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Walmart is a glorious destination to source any and every household necessity — and that includes the best drugstore mascaras on the market. After all, no vanity is complete without a trusty tube that flatters the eye and delivers on daily drama. There’s a wealth of options for different lash effects among the best mascaras at Walmart, so WWD Shop editors went shopping. We tested 21 formulas to narrow down the most transformative mascaras that bring serious volume, length, and lift in just a few swipes.
As a regular WWD Shop tester and beauty product reviewer, I’ve tested over 100 mascaras (yes, really) from practically every beauty retailer, including cult-favorite prestige formulas, TikTok-loved lash enhancers, and hidden gems that deserve more buzz. I’m constantly monitoring the Walmart mascara bestsellers list to see what’s hot and new, and, in particular, which mascaras have holy grail-status potential. Between my extensive mascara repertoire and my lackluster natural lashes, I’m a super picky tester, so it takes a lot of star power to get me excited about a new discovery. But after three months of testing, I’ve finally nailed down a handful of formulas that deserve to be crowned the best mascara at Walmart.
Upon my research, I came across another discovery: Walmart’s Beauty Department page was definitely made with beauty lovers in mind. There, the retailer highlights top beauty trends with curated shopping lists to inspire your haul, from colored mascara to bridal lashes and everything in between. And, if something catches your eye, you can use the virtual try-on feature that allows you to apply cosmetics to an uploaded selfie before you place an order. Walmart also offers a monthly Beauty Box subscription that delivers regimen-refreshing products to your doorstep for just under $7 — which is the typical price of a single drugstore product. Plus, if a product lets you down, Walmart+ members can make a return from home within 90 days of the initial purchase.
We’ve been testing 21 mascaras you can find on Walmart’s virtual shelves for three months, though a few of these best Walmart mascaras have done a lot of heavy lifting in my lash routine for several years. As I assessed new releases, viral must-tries, and revisited old favorites, each Walmart mascara was assessed on its lengthening, volumizing, and defining effects, as well as its all-day staying power and overall lash-healthy formula in order to determine the absolute best mascaras to shop from Walmart.
Top Mascaras at Walmart of 2024
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Testing Verdict: Top 3 Walmart Mascaras of 2024
The Walmart beauty department offers a wide variety of mascara formulas for different lash goals, including lengthening tubing mascaras, thickening volume mascaras, clean formulas for sensitive eyes, and clear mascaras at Walmart. Since all mascaras are not created equal and different formulations apply to different needs and glam goals, we narrowed down our top three standouts that reign as retailer bestsellers and achieve stellar lash transformations in just a few swipes. Below, our must-try Walmart mascaras:
- L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Washable Bold Eye Mascara: If you didn’t know you can shop a celebrity makeup artist staple at Walmart, now you do. The L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Mascara is decades-old icon that’s graced the lashes of A-listers and everyday beauty lovers alike, offering falsies-level drama with ink-black pigment, buildable thickness, and incredible length. And, according to our testers, it lives up to all the hype and then some.
- Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Lengthening Mascara: Your lashes will actually reach new heights with this ultra-lengthening mascara. Its silicone wand grips the lash line from the root to effectively comb and stretch each lash to its fullest potential, while a healthy dose of bamboo extract conditions the delicate hairs for a soft and fluttery finish.
- Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara: This tube needs no introduction — it’s one of the most internet-famous mascaras to date. It’s one of the most affordable, too, ringing in at just $5. Essence’s Lash Princess formula stands out for its thickening and volumizing drama that only takes a single coat to achieve, along with its narrow wand that addresses hard-to-reach lashes in one fell swoop.
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Editor’s Choice
L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara
Formula type: Volumizing, thickening
Shade range: Blackest Black, Black, Black/Brown, Cobalt Blue, Deep Burgundy, Deep Violet, Deep Green
Special features: Formulated with panthenol and ceramides
You’ve likely seen this tube floating in the Walmart beauty aisle (it’s been on shelves since 1991!), but if you haven’t tried it, you’re missing out. It’s earned nods from countless beauty insiders, including celebrity makeup artist Katie Mellinger, along with Mario Dedivanovic and his muse Kim Kardashian — the A-lister, in fact, once deemed this best Walmart mascara “the perfect shade of black.”
It’s a cult-favorite for that very reason, along with its seamless ability to build clump-free drama for the range of glam looks. You can achieve soft, fluttery daytime lashes with one coat, or go in with a few extra swipes to achieve a lash line that rivals falsies. Plus, its conditioning formulation leaves lashes feeling plush to the touch with zero signs of flaking throughout the day.
