'I tested the internet’s favourite mascaras under $30. Here's my honest review.'

A wise woman once told me mascaras are like bananas.

There's a small window of precious time, between the too-runny newness and the dried-out crustiness, in which a mascara is perfection.

It's for this exact reason I'm a big fan of affordable mascaras. HUGE.

Oh, and the fact mascaras expire three months after opening (yes, really), so replacing mascaras often adds up real quick if your holy grail mascara costs more than a fancy pub meal.

Watch: A makeup artist's opinion on whether you should invest in more expensive foundations, post continues.

Best affordable mascaras.

Mascaras are deeply personal. What works for me and my lashes might not work for you and yours.

Like, is it the best lengthening mascara, or is it a volume mascara - or both? How well does the mascara hold a curl, especially on straight lashes? What does the mascara wand look like? Is it a genuinely smudge-proof mascara?

I tried six of the internet's favourite affordable mascaras so you don't have to. Plus, I've included mascara before and after photos so you can see what they look like up close.

And the best bit? None of them cost more than $30 (don't forget to shop around for the lowest price!).

1. Maybelline Colossal Curl Bounce Mascara, RRP $25.95.

Image: Adore Beauty.

Fast facts:

• A curling and volumising Maybelline mascara that resists clumping, flaking and smudging

• Wears for up to 24 hours, with a Memory Curl formula that helps lashes last

• Curved, tapered wand with traditional brush bristles fits perfectly under the lash root to add volume

• Love a good cry? It also comes in a waterproof formula

Image: Supplied.

Smudge factor: 0.5/5, veeeeery minimal smudging!

Best mascara for: Would it be presumptuous to say everyone?

But really, everyone I know who has tried this new Maybelline mascara loves it as much as I do. Those with super straight lashes will still want to use an eyelash curler, but I found it enhanced and held my natural lash curl into a 'lash lift' fan.

It's also the perfect balance of curl, length, volume and definition. A solid all-rounder!

2. L'Oréal Telescopic Mascara, RRP $29.99.

Image: Priceline.

Fast facts:

• Telescopic is a lengthening mascara designed to define and separates lashes rather than add volume

• Claims to make lashes look 60% longer lashes

• Clean look, clump-free finish formula comes in a rich black shade that's easy to remove

• Flexible, comb-like brush has super fine, spiked bristles small enough to grab every single lash

Image: Supplied.

Smudge factor: 1/5, and I wore this one for a 16-hour day in humid Sydney!

Best mascara for: Anyone who wants a refined, defined lash look.

If the Telescopic mascara was a celeb fashion look, it'd be Hailey Bieber in a faux leather blazer with a sleek bun.

The L'Oreal mascara makes your eyes look wide awake. The natural, clean finish is great for every day or if you have lots of lashes, but want them to look longer.

3. Maybelline Bubble Mascara, RRP $27.99.

Image: Adore Beauty.

Fast facts:

• A buildable volume mascara that promises a soft, fluttery lash look

• Inspired by doll-like lashes, this mascara creates big, bubbly volume without clumps or crunch

• Bubble comb brush design grabs and lifts every lash

• Long-lasting wear that holds curl and shape

Smudge factor: 4/5, this smudged on me within an hour.

Best mascara for: Some people — sadly, I'm not one of them.

This mascara didn't give me the sleek, smudge-proof separation it promised, but it delivered on length and thickness.

While I found the application to be messy, if you don't mind a bit of clean up, you can easy build the product up for a super glamorous lash look. Fans of comb mascara wands might like to give this a go, too.

4. Maybelline Falsies Mascara, $25.99.

Image: Adore Beauty.

Fast facts:

• Maybelline The Falsies Lash Lift Mascara is a volumising and lengthening mascara that creates a lash-lift effect

• Double-curved 'Coke bottle' brush with full bristles gives a fluffy false lash look

• The formula contains little fibres that add volume and thickness to sparse or short lashes

• Ophthalmologist-tested, suitable for contact lens wearers and sensitive eyes

• Comes in a waterproof mascara version, too

Image: Supplied.

Smudge factor: 2/5, a little bit of smudging in the outer corner along the bottom lash line that looks semi-intentional.

Best mascara for: Love thick lashes with stacks of volume? This Maybelline mascara delivers.

Just one coat makes a dramatic difference to lashes. You can also pack on the product and go for two or three coats. A really good affordable mascara for anyone after maximum impact with minimum effort.

Hot tip: To avoid crunchy lashes, don't let the mascara dry between coats.

You'll love the wand too if you're into a more traditional, firm mascara brush that lets you really push from the roots for extra volume along the lash line.

5. L'Oreal Paris Paradise Mascara, $25.99.

Image: Adore Beauty

Fast facts:

• A volumising, thickening mascara for intense volume and dramatic length

• Waved brush has super soft traditional bristles, making it an easy-to-use mascara wand

• Adds bulk to thin, sparse lashes

• Formula contains castor oil to help keep lashes healthy, without any clumping

• Comfortable to wear, even for those with sensitive eye areas

Image: Supplied.

Smudge factor: 2.5/5, nothing a quick touch up couldn't fix!

Best mascara for: People who want an unstuffupable mascara!

The formula is silky smooth and glides onto the lashes so effortlessly, making it really quick and easy to get a full, fluttery lash look in just a few swipes.

Personally, I found it smudged a bit along the bottom lash line after a few hours of wear, but there wasn't a flake in sight!

6. Maybelline Sky High Mascara, $24.99.

Fast facts:

• This mascara went absolutely viral on TikTok in early 2021!

• A lengthening and volumising mascara infused with bamboo extract and volumising fibres

• Lightweight formula won't weigh lashes down and is easy to remove

• Tapered 'Flex Tower' brush is super bendy and flexible, and features lots of individual bristles to make coating every single teeny tiny lash with product really easy

• Ophthalmologist-tested, suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers

Image: Supplied.

Smudge factor: 2/5, puts in a decent effort for such a dramatic mascara.

Best mascara for: Those who want long, thick, bold lashes even Google could see from the moon. Or anyone who likes trying viral TikTok beauty products for themselves!

Sky High is what you'd get if a volumising mascara, a lengthening mascara and a set of false lashes had a baby. While this wouldn't be my everyday mascara choice, you can also wipe the mascara wand before applying for a very slick lick of product.

So there you have it — enough close-up shots of my eyeballs than anyone asked for.

Now all that's left to do is to decide which one to add to cart.

At Mamamia, we independently curate and write about products we rave about in our group chats and think you should know about too. If you purchase a product we have recommended, we may earn a small commission.

Feature Image: Supplied.

This article originally appeared on Adore Beauty's Beauty IQ and has been edited and republished with full permission.