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The 13 Best Mascaras at Target, According to Makeup Artists

By
Kaitlyn McLintock
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Kaitlyn McLintock
Kaitlyn McClintock contributed to Byrdie for over two years, most recently covering beauty news for the brand.
Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on 11/13/23 06:41PM
Reviewed by
Ashley Rebecca
Ashley Rebecca
Reviewed by Ashley Rebecca
Ashley Rebecca is an NYC-based makeup artist and a regular contributor for Byrdie covering makeup, skincare, and haircare.
About Byrdie's Beauty & Wellness Board
Makeup Artist
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There's nothing quite like mascara to dress up a look— and give the eyes a little intrigue— in an instant. That's why we so often find ourselves mulling over mascaras in Target's sprawling makeup aisles, weighing options for volume, length, and more. To help us whittle down the selection, we scoured customer reviews and tapped celebrity makeup artists to help us find the 13 best Target mascaras money can buy. Read on to find the mascara you must pick up on your next Target run!

Meet the Expert

  • Jaleesa Jaikaran is an NYC-based makeup artist and the host of The Life of a Makeup Artist podcast.
  • Lisa G is a celebrity makeup artist who specializes in beauty and fashion makeup and photography. Since 2009, she has been the official makeup artist for Miss California USA.
01 of 13

Best Extra-Large Brush: Essence I Love Extreme Volume

Essence I Love Extreme Volume Mascara
Essence I Love Extreme Volume Mascara $5.00
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Celebrity makeup artist Lisa G. raves: "I love this mascara because it really builds up your lashes without getting clumpy, holds a curl and doesn’t smudge!" She adds: "I also like that it's available in both waterproof and non-waterproof options. This is particularly valuable for my clients, many of whom struggle with watery eyes. Having a waterproof alternative that performs just as well as the non-waterproof version is truly fantastic! Another perk is that it is cruelty free!"

02 of 13

For Short Lashes: Pixi By Petra Lash Lift

Pixi by Petra mascara
Pixi By Petra Lengthy Fiber Mascara $16.00
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This under-the-radar find from Pixi by Petra has a brush designed to add length. Its bristles coat each hair with lengthening fibers, resulting in a longer, more fluttery look. As for the formula itself, vitamin E, panthenol, and chamomile extract strengthen and protect the lashes. In this way, it's almost like a lash serum and mascara hybrid.

03 of 13

For Volumizing: L'Oreal Paris Bambi Eye Lasting Volume

L'Oreal Bambi Eye Lasting Volume Mascara
L'Oreal Paris Bambi Eye Lasting Volume Mascara $12.00
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Enjoy the look of bigger, wider eyes with this volumizing mascara from L'Oreal. The luxe formula glides on easily to effortlessly plump and curl lashes in an instant, while the applicator brush defines using varying bristle lengths to separate and cover each lash. This product is totally buildable and can be washed off easily at night.

04 of 13

For Enhancing Lower Lashes: Pixi By Petra Lower Lash Mascara

Pixi By Petra Lower Lash Mascara
Pixi By Petra Lower Lash Mascara $11.00
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A second Pixi by Petra mascara makes the list. This time, the formula comes with a small detailed brush meant specifically for the lower lashes and hard-to-reach inner corners. It helps to instantly separate and define, and thanks to a water-resistant formula, it stays put even on overly sensitive runny eyes.

Byrdie Tip

For perfect application, celebrity makeup artist Jaleesa Jaikaran suggests getting your mascara wand as close to the root of your lashes as you can, then pull upward. Repeat this step on top of your lashes, moving the wand from your upper lash line through the tip of your lashes.

05 of 13

Best Water-Resistant: No7 Stay Perfect Mascara

No7 Stay Perfect Mascara
No7 Stay Perfect Mascara $9.00
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If you prefer a matte black finish to your mascara, as opposed to a shiny satin one, pick up this tube of No7 Stay Perfect on your next Target run. It's tear- and rain-proof, meaning it will stand up to any condition that threatens to ruin your makeup. It provides 24-hour wear, giving you the most amazing volume and length all day long. All of this is possible through a special tubing technology that surrounds each lash in a cylindrical fashion, extending them out and up. "I personally love tubing mascaras as they are so easy to remove at the end of the day," says celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney.

