Why should I use brown mascara instead of black mascara?

If you're after a very natural, no-makeup look, brown mascara can create a softer, more subtle impression than its inky black counterpart. Brown mascara can also appear less intense against blonde or auburn hair, and can be used to play up any warm tones in your eyes.

What's the best way to apply mascara?

Makeup artist Renée Loiz recommends starting from the outer corners of your eyes, then swiping the brush from root to tip as you work your way towards the inner corners. "I like to do a few coats to make sure it looks nice and full," she says. "Then I use the brush to fan my lashes outward to create more of a winged effect."

How long does mascara last?

You should toss your mascara every three months, and using it any longer than that could cause some serious issues. "When you apply mascara and the wand is dipped back into the tube, anything collected on the lashes (bacteria included) will get in," celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau told us . "This is where possible problems can be created."

The 11 Best Brown Mascaras in 2023

While black may be the go-to when it comes to lashes, brown mascara shouldn’t be underestimated. It can be great for a more natural look on those with lighter hair and can be a more subdued look on bottom lashes for those with dark hair.

Though not every good mascara offers shades in brown, today there are more options than ever. Whether you're looking for length or volume, dramatic or natural, there's a brown mascara that fits the bill. And many of them come with added bonuses, such as lash-boosting ingredients. To help pick out the best formulas, I pulled some of my favorites along with help from celebrity makeup artist Janice Kinjo, who’s painted the faces of celebs like Mindy Kaling and Mary J. Blige.

Keep reading to learn more about our favorite brown mascara formulas.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

L'Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara

Jump to Review

Best Budget:

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

Jump to Review

Best Waterproof:

CoverGirl Volume Waterproof Mascara

Jump to Review

Best Volumizing:

Lancôme Hypnôse Custom Volume Mascara at Nordstrom

Jump to Review

Best Lengthening:

Benefit Cosmetics Lengthening Mascara in Beyond Brown at Benefitcosmetics.com

Jump to Review

Best Curling:

Dior Diorshow Mascara in 698 Pro Brown at Amazon

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Best Natural:

Eyeko Eyeko Black Magic Cocoa Edit Mascara in Brown at Revolve

Jump to Review

Best Long-Wearing:

Clinique Lash Power Mascara

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Best Tubing Mascara:

Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara at Thrivecausemetics.com

Jump to Review

Best Nourishing:

No. 7 The Full 360 Mascara in Black/Brown at Target

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In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Byrdie

L'Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara in Black Brown

Courtesy of Walmart

View on Ulta View On Walmart

What We Like

Smudge-proof
Lasts all day
Suitable for sensitive eyes

What We Don't Like

Dries out quickly

My Struggle for Lush Lashes Was Real—Until I Tried L’Oréal's Voluminous Mascara

What do buyers say? 83% of 84,000+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.

This highly recommended mascara also comes in 202 Black Brown, and the formula is a personal favorite of mine. What makes this mascara a winner? Namely, the way it makes lashes look long, volumized, and lasts all day without flaking and smudging.

Price at time of publish: $13

Benefits: Volume and length | Size: 0.28 oz. | Shades: 4; Blacks and Browns | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

l'oreal paris voluminous lash paradise mascara — Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca

4.7

Maybelline

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Maybelline.com

What We Like

Smoothly applies
Doubling formula creates a very full look
Waterproof version available

What We Don't Like

Dries out quickly

This classic mascara is also highly affordable. For less than $5, it’ll transform lashes with curl, length, and volume. It’s available in waterproof, too.

Price at time of publish: $8

Benefits: Volume, curl, and length | Size: 0.43 oz. | Shades: 3; Blacks and Browns | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Waterproof Mascara in Black Brown

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Waterproof
Adds 10x volume instantly
Affordable

What We Don't Like

Brush applicator could be better

For a mascara that stays on through beach days, workouts, and weddings, try this option from CoverGirl. It adds mega volume in a deep brown hue that isn’t as extreme as black mascara.

Price at time of publish: $12

Benefits: Volume and length | Size: 1.6 oz. | Shades: 4; Blacks and Browns | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Lancôme Hypnôse Custom Volume Mascara in Brown

Courtesy of Sephora

View On Nordstrom View On Sephora

What We Like

Gives dramatic volume
Specialized brush separates every lash
Smudge-proof

What We Don't Like

Pricey

This mascara makes lashes look thicker thanks to the formula that coats lashes fully and a specialized brush that separates every lash. It’s a good option for a dramatic, volumized look.

Price at time of publish: $29

Benefits: Volume and length | Size: 0.22 oz. | Shades: 2; Blacks and Browns | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Lengthening Mascara in Beyond Brown

View On Benefitcosmetics.com View On Revolve

What We Like

Long-wearing formula
Custom dome-tipped brush fans out corner lashes
Waterproof

What We Don't Like

Pricey

A Makeup Artist's Review of Benefit's They're Real Mascara

It might make lashes look like falsies, but it’s a whole lot easier to apply. While this mascara excels at lengthening lashes, you’ll also get curl and volume that doesn’t smudge or flake.

Price at time of publish: $27

Benefits: Length and volume | Size: 0.3 oz. | Shades: 2; Blacks and Browns | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

View On Amazon View On Sephora

What We Like

Natural looking
Doesn't dry out with air-lock wiper
Easy to apply

What We Don't Like

Pricey

Straight from the runways of Dior, this mascara lifts lashes for curl and a lash extension-like look. The large brush helps coat lashes in the warm brown hue, and the formula builds layers easily.

