Is there such a thing as a decent cheap mascara?

[treaclesoda]

I wear mascara every day but due to a previous problem with an eye infection, I like to replace it very regularly. (My optician advised me to stop using it, but that won't be happening )

My favourite brand is Max Factor but it's generally around £10, which can work out expensive if I'm buying it all the time.

I'm not bothered about fancy stuff, like thickening, lengthening, curling etc, I just need it to not smudge.

So far have tried MUA which was tolerable, just about, and H&M which was truly awful - left me with panda eyes within about ten mins of putting it on.

Anything else I could try?

Have your lashes tinted perhaps?

Look on Ebay, often bargains to be found. W7 from Amazon is quite cheap, often likened to Benefit.

I usually wear 'Boots Natural collection' waterproof which seems to be ok as long as you don't rub your eyes too much! Can't remember how much it costs offhand, but I know it's under £5 so might be worth a try.

I like the Boots No 7 exceptional definition mascara - it's the only one that at around 12 pounds, separates lashes and does not clump, has a decent brush and doesn't make me look panda-eyed after a few hours. It's the only other one I wear besides Lancome and I have tried cheapies like max factor, rimmel and cover girl.

never tried the brand but ELF is supposed to have some great products and is very cheap

eyeslipsface.co.uk/en/restofworld/eyes/mascara/icat/mascara

I order waterproof Maybelline Stiletto mascara in brown black from eBay (US drugstores are the best IMO for good cheap beauty products). It's about £3.

The maybeline one in the yellow tube is pretty good. I used to work for clinique and then chanel and that's the one I always go for even when I used to get discount on the luxury brands !

I buy No7 ones whenever I have one of the £5 off vouchers, they have lots of different types.

Elf is good and cheap. The earth and water mascara is good. Wait til they have a good deal on, like a50% off everything code and do a big haul.

Maybelline falsies is great.

I keep going back to Body Shop Define and Lengthen. Doesn't smudge, unlike YSL mascara I tried.

I found the Maybelline mascara excellent - this is the one in a pink, fat tube (forgot the actual name!). I usually wear Clinique or Givenchy mascaras but turn to the Maybelline one when strapped for cash. It's about £6-7 I think, and always seems to be on a 3 for 2 offer in boots or Superdrug.

thanks everyone. I feel a mascara shopping spree coming on

I started today with the Boots Naturals one that someone recommended, and it's definitely better than the other cheap ones I've tried. But there is more testing to be done!

Not the Maybelline one in the hot pink tube with 2 ends - one for boosting upper lashes and one for doing lower ones. 'Tis shite. Smudges everywhere and clumps like a bastard. Have decided that cheap mascara is a false economy and will be going back to the Clinique Hard Wearing stuff in the near future (hanging on for pay day, plus my naice Bobbi Brown foundation is nearly finished after 2 good years, so I'll have to make a trip to John Lewis anyway). Still, let us know if you find a good 'un, OP!

Max Factor. I use the curved brush one, bright green tube, good stuff

Max Factor is around £10 though!

I do love Max Factor, it's my favourite, but I don't think that's cheap at all. If I'm replacing it every 3 or 4 weeks that's going to be £150 a year on mascara

Just had another thought - magazines often have them as freebies on the front, if you find one you like, you could go out and buy several more copies and stockpile them for about £3 each.

Also discount shops (99p store, Original Factory shop etc) often have make-up at much reduced prices.

I was going to suggest Maybelline. Don't think it's THAT cheap, but as someone else said, it's always on special offer at either Boots or Superdrug. I bought a job lot ages ago in a two-for-one frenzy and don't foresee having to buy any more ever .

PS the one in the blue tube is good IME.

I am sorry treaclesoda.... I was totally confused and the one I referred to is not MF, it is in fact Rimmel Mac Curve! I am a silly cow...

Anyway it's very good and about 5 or 6 pounds.

Max Confused...

You replace it every 3-4 weeks?? I wear tons of the stuff, at least 2 coats a day and it lasts me 6 weeks at least!

Maybelline Full n Soft - the absolute best cheapo mascara. I've used it for ten years, and it's the only thing I will ever use (until I get flush enough for Lancome)

Max Factor Masterpiece is brilliant at a tenner. Better than many more expensive ones I've tried.

I've heard rave reviews for the Boots Natural Collection Water Guard mascara. Only £1.99!

www.boots.com/en/Natural-Collection-Water-Guard-Mascara_24322/

dame it's not that I use it all in 3 weeks, it's just because I have problems with eye infections!