Celebs Are Just Like Us, They Use These 9 Cheap Mascaras You Can Easily Get From The Drugstore
They swear by cheaper beauty products over the expensive holy grail ones.
Some people spend a fortune chasing the perfect mascara, then act shocked when it smudges, flakes, or just feels… not worth it. Meanwhile, a whole parade of celebs is out here treating the drugstore like a VIP section, swearing by cheap tubes that deliver big lash energy without the price tag tantrum.
This gets messy in the best way, because these aren’t random one-off recommendations. Kyle Richards has worn L’Oréal Voluminous Noir Balm for so long she’s “lost count,” Sofia Richie says Maybelline Lash Sensational has been her entire life mascara, and Cindy Crawford insists on Maybelline Lash Stiletto because she loves the brush. Then you’ve got the waterproof loyalists, like Lea Michele trusting Maybelline during Funny Girl, and Sydney Sweeney sticking to a specific shade because other mascaras make her eyes go red.
And once you see what they keep reaching for, the “cheap” part stops sounding like a compromise.
L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Noir Balm Volumizing Mascara. Kyle Richards is a loyal customer.
The RHOBH star has been using this mascara for so long that she's lost count of the years. Those who know her are well aware that it's her go-to mascara of choice.
Ella Hovsepian/Getty ImagesMaybelline Lash Sensational Mascara. It's Sofia Richie's go-to mascara.
The media personality and model admits in a TikTok video that she has used this mascara her entire life, including throughout her wedding weekend.
Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Baby2BabyMaybelline Lash Stiletto Washable Mascara. Cindy Crawford admits it's part of her beauty routine.
In a Vogue video, the model and actress says that what she loves most about it is the brush.
Getty Images
It Cosmetics Superhero Mascara. It's the most important part of J.Lo's makeup routine.
The mascara was featured in her beauty tutorial for Vogue.
Getty Images
Kosas The Big Clean Mascara. Gwyneth Paltrow just loves it.
She says it's buildable and can either be thick or subtle.
Gotham/FilmMagic
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Brownish Black. Sydney Sweeney has always worn it.
Sweeney tells The Cut that other mascara products would make her sensitive eyes red, but this one didn't.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Luscious Waterproof Mascara. For Michele, a waterproof mascara is important.
During her preparation for Funny Girl on Broadway, Lea Michele trusted a waterproof Maybelline mascara, highlighting its resilience to sweating and crying backstage.
Getty Images
Maybelline The Falsies Mascara. Gemma Chan loves it as it holds the curl well.
According to the actress, it effectively separates and coats each individual lash with precision.
Getty Images
Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara. To Paige DeSorbo, it's cheap but just so good.
DeSorbo stumbled upon the product a few years ago and has been loyal to it ever since.
Getty Images
That’s why Kyle Richards’ L’Oréal Voluminous Noir Balm story hits different, because she’s been loyal for years, not days.
Kyle Richards might love drugstore mascara, but this psychologist warns about vape addiction signs.
Right after Sofia Richie says she’s used Maybelline Lash Sensational her entire life, even through her wedding weekend, the drugstore suddenly sounds a lot less risky.
Then Cindy Crawford drops the “it’s all about the brush” line for Maybelline Lash Stiletto, and you start noticing how specific these celebs are.
And when Lea Michele leans on a waterproof Maybelline mascara backstage for Funny Girl, you realize these aren’t just for glam, they’re for chaos too.
Quality products aren't always expensive, and these stars prove that even something as cheap as a $5 mascara can do the job well.
In other words, beauty doesn't always come with a hefty price tag, and sometimes, the best finds are the most affordable ones. In a world where luxury reigns supreme, finding affordable beauty gems endorsed by celebrities shows that quality cosmetics are within reach for everyone.
Here’s the full story of how $5 mascara keeps showing up in celebrity routines, no apology required.
Wait, healthy GLP-1 users could be unknowingly treated like “study participants,” per this researcher.
