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Black mascara will always have its time and place, but for many Allure editors, the best brown mascaras are the ones they reach for most often for a more subtle look—and makeup artists do the same. "I just think there's something really fresh about [wearing softer colors], and it allows for all the other makeup products that you're wearing to look even less makeup-y," says New York City-based makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes. And what better way to kick off your soft-girl era than with brown? It's a happy medium between black and even more vibrant mascaras like neon green or burgundy. Call it a low-risk, high-reward endeavor.
Whether you prefer lengthening, volumizing, or waterproof formulas, the best brown mascaras will offer all that black mascaras do—but never look too harsh or overwhelm your eyes. Take a peek at our favorite browns ahead.
Our Top Brown Mascaras
- Best Overall: Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara in Brown, $28
- Best Lengthening: Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in True Brown, $14
- Best Tubing: Urban Decay Tube Job Tubing Mascara in Brunette Brown, $25
- Best Volumizing: YSL Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara in Brown, $34
- Best for Separation: Ilia Limitless Mascara in Before Dawn, $29
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- Why should I choose brown mascara?
- How to apply brown mascara
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara in Brown
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Tarte
Tartelette Tubing Mascara
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Allure commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann applying the Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara in Brown
Sarah Hoffmann
Why we love it: Yes, the XL version of this Tarte mascara is technically the Best of Beauty winner, but our editors reach for the original Tartelette Tubing Mascara just as often. In addition to Brown, it comes in a boatload of other fun shades, such as Magenta and Navy, so you have a hue for every mood. One of our go-to tubing mascaras for quite some time, Tartelette is designed with almost 300 bristles (296, to be exact) to separate and lift your lashes for a bit of drama, but nothing over the top. It's buildable but never clumps, and skin-care ingredients such as conditioning shea butter and moisturizing castor oil keep lashes soft and flexible, never stiff. Best of all, at the end of the day, your “lashes” slide off with a bit of warm water—no tugging or wrestling (or lost lashes) needed.
Hoffmann before applying the Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara in Brown
Sarah Hoffmann
Hoffmann after applying the Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara in Brown
Sarah Hoffmann
Tester feedback from commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann
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"I was a brown mascara skeptic for a long time because if I'm going to spend precious morning time putting mascara on, I want drama," says commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann. “What's dramatic about a natural brown shade? Well, I'm mature enough to admit when I'm wrong because Tarte's Tartelette Mascara has officially converted me to the slightly lighter side. The shade is a nice, true brown, not too warm-toned, and the stiff wand evenly distributes the product throughout for long, fluffy, natural-looking lashes.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce market editor
More to know
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- Benefits: curling, long-wearing, lengthening
- Key ingredients: shea butter, castor oil
- Waterproof: no, but listed as sweatproof
- Total shades: 6
Best Lengthening: Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in True Brown
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Maybelline New York
Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in True Brown
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Han applying the Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in True Brown
Sarah Han
Why we love it: Originally launched in 2021, the TikTok-viral Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara has clearly proven its staying power—even in the crowded, constantly-innovating drugstore mascara market. Years later, our editors call it a reliable fave, and one they'd actually buy with their own money. (At less than $15, and often on sale, it's practically a no-brainer.) The True Brown is obviously the highlight here: true to its name, the color is not too deep, not too light. The wand itself is very flexible, so you can truly wiggle up and down your lashes to coax as much length as possible—and trust us, it offers a lot of length. After just two coats, your lashes look like you've applied falsies…without the pain of, well, applying falsies. It's also infused with bamboo extract and fibers that attach to your lashes, making them look thicker and fuller without weighing them down.
