For those looking for a softer or more natural eye makeup look, brown mascara is becoming increasingly popular, with brands such as L’Oreal Paris, Glossier, Hourglass, YSL and even Lush all offering up alternatives to the classic black hue. Opting for one of the best brown mascaras can “add definition to the lashes, without overpowering the face or making it obvious you're wearing mascara,” explains international make-up artist Pamela Cochrane, who just so happens to be behind some of Lana del Rey’s most iconic looks.
“It can also make the eyes appear brighter and more youthful,” she says, which is why brown mascaras are a staple in many a makeup bag.
Just a few years ago it was much trickier to find a good range of mascara formulations in brown, and I would know - as a fair skinned and freckly redhead, I’ve exclusively been wearing brown mascaras for the past few years. Nowadays there is an almost overwhelming variety of formulations and price points to choose from, which is why I’ve collated the best brown mascaras below.
Read more: Best waterproof mascara, tried and tested
The best brown mascaras for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Lisa Eldridge kitten lash mascara in burnt umber: £29, Libertylondon.com
- Best budget buy – L’Oreal Paris panorama mascara in brown: £13.99, Boots.com
- Best waterproof – No7 pro artist instant impact waterproof volumising mascara in brown: £17.95, Boots.com
- Best for volume – YSL lash clash extreme volume mascara in brown: £33, Lookfantastic.com
- Best for length – Tower 28 makewaves lengthening and volumizing mascara in drift: £20, Sephora.co.uk
Read more: Best eyelash curlers, tried and tested
Lisa Eldridge kitten lash mascara in burnt umber
Best: brown mascara overall
Lash effect: Defines, curls and lifts
Vegan friendly and cruelty free: Yes
Waterproof version available: No
Why we love it
- Lightweight
- Fluffy
- Well designed wand
- Great multitasker
Take note
- Water-resistant, but not waterproof
- Can have excess product on the end of the wand
With a soft yet warm brown hue, Lisa Eldridge’s kitten lash mascara in burnt umber was easily the best brown mascara I tried and the one that I have continued to wear since testing. And a lot of that has to do with how much of a multitasking product it is. Unlike some of the others below, which focus solely on adding volume or length, this formulation and wand defines, curls and lifts lashes while never once feeling heavy or crunchy.
It has a slightly reddish undertone to it, which really complemented my auburn hair, yet it still reads as brown. With no smudging, flaking or clumping, it was pretty much faultless. At £29 it’s on the pricier side, yet the sleek gold packaging and well designed wand make it well worth the extra expense.
Even though it’s water-resistant instead of waterproof, it stayed in place during a workout and when I got caught in the rain quite a few times. Removal was easy too, with both a quick swipe of micellar water or my usual eye makeup cleanser, which removed everything in around a minute or so, without too much rubbing. The only real negative was that it could sometimes pick up too much product at the end of the wand, especially on the first few uses, so give the brush a wipe on the tube to avoid applying too much.
Buy now £29, Libertylondon.com
L’Oreal Paris panorama mascara in brown
Best: budget brown mascara
Lash effect: Volumises
Vegan friendly and cruelty free: No
Waterproof version available: No
Why we love it
- Precise brush
- Great multitasker
- Buildable formula
Take note
- Some may prefer a wetter consistency
If you don’t want to spend any more than around £15 on a mascara, the L’Oreal Paris panorama mascara is the best budget brown mascara I tested. Not only is it one of the most affordable, but it one of favourite wands out of all the brown mascaras that I tested. With it tapering towards the end, it makes it easy to get right into the corners of your lashes and coat your bottom lashes, too. The bristles catch each individual lash and provide plenty of separation, length and volume.
Unlike some mascaras that can be a bit wetter, this is drier - in a good way - and it doesn’t dispense too much product onto the wand. It also feels lightweight on the lashes and has a buildable formula, which stops it from ever looking clumpy. One coat gives you a nice natural look, while two can amp up the overall impact.
The only real negative is that it isn’t vegan-friendly or cruelty-free, so if you prioritise this when shopping L’Oreal won’t be a good option for you. It’s also one of the darker brown hues, which may not be for everyone.
Buy now £13.99, Boots.com
No7 pro artist instant impact waterproof volumising mascara in brown
Best: waterproof brown mascara
Lash effect: Separates
Vegan friendly and cruelty free: Yes
Waterproof version available: Yes
Why we love it
- Thin wand makes it easy to apply
- Routinely discounted
- Gives a natural look to lashes
Take note
- Not as volumising as expected
- Doesn’t enhance lashes as much as others
A high street favourite, No7’s pro artist instant impact volumising mascara is available in a waterproof and a regular formulation, with both being as good as one another. However, as I was specifically interested in seeing how the waterproof version performed, I put it through its paces during a sweaty workout class and while out and about in a rain shower. I didn’t notice any smudging, flaking or movement, which was certainly impressive.
