Best Drugstore Curling Mascaras of 2026

The e.l.f. pick is the one we reach for when curl is the whole point. The L'Oreal Voluminous Curved Brush takes the classic route: the curve follows the lash line, and the formula builds smooth, plush volume that makes a natural set look fuller. If your lashes already hold a bend and you want polish and fullness, this is the more comfortable choice.

We were struck by how little the brush fights the lash. The curve sits against the lid and lets you press from the root without twisting your wrist into knots, which matters when you are applying makeup in a hurry. It is washable, made with panthenol and ceramide-R, and listed as suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. The creamy texture coats evenly and builds without looking stiff.

The one thing we watch is loading. Too much product on the brush can clump at the base of the lashes, so wipe the wand against the tube before the first coat and build in thin layers. That small step keeps the finish smooth and the lashes separated. For everyday volume with a curved-brush feel, the result is easy to like and hard to overthink.

This is a lash-lift mascara built around a double-curved separator brush and a fiber-infused formula. The brush grabs the lashes at the root and pulls them up, so the effect is lifted and thick. If your main complaint is that lashes look short and flat, that root-first motion is the appeal.

The brush is easy to work with at the root, and the washable formula comes off with soap and water, which is a relief if you hate a full removal ritual. The fibers do the heavy lifting for volume, so thin coats are better than a single wet slog. Let each layer dry for a moment; rushing the second coat is where the formula can start to bunch.

What we appreciate most is the balance of lift and thickness. It gives more body than the e.l.f. pick, and the double-curved brush keeps the lashes separated enough to avoid a heavy, clumped look. It is the one we point to when someone wants a fuller, lifted lash line without a hard, fanned finish. That is a specific look, and it delivers it.

The Flex Tower brush bends as you push it toward the lash line, and that flexibility is the first thing we notice. It lets the wand follow the curve of the eye instead of forcing a straight stroke, which helps coat the inner and outer lashes without dragging. Paired with bamboo extract and fibers, it is built for length and a light, fanned look.

The formula builds quickly. A couple of coats give a long, airy fringe rather than a dense, heavy one, and lashes stay separated if you comb through while the formula is still tacky. We like that it does not feel stiff or crispy. The fiber formula is the source of that length, and it rewards a light hand.

We reach for Sky High on days when length is the priority and a precise curl is not. It gives a pretty, open-eye effect and works well with a simple liner look. The flexible brush is genuinely useful for reaching the corners, and the bamboo-fiber formula keeps the finish light. For a long-lash day, it earns its place.

The Lash Princess Curl & Volume is the budget option here, and the peanut-shaped fiber brush is the reason to consider it. The shape is meant to hug the lash and build drama without globs, and the formula is vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, and fragrance-free. For a first mascara or a backup tube, that combination is easy to justify.

We treat it as a volume-first pick. It gives lashes a thicker, darker look and enough length to open the eye, and the brush separates reasonably well when you apply a thin coat. The formula is light enough to layer, and the peanut shape reaches the smaller lashes at the corners. It is a lot of impact for the least money in the group.

We keep it in the budget slot because it does the basic job: darker, fuller lashes without a luxury price. The fiber brush is easy to control, and the fragrance-free formula is a sensible choice if scented eye products bother you. For a first mascara or a backup tube, it does enough to earn the small spend.

The Cabaret Premiere is the definition pick: a small wand, a clean coat, and lashes that look separated rather than lacquered together. We recommend it when you want a precise, natural finish and do not need the most dramatic curl in the group. The petite brush is the reason it works—it reaches the inner and outer corners without smearing product across the lid.

The formula is lightweight and clump-free, and it layers well. A thin first coat defines the lash line; a second adds enough volume for evening without turning spidery. The small bristles are easy to control, and the tube is a practical size for a makeup bag. We also like that it comes in a deep black that reads soft rather than harsh.

This is a precision tool rather than a volume builder. It is the one we reach for when the goal is a neat, defined lash that still looks like a lash. If you have sparse or short lashes and want control more than drama, the small wand makes application feel less like a gamble. That precision is why it stays in the roundup.