I've Tested Hundreds of Mascaras—These 9 Are All Under £15 and Genuinely Amazing
Looking for an affordable mascara? These formulas are the best on the high street.


I love treating myself to a bit of luxury makeup or a designer fragrance, but one thing you won't find me splurging on is mascara. Don't get me wrong, I've tried plenty of expensive mascaras that make my lashes look great, but in my opinion, more affordable high street options do just as good a job (if not better). I have pretty straight, short eyelashes, so I need all the help I can get with volumising mascaras and lengthening mascara formulas. However, I know that I can rely on my trusty under-£15 mascaras to deliver serious length and volume.
I love these mascaras so much that I thought it was only right that I shared my favourite affordable picks with you. Whether you're looking for a natural, fluttery effect or you want a mascara that can give your false eyelashes a run for their money, I've included something for everyone. After trying out these high-street mascara formulas myself, from tubing mascaras to waterproof formulas, I've listed all of their pros and cons so you can make an informed decision on which mascara to go for.
Junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay, has been busy testing some of the best affordable mascaras on the market.
If you have short or curled lashes, look out for mascaras that have a plastic brush. These seem to work best for lengthening and gripping shorter lashes without leaving an imprint on your lid. Fibrous bristle brushes are great for loading volume onto your lashes. So, if you're happy with the length but want them to look fluttery and full, this kind of brush is your best option.
Below are my picks of the best high-street mascaras across the board, including mascaras from L'Oréal Paris and Maybelline, so keep on scrolling for your best lashes yet...
The Best Affordable Mascaras 2025
- Best for no smudging: Beauty Pie Wrap Star Tubing Mascara (£10)
- Best for volume: L'Oréal Paris Volume Million Lashes Panorama Mascara (£13)
- Best false lash effect: Maybelline Lash Sensational Firework Mascara (£13)
- Best for volume and length: Max Factor Masterpiece 2-in-1 Lash Wow Mascara (£13)
- Best for hold: Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara Waterproof (£13)
- Best for lifting the lashes: L'Oréal Paris Telescopic Lift Mascara (£13)
- Best for lash definition: Rimmel Volume Thrill Seeker Mascara (£11)
- Best for lift and length: Nyx Professional Makeup On the Rise Liftscara (£12)
- Best for curling: Maybelline Colossal Curl Bounce Mascara (£11)
9 of the Best Affordable Mascaras You Can Buy
1. Beauty Pie Wrap Star Tubing Mascara
Price shown is member price.
Shade options: Black and brown
Waterproof: No
Brush type: Bristle wand
This has become one of Beauty Pie's most raved about products. It's a tubing mascara, meaning that it creates glossy, black tubes around each lash, boosting volume, length and lasting curl hold. These kinds of tubing mascaras wash off with warm water, and don't flake off or smudge like other mascaras do, making them a lot easier to wear and remove (so it's a great mascara for sensitive eyes). For just £10, you really can't go wrong with this.
Pros
- Adds length and curl
- Smudge and flake-free
- Good for sensitive eyes
Cons
- Doesn't come in many shades
- Doesn't come in a waterproof option
2. L'Oréal Paris Volume Million Lashes Panorama Mascara
Shade options: Black and brown
Waterproof: No
Brush type: Plastic wand
L'Oréal Paris does amazing affordable mascaras, and Panorama mascara might be L'Oréal's best mascara one yet. The flexible brush captures every little lash for a fanned-out effect that really makes it look like you just got lash extensions. I like to add two coats for that false lash effect, and when I want things to look a little more subtle, I opt for the brown mascara version instead of black.
