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Mar 05, 2025

25 Best Brown Mascaras For Defined Lashes

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

Calling all redheaded hotties, blonde baddies, or anyone who loves a more minimal makeup look.

Promising review: "I adore Essence Lash Princess Mascara and first got it in black which was lovely and decided to try the brown shade! I was shook because the brown - black shade is stunning and isn't as harsh as the black which is gorgeous but I have found myself reaching for the brown- black shade! I have green eyes and sometimes like a little less dark colors and this is the perfect match! I absolutely adore Essence Princess Lash Mascara formula as it's a tubing mascara that rivals "high end" mascaras yet costs $4.99!!! I can't get over the price when it separates, gives volume, and lengthens! Tip: apply from the bottom and shimmy outward but don't keep applying too many coats with this mascara or it will clump. You could wipe off the excess on a paper towel or buy a lash comb tool but it really works wonders! I have and will continue to repurchase this mascara!" —Dollcraze

Get it from Amazon for $4.99+ (available in black and brown).

Promising review: "I have no - very thin eyelashes. I’ve tried multiple different products. This is the best I’ve discovered. It is worth the price. Doesn’t clump and evenly distributes. Enhanced my lashes. I bought the small tube then came back for the larger tube." —Ebony

Get it from Amazon for $29+ (available in black and brown, and trial sizes).

Promising review: "I am a redhead and it’s hard to find mascara that doesn’t look too startling or contrasting. I’ve looked at the mascara made distinctly for redheads and it’s so expensive in comparison to this one I’m on my third and sometimes I wish I could buy a whole lot more to ensure I will have it for in the future… But make up has a shelf life. Nice definition, great coverage. It does some lengthening but there’s no clumps or heavy weight." —Nichole P. Conard

Get it from Amazon for $6+ (available in two colors).

Watch on TikTok as one user goes from skeptic to believer!

BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord considers herself a fan:

"I am not a new human to the tubing mascara game, and in fact, I readily spent $26 on the famous OG blend from Blinc every time it needed replacing. I didn't even love it for the length half as much as the fact that tubing mascara like this genuinely never smudges, but can I just say — regardless of price, the E.l.f. tubing mascara formula blows all the others I've tried out of the water. It gives me way more length and volume than other brands, slides on so much more easily, stays put ALL day, and never, ever smudges. My favorite part, though, is how gently and easily it comes off with soap and water. In the past, other mascara removals have felt rough on my lashes, but this comes off so fast that I'm like ??? was I even wearing mascara a minute ago?? Anyway, I hesitate even writing this review because I want to gatekeep the hell out of this before it sells out, but the world needed to know. I'm a big fan of the brown shade (which is what I'm wearing above!), but it also comes in black and soft black."

Get it from Amazon for $7 (available in three shades).

Promising review: "Dramatic effect! I like the brown option for my fair coloring. It's softer but still glamorous. It stays on all day, doesn't flake and curls!" —Jessica J.

Get it from Tarte for $27 (available in black and brown).

Promising review: "I am on my third tube and will continue to repurchase. While this is not a tubing mascara, the formula lengthens like no other, and the wand creates such great volume and separation. The brown is almost black but has a softer look. This is holy grail for me!!" —K4it

Get it from Sephora or Tower 28 for $20 (available in black and brown and a mini size).

Promising review: "I really like this mascara. I usually use Urban Decay Perversion as my main mascara, but when I want a lighter look, I feel like the black is too much, so I wanted to try a brown. I really like this one. It stays put and is easy to wash off. I've actually noticed less smudging under my lower lash line throughout the day using this. The lashes don't clump, and the brush is good. The price point is also nice. 10/10 checks all the boxes, in my opinion." —ANC789

Get it from Amazon for $8.32+ (available in seven colors).

Promising review: "Been using this mascara since I received a sample in an Ipsy bag over five years ago. Have tried countless others, including other Benefit mascaras, and always come back to this. The wand is precise and elongates while separating lashes. The formula does not flake. Although, because I have quite long natural lashes, on very hot and humid days they can smudge under my eyebrow where my lashes touch the upper eyelid. No biggie. I truly think this is the ultimate mascara; it holds a curl and is easy to control." —PWild

Get it from Sephora for $29 or Ulta Beauty for $29 (available in four shades).

Promising review: "The brown one is the best for natural redheads or those with light eyelashes. It is not too much of a contrast, but it still highlights the eye area. The large applicator is sometimes difficult to work with, but once you figure it out, it gives long pretty lashes and no clumping." —Kayla

Get it from Amazon for $8.48+ (available in eight styles, including waterproof; clip the coupon on the product page to save $1.76).

Promising review: "This mascara is absolutely gorgeous. I’ve tried so many over the years, and this separates and lengthens with the perfect amount of volume. The brown is a true brown for those of us who are fair or really like brown mascara." —mrsnewyork

Get it from Sephora for $33 (available in three colors).