Han before applying the Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in True Brown
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in True Brown
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“This Maybelline mascara may just hold the record of the mascara I've been loyal to for the longest. That's not to say I don't like/use other mascaras—clearly I do, based on this list alone—but I rarely never have one of these Sky High tubes on hand…and often backups. It does a fabulous job at coaxing a lot of length out of my dismal, teeny-tiny lashes—even without a lash curler, but I always use one anyway. It rarely clumps, either, which is a huge pet peeve of mine. It's a truly reliable formula down to the bone. I'm also a big fan of the burgundy shade!" —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Benefits: volumizing, lengthening
- Key ingredients: bamboo extract
- Waterproof: no
- Total shades: 9
Best Tubing: Urban Decay Tube Job Lash Augmenting Tubing Mascara in Brunette Brown
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Urban Decay
Tube Job Tubing Mascara in Brunette Brown
Ulta Beauty
Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen applying the Urban Decay Tube Job Tubing Mascara in Brunette Brown
Sarah Kinonen
Why we like it: Our editors seriously love tubing mascaras, but the fact that Urban Decay's Tube Job Lash Augmenting Tubing Mascara comes in not just black and brown, but a dark-blonde taupe, auburn red, and bleached platinum, gives it an edge up amongst its peers. Formula-wise, Tube Job is infused with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and castor oil to keep lashes fluttery and flexible, and never dry and clumpy—and despite the skin-care-forward formula, it's water- and smudge-resistant. The tapered conical applicator features the brand's tiniest bristles, which grab onto every itty-bitty lash for all-day lift and volume.
Kinonen before applying the Urban Decay Tube Job Tubing Mascara in Brunette Brown
Sarah Kinonen
Kinonen after applying the Urban Decay Tube Job Tubing Mascara in Brunette Brown
Sarah Kinonen
Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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“While I love the look of jet-black mascara, there’s something so familiar and comforting about a brown-hued version. Maybe it’s because the shade is closer to the color of my lashes, or that when it’s removed, it looks less extreme. Whatever it is, I’m currently in my brown mascara era with Urban Decay’s new tubing formula and don’t see a way out. It’s got all the bells and whistles of a tubing mascara (easy removal, no clean-up) but wears like a classic. Even though I have a zillion (give or take) other mascaras to test for work, I keep coming back to this one. It easily fans out (and lengthens) my little lashes, doesn’t clump, and pairs with any look no matter where I’m going: the office, or in a booth of a crowded Brooklyn restaurant.” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
More to know
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- Benefits: volumizing, lengthening, lifting, easy removal
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, peptides, castor oil
- Waterproof: no, water-resistant
- Total shades: 5
Best Volumizing: YSL Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara in Uninhibited Brown
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YSL
Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara in Unhibited Brown
Nordstrom
Sephora
Allure social media manager Bianca Richards applying the YSL Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara in Brown
Bianca Richards
Why it's worth it: What higher honor for a brown mascara than a 2025 Best of Beauty Award for best colored mascara? YSL's Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara in Uninhibited Brown—a name that draws you in right away—boasts an oversized, conical brush that coats every lash, lifting and thickening them for a bold, voluminous look. (After all, it’s in the name.) The extra tapered tip does an excellent job latching on to even the tiniest of inner-corner hairs. Whether you're a one-and-done person or consider three layers, at minimum, to be your norm, Lash Clash is a keeper.
Richards before applying the YSL Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara in Brown
Bianca Richards
Richards after applying the YSL Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara in Brown
Bianca Richards
Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards
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“No matter what it comes down to, I will forever splurge on the YSL Lash Clash mascara since it gives me that voluminous, wispy finish for my almond-shaped eyes. Not only does the brown shade add that playful and effortless look for no-makeup makeup days, but the rich chocolate hue helps to accentuate my dark brown eyes.” —Bianca Richards, social media manager
More to know
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- Benefits: volumizing, thickening
- Key ingredients: shea butter, castor oil, camellia flower extract
- Waterproof: no
- Total shades: 4
Best Curling: Tower 28 MakeWaves Mascara in Drift
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Tower 28
MakeWaves Mascara in Drift
Amazon
Sephora
Credo Beauty
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Tower 28 MakeWaves Mascara in Drift
Sarah Han
Why it's worth it: Similar to the rest of the brand's offerings, Tower 28's MakeWaves Mascara is non-irritating and made with sensitive skin in mind. This 2022 Best of Beauty Award winner features a curved "Triple-Wave Wand" comprised of three flexible suspended bands to lift and coat every single lash. The formula employs Aquaflex Technology (typically used in hair-care products) to hold the curl of the eyelashes without sacrificing softness, and it also helps boost humidity and water resistance. Our best tip? Use the shorter bristles on the inner side of the curve to amp up the volume, then go in with the longer bristles to lengthen and define. Multiple coats look great with this mascara, too.