The thinner wand coats the lashes evenly, and gives a natural look to the eyes. However, given the name, it wasn’t anywhere near as volumising as I expected it to be. While it adds some definition, there’s almost zero curl or volume, which is a shame.
Still, if you’re looking for a reliable waterproof brown mascara, it is well worth trying. Even though it is relatively well priced at £17.95, you shouldn’t ever need to pay full price for the mascara given how many regular deals and discounts Boots runs. From percentages off to money off coupons, you’ll often find it at or less than £10.
Buy now £17.95, Boots.com
YSL lash clash extreme volume mascara in brown
Best: volumising brown mascara
Lash effect: Volumises
Vegan friendly and cruelty free: No
Waterproof version available: No
Why we love it
- Long-lasting
- A true brown shade
- Incredibly volumising and impactful
Take note
- Trickier to remove
- Can be prone to clumping if you don’t build it up in layers
With a large fluffy wand, YSL’s lash clash extreme volume mascara adds immediate volume and impact to the lashes. If you’ve ever used a bigger wand or brush like this one, you’ll probably be aware that several light layers tend to work better than one thicker coat to avoid lashes looking clumpy. Two coats ended up being the sweet spot for me, but I could always add another for nights out or special occasions. Even with several layers, my lashes didn’t feel weighed down and they still had a soft and feathery look to them.
I was impressed by how the mascara wore throughout the day. It didn’t smudge or flake, even after more than 10 hours of wear. However, it was one of the trickier formulations to remove. I had to use a dedicated bi-phase eye makeup remover and, even with that, it took several passes and longer than I would have liked. Therefore, it might not be the best choice for those with sensitive or irritable eyes.
Buy now £33, Lookfantasic.com
Tower 28 makewaves lengthening and volumizing mascara in drift
Best: lengthening brown mascara
Lash effect: Lengthens
Vegan friendly and cruelty free: Yes
Waterproof version available: No
Why we love it
- Good for sensitive eyes
- Natural look
- Feels lightweight
Take note
- Curved wand might take some getting used to
Now, there are quite a few brown mascaras with a curved wand like this on the market at the moment – notably REFY’s lash Sculpt and Lancome’s lash idôle – however, I found that Tower 28’s makewaves mascara provided the best results on my lashes.
It’s a brilliant choice if you’re looking for length from a vegan and cruelty-free formulation. It has one of the more natural finishes, however you can build up volume and impact with additional coats, without it looking too spidery. It also feels incredibly lightweight without flaking or smudging, and this makes it simple to remove with any kind of cleanser. This makes it an excellent choice for those with sensitive eyes.
As for the curved wand, it might take a bit of getting used to if you’ve not used one before, as you may assume that it only works to lift the upper lashes. However, if you flip it around you can get right into the lower lashes as well, with each lash being separated and coated evenly.
Buy now £20, Sephora.co.uk
Beauty Pie wrap star tubing mascara in classic brown
Best: tubing brown mascara
Lash effect: Lengthens and defines
Vegan friendly and cruelty free: Yes
Waterproof version available: No
Why we love it
- Easy to remove with just warm water
- Ideal for everyday wear and a natural look
- A good option for sensitive eyes and oily eyelids
Take note
- Not the best at adding volume
Beauty Pie’s wrap star was a standout tubing brown mascara. For those who aren’t familiar with tubing mascaras, these innovative formulas coat the lashes in water-resistant polymer ‘tubes’, instead of simply painting them with colour.
Essentially, this formulation makes it incredibly easy to remove with just warm water, so you don’t need to rub vigorously at your eyes or invest in a dedicated eye makeup remover. Those with sensitive eyes could benefit from switching their usual mascara to a tubing variety, as could those with oilier eyelids since the water-resistant formula doesn’t transfer as easily.
This brown mascara didn’t budge or flake, and it stayed on until I wanted to take it off. Typically, tubing mascaras don’t give as much volume, but you can still build up the number of coats. However it worked particularly well at lengthening and separating my lashes. The slightly darker brown means that it adds some nice definition, without being as harsh as black mascara, and this is why it has quickly become a favourite everyday brown mascara for me.
Buy now £20, Amazon.co.uk
Lush naked mascara in earth
Best: solid brown mascara
Lash effect: Defines
Vegan friendly and cruelty free: Yes
Waterproof version available: No
Why we love it
- Comes with three recyclable wands
- Subtle finish
- Can also be used on brows
- Affordable
Take note
- Can get a little messy
- Wands must be cleaned and air dried after each use
- Takes some trial and error
While you’ll no doubt be familiar with Lush for its incredible smelling soaps and bath bombs, the brand also has a pretty substantial make-up range, which includes a solid mascara. One of the biggest benefits of this product, above and beyond it being an excellent eco-friendly choice, is the fact that it comes with three separate wands. This means that you can switch between them, depending on the look that you’re going for. At £12, this makes it a real standout, especially if purchasing from a vegan-friendly or cruelty-free beauty brand is a priority for you.