Price at time of publish: $30

Benefits: Volume and length | Size: 0.33 oz. | Shades: 1; Brown | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Eyeko Black Magic Cocoa Edit Mascara in Brown

View On Revolve View On Skinstore.com

What We Like

Natural looking
Infused shea butter and keratin condition lashes
Very buildable

What We Don't Like

Pricey

If you like your mascara to create your lashes but better, try this mascara from Eyeko. “I love the warm brown tone that this mascara provides. It is great for a very natural look,” said Kinjo.

Price at time of publish: $26

Benefits: Volume, curl, and moisture | Size: 0.27 oz. | Shades: 1; Brown | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Clinique Lash Power Mascara in Dark Chocolate

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Nordstrom

What We Like

24-hour wear
Skinny wand for easy lower lash application
Smudgeproof

What We Don't Like

Pricey

This brown mascara stays on for 24 hours without smudging or disappearing so you can look fresh through sweat, tears, and humidity. The skinny wand is easy to use on lower lashes, too.

Price at time of publish: $22

Benefits: Length | Size: 0.6 oz. | Shades: 2; Blacks and Browns | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

4.6

Thrive Causemetics

View On Thrivecausemetics.com

What We Like

Comes in unique blue shade
All-day wear
Strengthens lashes over time

What We Don't Like

Pricey

Tubing mascaras like this one are unique because it coats lashes for flake-free, all-day wear while washing off easily. Orchid Stem Cell Complex™ makes your lashes longer and stronger over time.

Price at time of publish: $24

Benefits: Length and moisture | Size: 0.38 oz. | Shades: 3; Blacks, Blues, and Browns | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

No. 7 The Full 360 Ultra All-In-One Mascara in Black/Brown

View On Target

What We Like

12-hour wear
Allows buildable layers
Affordable

What We Don't Like

A bit flakey

Sometimes, you want your mascara to not only look good but also make your lashes fortified, too. And for that, Kinjo recommends this mascara from No. 7. “The nourishing power of vitamin E and shea butter helps to condition lashes instantly. The more you wear, the more beneficial to your lashes. Who doesn’t want nourished, panoramic, and lush lashes after applying 3 coats of mascara?” said Kinjo. (Note that Kinjo is a No. 7 partner.)

Price at time of publish: $10

Benefits: Volume and curl | Size: 0.23 oz. | Shades: 2; Black and Black/Brown | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

View On Ulta

What We Like

Enriched with plant-based ingredients
Unique molded rubber brush precisely separates lashes
Easy to remove

What We Don't Like

Pricey
Smudges

If your eyes tend to get itchy or red from mascara, you’ll appreciate that this one is non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, cruelty-free, and has a long list of ingredients that aren’t in this mascara.

Price at time of publish: $20

Benefits: Length and moisture | Size: 0.26 oz. | Shades: 2; Black and Browns | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Final Verdict

For the best brown mascara, try L'Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara in 202 Black Brown. It gives lashes length and volume in a long-lasting formula. When your mascara absolutely needs to stay on no matter what it goes through, try CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Waterproof Mascara in 835 - Black Brown (view at Amazon).

What to Look for in a Brown Mascara

Natural-Looking Shades

“Brown mascara is used if you want a more natural look. It enhances the lashes but doesn’t bring as much of a dramatic look as a black mascara does,” said Kinjo. That makes it a great way to enhance eyes without looking like you’re wearing makeup, particularly if you're a blonde or redhead. Seek out natural-looking brown tones that can help to complement your hair color, veering warmer or cooler as needed.

Brush Type

According to makeup artist Ricky Wilson, larger mascara brushes are best for creating volume, as they allow a lot of product to be easily layered for maximum impact. On the other hand, small molded brushes allow for ultimate precision, making it easy to cover every single lash. "A small, tighter applicator allows for better separation and length," says makeup artist Denika Bedrossian.

Subtle Definition

To soften a look, use brown mascara on the bottom lashes. “I apply multiple coats on the top lashes with black mascara, and then I will apply a few more coats of brown mascara on the bottom lashes,” said Kinjo.

FAQ

Why should I use brown mascara instead of black mascara?

If you're after a very natural, no-makeup look, brown mascara can create a softer, more subtle impression than its inky black counterpart. Brown mascara can also appear less intense against blonde or auburn hair, and can be used to play up any warm tones in your eyes.
What's the best way to apply mascara?

Makeup artist Renée Loiz recommends starting from the outer corners of your eyes, then swiping the brush from root to tip as you work your way towards the inner corners. "I like to do a few coats to make sure it looks nice and full," she says. "Then I use the brush to fan my lashes outward to create more of a winged effect."
How long does mascara last?

You should toss your mascara every three months, and using it any longer than that could cause some serious issues. "When you apply mascara and the wand is dipped back into the tube, anything collected on the lashes (bacteria included) will get in," celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau told us. "This is where possible problems can be created."

Why Trust Byrdie

Joline Buscemi is a Byrdie contributor and a beauty writer for several publications. Mascara is her go-to product even on so-called makeup-free days, and she’s tried many of the products on this list.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any brown mascaras from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

The 10 Best Mascara Primers of 2023

Article Sources

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