Han before applying the Tower 28 MakeWaves Mascara in Drift
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Mascara in Drift
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from Han
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"I've never fully vibed with black mascara, which I find often makes my eyes—which are very dark to begin with—look heavy. I feel the same way about black eyeliner, for the record. When Tower 28 launched MakeWaves in Drift, an espresso brown, I instantly knew it'd become a regular in my rotation. The formula is super buildable without reaching clumpy territory. That's key because my lashes need multiple layers to appear visible on-camera, and the innovative, curved brush maximizes length and curl rather than one over the other." —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Benefits: lengthening, curling, conditioning
- Key ingredients: Aquaflex Technology, castor oil blend
- Waterproof: no
- Total shades: 2
Best for Separation: Ilia Limitless Mascara in Before Dawn
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Ilia
Limitless Mascara in Before Dawn
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ilia Beauty
Former Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin applying the Ilia Limitless Mascara in Before Dawn
Sarah Felbin
Why we like it: “Clean beauty” is a term too frequently slapped onto labels without a second thought, but Ilia is one of the handful of brands that actually meet our standards and have both Readers' Choice and Best of Beauty Awards to its name. For example? The Limitless Lash Mascara has picked up six Readers' Choice Awards and one Best of Beauty Award to date. While it's not the most dramatic option on this list, it is a fantastic everyday mascara that gives your lashes a subtle effect that looks like your natural lashes, but just a little longer, lifted, and always defined. The crowning feature is the double-sided wand, which features one side of shorter, denser bristles to boost volume, while the other side features straight, comb-like bristles to lengthen and separate hairs.
P.S. Limitless is also one of our favorite mascaras for older women. “It stretches the lashes beautifully and keeps them flexible, which matters because mature lashes can be more fragile,” Magen Grays, a makeup artist based in Atlanta, previously told Allure. “I also love that it doesn’t flake or transfer easily, so you’re not constantly checking under the eyes,” Grays adds, nodding to the formula's conditioning blend of shea butter, glycerin, and peptides.
Felbin before applying the Ilia Limitless Mascara in Before Dawn
Sarah Felbin
Felbin after applying the Ilia Limitless Mascara in Before Dawn
Sarah Felbin
Tester feedback from former senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
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“I wear brown mascara more than I wear black—I love how it makes my green eyes pop and how it's so perfect for every day, when black can sometimes feel too harsh or dramatic. Ilia's Limitless Lash is a beautiful dark brown that actually darkens, lengthens, and defines my eyelashes. I could talk about the non-smudging, non-flaking formula all day (and I have, as someone with oily eyelids who's been through more subpar mascaras than she can count). But my favorite feature is the double-sided spoolie. One side has shorter bristles that coat every lash in a layer of product. The other side has longer, stiffer bristles that comb through each lash, for maximum lengthening potential. I've never gotten more compliments on my lashes than when I've used Ilia mascara. It's a forever favorite!” —Sarah Felbin, former senior commerce editor
More to know
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- Benefits: lengthening, separating
- Key ingredients: shea butter, glycerin, biotin, arginine, peptides
- Waterproof: no
- Total shades: 2
Best for Sensitive Eyes: Glossier Lash Slick in Brown
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Glossier
Lash Slick in Brown
Sephora
Glossier
Former Allure senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen applying the Glossier Lash Slick in Brown
Nicola Dall'Asen
Why it's worth it: Lash Slick is one of Glossier's first-ever—and best-selling—products, intended to give a natural, no-makeup look that enhances what you've already got going on. A nourishing formula featuring vegan biotin and vitamin B5 wraps around, lengthens, and lifts each lash for an extension-like effect. If your lashes droop by midway, just know that won't happen with this weightless formula. Bonus: Natural shine polymers add depth and—you guessed it—shine to your lashes.
