (Washable)
- Black-Brown (Washable)
- Blackest Black (Washable)
The mascara also comes in a Waterproof Black version.
NOTE: I’ve seen users complain that the mascara wand bends, and it’s hard to get back in the tube. I haven’t had that problem (I am careful with the wand), but it’s something to be aware of.
Best L’Oreal Lash Lifting Mascara
L’Oreal Telescopic Lift Washable Mascara
If you’re after lift, volume, and length, L’Oreal Telescopic Lift Washable Mascara (shown above in the shade Black Brown) does it all while providing up to +5MM visible length and up to 36 hours of wear.
The patented double-hook bristle brush is designed for lift and separation.
You use the front hook bristles to lift and load your lashes and follow with the longer side hook bristles to comb and separate lashes.
I love this mascara for opening up my eyes and providing that wide-awake look.
The mascara comes in four shades:
- Blackest Black (Washable)
- Black (Washable)
- Black Brown (Washable)
If you want a waterproof version, it also comes in Black Waterproof.
The Best L’Oreal Lash-Separating Mascara
L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara
L’Oréal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara (shown above in the shade Blackest Black) is formulated with collagen and comes with L’Oreal’s Millionizer Brush, which works to provide volume and definition for every single lash.
This lash-separating mascara does an excellent job of separating your lashes, so if you hate clumps, this is the L’Oreal mascara for you!
The Millionizer Brush is designed to separate lashes from corner to corner while adding volume.
The brush has what L’Oreal calls a “built-in Clean Sweep Wiping System” to wipe clumps away from the brush while leaving the ideal deposit of mascara on the brush to create high-volume yet clean-looking lashes.
Although the other L’Oreal mascaras in this post do a good job of separating lashes, Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara separates lashes the best in my experience, thanks to the longer bristles.
I can get a natural lash look with just a coat or two with zero clumps.
This mascara is also suitable for those who wear contact lenses and have sensitive eyes.
Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara is available in four shades:
- Black (Washable)
- Blackest Black (Washable)
- Black Brown (Washable)
- Carbon Black (Washable)
It also comes in two Waterproof versions: Black and Blackest Black.
Best L’Oreal Waterproof Mascara
L’Oreal has some great waterproof mascaras, so here are two options to keep your lashes looking picture-perfect even on the hottest days.
L’Oréal Air Volume Mega Waterproof Mascara
L’Oréal Air Volume Mega Waterproof Mascara (shown above in the shade Black) is a waterproof volumizing mascara that feels weightless on your lashes.
The mascara is air-whipped to create volume without the weight. The double-bristle brish coat every lash to create a full lash look that stays put all day long for up to 24 hours.
The short bristles apply the mascara to your roots, while the long bristles deposit the mascara evenly for a full fanned-out look.
I love how this mascara is sweatproof and doesn’t smudge or flake, even after a long hot day, making it perfect for summertime and warm weather.
And it’s easy to remove with a makeup remover for waterproof mascara when you’re ready to take it off.
Waterproof Air Volume Mega Mascara comes in two shades:
- Blackest Black (Waterproof)
- Black (Waterproof)
See below for the washable version of this mascara (the best L’Oreal volumizing mascara).
L’Oréal Bambi Eye Waterproof Mascara
L’Oréal Bambi Eye Waterproof Mascara (shown above in the shade Blackest Black) gives you an open-eye look while lifting, curling, and volumizing your lashes.
The mascara lengthens your lashes without clumping or flaking, thanks to its velvet brush that coats every lash for a fanned-out look.
The Wide-Eyed Brush comes with both short and long bristles to separate and coat every single lash from root to tip.
The formula is waterproof, sweatproof, and smudge-proof, so you can wear it all day without needing multiple touchups. This black mascara really does open up my eyes for a more awake look.
Bambi Eye comes in two shades:
- Black (Waterproof)
- Blackest Black (Waterproof)
If you want a doe-eyed look without the waterproof formula, Bambi Eye also comes in a washable version with four shades available: Blackest Black, Black, Black Brown, and Extra Noir.
Best L’Oreal Volumizing Mascara
L’Oréal Air Volume Mega Mascara
As the name suggests, L’Oréal Air Volume Mega Mascara (shown above in the shade Black Brown) pumps up the volume for thicker, fuller, longer lashes.
If you have thin lashes and need a mascara that will instantly add some serious volume with a weightless feel, this is the one for you.
Get ready for all-day wear and puffed-up smudge and flake-resistant lashes.
The mascara also provides excellent length and separation, so your lashes don’t clump together.
Even the tube feels weightless, even though it contains the same amount of product as L’Oreal’s other mascaras.
The mascara comes in two shades:
- Blackest Black (Washable)
- Black (Washable)
Best L’Oreal Thickening Mascara
L’Oreal Voluminous Original Washable Mascara
L’Oreal Voluminous Original Washable Mascara (shown above in the shade Black Brown) builds up to 5x thicker lashes while separating each lash.
L’Oreal Volume Maximizing Brush thickens your lashes and resists clumping. And your lashes won’t feel stiff and will resist flaking throughout the day.
The mascara is formulated with panthenol and ceramide-R to condition and protect your lashes.
I love the length this mascara provides while creating soft, fuller lashes.
This mascara formula comes in a large range of shades, too, including colors:
- Black (Washable)
- Carbon Black (Washable)
- Blackest Black (Washable)
- Black Brown (Washable)
- Cobalt Blue (Washable)
- Deep Burgundy (Washable)
- Deep Green (Washable)
- Deep Violet (Washable)
The Waterproof version comes in: Black, Carbon Black, and Black Brown.
Best L’Oreal Vegan Mascara
L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Noir Balm Washable Mascara
L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Noir Balm Washable Mascara (shown above in the shade Black) is formulated with 99% natural origin ingredients to lift, lengthen, and volumize lashes.
The vegan formula is made without any animal ingredients. Also free of parabens and mineral oil, L’Oreal’s “balm-in-mascara” conditions and defines lashes with its flexible elastomer brush.
Suitable for sensitive eyes, the mascara comes in two shades:
- Black (Washable)
- Brown (Washable) called Voluminous Brown Balm Washable Mascara
This vegan mascara doesn’t give my lashes as much length as some of the other formulas in this post, but it’s a nice option if you want a more natural look that enhances your natural lashes.
Best L’Oreal Mascaras: The Bottom Line
The best drugstore mascara? That will depend on your needs, but all the best L’Oreal mascaras are in the running.
My favorite drugstore mascara I keep returning to over the years has been Lash Paradise, even though I’m always trying new products and rotating mascaras in my makeup routine.
Recently, I’ve been reaching for Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara often for the natural look I can create with excellent lash separation.
So, whether you’re on a budget or not, finding the perfect mascara doesn’t have to be a challenge. Just remember to consider your lash goals and needs when choosing a mascara.
To read more about reviving your dried-out mascara, see my post on how to fix dry mascara.
Thanks for reading!
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Sarah Roberts is the founder, writer, and photographer behind A Beauty Edit. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, Sarah is an avid skincare and beauty enthusiast who shares the best beauty finds to help you save time and money!