Brown mascara provides a more natural look, making it an excellent choice for people who find black to be too dramatic against their skin tone or eye color. They have risen in popularity in recent years, but they still feel like a closely guarded secret as celebrities and makeup artists can't get enough of it. From the Kardashians to supermodels Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner, choosing the best brown mascaras is a need of the hour for an eye-uplifting effect or a natural glow-up. Coating the eyelashes (and even eyebrows) in a single application of brown mascara can instantly make the eyes sparkle most naturally. Whether you want length or volume, dramatic or natural, there's a brown mascara for you. Many of them also include added benefits, such as lash-boosting and curling.

Ghanima Abdullah, our contributor and an experienced cosmetologist states that brown mascaras are better than black mascaras if you want your look to be super subtle. She says,”A few swipes can uplift your lashes without it appearing to the world that you're wearing mascara.”

We've compiled a remarkable inventory of the 13 best brown mascaras, and have given more information from our tests - providing you with the very best below!

• 1
  Best Smidge-proof Formula

  blinc blinc Original Tubing Mascara

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When it comes to selecting the best brown mascaras, this smudge-proof, fade-proof, and run-proof formula by blinc is perfection. Suitable for sensitive eyes and sensitive skin, this mascara comes in a water-resistant tube that lasts until you wipe it off. Whether you cry while watching a movie or run 3 miles on the treadmill, this mascara isn't coming off. The best part about this product is that it gives a great definition to your eyes. Loved by beauty aficionados and influencers on social media platforms, this mascara dries instantly and doesn't stain your clothes. 

2

Best for Daily Wear

MAYBELLINE NEW YORK LASH SENSATIONAL Mascara

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The all-in-one brown mascara by Maybelline is every girl's savior when looking for the real deal without emptying her pockets. The Lash Sensational mascara comes with a special fanning brush with ten layers of bristles that individually coats every lash with utmost priority. It boasts a unique serum mix that nourishes lashes and unfurls a 100% layer to provide dramatic-looking eyelashes with a single stroke. Luckily, the formulation comes in two variations, water-proof and washable mascara for your desired choice.

3

Best for Definition

COVERGIRL LASH BLAST VOLUME Mascara

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This cool, ash-brown mascara by Covergirl coats every lash equally and makes them look longer. To boost the eyelash volume with a good margin, it consists of panthenol (vitamin B5). Not to brag, but the 'Lash Blast Volume' is developed to maximize each lash with a straight wand applicator, giving you the ultimate big-lash effect and ten times more volume. With its cruelty-free formulation, the cosmetic line features two natural black shades for variety too!

4

Best for Volume

L'ORÉAL PARIS VOLUMINOUS ORIGINAL Mascara

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With over 1000 positive reviews, L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara encapsulates buildable qualities that do not tend to smudge or clump. The thick volumizing brush separates every lash and evenly coats them one by one. The long-lasting formula is free of gluten and soy extracts, and consists of the nourishing qualities of panthenol for thickening the lashes. The smooth applicator makes it suitable for sensitive eyes and those wearing contact lens, making it a perfect fit  to be the best natural-looking mascara on our list.

5

Best Non-comedogenic Formula

BURT'S BEES 100% Mascara

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Burt's Bees Nourishing Mascara in Black Brown is a glam artist's paradise. With a coat of its nearly-black shade, this affordable selection concentrates on extending and shaping the eyelashes. The benefits don't stop there, as it nourishes the eyelashes with moisturizing jojoba oil and glycerin which is temperate enough for the delicate eye area. The paraben-free formula works like a charm for everyday use and gives you long-lasting definition while softly nourishing the lashes. Our findings enlist this pick to be one of the best nourishing mascaras on the list.

6

Best for all ages

Neutrogena healthy lengths Mascara

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Neutrogena, a brand well-versed in skin nourishment, provides an exceptional nourishing mascara pick. This mascara nourishes and strengthens lashes with enriching antioxidants like vitamin E, rice protein, and olive oil. That is not all, many reviewers mention that "Lashes look up to 100% longer with a formula that won't clump, smudge, or flake". Infused with natural components this mascara keeps the lashes healthy and hydrated throughout the wear. The soft blend of natural brown and black makes this the best mascara for green eyes!

7

Best for Special Occasions

Pacifica Beauty Stellar Gaze Mineral Mascara

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Considered the best mascara from Target, Pacifica Stellar Gaze Mineral Mascara is just the pick if you’re searching for a vegan mascara. When we delved further into this product, we found that it is generously imbued with coconut oil, rice protein, and vitamin B, which hydrates each lash as it lengthens, fortifies, and adds magnitude. The oval-shaped bristles grab each eyelash from root to tip and contour to your eye's geometry. Free of harsh chemicals, it's an excellent choice for sensitive eyes.

8

Most Affordable

e.l.f. Lash It Loud Voluminous Mascara

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e.l.f. Lash It Loud Voluminous Mascara is just the pick if looking to save up some cost but get the same results as the expensive mascaras.  A blend of waxes such as beeswax and rice bran wax provides nutrition and moisture on the lashes, adding volume and shine. The cream formulation brings life to every lash strand and quickly fixes the position of each lash. Free of toxins and chemicals, the bold applicator is perfect for the busy girls out there who easily smudge their makeup. Additionally, the brand also harnesses vegan hues to choose from for versatility too!

