The Best Brown Mascaras of 2023

When your lashes yearn for a touch of volume and length with a dose of soft, natural appeal, brown mascara can be your secret weapon. Far removed from the clumpy, flaky mascaras of the past, today’s brown mascaras are a refined balance of color science and advanced formulas, offering something for everyone.

Whether your style leans more towards the soft and subtle, or you prefer a bolder lash line, brown mascara has got you covered. Apply a single swipe for a gentle lift that effortlessly elevates your everyday look. Or layer it up, stroke upon stroke, to build volume and intensity that’s perfect for those special evenings. And for those with fairer hair or lighter skin tones, the softer contrast offered by brown mascara can be a game-changer.

These mascaras come in a variety of forms, from classic bristle brushes to innovative silicone wands, but they all promise the same thing: gorgeous, full-bodied lashes. Don’t fret if you’re new to brown mascara, its forgiving nature makes it easy to apply and build up, without the fear of going overboard. If you’re not entirely pleased with the outcome, a few wipes with a cotton pad soaked in makeup remover will reset the canvas.

Scroll through our top picks that range from budget-friendly steals to high-end treats, all promising to wrap your lashes in rich, brown hues that deliver an effect as subtle or as bold as you desire.

Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Mascara is our holy grail product.

The berry-brown shade is everything—it contrasts beautifully with every complexion and makes your eyes pop like no other. Furthermore, the diamond-shaped bristles fan out each lash, helping them to look fuller and longer than ever before.

It also contains carnauba wax, which adds weightless volume. Meanwhile, lash-lifting polymers provide extra lift, and a water-resistant finish keeps your lashes looking flawless all day (and night)

Too Faced Cosmetics’ Better Than Sex Mascara is the perfect choice for anyone who wants a rich, multidimensional effect on their lashes.

This lovely formula uses film-forming polymers to hold curls in place while also conditioning your lashes with peptides. It also features an hourglass-shaped brush that separates and coats each lash individually, so they’re full, defined, and stretched every time you apply it.

This brown mascara makes sure you’ll always get the look you want—whether it’s natural or dramatic—by ensuring that every lash is coated evenly in rich color pigments. It’s one of those products that does everything you could ever want from a mascara: it lengthens, darkens, volumizes… basically everything!

Lash Slick is Glossier’s weightless, flexible mascara that coats each individual lash from root to tip for maximum definition.

The product contains teeny-tiny fibers that create a baby extensions effect, making your lashes visibly longer and thicker with every swipe. Moreover, the formula is water-resistant and stays in place for up to 12 hours. It’s available in black and brown.

It doesn’t clump at all, which is hard to find in a mascara that makes our lashes look so good.

“No clumps! No raccoon eyes! Goes on like a dream and stays put. Don’t plan to run out ever,” raved one reviewer.

When you’re trying to achieve the perfect eye look, you want to make sure that your mascara is strong enough to hold and voluptuous enough to make your lashes stand out.

L’Oréal’s Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara does just that. This product provides silky volume in one coat, creating voluptuous volume and length without clumps or flakes.

The feathery soft after-effect will leave your lashes feeling soft and easy to manage throughout the day. It also has a soft wavy bristle brush with 200+ bristles that catch every lash for a full fringe effect, ensuring no lash is left behind.

“Amazing results in just one application, no clumping, just long and full lashes,” stated one beauty enthusiast. “I was in shock at how amazing it works! You cannot beat the price either.”

Tarte’s voluptuous brown mascara is a lash-enhancing wonder. It’s an ultra-creamy formula that conditions lashes so they won’t flake, clump, or smudge.

The custom bristles brush coats and separates lashes while the jojoba helps hydrate and strengthen them to create a beautiful base for the Carnauba wax-infused formula to lengthen and volumize.

The product is incredibly easy to use: just apply it to your lashes in an upward motion starting at the base of your lashes (just like you would with any other mascara). It’s also effortless to remove—just use warm water on a cotton pad or washcloth to gently wipe away any excess product that may remain on your skin or lashes.