Editor testing and review notes: “This formula is richly pigmented so you need fewer coats to achieve a dramatic lash look, but it’s the wand and bristles that this tester adored. Ultra-soft, densely-packed bristles grab lashes without too much handiwork required, and the slim wand makes it simple to target lashes on the inner and outer corners of your lash line. Because the bristles are so dense, we recommend wiggling the wand close to the lash line for an even, fully-fanned out result. Throughout an eight-hour testing period, this mascara didn’t flake or smudge.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $8.98
WWD Shop editors test L’Oréal’s Voluminous Mascara in our New York City office.
WWD/ Adam Mansuroglu
Editor’s Choice
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Lengthening Mascara
Formula type: Lengthening, volumizing
Shade range: Cosmic Black, Very Black, Blackest Black, Brownish Black, True Brown, Blue, Pink, Burgundy, and waterproof formulations
Special features: Formulated with bamboo extract
Not only did the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Lengthening Mascara impress our beauty testers, it’s also earned the title as Walmart’s number one bestselling mascara. Over 13,000 reviewers sing the praises of its lightweight-yet-thickening formula, as well as the wand’s ability to layer on coats without resulting in clumps. We also unanimously agree on the mascaras super washable formula that leaves no panda eyes or stained residue behind. However, you’ll notice that your bare lashes are softer than they started, thanks to conditioning bamboo extract that supports long-term lash health.
Editor testing and review notes: “This mascara is particularly impressive for its super flexible wand. I love that the bristles taper at the end, because it allows me to comb each lash for clean, clump-free volume. The formula leans on the wet side, which makes it ideal for building impressive length, while the bamboo extract makes it wear comfortably on the eye throughout the day — no brittle lashes here. It’s also impressively easy to wash away with a simple makeup remover or micellar water.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $9.88
Editor’s Choice
Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
Editor testing review rating: 4.8/5 rating
Formula type: Lengthening, volumizing
Shade range: Black
Special features: PETA-certified cruelty-free
The internet-loved Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara packs a powerful punch at a too-good-to-be-true price point. Just one coat achieves impressive length and definition, while a second can be layered for intense volume that rivals your favorite falsies. It’s available in rich chocolate brown for striking eye definition, though we’re partial to the pitch-black shade for dramatic makeup looks. The waterproof formulation is also great to have on hand for summer — it can hold up to a rainstorm or a dip in the pool with zero flaking or smudging.
Editor testing and review notes: “The Essence Lash Princess Mascara outperforms options that are over quadruple its price. The conic wand doesn’t deposit an overwhelming amount of product and does a successful job at separating the lashes as I swipe. Lash Princess’s rich black pigment smoothly builds and I don’t find it weighing down my lash line or reaching clump territory until I start layering on a third coat — but I never need more than two coats to achieve my high standards. Not only does it more than deliver on thickening, lash-extending drama, it also locks in a curl, and doesn’t irritate my sensitive eyes.”
Volume: 4.9/5 rating | Length: 4.9/5 rating | Definition: 4.8/5 rating | Long-wear: 4.8/5 rating
Price upon publish date of this article: $5.80
WWD Shop editors test Essence’s Lash Princess Mascara in our New York City office.
WWD/ Adam Mansuroglu
L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Original Washable Mascara
Editor testing review rating: 4.8/5 rating
Formula type: Lengthening
Shade range: Brown, Black, Blackest Black, Gray, Waterproof Black
Special features: Precision brush
The L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Waterproof Mascara is the best Walmart masacara for impressive length and definition. This bestseller features the slimmest wand our testers have ever tried, which makes it easy to get close to the root or address hard-to-reach corners of the eye to apply clean coats of product. The formula isn’t too heavy or thick, so it won’t weigh down the lashline or drop a curl, making it especially ideal for thin or straight lashes. Plus, it’s excellent at defining the lower lashes for a doe-eyed effect.
Editor testing and review notes: “The narrow wand on this mascara makes it so easy to snatch the lashes at their base. It works like a comb that flares out the lashes without depositing too much product, creating impressive definition without clumps. It stays on all day without smudging or flaking and makes for a dramatic formula you can wear from day to night.”
Volume: 4.3/5 rating | Length: 5/5 rating | Definition: 5/5 rating | Long-wear: 5/5 rating
Price upon publish date of this article: $11.12
Revlon ColorStay Xtensionnaire Lengthening Mascara
Editor testing review rating: 4.7/5 rating
Formula type: Lenthening
Shade range: Black Brown, Blackest Black, Waterproof Black
Special features: Formulated with Flexi-Polymer Fibers and pro vitamin B5
Looking for serious length? Revlon’s new ColorStay Xtensionnaire Lengthening Mascara is an exceptional tubing mascara at Walmart that’s worth taking for a spin. As you brush through the lashes, the unique spiral want applies the Flexi-Polymer Fibers that visibly build falsies-level length with deep dark pigment. The formula promotes long-term lash health too, thanks to a nourish dose of pro vitamin B5 that leaves the lashes stronger after removal.
