Allow me to introduce you to the most underappreciated product in your rotation: brown mascara if your makeup routine falls somewhere between barely there and “soft glam.” Yes, black mascara will always be a part of our cosmetics kits, but occasionally it can feel a bit… intense. In contrast, brown mascara gives your lashes a softer, more natural finish while providing the same lift and definition.
Because of this, it’s my first choice whenever I want to go without makeup. Without the sharp contrast of conventional black formulas, a few swipes quickly add depth and dimension. And if your lashes are naturally lighter Better yet, brown mascara accentuates them without appearing overdone. In essence, brown mascara is the understated star of a polished new makeup look, and it merits far more recognition than it receives. The best part is that anyone can wear it; all you need to do is figure out the formula.
1: The Best Brown Mascara All Around
Pros
- Easy to obtain and reasonably priced at the majority of pharmacies
- adds length and volume to lashes while giving them a fanned-out, separated appearance.
- Soft, medium brown color that really shows on lashes
Cons
- If they applied several coats, some reviewers thought it was clumpy.
Why we adore it In a stunning shade of chocolate brown this drugstore favorite truly does it all: it lengthens, separates, volumizes, and curls. For less than $15, Fan Club Mascara, which is designed to fan out lashes so they appear fluttery, helps make your eyes appear brighter and more awake. However, it doesn’t smear, smudge, or flake during the day.
“I’ve been testing brown mascaras for years, and upon first swipe, this immediately made its way into my favorites,” a Cosmo editor states. The soft neutral shade of chocolate brown gives my lashes just the right amount of color to brighten my eyes without appearing overly light or fake. But as time went on, I truly fell in love with the recipe. It creates a wide eyed effect by picking up each individual lash from corner to corner, giving my lashes the appearance of a doll.”—BEAUTY EDITOR BETH GILLETTE
2: The Best Dark-Brown Caliray Come Hell or High Water Volumizing Tubing Mascara
Pros
- comes in a stunning shade of deep brown.
- The formula for water-resistant tubing doesn’t smudge
Cons
- Not very good at holding a curl
Why we adore it Caliray’s brown mascara is available in a deep shade they refer to as espresso brown a fitting moniker for a shade this rich. If you want your lashes to be dark but not as intense as jet black, this is ideal. Additionally, this tubing mascara won’t smear down your face during the day because it is water-resistant.
“I love the idea of tubing mascara but I often get annoyed by the flakes throughout the day,” says a Cosmo editor. However, Caliray’s goes above and beyond, providing a lot of length and lift without leaving large patches of mascara on my face all day. On my lashes, the dark brown hue essentially appears black, but it’s ever so slightly softer.”—BG
3: Tubing Brown Mascara for Limitless Lashes
Pros
- The tubing formula feels light on lashes and is simple to remove.
- lifts and lengthens lashes
Cons
- has little effect on volume
Why we adore it Cosmo editors adore this black, clean, tubing mascara because it lengthens and separates lashes without becoming clumpy or feeling overly thick on lashes. We all quickly tested it to see if it would look even more natural after it turned out in this deep brown shade. This formula impressed all three of our editors, especially the subdued look it adds to lashes while still opening up your eyes and how simple it is to remove.
“Ilia’s Limitless Mascara in black lengthens separates and curls my lashes so well, while adding bold pigment to my naturally light lashes—so the brown version had a lot to live up to,” says a Cosmo editor. With my lighter eyes, I truly liked this rich brown hue. The deeper color didn’t wash me out like other brown mascaras do, but it still made my lashes stand out.
4: YSL Beauty’s Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara
Pros
- Volumizes lashes without making them appear spidery
- The large wand helps pick up every single lash and evenly coats them.
Cons
- The formula dries out quickly, according to some testers.
Why we adore it You don’t have to cut corners when it comes to drama just because brown looks more muted. The large brush of YSL Lash Clash helps coat every lash, even the tiny ones you were unaware even existed. It adds a little length to widen eyes and makes lashes appear suddenly more fluttery and weighted.
According to one Cosmo editor, “Lash Clash literally doubles the size of my lashes.” Every single lash is picked up and multiplied by the broad organic wand, which coats them in a stunning shade of chocolate brown.
5: Eye Enhancer Wrap Tubing Mascara
Pros
- Sweat doesn’t cause it to smudge.
- defines and separates lashes
Cons
- I wish it had more curl.
Why we adore it If you prefer to wear makeup while working out, a natural looking mascara is ideal. However, the majority of formulas will simply run down your cheeks. However, CoverGirl’s formula was made to be sweatproof which means it won’t smudge or smear.
“The brush is flawless, applying pigment evenly and smoothly with zero clumps This tubing mascara hits the sweet spot—the ideal texture for effortless coverage. The persistence impressed me just as much.”
6: Light-Brown Eyelectric Extreme Lengthening Mascara
Pros
- The mascara on this list that looks the most natural
- Extends lashes significantly
Cons
- On extremely dark lashes, light shade might not look good.
Why we adore it While many brown mascaras are chocolate in color, this one is a lighter shade that contrasts beautifully with blonde lashes or fair skin. Additionally, the tubing formula aids in lash elongation and separation without clumping.
“I wear this mascara at least three times a week,” says one Cosmo editor. It gives the impression that I grew these gorgeous long lashes on my own, making it the most natural-looking formula I own.
7: Huge Panorama Chromatic Mascara
Pros
- is available at all pharmacies.
- adds enormous volume without adhering lashes together.
Cons
- It requires several layers to increase length.
Why we adore it It’s crucial to have an inexpensive mascara on hand in case you forget it while traveling and need to rush to the closest pharmacy to get one. That’s precisely what L’Oreal Panorama is. With a few coats, the dependable formula will add some length and give lashes a soft fluffy appearance.
