Best Budget Mascaras

False Lash Effect Mascara is Max Factor’s biggest selling mascara and one of the most popular budget mascaras on the market, and for good reason. The brush is big, but not too big that it makes coating the bottom lashes and the shape makes it easy to sweep from the roots of your lashes to the tips in a quick swish of the wand.

Eyelashes look longer and fuller, and the mascara stays on without the need to reapply throughout the day. Although not technically a waterproof mascara, Max Factor’s False Lash Effect doesn’t smudge, so it is perfect for everyday wear as well as creating the wow-factor on a night out.

Cost: £10.99
Available from: Boots.com

Good for: Longer, thicker lashes

If you love the traditional big and bushy mascara brushes, you will love Avon’s Super Shock Max Mascara. The size of the brush alone will add instant volume to lashes, although be warned it does take practice using it on your shorter lower lashes.

Achieving a voluminous finish with this mascara does take a lot of layering, but you will need to be fast as the formula dries quickly and applying extra coats over dried mascara will make it go crispy and clumpy.

Overall it is a great mascara for those who prefer volume over length and it washes off easily with water.

Cost: £6
Available from: Avonshop.co.uk

Good for: Traditional mascara lovers

If you’re looking for volume over length Rimmel’s Scandal Eyes mascara is the one for you. With a big brush and a lash plumping formula, this mascara provides the all-important va-va-voom factor!

Again, the size of the brush does take practice when applying the mascara on to your lower lashes. One coat should be enough as too much formula can cause your lashes to start clumping together, but with plenty of change from a tenner this is a great budget beauty buy!

Cost: £6.99
Available from: Boots.com

Good for: Volume on a budget

Packed full of strengthening and growth boosting ingredients, Maybelline’s Falsies Mascara has a formula to rival that of the luxury beauty brands, but comes at a much purse-friendly price. The unusual spoon-shaped brush curves with the shape of your natural lashes making it easy to apply, even on your bottom lashes!

The effects are longer, thicker lashes with a mascara that stays on all day and doesn’t smudge, which makes this a must-have budget beauty buy for every woman.

Cost: £7.99
Available from: Tesco.com

Good for: Luxe for less

With a built in lash serum, this mascara not only makes lashes look longer and more volumised, but it actually strengthens your natural lashes underneath. The brush makes it quick and easy to apply, and the formula provides a long-lasting, smudge-free finish.

Admittedly the results are not 200% more volumised than before as is claimed, but the mascara does give your natural lashes a health boost and the formula will not end up half way down your face by lunchtime, so overall this is a worthwhile buy.

Cost: £9.99
Available from: Boots.com

Good for: Healthy lashes

From the name alone expectations are high for this mascara, and on the whole it doesn’t disappoint. Unlike most big brushes, NYC’s is easy to master, especially on the lower corner lashes and gives eyelashes a boost of volume.

However, the finish is not as extreme as the packaging might suggest and it’s worth noting that the brush can be quite dry and to achieve a volumised finish you need to layer up the mascara, so you will need to re-coat a few times.

Cost: £3.99
Available from: Superdrug.com

Good for: Subtle volume

Pretty self-explanatory but this mascara does what it says on the bottle. Featuring SUPERFILL False Lash Fillers, SHINE AMPLIFIERS, and NOFLAKE24 technology, Soap and Glory’s Thick and Fast mascara aims to provides super volume to leave your lashes looking ten times fuller without those pesky clumps.

The big brush allows you to precisely coat every eyelash with no fuss, from the roots to the very tip. This is a must-have mascara whether it’s for going about your day-to-day routine or a night out as you’ll find once it’s set, it’s not going to budge!

Cost: £10
Available from: Boots.com

Good for: Super volume

This mascara is perfect for when you’re in a rush and running out the door, with one coat you have enough coverage to last throughout the day. Simply build up the coats to make even more of an impact, and with the help of 100% black colour, it’s guaranteed that heads will turn with envy.

You can be sure that the spaced out bristles on the brush will leave your lashes clump-free. It’s also perfect to easily apply to bottom lashes, allowing your lashes to look as full as ever.

Cost: £6.99
Available from: Boots.com

Good for: Coverage