8 Best Brown Mascaras, Tested By Cosmopolitan Editors
Ahead, the best brown mascaras for lashes that look soft, defined, and perfectly finished—all tested and loved by Cosmopolitan editors.
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Why we love it: This drugstore pick really does it all: lengthens, separates, volumizes, and curls—all in a gorgeous chocolate brown shade. Meant to fan out lashes so they look fluttery, Fan Club Mascara helps make your eyes look brighter and more awake, all for less than $15. What it doesn’t do, though, is smear, smudge, or flake throughout the day.
Features at a Glance
One Cosmo editor says: “I’ve been testing brown mascaras for years, and upon first swipe, this immediately made its way into my favorites. The chocolate brown color is neutral and soft, adding just enough color to my lashes to brighten my eyes but doesn’t look too light or artificial. But I really fell in love with the formula over time. It gives my lashes a doll effect, picking up every single individual lash from corner to corner for a wide-eye effect.”—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
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One Cosmo editor says: “I love the idea of tubing mascara, but often get annoyed by the flakes throughout the day. But Caliray’s is above that, offering lots of length and lift without chunks of mascara falling on my face throughout the day. And the dark-brown shade basically looks black on my lashes, just ever-so-slightly softer.”—BG
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Jasmine Hyman for Cosmopolitan
One Cosmo editor says: “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.I really liked this shade of rich brown on my lighter eyes. It still made my lashes stand out, but the deeper hue didn’t wash me out the way other brown mascaras tend to. It’s more of a dark chocolate—not as harsh as black, but not obviously light brown either.”—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
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One Cosmo editor says: “Lash Clash makes my lashes double in size—literally. The wide, natural wand picks up every single lash and multiplies it, coating them in a gorgeous chocolate brown shade. It really amplifies the green in my eyes too (and is fantastic for gingers and redheads).”—BG
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Lauren Balsamo for Cosmopolitan
One Cosmo editor says: “The brush is perfection, applying pigment evenly and smoothly with zero clumps. Unlike many tubing mascaras that feel wet or sticky on the lashes, this one hits the sweet spot—just the right texture for easy coverage.I was equally impressed by the staying power. I sweat profusely when I Peloton and am constantly wiping my face with a towel during my workout. This mascara didn’t budge—nor did it irritate my sensitive eyes.”—LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
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Why we love it: Many brown mascaras are of the “chocolate” variety, but this one is a lighter brown that looks so soft against fair skin or blonde lashes. Plus, the tubing formula helps elongate and separate lashes without clumping.
Features at a Glance
One Cosmo editor says: “I wear this mascara at least thrice weekly. It’s truly the most natural-looking formula I own, creating the illusion that I grew these long, stunning lashes on my own. (People compliment my lashes constantly when I’m wearing this, FWIW.)”—BG
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Pros
Can find at every drugstoreAdds mega volume without sticking lashes togetherCons
Takes a few layers to build up length
Why we love it: It’s important to have a go-to affordable mascara (you know, for when you forget on a trip and have to run to the nearest drugstore to pick one up). L’Oreal Panorama is exactly that. The reliable formula really volumizes, giving lashes a soft, fluffy look (and will add some length too with a few coats).
One Cosmo editor says: “If you’re a brown mascara lover who wants to add both volume and length to your lashes (many formulas make you sacrifice one for the other), I cannot recommend this mascara enough. It doesn’t flake or smudge even when my eyes are tearing from NYC’s frigid winds. Plus, it separates my lashes so nicely and is a true brown that isn’t too harsh on my lighter-colored eyes.” —JH
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How to choose the best brown mascara:
Consider the shade.
Brown mascara isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some formulas skew nearly black, while others land in softer, milk-chocolate territory. Start by considering the natural shade of your lashes: If they’re already very dark, a lighter brown may barely register. But if you have blonde or light lashes, those softer tones tend to look far more believable than a stark, inky hue.
Assess your goals.
Think about what you want your mascara to actually do—add volume, length, separation, or some combination of the three. The best formula is the one that delivers on your priorities. The options above span the spectrum, from mascaras that create a fluttery, fanned-out effect to ones that noticeably lengthen and thicken (and a few that manage all of the above). It also helps to consider your typical makeup look: If you gravitate toward full glam with eyeshadow and blush, a more dramatic mascara will hold its own. But if your everyday routine is more skin tint and lip balm, a softer, barely-there brown will likely feel more in step with the vibe.
Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with more than seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing makeup stories.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you “have to try.” Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair ‘do every few months.
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