Whether you're stepping out barefaced or going full-glam, a coat of mascara never hurts. It's the one product that can instantly make you look fresher and your eyes more wide awake with minimal effort. All you really have to do is determine your needs and pick your lashes' poison—do you need more volume, length, or just something to hold a curl? Even if your answer is all of the above, you'll want to scroll down and check some of our mascara favorites across every budget and for every need. Keep scrolling to see which one fits you!
Best Affordable/Drugstore Mascaras
1. Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
This mascara became popular on Reddit because of how insanely long it can make your lashes. It claims to give you that falsies-like effect, too, thanks to its a cone-shaped brush with built-in fibers that individually coat each hair to volumize and lengthen. The best part? It's extremely budget-friendly so you won't feel guilty about disposing them after three months!
ESSENCE Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara, P239, Watsons
2. Maybelline Hypercurl Waterproof Mascara
Catriona Gray's favorite mascara is not only affordable, it's also one of the most reliable formulas out there for pumping up your fringe's volume in a few swipes sans annoying clumps. We find that it doesn't flake off or transfer throughout the day either, and it does a great job of blending in your false lashes with your real ones. The slight bend of the wand helps curl your hairs as you swipe it on, too!
MAYBELLINE Hypercurl Waterproof Mascara, P149, Lazada
3. Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion Water Resistant Mascara
Don't be intimidated by this mascara's brush—it's huge for a reason! The closely packed bristles help deposit more mascara onto your lashes to give the illusion of fuller and longer strands. We love the waterproof version because it prevents that panda eye look, but if you'd rather not use an oil-based makeup remover, this formula comes in a washable version that can achieve a similar look!
COVERGIRL Lash Blast Fusion Water Resistant, P349, Watsons
4. Innisfree Skinny Microcara
You might be wondering how this tiny mascara wand will help your lash woes, but hear us out. That slim brush is actually perfect for defining your lower eyelashes, because unlike regular mascara wands, it can deposit product in that hard-to-reach area without making a mess under your eyes. That said, some people do like the small brush for quickly separating the upper lashes and even fluffing up their brows like an eyebrow mascara!
INNISFREE Skinny Microcara, price unavailable, SM Mall of Asia
5. L'Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara
If you want larger-than-life lashes and don't mind a few clumps, then this is the mascara for you. This formula has quite a wet consistency that just sticks to your lashes and coats them with product to make them appear so much fuller. It's perfect for a dramatic eye look or when you just want a ton of volume that won't weigh down your hairs and flake off.
LOREAL Voluminous Lash Paradise, P550, Lazada
6. Maybelline Volum' Express The Magnum Big Shot Mascara
For those who want volume and want it quickly, this mascara has wavy bristles that can easily navigate even through the most unruly lashes and provide thickness after a few short strokes. The waterproof formula helps it last through a hot and humid day, too, or if you wear makeup to the gym, through a full-on sweat sesh!
MAYBELLINE Hypercurl Waterproof Mascara, P149, Lazada
7. L'Oréal Voluminous Butterfly Lengthening Mascara
This mascara's comb-like wand is designed to push the lashes on your outer corner upwards for that fluttery effect. It contains fibers that gently coat each hair to add length without clumping, while filling in the roots for the illusion of thicker lashes.
LOREAL Voluminous Butterfly Lengthening Mascara, P550, Lazada
8. Heroine Make Volume & Curl Mascara
If you're one of those people who have tried practically every mascara out there and found that every single one fades or flakes, this is one product you should add to your cart. Because aside from covering your lashes in polymer fibers that make them double in length, it can hold a curl all day even if you have thin and straight lashes. That said, prepare to bring out your oil-based makeup remover because you'll need it to get this completely off!
HEROINE MAKE Volume & Curl Mascara, P1170, Beautymnl
Best High-End Mascaras
9. MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash
Nothing really beats the look of a well-separated, natural-looking lash, and that's exactly the look you should expect from this product. The tall and slim wand will comb out your eyelashes and lift them at the roots for that doll-like effect. While it's not waterproof, it is resistant to smudging and flaking, so it's perfect for those with sensitive eyes that want some extra oomph sans the complicated removal process.
MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash, P1200, Lazada
10. Chanel Le Volume de Chanel
Le Volume De Chanel provides intense volume that looks flattering on Asian lashes, but perhaps its standout feature is that it has one of the darkest blacks we've seen in a mascara. It's also the kind of formula that sets instantly and holds a curl so you won't have to go back in with your eyelash curler.
CHANEL Le Volume de Chanel, price unavailable, Rustan's
11. Dior Diorshow Mascara Waterproof
This cult-favorite mascara from Dior was made to be used on the runway, so if it can last through the backstage chaos and long hours of a fashion show, then it can hold up on your lashes all day, too. It's also incredibly buildable, giving you the option to rock a natural or a dramatic lash depending on how many coats you apply. Nevertheless, you'll always end up with more awake peepers than you started.
DIOR Diorshow Mascara Waterproof, price unavailable, SM Makati
12. Benefit Roller Lash Mascara
Not everyone is a fan of lash curlers, and we totally get why. But if you still want that fluttery effect on your fringe, Benefit's Roller Lash has a brush that slightly lifts your hairs into a natural curl as it defines them. For a natural effect, grab the brown shade, but if you want a darker lash, go for classic black.
BENEFIT Roller Lash Mascara, P1660, Sephora.ph
13. Lancôme Grandiôse Waterproof Mascara
The slight bend on this mascara's wand could take some getting used to, but the way it can help you coat hard-to-reach areas makes the adjustment worth it. It's a great choice for those who love separated, fanned out lashes over tons of volume.
LANCÔME Grandiôse Waterproof Mascara, P2060, Sephora.ph
14. Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara
Transforming thin lashes is almost effortless with a full coat of the Velvet Noir. It maximizes length and volume with a curved brush with a flat tip that you can use to separate any clumps. The concentrated formula doesn't set immediately, allowing you to apply multiple coats for more volume. Once it's dry, it resists smudging but is easy to remove with a cleansing water!
MARC JACOBS BEAUTY Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara, P1638, Sephora.ph
15. Glossier Lash Slick
Much like Glossier's other products, the Lash Slick is the perfect addition to a no-makeup makeup look. It lengthens the lashes without giving it that visible mascara clump, but it does give a hint of volume by combing your hairs through with small fibers.
GLOSSIER Lash Slick, P1200, Calyxta
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