Editor testing and review notes: I was surprised at how successful the applicator on this mascara is at separating the lashes for flared out definition. The trick with this one is to start at the root and wiggle as you work upward, as this allows the bristles to work their magic and seamlessly lay down the fiber extensions. The fibers are even small enough to apply to fine hairs in the inner corner, which isn’t always the case with other tubing formulas I’ve tried.”
Volume: 4.6/5 rating | Length: 4.7/5 rating | Definition: 4.6/5 rating | Long-wear: 4.9/5 rating
Price upon publish date of this article: $9.74
Covergirl Eye Enhancer 3D Mascara
Editor testing review rating: 4.7/5 rating
Formula type: Curling
Shade range: Berry Brown, Dark Chocolate, Intense Black
Special features: Formulated with plant-based keratin and lifting waxes
Covergirl’s Eye Enhancer 3D Mascara is the ultimate pick-me-up for tired eyes — it’ll have you looking bright-eyed and bushy tailed after you glam in the early morning. Its tight, curved brush, coupled with its strong-holding wax formula work together to freeze the lashes in a firm curl that lasts all day (yep, no eyelash curler required). The inclusion of conditioning plant-based keratin not only results in fluffy, flake-free wear, but also makes the product feel light as a feather throughout the entire day.
Editor testing and review notes: “This mascara goes on like a dream. Using a lash curler is a non-negotiable in my routine, but I was impressed that this product gives a nice curl on its own that lasts throughout the day. You can build the formula up for more volume and length, too, and since the wand is small, I don’t experience any eyelid transfer upon application.
Volume: 4.8/5 rating | Length: 4.6/5 rating | Definition: 4.7/5 rating | Long-wear: 4.7/5 rating
Price upon publish date of this article: $7.98
Maybelline The Falsies Surreal Extensions Washable Mascara
Editor testing review rating: 4.9/5 rating
Formula type: Lengthening an volumizing
Shade range: Meta Black, Blackest Black, Very Black, Brownish Black, Very Black Waterproof
Special features: Formulated with extension fibers
“Surreal” is an apt name for this dramatic tubing mascara at Walmart. Consider it your ticket to a full set of eyelash extensions that you can easily wipe off at the end of the day. It’s one of the darkest black formulas our testers have tried, and its fiber technology employs different lengths of lash extensions that layer on major volume and length. Its large-and-in-charge helix wand deposits just the right amount of product to have you covered in one coat, while flaring out the ends in a flirty and fluttery finish.
Editor testing and review notes: “The Surreal Extensions Mascara’s large bristle wand evenly coats the lashes in ultra-black pigment while extending them to eye-popping lengths. Other tubing mascaras I’ve tried have applied extension fibers haphazardly, however this mascara smoothly fuses them to the natural lash for seamless augmentation. I found this mascara to be very buildable, and the finished product appears wispy, feels lightweight, and aptly holds a curl.”
Volume: 5/5 rating | Length: 5/5 rating | Definition: 4.6/5 rating | Long-wear: 5/5 rating
Price upon publish date of this article: $9.98
WWD Shop editors test Maybelline’s The Falsies Surreal Extensions Washable Mascara in our New York City office.
WWD/ Adam Mansuroglu
L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
Editor testing review rating: 4.7/5 rating
Formula type: Volumizing, lengthening
Shade range: Blackest Black, Black, Mystic Black, Black Brown, Millennial Pink, and additional waterproof options
Special features: Formulated with flower oils
The L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara is a good Walmart mascara for those who crave volume and length in a single tube. It’s ranks in the top five of Walmart’s bestselling mascaras, with testers saying it’s especially transformative for short lashes and outshines prestige formulas that are triple its price. This formula comes infused with conditioning plant-based oils that help build soft volume and length, while the slightly hourglass-shaped wand lifts the inner and outer corners of the lash line as you swipe.
Editor testing and review notes: “As someone who particularly favors mascaras that volumize and add thickness, the Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara gets an A-plus. Its medium-large, slight hourglass wand fits snugly under the lash line to deposit product from root to tip, which works to grip, comb, define, and satisfyingly elongate each individual lash. The formula of the mascara is wet but not too watery, which aids in its ability to build thickness and avoid pesky clumping. I found that it wears well over a long day, with no running or smudging, holds a curl, and is effortless to wipe away with a makeup removing cloth. If you have smaller eyes, the wand may overwhelm your lash line, but it’s otherwise a top contender amongst the wide landscape of mascaras at the drugstore.”
Volume: 5/5 rating | Length: 4.6/5 rating | Definition: 4.6/5 rating | Long-wear: 4.9/5 rating
Price upon publish date of this article: $9.97
WWD Shop editors test L’Oréal’s Lash Paradise Mascara in our New York City office.
