The Best Drugstore Mascara (and the One I’d Skip)

This post has affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The best drugstore mascara doesn’t need to be complicated. You want one that looks good in the morning and still looks good at night. No smudges. No black specks on your face.

Here’s the drugstore mascara I wear every day, and the one I’d skip.

The quick answer

• Best drugstore mascara for everyday: L’Oréal Panorama in Brown Leather
• Skip: L’Oréal Butterfly Mascara

Best everyday drugstore mascara: L’Oréal Panorama in Brown Leather

This is my everyday mascara. I wear it in Brown Leather. Brown mascara is softer than black, so it looks more natural during the day. It’s my go-to for a simple, everyday look.

Best of all, it doesn’t smudge. It stays put from morning coffee to bedtime. No black specks, no shadows under my eyes.

Shop L’Oréal Panorama Mascara

Why try brown mascara?

Black mascara can look harsh in daylight, especially with light makeup. Brown gives you defined lashes that still look like your own. It’s perfect for a no-makeup makeup look.

The drugstore mascara I’d skip: L’Oréal Butterfly

I really wanted to like this one. But the L’Oréal Butterfly mascara runs on me. By the end of the day, it leaves black specks all over my face. That’s the opposite of what you want from a mascara.

What to look for in a drugstore mascara

• It doesn’t smudge or flake. Check your face at the end of the day. If you see specks or shadows under your eyes, it’s not the one.
• The right color. Brown for everyday and natural looks. Black for nights out.
• It fits your routine. If your makeup is simple, your mascara should be too.

Build the rest of your drugstore routine

Mascara is just one part of my 4-product daily routine. See the brow pencil, blush and lip oil I pair it with in my guide to the best drugstore makeup.

Drugstore mascara: quick answers

What is the best drugstore mascara?

For everyday wear, my pick is L’Oréal Panorama in Brown Leather. It looks natural and it doesn’t smudge.

Why does my mascara leave black specks?

Some formulas flake or run as the day goes on. It happens to me with the L’Oréal Butterfly mascara. If yours does it, switch formulas.