According to reviewers, “Very pleased with the brown, especially for a daytime look. More ‘natural’ looking, and less harsh than black. Which seems to work better at night.”

If you’re looking for a mascara that can do it all, look no further than Dior Beauty’s Diorshow Waterproof Mascara.

If you have brown or blue eyes, there’s no need to worry—this mascara comes in both colors so that everyone can enjoy the fun.

The accompanying XXL brush lengthens and thickens your lashes while curling them to perfection. Not to mention, the waterproof formula holds its own through swimming and even shedding a few tears.

“This is my favorite waterproof mascara! I’ve worn Diorshow for 10+ years but recently switched to the waterproof version, and I absolutely love it,” stated one beauty vet.

CoverGirl is a brand that knows how to make a mascara that works.

Their new spin-shape brush and patented formula are designed to max out each and every lash, evenly coating them with no clumping or flaking. It allows you to choose your favorite from three intense colors—brown, black, and blue—without sacrificing quality.

This mascara promises to provide you with more than just length; it’s also designed to add volume. The hypoallergenic formula is designed to be gentle on your eyes, so you can wear it daily without worrying about irritation or discomfort.

Clinique’s latest mascara is here, and it’s ready to make your lashes more lush, fuller, and bolder than ever before.

With a deep color and wiggling brush design, this brown mascara will add a little extra impact to your look. It’s even safe for sensitive eyes and doesn’t flake or smudge—so you can rest assured that your lashes will stay looking great all day long!

Start at lash roots, wiggling the brush up to lash tips for fullness and length. For lower lashes, hold the wand vertically with bristles facing downward.

Thrive Cosmetics’ Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara is a revolutionary new product that will give you the look of lash extensions without the hassle of going to a salon.

It won’t clump, flake, or smudge, and it’s available in three shades: rich black, brown-black, and blue. The innovative firm-hold tubing formula slides right off with warm water, so there’s no need for makeup remover—just get your lashes wet and watch them come right off!

The best part? This mascara is clinically proven to be gentle enough for sensitive eyes! The infused orchid stem cell complex supports longer, healthier-looking lashes by promoting growth and strength while also protecting against breakage.

No7 Beauty’s Full 360 Mascara is one of our favorites for a couple of reasons.

First, the formula contains volumizing spheres that coat every lash from root to tip, creating beautiful, more noticeable lashes. Second, the curved brush helps to grip every lash, coating from root to tip for a wide-awake curl.

The black-brown shade gives your eyelashes a deep, dramatic look without appearing too harsh or unnatural (though if you’re looking for something more subtle, they also make a brownish version). If you have trouble finding the right mascara because you have trouble getting it on your lashes without clumps or smudges, this is definitely one to try!

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What to Look for in Brown Mascara

Formula

For a brown mascara that truly makes your lashes pop, you’ll want to find a formula that adds volume and length without clumping or smudging. Waterproof varieties can provide additional staying power if you’re prone to watery eyes or live in a humid climate. On the other hand, if you’re all about easy removal, look for a water-soluble formula.

Brush Type

The magic of a mascara often lies in its brush. A good brush can take a mediocre formula and make it perform like a star. For volumizing effects, opt for a brush with densely packed bristles. To maximize length, look for a comb-like brush that can separate and extend each lash.

Shade

Brown mascara comes in a variety of shades, and the right one for you can depend on your eye and hair color. A dark brown can provide a softer alternative to black for those with fair skin and light-colored eyes. Lighter, warmer browns can enhance the color of blue or green eyes, while reddish-brown hues beautifully complement those with hazel eyes.

Ingredients

The ingredients of your mascara matter too. If you have sensitive eyes or wear contact lenses, hypoallergenic and ophthalmologist-tested formulas will be less likely to cause irritation. Also, consider mascaras that contain nourishing ingredients like oils and vitamins to condition your lashes and promote their health.