Promising review: "One of the best mascaras I’ve ever used!!! The brown looks soooo natural, and it made my lashes 10x prettier!!! I usually HATE mascara because it’s thick and clumpy, but THIS is the mascara that changed my life. hands down best purchase i’ve ever made!" —chaeyo0

Get it from Sephora for $20 (available in black and brown).

Promising review: "I didn't think I was going to like this because the brush is plastic, but it actually glides on really well. My lashes look huge without being clumpy like most mascara. I love this brown against my pale skin. It makes my green eyes pop and matches my hair color. It also makes my skin look younger or brighter without the harshness of the black." —Nickole

Get it from Amazon for $12.55+ (available in black and brown).

Promising review: "I have been using this product for a few weeks. At first, I really didn't like it and applied very wet. However, it dries fast, and with two applications, this product does what I want it to. It does lengthen but not as volumizing as I would like. It is the best brown mascara I have tried and lasts all day with minimal flaking." —avocaads4life

Get it from Sephora for $26 (available in black and brown and a mini size).

Promising review: "It’s difficult to find brown. I’m a redhead, and this color is perfect for me. All those other brands advertise how long they make your lashes. This is truly the only one that really lengthens my lashes. I’m sticking with this brand." —Cathy

Get it from Amazon for $9.97 (available in four colors).

Promising review: "I love this so much!! I've been looking for a nice brown mascara for a while… this is perfect! The brown is just the right mixture between being dark but not looking to black or looking too light. Also I love the wand it helps me get all my lashes without any clumping!!" —K

Get it from Ulta Beauty for $9 (available in up to eight colors).

Promising review: "I have used this mascara for years because it never clumps but makes your eyelashes look naturally long and full. Also, I like the primer you can get but when I am in a hurry, I just brush on this mascara and go. Since I have light hair and complexion, I like the brown-black color. My eyelashes look healthy maybe because of the Vitamin E." —Nancy

Get it from Amazon for $34 (available in black and brown, and also available in travel size).

Promising review: "So I’m actually obsessed, I saw an ad for this, and then I read the reviews on here about it and immediately got it. I wasn’t sure if it was all the hype, but I swear, if you know how to curl your lashes right, this stuff looks as good as my lash extensions. DEFINITELY worth it, y'all." —Bindi Benyon

Get it from Amazon for $10.98+ (available in four colors).

Promising reviews: "Thank you, thank you, thank you. I stopped wearing eye makeup because as soon as I put it on, my eyes would dry out, turn red, and I’d itch all day. I’ve put this on every day of the week with none of that. I’m still in disbelief. I never could figure out what ingredient I was sensitive too, but glad I can wear makeup again." —Kim Roepe

"Perfect shade of brown. No smudging at the end of the day. Great for volume." —Monroe

Get it from Amazon for $22.29+ (available in three shades).

Promising review: "This will be my go-to item for my lashes. I have tried the high-end and expensive lash serums, but this is by far the best! The price point is perfect and I have zero irritation from using it. You need to give yourself at least four weeks before you start to see a difference...but trust me you will see a difference! Highly recommend!" —Paula L.

Get it from Amazon for $12.50+ (available in two colors and waterproof).

Promising review: "I am blonde, with short, sparse lashes. Black is harsh for everyday wear, and it's hard to find a brown mascara that does not flake, run, or disappear during the course of the day. This one works for me and also fills in my thin lashes and makes them look longer, and is not irritating to my eyes." —esd.

Get it from Amazon for $16 (available in brown and black).

Promising review: "I bought this mascara because it’s supposed to be good for people with sensitive skin. First and foremost, this mascara is awesome for long-looking lashes! One of the best I’ve ever tried. Secondly, I’ve been using it for about a week and haven’t had any skin reaction or irritation from it after taking it off. Great mascara!" —Christine B.

Get it from Amazon for $8.96 (available in two colors).

Promising review: "I have this brand of mascara in four other colors, and I'm never disappointed. This is one of the best drugstore mascaras on the market." —Fallonsmom

Get it from Target for $6.19+ (available in eight colors).

Promising review: "Fantastic mascara at a great price! This is my second tube and I love it. The wand is precise and easy to use and makes your lashes so long and pretty and it feels so high-end. L'Oreal makes amazing products. ❤️" —Patricia Begley

Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in four colors).

Promising review: "I use mascara daily so I go through it very quickly and let’s face it, if it’s an expensive purchase you’re not going to replace it as often. With this you can because the price is ridiculously low for the quality of the product which is excellent! Highly pigmented, not smudging, clumping or flaking and plentiful, so it won’t dry out quickly in the bottle. I get beauty boxes and I often pass on mascaras for higher end products in the boxes because this mascara is fantastic and I can save that spot for other items! It’s stood up extremely well against many other expensive brands!" —Mature Beauty

Get it from Amazon for $8.44+ (available in three colors).

Promising review: "I love it! Clean mascara that actually works well is hard to find. I get so much length and volume from thrive mascara! It doesn’t irritate my eyes. It stays on without smudging and is easy to wash off!" —Marina W.

Get it from Thrive Cosmetics for $26 (available in five shades).

The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.