For Teen Vogue, by Deanna Pai.
Did we mention they're all under $9?
The drugstore has long been a stronghold for awesome mascara (an obvious classic: Maybelline's Great Lash). Plus, it pays to go for an inexpensive mascara. No, literally, since you have to toss it for a fresh tube every three months if you want to avoid eye infections and crumbly mascara. Who better to tell us what to stockpile than those who work with it day in and day out? Here, celeb makeup artists share their faves.
1. L'ORÉAL BUTTERFLY INTENZA MASCARA, $9.
Built just like its namesake, this has two wings on either side: One deposits mascara on lashes, while the other separates and fans them out. "It builds a dense, full lash and doesn't flake," says Pati Dubroff. "It's the one I even wear on myself when I need to look 'done' fast!"
2. RIMMEL LONDON SUPERCURLER 24HR MASCARA, $6.
Kiss your curler goodbye, because you probably won't need it anymore: This mascara can actually curl lashes to a 90-degree angle. "I love that it takes out the two-step process of curling lashes before mascara," says Jo Baker. "You can both pump up your lashes and create a perfect, natural curl."
3. REVLON ALL-IN-ONE MASCARA, $6.
Few decisions are harder than trying to figure out whether you need a thickening mascara or a lengthening mascara or a separating mascara -- and does it even matter? Not anymore. This one does it all. Plus, "it has a great small brush, which helps to coat all your lashes so your lashes look lifted, lush, and long," says Mélanie Inglessis.
4. L'ORÉAL VOLUMINOUS VOLUME BUILDING MASCARA IN CARBON BLACK, $8.
If there were a mascara popularity contest, this would win it. Most of the celebrity makeup artists we spoke to raved about it. First: It's versatile. "There are some mascaras that are more day versus night, but because you can build it up, this works all times of the day," says Mary Phillips. Plus, it doesn't over-promise -- which means it always delivers. "Most mascaras today claim to do too many things, but I just want good lashes that look dramatic and stay put -- no gimmicks," adds Nick Barose. It's not magic so much as the formula that's key to its popularity. "It's not too watery. It's the perfect consistency for adding volume to lashes without making them clumpy or flaky," explains Mai Quynh. "The wand allows you to get a nice base at the root of the lashes, which helps define and thicken your lash line."
5. L'ORÉAL VOLUMINOUS WATERPROOF MASCARA, $8.
If you're a bridesmaid in your sister's wedding or bae just told you that he's now ex-bae, it's always smart to have a water-, pool-, and tear-proof option at hand. "This helps build lashes to full, 'false lash' length and never flakes!" says Sam Fine. "It has a unique brush that catches every hair, making it easy for anyone to create the perfect lash."
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