Dall’Asen before applying the Glossier Lash Slick in Brown
Nicola Dall'Asen
Dall’Asen after applying the Glossier Lash Slick in Brown
Nicola Dall'Asen
Tester feedback from former senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen
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"I feel totally naked without mascara, but I don't always want the full-throttle look of your standard black shade. Glossier's Lash Slick in Brown provides lengthening yet whisper-light coats in a warm brown tone, probably similar to your natural lashes if you're a brunette, for a 'Wait, are those real?' kind of look." —Nicola Dall’Asen, former senior news editor
More to know
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- Benefits: lengthening, volumizing, and conditioning
- Key ingredients: vegan biotin
- Waterproof: no, water-resistant
- Total shades: 2
More brown mascaras we love:
Best Waterproof: Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara in Chestnut
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Dior
Diorshow Waterproof Mascara in Chestnut
Nordstrom
Sephora
Why it's worth it: Dior's Diorshow Waterproof Mascara is a 2023 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner that the pros constantly gush about. New York City- and Stockholm-based makeup artist Linda Gradin and New York City makeup artist Deanna Melluso adore the dark brown hue, Chestnut, and its long-wearing formula. "It lasts all day with no smudges," says Melluso. “It's a deep brown that is fabulous for hazel eyes to emphasize the green or purple tones.”
P.S. If you don't need a waterproof formula, we think Dior's Diorshow 24H Buildable Volume Mascara in Brown is equally stunning.
More to know
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- Benefits: long-wearing, lengthening
- Key ingredients: castor oil
- Waterproof: yes
- Total shades: 3
Best Brown-Black Mascara: Clinique High Impact Mascara
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Clinique
High Impact Mascara
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: New York City-based makeup artist Steven Canavan loves Clinique's High Impact Mascara—which comes in a brownish-black simply named Black/Brown—for defining lashes and enhancing the intensity of any eye color. The original black mascara is a classic known for dramatic results, but with this color, you can expect the same thickening and volumizing finish on a slightly more modest scale. Its buildable, no-budge formula also means you can layer this shade without finding any flakes or smudges around your eyes at the end of the day.
More to know
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- Benefits: defining, volumizing, thickening
- Key ingredients: urea, glycerin
- Waterproof: no
- Total shades: 3
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I choose brown mascara?
Brown mascaras are ideal for accentuating lashes without looking like makeup was applied. According to New York City-based makeup artist Steven Canavan, "Brown mascara is best if you're looking to achieve a more natural look, and black [is best] if you want more drama." Sure, you could spare some change for a lash lift or extensions to create a similar finish, but if you don't want to spend your coins on monthly treatments, brown mascara is a much more accessible option.
On top of affordability, New York City- and Stockholm-based makeup artist Linda Gradin notes that these mascaras can add more dimension and enhance the color of your eyes, depending on the shade you use. "For a darker eye, a nearly black or dark brown mascara adds definition, but a classic brown gives a softer impression," she says. "For lighter-colored eyes, true-to-light brown mascaras are most flattering, as they can bring out gold, green, or grey highlights in your eyes that black can't."
How to apply brown mascara
However you prefer to wear makeup is your business, but there are some general best practices. If you have straight or downward-pointing lashes, prep them with a curler. Then ensure you pick up an even amount of product on the mascara wand—swipe off excess product against the perimeter of the tube opening as needed—so you end up with clump-free, perfectly separated lashes. Starting at the base of your lashes, lightly swipe up, coating each lash. To separate your lashes while you apply, wiggle the wand as you sweep the formula toward the tips. Repeat as needed for your desired results and keep in mind that some mascaras dry faster than others.
If you really want to make your eye color and shape stand out, Gradin recommends pairing your brown mascara with a dark brown, charcoal, or black eyeliner pencil.
Meet the experts
- Steven Canavan, a New York City-based makeup artist
- Linda Gradin, a New York City- and Stockholm-based makeup artist
- Deanna Melluso, a New York City-based makeup artist
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide, inclusive shade range with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is the packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best brown mascaras, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete review process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness, a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine, or you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from are folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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