Pros
- Adds serious volume without being clumpy
- Comes in two different shades
Cons
- Needs two coats to see best results
- Doesn't come in a waterproof option
3. Maybelline Lash Sensational Firework Mascara
Shade options: Black
Waterproof: There is a waterproof version available
Brush type: Plastic wand
As far as Maybelline mascaras go, this one is one of the best. The Firework mascara promises fanned out lashes with its SuperSpark brush that features bristles in a spiral, firework-like pattern. It lengthens and volumises for amazing impact. If you want a dramatic false lash effect, this mascara will do the job with just one coat.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- One coat gives a false lash effect
- There is a waterproof version available
Cons
- Only comes in one shade
4. Max Factor Masterpiece 2-in-1 Lash Wow Mascara
Shade options: Black
Waterproof: No
Brush type: Plastic wand
This is the closest thing you can get to haute couture for your eyelashes. Max Factor's clever mascara wand shape-shifts by twisting the tip, allowing you to change the shape of the brush for either length or volume. The longer shape beautifully lengthens and fans out lashes, while the shorter length dials up volume for a dramatic effect.
Pros
- You can change the shape of the brush for both length and volume
Cons
- Doesn't come in a waterproof option
5. Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara Waterproof
Shade options: Black
Waterproof: Yes
Brush type: Plastic wand
I would say, right now, this is my favourite high-street mascara. The length you can achieve is incredible, and while it doesn’t create lots of volume, because it catches the little lashes, it really is an all-round winner. If you struggle to hold a curl with your lashes, try the waterproof version. It holds my lashes up all day long. While the waterproof version comes in black and brown only, you'll find the original formula in multiple shades from burgundy mascara to bright blue.
Pros
- Adds serious length
- Separates lashes for a fanned effect
- Holds lashes in place
Cons
- Can smudge a little bit throughout the day
6. L'Oréal Paris Telescopic Lift Mascara
Shade options: Black
Waterproof: There is a waterproof version available
Brush type: Bristle wand
If it is lift and length that you're after, then it doesn't get better than L'Oréal Paris' new version of its iconic Telescopic Mascara. This one offers a new brush and formula that promises lasting lift throughout the day, giving you long and fluttery lashes. The brush features hooked bristles that lengthen each lash to its full potential, while the flatter side of the brush is ideal for dispensing product at the base of the lashes for a false-lash effect.
Pros
- Offers lasting lift
- Lengthens lashes
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Only comes in one shade
7. Rimmel Volume Thrill Seeker Mascara
Best Affordable Mascara for Lash Definition
Shade options: Extreme black and black brown
Waterproof: There is a waterproof version available
Brush type: Bristle wand
This is the mascara I reach for when I want serious definition. It has an hourglass-shaped brush to grab every lash, and the formula is infused with panthenol to condition your lashes for a smooth finish.
Pros
- The wand coats every lash and conditions the lashes
- There is a waterproof version available
Cons
- It has quite a large wand so can be trickier to apply
8. Nyx Professional Makeup On the Rise Liftscara
Shade options: Black
Waterproof: No
Brush type: Plastic wand
The small wand of this mascara is perfect for top and bottom lashes, and you can really create lift by getting right to the root of the lash comfortably. I would opt for this one for length rather than volume—it's one of the best lengthening mascaras around.
Pros
- The small wand makes this easy to apply
- Adds natural lift and length to the lashes
Cons
- Doesn't come in a waterproof option
- Not the best choice if you want lots of volume
9. Maybelline Colossal Curl Bounce Mascara
Shade options: Black
Waterproof: There is a waterproof version available
Brush type: Bristle wand
If curl is your top priority, this is an excellent choice. The curved brush grips your lashes to coat them and give 24-hour hold. I haven’t ever worn it for a full 24 hours, but for a solid 12 hours, it didn’t budge.
Pros
- The curved wand gives impressive hold
Cons
- Only comes in one shade
Why Trust Us?
AtBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing
UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Grace Lindsay is the junior beauty editor atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK. At the age of 18 she decided to train as a makeup artist before going on to study english and media at Goldsmiths University. It was during that time that she explored her love for journalism by interning at a small beauty start-up based in Shoreditch. Since then, she has worked at a number of publications including Marie Claire and Hello!, where her love for all things beauty continued to grow.
AsBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK's junior beauty editor, she covers everything from Wholesale Replica Bag hair trends to the stand-out makeup products of the season.
- Eleanor VousdenBeauty Editor,Best Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK
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