Mascara is a must-have in any makeup arsenal to put the finishing touch on everything from no-makeup looks to more dramatic or colourful ones. Whether you’re on a quest for more length or volume, a natural finish or one with maximum impact, there is a product out there designed to give you the lashes of your dreams—no matter your budget. Featuring everything from traditional-style wands and others with plastic bristles, to formulas infused with beneficial ingredients for your lashes, here are eight mascara options under $20 that are worth trying.

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Bambi Oversized Eye Mascara, L’Oréal Paris

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A few passes of this washable mascara—whose name is very fitting, indeed—suffice to dramatically open your gaze. We love its cone-shaped wand, which is ideal for lifting and curling your lashes while providing tons of volume.

Price: $18

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Exhibitionist Stretch & Strengthen Mascara, CoverGirl

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If extreme length is what you’re after, this chic black and gold tube from CoverGirl is just the ticket. Not only does it lengthen your lashes considerably, drawing attention to your eyes, its formula is enriched with peptides, biotin, and provitamin B5 to help strengthen them, too.

Price: $15

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I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Mascara, Essence

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This little tube gives your fringe an intense, volumizing boost at a tiny price. Its brush’s short elastomer bristles provide a surprising amount of definition, individually coating every last lash—even the shorter ones.

Price: $6

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Big Mood Mascara, e.l.f. Cosmetics

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If you’re of the opinion that when it comes to wands, the fluffier the better, then you’ll want to get your hands on this thickening, lengthening mascara whose effect is nothing short of “wow” worthy. Plus, its formula is enriched with jojoba oil to help nourish and preserve your lashes.

Price: $9

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Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara, Maybelline

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This mascara’s reputation precedes it, which isn’t surprising since it yields absolutely stunning results. What makes it worthy of a spot in your makeup bag? Its ability to transform your fringe by giving it incredible length and volume.

Price: $16

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Kind & Free Mascara, Rimmel

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This mascara offers a formula that contains natural wax and biotin to help care for your lashes and a creamy texture that is pleasant to use. We were surprised at how effective its wand’s short bristles are at defining our lashes and coating the shorter ones near the corners of our eyes.

Price: $11.50

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Worth The Hype Volumizing & Lengthening, NYX Professional Makeup

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Make your eyes really stand out by reaching for this amplifying mascara as the final step in your makeup routine. Its tapered brush makes it easy to coat every single one of your lashes, providing them with impressive definition, length, and volume.

Price: $13

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Volum’xtension Electric Mascara, Marcelle

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Unbelievable volume and definition, without any clumps whatsoever? That’s what this thickening, amplifying mascara promises. It’s also recognized by the Canadian Dermatology Association, making it a particularly good choice if your eyes are on the sensitive side.

Price: $14.50

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