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Rant & Rave: Brown Mascara

Tell us what you love and hate about...

Brown Mascara

On my black lashes, it doesn’t usually look brown, just murky black. I like the concept, though, and I think it should work better for those with naturally lighter-colored lashes.

— Christine

31 Comments

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Alison Avatar

I don’t have any good recommendations, but I hope someone else does! I’m in the market for a brown mascara that doesn’t pull too warm/reddish. My natural eyeshadow are almost white and black doesn’t work for natural/”no-makeup” looks on me.

Kathleen Avatar

My friend who has albinism used to use a light brown mascara from Burberry, but they discontinued it. We went to Sephora in Canada and they actually hooked her up with an eyebrow gel from Anastasia that she could use as a mascara.

xamyx Avatar

When I had a job with a more conservative dress code, I often wore brown mascara. I didn’t have black hair for most of the time I worked there, so brown was the best choice, especially on days I wore very light makeup (my daughter was very young, and I had to get her ready for/take her to different therapies, so time was very limited). It provided a more polished look, and since I worked in a bank, the more natural look was encouraged.

Now that I have more flexibility with my makeup, I prefer black. If mascara didn’t have to be replaced so often, I would keep a brown on-hand, at least until I go back to black hair. I’m not too picky with mascara, so if I find something from e.l.f., L.A. Colors, etc…, I may pick it up.

Rachel R. Avatar

I don’t wear brown mascara. I have black lashes, so only the darkest browns show up on my lashes, and I really have to build up those. I prefer black, though. To me, brown just doesn’t stand out as much or set off the bright eyeshadows I like. I think it’s a good option for people who have really light hair and lashes; it’s not as harsh on them as black. It’s perfect for people who want a more natural look.

Katherine T. Avatar

I have black lashes, but they are really short and skimpy, so I like black mascara to bring them out, especially if I’m using bolder, more colorful shadows. For a more natural look, I prefer a dark brownish black mascara, as black can look harsh against my fair skin.

Nancy T Avatar

Uh, definitely NOT on my lashes, not even black-brown will do, ONLY pitch, deepest, dark as night, black will do for me! With my having nearly black hair, olive skin, BUT having light eyes; my eyes need all the definition they can possibly get.
But, it might do for very quick brows? Idk?
Other than that, I could see it working for redheads or natural light blondes.

Kathleen Avatar

I use the chocolate brown color from Clinique Lash Power Mascara (a tubing formula) more often than I use the black color because it goes with the natural looks I usually do. I have dark brown lashes naturally and it is pretty similar to my natural color but it gives me more definition and length.

Hannah Avatar

It’s a necessity for me! I am blond and i love bright lipstick, so I wear brown mascara every day. I hate the harsh look of black mascara on pale girls. Even when I’m wearing eyeshadow I tend to opt for a brown black color.
I hate that my favorite formula only comes in black!

windycitygirl Avatar

I LOVE black brown or brown mascara. not black. I’m a fair to medium skinned woman with blonde hair and light eyelashes (and deep set eyes with dark circles). I HATE when mascara brands DON’T offer brown options. So I buy a lot of drugstore or clinique mascara….where both seem to realize not everyone wants deepest black eyelashes (regardless of what Bobbi Brown et. al. say)

Alyssa Avatar

Chanel Le Volume #80 came out with a new beautiful brown mascara that is great for a day time lash look. I have very thick eyelashes so if I use black during the day it’s just too much and looks over the top so for the gym and running errands I love the Chanel Le Volume. Definitely recommend this mascara!

Melissa29 Avatar

Brown mascara is a casual choice for me. I always prefer black but I wear brown when I want to look casual but put together. I am trying to find a dark navy blue mascara.

El Avatar

Rave: it isn’t black. I have sensitivities to black pigments so I cannot wear black mascara. I think brown is actually more flattering on a lot of people. Particularly on the bottom lashes.

Rant: where to start? Lol. It’s difficult to find a really good formula in just plain brown. Most drugstore brands only offer a black/brown shade, which is no good as most have too much black pigment, and it’s way too expensive to try all of them in hopes one will shade more brown than black. Estée Lauder makes the only waterproof brown mascara I’ve seen.

Claire L Avatar

I have fair skin and dark auburn hair and have dark eyelashes, I wear black mascara when I go out, but for daytime it’s a little harsh. I prefer to wear dark brown mascara but this is hard to find, especially in a waterproof formula as I have oily lids and normal mascara just smudges off.

Anne Avatar

I have black lashes as well so it’s subtle, but I do think it works well if I’m going for a softer look. It’s hard to find ones that are pigmented enough to work with black lashes, but Clinique, Chanel and YSL do some good ones.

Staci Avatar

I haven’t worn brown mascara since high school. I thought it looked good then, but there were other questionable things I liked at the time. Maybe I should try it again.

Alecto Avatar

I’m blonde, and without mascara, my lashes aren’t much darker than my skin. Plain brown is absolutely critical for a no-makeup look on me. I don’t like black shadow, even when I go with very dark eye looks. It looks harsh on me, no matter what I do (the same reason I don’t use black liner), but it’s almost impossible anymore to find a highly-rated brown mascara (though some people have mentioned a few below). Right now I use Better Than Sex — which only comes in black — but I’m not going to rebuy because it flakes on me. So I’m on the hunt.

The only thing that really discourages me about mascara is that I do, on occasion, need to use waterproof, and it’s almost impossible anymore to find one in brown or brown-black. Maybe I’ll try Ulta.

Sarah Avatar

it’s my preferred color for day/natural looks. I’m fair with mostly blonde lashes (nearly lashless without mascara), black mascara can look really harsh. Even when I do wear black mascara, I usually wear brown on my lower lashes (if any at all). It is hard to find in my semi-rural area though. Clinique’s Naturally Glossy was my go to for years.

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