06 of 13

Budget Friendly: e.l.f. Lash N' Roll

E.l.f. Lash N' Roll Mascara
e.l.f. Waterproof Lengthening & Volumizing Black Mascara $6.00
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Ah, one of the most classic of all drugstore brands: e.l.f. (which stands for eyes, lips, face, in case you didn't know). This formula gives maximum curl with little effort. It's completely smudge-proof, and lifts and separates lashes as it curls. The best part? It'll set you back less than $10.

07 of 13

Best Vegan: Pacifica Stellar Gaze Length & Strength

Pacifica Length And Strength mascara
Pacifica Stellar Gaze $14.00
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Pacifica's mascara is infused with coconut oil and vitamin B to hydrate each lash while it thickens the appearance of them as a whole. While the tube itself is quite small (only 0.25 fluid ounces), it's worth it for anyone who's striving to shop only ethically produced beauty products. It is, after all, vegan and cruelty-free. 

08 of 13

Best Colored Mascara: L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara

L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara
L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara $11.00
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Available in hues ranging from Blackest Black to Deep Violet and Deep Green, the non-clumping formula thickens the lashes, giving them about 5x their natural volume. Best of all, it washes off easily—so feel free to experiment with several hues.

09 of 13

For Strengthening: Almay Multi-Benefit Mascara

Almay Multi-Benefit Mascara
Almay Multi-Benefit Mascara $10.00
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The Almay formula is made with keratin—the same protein that's found in various hair products to fortify the hair strand. It works similarly on the lashes, strengthening them to prevent breakage and fallout. The 4-in-1 formula creates outstanding volume and length while at the same time defining and conditioning. This product is hypoallergenic so it's safe for the eyes and even comes in a waterproof version that won't smudge or run.

10 of 13

Best Lash-Defining: NYX On the Rise Volume Lift

NYX Mascara
NYX Worth the Hype Mascara $12.00
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The volumizing and lengthening formula builds full and lifted lashes that'll you'll absolutely love. It is long-lasting, lightweight, and easy to apply, thanks to its hourglass-shaped wand that coats and separates each lash.

Byrdie Tip

For a more detailed and separated look, Jaikaran recommends the out-up-in method. To try this, start at the outer corner of your eye, apply mascara at an angle so that you are pulling the lashes in that area upward and outward. Then, moving to the center of your eye, pull the lashes that sit above your iris directly upward with the mascara wand. Finally, with the lashes closest to your inner eyes, apply mascara in an upward and inward direction. 

11 of 13

Best Eyelash Primer: Tarte Opening Act

Tarte Opening Act Eyelash Primer
Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Big Shot Mascara Primer $8.00
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Yep, you got us; this pick isn't a mascara at all. It's actually an eyelash primer that lengthens and pumps up volume in the lashes before the mascara is even applied. Fortified with plant-based conditioners to keep flaking and falling at bay, this product has been tested by dermatologists and ophthalmologists, and is approved for use on sensitive eyes. Simply swipe on a coat of this primer, let it dry, finish with two coats of mascara, and your lashes will instantly look longer and larger. 

12 of 13

Best One-Coat Wonder: CoverGirl Exhibitionist Uncensored

CoverGirl Exhibitionist Uncensored Mascara
CoverGirl Exhibitionist Uncensored Mascara $11.00
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Looking for a one-swipe-and-done formulation that will deliver 24 hours of show-stopping volume? Add this to your cart posthaste. One of Byrdie's 12 Best Mascaras of 2023, the hydrating pick is infused with coconut and jojoba oils—and it only takes one coat to get ultra-full, well-defined lashes.

13 of 13

A Hemp Infused Pick: Pacifica Highest Lash Chronic Volume

Pacifica Highest Lash Chronic Volume Mascara
Pacifica Highest Lash Chronic Volume Mascara $14.00
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Infused with hemp fibers and oils, Pacifica's Highest Lash Chronic Volume mascara lifts and volumizes your lashes to the max. The fibers enhance and extend for amazing volume and length, while the twisted applicator helps to separate and cover each lash individually for added drama.

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