9

Best Overall

CLINIQUE high impact Waterproof Mascara

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Those in search of the best mascara for a natural look must take a look at this pick. No matter how many layers you apply, the brown mascara has a lightweight finish that doesn't make the lashes crunchy or clumpy. Though the straight bristle applicator doesn’t deliver much curl, there are some redeeming qualities of volume and length. As a whole, Clinique's High Impact Waterproof Mascara is an excellent brown mascara that doesn't smudge throughout the day while providing exceptionally long lashes.

10

MAYDEAR Waterproof Color Mascara

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This brown waterproof mascara by Maydear features a smudge-proof and lightweight formulation that is perfect for people who are out and about. The mascara contains moisturizing elements that support, soften, and lengthen the lashes. What we noticed when we tested the product is that this color would look especially good on a fairer complexions and is the perfect match for green eyes. And if you like the specific formulation of this mascara, the brand also features 14 trendy shades for every occasion.

11

Most Hydrating Formula

ECCO BELLA FLOWERCOLOR Mascara

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Those preferring a natural brown mascara should opt for Ecco Bella FLOWERCOLOR Mascara. This mascara uses the power of floral cutins, the thin coating that protects a flower's petals from the environment, to produce makeup that lasts all day. Also, the goodness of natural clay helps thicken lashes, and carnauba wax delivers a satiny application and glossy finish. Interestingly, it features a spiral bristle brush for even coating and a built-in mirror on the bottle that keeps your look going anytime, anywhere. 

12

Simply Naked Beauty LASH SCIENCE 3D Lash Fiber Mascara

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Simply Naked Beauty provides a solution for those who aren't confident about the volume and length of their eyelashes. The kit includes a thickening microfiber applicator and a magnifying gel to give your lashes up to 300x their ordinary density and size. It's just the solution for people who struggle with false lashes and can't seem to deal with the extensive process daily. The brown mascara delivers a spiral straight bristle brush for less curl but more thick and defined lashes - and it comes off quickly as well without excessive rubbing of the eyes.

13

JUST FOR REDHEADS Mascara Naturelle

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Made with beeswax for all-day wearability, the Just for Redhead's brown mascara is a must-have for blondes. The best mascara for redheads contains panthenol (a.k.a vitamin B5) and vitamin E, which nurtures and softens your lashes. "Finally a mascara that makes my eyes pop without looking like I'm still stuck in 90s grunge", states a happy reviewer. Lastly, based on our observations, we realize this mascara is ideal for daytime wear or a deeper, more dramatic night-time look.

Be it thickening or lengthening, the top list of brown mascaras has no shortage of wonderful formulas just for you. Swipe below to check out our quick guide on how to choose and the best brown mascara.

Before you grab the best brown mascara out of the bunch, let us guide you on how to get a flawless pick with these three simple pointers that you shouldn't miss:

Brush Type: Wider mascara brushes are ideal for adding volume since they allow for more product to be applied for maximum impact. Fine and petite brushes, on the other hand, provide the greatest accuracy and definition, making it simple to coat every single lash.

Ingredients: Natural mascara contains safe substances such as beeswax, coconut oil, shea butter, and carnauba wax to moisturize the lashes. If you tend to head out for events more than once  a week, we suggest opting for mascaras with waterproof benefits as they stay till the party stops!

Avoid: It's a no-no to opt for an aggressively strong formulation that might be hard to remove from the lashes. These formulations tend to nourish less and cause more lash fall. If your eyes tend to react to makeup in adverse ways, we suggest opting for mild and natural formulas. In such cases, we recommend opting for ophthalmologist-tested products.

Enhance and Uplift the lower Lashes:  For optimal results, use a mascara primer beforehand. Coat your lashes from root to tip, and repeat as necessary. Apply a coat to your bottom lashes for a dramatic effect. For makeup lovers who are confused about choosing between brown and black mascaras, our contributor, Ghanima Abdullah lays down the difference clearly, saying, “Brown mascara uplifts the eyes in the same way that black mascara can, but it has a more subtle finish.”

The ‘Glow-Up’ Look: For this look, we suggest prepping the eyes with a soft white liner or kajal on the lower eyelids. Pair it with a volumizing coat on both lashes for a simple yet refreshing glow-up look. Bonus: Try applying a silver shimmer eyeshadow on the narrow ends of the eyes.

Thick Lash-look: If your lashes are sparse, look for a thickening or volumizing mascara with a broad, round brush and plenty of bristles. Opting and investing in a primer and mascara mixture is ideal for thickening lashes. Apply the primer before applying the thick-formula mascara on both lashes.

Conclusion:

Mascaras are holy-grail products that enhance even the simplest makeup looks to a great extent. To top it off, brown mascara has changed the game by providing an even more natural look to the wearer. To get an ideal product, select your brown mascara based on skin–tone, wearability, formulation, and whether your sensitive eyes can handle all-day wear. Be sure to check out our guide for the best advice and choose from the best brown mascaras without any hitch!

Contributor: Ghanima Abdullah, Cosmetologist, The Right Hairstyles