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In recent years, exaggerated eyelashes have become a big deal, not just for beauty enthusiasts but also for the average girl like you and me. If you’ve ever done eyelash extensions, you know they’re a slippery slope. Once you get them, you’re kind of roped into long, pricey salon visits every few weeks for maintenance. Luckily, the cosmetics industry is keeping up with the falsies craze by producing plenty of mascaras that make your real lashes so big and bold, the naked eye can hardly tell the difference — and that includes many of the best mascaras at Target.
When Target shoppers find something they love, they sure do love to brag about it. And one peep at Target’s mascara department shows you that some mascaras get thousands of five-star reviews while others are kind of glossed over. Those in the top spots include lengthening mascaras, volumizing mascaras and formulations that actually contain fibers designed to cling to your lashes and create the illusion of extensions. Some create such dramatic results that shoppers are even taking to TikTok to rave about them — which is why some of the best mascaras at Target have also gone outrageously viral.
We compiled 12 of the best mascaras at Target from drugstore brands and bigger names — and they start at an eye-popping $3.
Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Target is a SheKnows sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
The myth, the legend, the hottest falsie-faking mascara available, according to tons of TikTokers and Target shoppers, is the buildable essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara with its prized conical-shaped fiber brush. This cruelty-free formulation famously Amazon’s number-one best-selling mascara all the time — but it’s also frequently sold out. Good news, beauty-loving friends: Target has essence Lash Princess in stock for just $5 a tube. “Thoroughly impressed,” said one short-lashed TikToker who used to hers to almost magical effect.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Lengthening Mascara
“Maybelline Sky High is my holy grail forever and always,” claimed one TikToker of this mascara that refuses to be dethroned as one of the most viral mascaras ever. This lengthening mascara has a flexible brush shoppers love, because they can “blink into it” as they’re applying. Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High is buildable, too, meaning it has bamboo extract and fibers that give your real lashes a volumizing, lengthening boost.
L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Original Mascara
L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Original Mascara is another top rival for most viral mascara of all time, and this TikToker proclaimed “these are the lashes of my dreams!” after using hers to create the lengthy lashes we’re all after. L’Oreal Paris has had a few Telescopic mascara revamps, but its most popular on Target is its original allergy-tested formulation by a long shot. Everyone’s gushing about the brush. One shopper wrote, “the brush does an excellent job at getting the smallest bits of hair and sets them in place. Super satisfied with this mascara.”
Ulta Beauty Collection Twisted Volume Mascara
“I’ve tried everything,” a TikToker proclaimed about Ulta Beauty Collection Twisted Volume Mascara. “This is the best thing on the planet.” The Ulta-brand mascara, available for an affordable $11 at Target, has a unique wand that twist and click to customize your application for four different looks, from long and defined to thick and curled. People you meet will do a quadruple take when they see lashes like these.
Maybelline Falsies Lash Lift Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara
Another great lash extension alternative is the fiber-enhanced Maybelline Falsies Lash Lift Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara, which is so beloved by Target shoppers that they’ve given it a coveted 71 percent five-star rating (Target shoppers are tough critics!). “I wear it for 12+ hours at work and it stays on without flaking or smudging,” one wrote. This one doubles as a lash lift, too, grabbing each lash at the root and making it reach for the stars, and it has a special brush that separates lashes for clump-free perfection.
MAC Stack Micro Mascara
MAC? At Target? Treat yourself! “This mascara has gone viral for a reason,” says a glam TikToker who points out that the appeal of this formulation is that you can layer it on as many times you’d like without your lashes getting clumped together. To demonstrate she applied 20 layers of MAC Stack Micro Mascara, and you guessed it: no clumps. It won’t flake either, and it’s designed to last a full 24 hours. “I SWEAR by this mascara,” wrote a Target shopper.
e.l.f. Clear Brow & Lash Mascara Crystal
Believe it or not, Target’s number one best-selling mascara has no color at all. That’s right, it’s a clear winner — and you can use it to tame your brows, too. Is all about glossing, defining and enhancing your natural lashes without adding too much of a dramatic effect. The long wearing formula is also vegan and cruelty free. “It holds your brows and lashes up all day long,” wrote a pleased shopper.
COVERGIRL Simply Ageless Lash Plumping Mascara
COVERGIRL Simply Ageless Lash Plumping Mascara takes its job of plumping lashes seriously. It’s actually infused with hyaluronic acid, that skincare hero that’s coveted for keeping skin plump and hydrated all day long. Combined with bamboo extract it does the same for lackluster lashes. Its curved brush is designed to go gentle on your lashes and prevent them from falling out, promoting stronger healthier hairs after repeated use. “I will never stop buying this mascara!! Please never stop making it!” exclaimed a fan.
e.l.f. Big Mood Mascara
This vegan and cruelty free mascara comes with a special hourglass shaped brush that’s designed to keep your lashes lifted and separated. e.l.f. Big Mood Mascara uses a volumizing formula that will make your lashes thick and luscious but won’t have them smudging and flaking all over your face all day. Grab a purse-size tube of this name-brand mascara for a budget friendly $5. One shopper loved that it “ helps hold a curl!”.
IT Cosmetics Super Hero Stretch Volume Mascara
Splurge but so worth it, IT Cosmetics Super Hero Stretch Volume Mascara takes things to the next level with an elastic stretch technology built into its brush. That means it gets your lashes as long as humanly possible — and with a brand like IT Cosmetics, what else would you expect? Try this: collagen, biotin and peptides built right into the pigment. “Builds beautifully for a night out. Perfect single layer for a more casual look,” wrote a customer.
Milani Highly Rated Anti-Gravity Mascara
Milani Highly Rated Anti-Gravity Mascara Is another vegan brand that uses castor oil and it’s makeup to make sure lashes don’t stick together. This one also uses an hourglass shaped brush to get the job done right. A TikToker called it “your new holy grail mascara,” and a Target shopper wrote, “it stays on all-day and makes my eyelashes nice and long.”
Pacifica Stellar Gaze Length & Strength Mascara Supernova
We love an underdog, and — a mascara brand that might not even be on your radar — qualifies with its 71 percent five-star rating on target. Vegan, cruelty-free and totally clean, Using ingredients like coconut water and vitamin D to give you thick plump lashes all day long. This mascara also lengthens and strengthens. One fan wrote, “This is the best mascara! Where has it been my whole life!?”.
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