Best Drugstore Mascara in the UK (2026)
You do not need to spend £30 for good lashes. Several drugstore mascaras beat pricey ones in editor round-ups, and most are in Boots, Superdrug and supermarkets for under £13. These are the ones that keep coming up in 2026 reviews and Reddit threads.
Quick picks
- Best overall drugstore Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High
- Best for volume and length L’Oréal Paris Lash Paradise
- Best for lift L’Oréal Paris Volume Million Lashes Panorama
- Best tubing Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky Tubes
- Best vegan pick e.l.f. Lash ‘N Roll
- Best for sensitive eyes Rimmel Kind & Free Clean Mascara
- Best cheap waterproof Max Factor 2000 Calorie Waterproof
How to choose a drugstore mascara
Decide what you want first
Most drugstore mascaras fall into four types: lengthening (Sky High, Telescopic), volumising (Lash Paradise, Panorama), tubing (Sky Tubes) and waterproof (Max Factor 2000 Calorie, Essence Lash Princess). Choose by what you want your lashes to do, not by the brand.
Check the brush
A flexible or slim brush reaches small lashes. A large, fluffy brush builds volume. A comb brush separates. Pick the one that matches your lash length.
Look at the size
Tube sizes vary. Sky High is 7.2ml, for example. Compare price per ml if you wear it daily.
Look for offers
Boots, Superdrug and Amazon often discount these. Prices in our guide are indicative, so check the retailer for the current price.
Replace it often
Mascara should be replaced about every three months, so cheaper tubes are also a sensible choice for hygiene.
Comparison
| Mascara | Price | Waterproof | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High | About £8 to £13 | No | Best overall drugstore |
| L’Oréal Paris Lash Paradise | About £9 | No | Best for volume and length |
| L’Oréal Paris Volume Million Lashes Panorama | About £13 | No | Best for lift |
| Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky Tubes | About £9 to £14 | No | Best tubing |
| e.l.f. Lash ‘N Roll | About £7 | No | Best vegan pick |
| Rimmel Kind & Free Clean Mascara | About £6 to £8 | No | Best for sensitive eyes |
| Max Factor 2000 Calorie Waterproof | About £7.50 | Yes | Best cheap waterproof |
Our picks in detail
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High
The mascara that turns up in nearly every UK round-up, from drugstore guides to Glamour and Wirecutter. A flexible brush stretches lashes out for length with a soft, fluttery finish.
Pros
- Strong length for the price
- Flexible brush reaches small corner lashes
- Widely stocked, often on offer
Cons
- Small 7.2ml tube
- Volume is moderate, not dramatic
Choose it if: People who want clear length and a soft, fluttery finish on a drugstore budget, and anyone with short or straight lashes who wants a mascara that reaches the corner lashes.
Skip it if: Anyone wanting a thick, dramatic false-lash look. It builds length first, and volume is moderate. The 7.2ml tube is small, so it works out pricier per ml than it first looks.
Read the full review of Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High
L’Oréal Paris Lash Paradise
Marie Claire UK picked this as its best affordable mascara. A lush, fluffy brush builds volume and length together for an everyday full look.
Pros
- Full, fluttery look
- Low price
- Good all-rounder for everyday
Cons
- Formula can feel wetter than tubing or fibre types
Choose it if: People who want an everyday full look with some length: Marie Claire UK named it best affordable mascara. A good first choice if you are not sure whether you prefer length or volume.
Skip it if: Those who want a clean, tubing-style finish or maximum curl. The formula is on the wetter side, so give it a minute to dry before you blink.
L’Oréal Paris Volume Million Lashes Panorama
Who What Wear's best-for-volume pick in its affordable list, and a Reddit favourite for length, lift and thickness, though some users find it a touch smudgy.
Pros
- Real volume and lift
- Reddit favourite
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Some reviewers report slight smudging
Choose it if: Anyone who wants noticeable volume and lift from a high-street tube. Who What Wear picked it as the best affordable mascara for volume, and Reddit shoppers like its length and lift.
Skip it if: Anyone who gets smudging easily: some reviewers report it smudges slightly, so it may not suit oily lids or humid days.
Read the full review of L’Oréal Paris Volume Million Lashes Panorama
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky Tubes
A tubing formula, so it sets into little tubes round each lash and comes off with warm water. It is a popular drugstore way to try tubing without paying luxury prices.
Pros
- Tubing formula: no smudging, flaking or panda eyes
- Removes with warm water
- Cheap enough to try
Cons
- Not suitable if you want a wet, glossy look
- Tubes can take a little warm water and patience to remove
Choose it if: Anyone who gets panda eyes by lunchtime, contact lens wearers and people with sensitive eyes who want an easy-removal formula without paying luxury prices.
Skip it if: Anyone who wants a wet, glossy, high-shine finish. Tubing formulas set into dry little sleeves around each lash, which gives a clean, defined look rather than a lacquered one.
Read the full review of Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky Tubes
e.l.f. Lash ‘N Roll
In the Boots top 10 for mascara. The e.l.f. lash range is also recommended by Reddit users in r/MakeUpAddictionUK, and the brand is vegan.
Pros
- Low price
- Vegan brand
- Popular with Reddit users
Cons
- Not as widely available in shops as Maybelline
Choose it if: People who want a cheap, vegan mascara to lengthen lashes. It is in the Boots top-10 mascara list.
Skip it if: Anyone who wants a luxury finish or the widest shop availability.
Rimmel Kind & Free Clean Mascara
Expert Reviews' best budget mascara for sensitive eyes, a simple formula that keeps the price low.
Pros
- Low price
- Simple, gentle formula
- Easy to find
Cons
- Modest volume
Choose it if: People with sensitive eyes who want to spend as little as possible. Expert Reviews calls it the best budget mascara for sensitive eyes.
Skip it if: Anyone who wants noticeable volume or length.
Max Factor 2000 Calorie Waterproof
A blogger favourite for being waterproof, smudge-proof and very low priced, with a thickening brush.
Pros
- Very cheap
- Waterproof and smudge-resistant
- Good for volume
Cons
- Dense formula can clump if you load the brush
Choose it if: People who want a cheap waterproof mascara that stays put and builds thickness. Bloggers repeatedly call it one of the best budget waterproofs.
Skip it if: Anyone who prefers a light, natural finish, or anyone who clumps easily: dense formulas can clump if you load the brush.
Which should you buy?
- Overall: Maybelline Sky High. Most-recommended drugstore mascara.
- Fuller look: L'Oréal Lash Paradise or Volume Million Lashes Panorama.
- No smudging: Maybelline Sky Tubes.
- Vegan: e.l.f. Lash 'N Roll.
- Sensitive eyes: Rimmel Kind & Free.
- Waterproof: Max Factor 2000 Calorie.
Related guides: volume and length, waterproof, Sky High vs Telescopic.
FAQ
What is the best cheap mascara in the UK?
Maybelline Sky High is the most often recommended, with L'Oréal Lash Paradise a close second for volume.
Are drugstore mascaras as good as expensive ones?
Often, yes. Expensive mascaras tend to add nicer packaging or niche formulas, but the basic performance of a good drugstore tube is excellent.
How often should I replace mascara?
About every three months, sooner if it gets clumpy or smells off, to reduce the risk of eye infections.