Now, as you might expect with this being a solid mascara, it takes some trial and error to get used to it – both in terms of getting it ready to use and applying it – but once you do, it gives you several different options in terms of a soft and natural lash look. You’ll need to lightly wet the tip of the brush before placing it into the mascara. My top tip would be to use less water than you think you need, as it can get a bit messy otherwise.
On the lashes, it doesn’t feel dry or flaky and almost has a nourishing quality to it, while still being easy to remove with a traditional eye or facial cleanser. Because it is a subtle finish, it wouldn’t be the best choice if you were looking for a lot of impact, volume and drama from your lashes. In essence, this is definitely more of an everyday or ‘no make-up’ make-up style for me.
Buy now £12, Lush.com
Hourglass unlocked instant extensions mascara in espresso
Best: luxury brown mascara
Lash effect: Lengthens, separates and curls
Vegan friendly and cruelty free: Yes
Waterproof version available: No
Why we love it
- Beautiful brown shade
- Coats lashes evenly
- Multitasker
- Easy to apply and remove
Take note
- Expensive
If you’re on the lookout for the best luxury brown mascara, Hourglass’s tubing mascara is easily a top pick. Much like the Beauty Pie offering, it can simply be removed with warm water and it has a beautiful brown hue to it. This was one of the most attractive paired with my blue eyes, auburn hair and fair complexion.
It’s another excellent multitasker, in that it lengthens, separates and adds a curled effect to the lashes, with the precise brush working equally as well on the top as the bottom lashes.
As Hourglass is a luxury brand, you can expect to pay a premium, however the quality of the weighty tube and intricate wand makes it good value for money. I was also pleasantly surprised to discover that it was both vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.
Buy now £34, Cultbeauty.co.uk
Kiko maxi mod mascara in brown
Best: brown mascara for lower lashes and precision
Lash effect: Volumises
Vegan friendly and cruelty free: Not tested on animals
Waterproof version available: Yes
Why we love it
- Fantastic for precision
- Unique wand
- Affordable
- Available in other fun colours
Take note
- Wand may be too small for some
- Trickier to remove
If you struggle to apply mascara to your bottom lashes, or if you’re looking for much more precision than some of the larger or fluffier wands, KIKO’s maxi mod mascara is a brilliant choice. In fact, it quickly became a game changer for me when it came to my lower lashes, something that I usually forgo because it results in me getting smudges and smears all over my under-eyes. Even if I use another one of the best brown mascara on my top lashes, I have been exclusively applying this one on my bottom lashes.
Whether on the top or bottom, my lashes look thick and separated. As it’s waterproof, it takes a bit more effort than some of the others to remove, but it didn’t bother me too much. I also appreciated the reasonable price and, if you’re looking for another alternative to black, that it comes in a few other fun shades, such as plum, electric blue and metallic green.
Buy now £13.99, Amazon.co.uk
Your questions about brown mascara answered
What is the best brown mascara
My favourite overall is the Lisa Eldridge kitten lash mascara as it defines, curls and lifts all in one, leaving a fluttery and lightweight effect. If you’re after volume, look no further than YSL lash clash extreme volume mascara, while Tower 28’s makewaves wand will be your best friend if lengthening is your target.
For keeping costs low, the L’Oreal Paris panorama mascara is my go to budget friendly brown mascara.
How I tested brown mascara
To give each brown mascara a fair comparison, I applied the same number of coats – assessing how my lashes looked after one to start with and then two – to my natural lashes. I tried each mascara for several days, applying them early in the morning and removing them just before bedtime, and took the following into consideration:
How to choose the right shade of brown mascara for fair skin?
“For fair skin, a softer brown works best as it looks more natural and flattering,” according to Pamela. “You can also choose a slightly warmer or chestnut-toned brown, which helps brighten the eyes. Whereas very dark browns can appear almost black, and feel a bit harsh against lighter colouring.”
How to choose the right shade of brown mascara for your eye colour?
“For those with blue, green or light grey eyes, a warm brown mascara will really make the eyes pop, whereas those with darker blue or brown eyes will find a brown black will be a softer alternative to black whilst still giving contrast,” says freelance makeup artist, Lucy Meyer. “For grey haired beauties, a brown black or ash brown mascara will give a subtle enhancement to eyes whilst looking natural.”
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Ellis Cochrane is a beauty writer who has tried, tested and recommended a huge range of beauty products, from Color Wow haircare to chemical peels. As with all of the products in our reviews, all of the brown mascaras Ellis recommends have been put through real-world, hands-on testing.
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