Although brown mascara has been around for many years, it has gained renewed notoriety in 2023 because of TikTok, much like many other underappreciated, timeless makeup products. Even though mascara is a must-have item in my beauty routine, I’ve always worn black mascara, so I ignored the brown mascara videos that started to appear on my TikTok FYP we recently tested. However, the problem with TikTok is that after watching one brown mascara video, you’ll see five, ten, and before you know it, you’re searching for the “best brown mascaras” on Google and clicking the “order now” button.
With over 43 million views on TikTok (and rising), brown mascara is a crucial component of the “no makeup-makeup” or “clean girl” trend that characterizes so many cosmetic tutorials on the app. I’m officially a convert to brown mascara, and I’m not alone. The idea behind this trend is to bring out your best features by using light skin tints that let your freckles shine through, cream blushers and highlighters that give skin a dewy finish, and lip oils that nourish and color your lips at the same time. It makes perfect sense that brown mascara is currently so popular since it provides a softer, more natural-looking alternative to black mascara.
Naturally, brown mascara has long been a mainstay in the toolset of makeup artists. According to Too Faced’s Executive Director and Global Beauty Makeup Artist Elyse Renau, “brown mascara makes for a softer, more curated, and natural effect.” “I also love this shade for someone who is first starting to wear makeup as it looks young and fresh.”
Regarding application techniques, Renau suggests tightlining your upper lashline with a brown eyeliner before applying brown mascara to achieve the same definition as black mascara. “This gives a liner effect without it actually looking like you’re wearing liner, and will make your lashes appear thicker instantly,” she says.
See the OziFox UK team’s picks for the best brown mascaras in action and read their candid assessments of the biggest mascara trend of 2023 by scrolling down.
Grace Day is a contributing beauty editor for OziFox UK and a freelance beauty editor.
I would definitely say that mascara is my one and only must-have beauty item on a desert island. In fact, when I leave the house, I usually only wear that one product. I simply believe that mascara does so much. Having long, volumized lashes adds drama and definition and, let’s be honest, makes you seem alive, regardless of how bare your lips are or how messy your brows are. I’ve always worn black mascara because I have dark brown hair and naturally black lashes. I’ve never given the color of mascara any thought before.
Therefore, when I began experimenting with brown mascaras for this article, my expectation was that I would like the result but not be able to wear it every day. How mistaken I was. I haven’t worn anything else since I first opened the YSL Lash Clash Mascara in Brown tube. It creates the illusion that your natural lashes are longer and thicker than they actually are, without adding definition in the same (obvious) way that black mascara does. I’m completely won over by this ‘no makeup-makeup’ piece.
OziFox UK social media editor Joy Ejaria
Since I wear spectacles, eye makeup is crucial to me. Since mascara is the only makeup I wear every day, I’ve been a fan of brown mascara for a few years because I think it’s less harsh than typical black. Benefit’s They’re Real has generally always been my go-to because I can get the desired lash look by layering it under black mascara. However, I knew that the brown version of Too Faced’s Better Than Sex mascara would not disappoint because I had heard such wonderful things about the black version. I was right. My often sparse lashes gained thickness and length thanks to it. The wand’s design is ideal since it holds a generous amount of product and distributes it evenly across each lash. The only thing I could have wished for was a deeper shade of brown. Being a lady with dark skin, I’m usually told to use black mascara because it will go better with my complexion. Although this mascara is excellent, I believe I need to keep looking for the ideal brown hue.
Eleanor Vousden, We recently tested UK Beauty Editor
Being a brunette with nearly black eyelashes, I’ve made the silly decision to completely rule out brown mascara till today. Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever worn it save for the one occasion when I bought it by mistake instead of my go-to black lipstick and put it in the back of my beauty bag. I was curious to give it another shot, though, when Dior’s Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara in Brown just showed up on my desk. First off, the pigment has a brick-hued tone with a hint of crimson. I was shocked to see that red, which according to color theory brings out green, gave my brown eyes a more subdued, olive and golden appearance. Furthermore, the formulae of Dior’s mascaras are unmatched, just like all of them. This curved brush really brings emphasis to my long yet unyieldingly straight lashes, and it’s one of the few mascaras that maintains its curl throughout the day.
Jerrylyn Saguiped is the manager of OziFox UK affiliates.
I’ll be honest and admit that while brown mascara has always caught my attention, I wasn’t sure whether it would make a difference on my incredibly short, straight, jet-black lashes. The YSL Lash Clash mascara caught my attention right away because of its large wand, which first gave me the impression that applying it would be challenging. To my happy surprise, though, the mascara didn’t run down my face as I was applying it, and the smaller end of the cone-shaped brush made it quite easy to get to my inner corner lashes. I found that my lashes were larger and more voluminous without clumping—the perfect consistency—as promised by YSL Lash Clash! I was astonished to discover that the brown color also emerged; despite the slight variation, it gave my lashes a stunningly healthy, natural look. Have I gone all brown for mascara now? I will definitely be adding this mascara to my list of must-haves, especially for my “no makeup” and “soft glam” days. My only gripe is that I wish it helped extend a little bit more.
Maxine Eggenberger, Editor at UK
I had previously tried brown mascara, which I had gotten as part of a set from my mother’s Avon catalog. I won’t bore you with the specifics of how long ago that was. Whenever I get my makeup done professionally, the first thing the pros want to do is apply brown mascara to my lashes and add some coppery smoke to my lids because I have blue/grey eyes. They say, “They’ll really make your eyes pop!” which is exactly why I stay away from it—if I try to make my eyes appear any bluer on purpose, it practically makes my pupils disappear. It may sound strange, yet this is the case! But I was eager to try Too Faced’s Better Than Sex Mascara in Chocolate because I had previously tried the black version and liked how fluttery my lashes looked.
Upon first glance, the color of the wand appears to be very brown; I would characterize it as chocolate. Though we adore, I had hoped for an ash brown tone. When I applied it to my lashes, the product went on and covered them flawlessly. The color complemented my black eyebrows so perfectly that it looked intentional. The black mascara I presently carry in my cosmetic bag tends to look too harsh when I want to wear minimal eye makeup; however, this brown tone looked natural and effortless with a definite curl—exactly what I would like. When I tried it out in the evening with more dramatic eye makeup, the brown tone didn’t go well with the taupe and charcoal shadows I usually wear. Going forward, though, my go-to mascara will be brown on the days when I want to wear my lids naked.
View Additional Brown Mascaras:
A gentler, more wearable option to severe black mascara for fair-to-blonde lashes is this mink-brown mascara.
This is a great mascara to use if you want to give the appearance that your natural lashes are fuller and more voluminous because of its short, fluffy brush.
Reviews speak for themselves: this brown mascara has been a cult favorite for years.
Lashes with Pillow Talk Push Up! Dream Pop Mascara
This brown mascara, with its warm, reddish tone, really brings out the best in blue and green eyes.