WWD/Adam Mansuroglu
Tips for Shopping for Mascaras at Walmart
- Become a Walmart+ member: If Walmart’s your go-to destination for all things beauty, signing up for a monthly membership can be a savvy way to save money in the long run. You can trial the subscription for 30 days for no cost, which grants exceptional perks like free deliveries from your local Walmart store, free shipping on every order, product returns at your doorstep, free video streaming on Paramount+, and early access to new product drops or mega savings events like Black Friday. Plus, the $98 annual membership offers savings across travel, auto care, and gas through partnerships with top brands.
- Shop bestsellers: Don’t know where to start on your shopping spree? A great way to narrow down the selections to the most universally satisfactory options is by browsing Walmart’s bestseller lists. To find the top mascaras on Walmart.com, simply select “Beauty” from the “Departments” menu, then navigate to “Makeup” and click on “Mascaras.” You can sort the selection by bestsellers, new releases, review ratings, price point, and more. You can also get a quick glance of the most-loved options as you scroll by keeping an eye out for the blue “Best Seller” badges that are stamped on the upper left corner of standout products.
- Watch for flash deals: Walmart regularly offers impressive flash deals across beauty selections, including editor-loved mascaras, but you’ll want to jump on fleeting price drops as soon as you see them. The best way to keep tabs on Walmart shopping news? Sign up for email alerts here that’ll keep you posted on new releases, exclusive offers, flash deals, and shopping inspirations.
- Shop verified storefronts: To ensure you’re not purchasing an expired or counterfeit product, it’s important to make sure you are purchasing from a verified Walmart storefront. An easy way to check this is by shopping directly from a Walmart shopping page that’s curated by the retailer, which you can simply find under the “Beauty” department dropdown menu. You can also double-check that you’re purchasing from a vetted brand by clicking on a product and looking for a link to the brand’s page above the product name. If it says, for example, “Visit the L’Oréal Paris Store” and leads you to a branded storefront, this is a sure sign that you’re purchasing from the correct seller.
How We Chose the Best Mascaras at Walmart
Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections. Learn more about us here.
For three months, WWD Shop editors have been researching the best Walmart mascaras. To narrow down a test list of 20 mascaras, we began by sifting through Walmart’s bestseller lists, comparing average customer reviews, and reading testimonials to determine standout formulas that proved universally satisfactory. We also selected new releases that promised impressive lash effects, as well as took note of formulas that have earned viral popularity on TikTok. Additionally, our testers compared Walmart mascaras to over 100 drugstore mascaras we’ve assessed at WWD, including the range of mascara formulations for different lash goals and sensitivities.
How We Tested & Reviewed the Best Mascaras at Walmart
After conducting extensive research on Walmart’s best mascaras, the WWD Shop beauty test team assessed a total of 21 mascara formulas. We applied each mascara on bare, uncurled eyelashes, and wore the formulas for a duration of 8 to 18 hours per day to examine whether their length or curl dropped throughout the day, or whether they flaked off or smudged. Our panel of testers also assessed special features in waterproof and curling mascaras to select the best options in each formula category. We took notes of pros and cons, like whether the formula delivered on dramatic lash claims, and if it caused any sensitivity for our testers that wear contacts or who deal with watery eyes from allergies.
Our list of the best Walmart mascaras was judged based upon key criteria that we believe defines an exception formula, such as its ability to volumize, lengthen, define, and wear well throughout a typical day. It’s also important that a mascara deposits opaque pigment that full coats each lash, includes a user-friendly wand that doesn’t irritate the eye or transfer product to the eyelids, and washes away cleanly at the end of the day. Any mascaras that did not live up to these standards were not included in this shopping guide.
Before you go, check out our list of the best drugstore mascaras:
Why Trust WWD
Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Testers
Four WWD Shop product testers contributed to this guide to the best mascaras at Walmart. Our panel reflects testers with different lash lengths and textures, eye sizes, glam preferences, and sensitivities, like allergies or contact lens-wearers. Our mascara testers include Olivia Cigliano, the Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD and the author of this story, who often reviews the best mascaras at WWD, as well as Claire Sullivan, the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for WWD and Footwear News, along with two additional testers. We evaluated every formulation available at the retailer, including tubing mascaras, curling mascaras, thickening mascaras, and waterproof iterations of the same mascara to compare staying power and lash results. Our testers wore the included mascaras through various activities as well, including a typical day at the office, through a sweaty workout class, and even on a plane, in order to recommend the most reliable mascara formulas available at Walmart.
Meet the Author
Olivia Cigliano is a Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she writes and edits shopping content across fashion, beauty, footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Cigliano received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book. She is currently based in New York City. At WWD, she regularly tests and reviews mascaras from top beauty retailers, including Walmart.
Source: Shop – wwd.com
