There is no such thing as "too much makeup" the same way there is no such thing as "too expensive" at the drugstore.  Had a good day at work?  Used only half your salad dressing packet?  Didn't step in gum?  Treat yourself to one of these five faves on the way home.

5 Best Drugstore Mascaras

Maybelline Full N'Soft, $6.50

You can flash all the DiorShow you want at me, but this is still my favorite mascara ever.  It gives you silver screen lashes - all dramatic, long, and luscious, but here's the amazing trick:  they're actually soft.  You'll look like you've got fake lashes on, and yet have no stiff pipe-cleaner effect.  I don't question miracles when they present themselves in either regular or waterproof versions.

Maybelline Define-A-Lash, $7.99

Surprise!  Maybelline has my second fave mascara despite my documented hate of Great Lash.  Define-A-Lash doesn't plump so much as creates extremely separated, extremely defined, and mega long lashes.  Skip it if you need volume, but if you want long lean lashes that stay that way all day, nab this. 

Revlon Lash Fantasy, $8.99

Now that drugstore brands are hitching up to the primer bandwagon, you can get a luxe beauty experience for a bargain beauty price.  Of the primer + mascaras out there, this one is the easiest to use with the best results.  The primer dries quickly and more importantly, doesn't dry looking like you dipped your wand in Elmer's Glue (I'm talking to you, L'Oreal).   A tip, though: don't let the primer dry all the way before applying the mascara.  Getting the two formulas mixed just a bit gives you longer lashes and avoids any first-timer clumping.

Cover Girl LashBlast, $6.88

I don't know if it's the splashy orange packaging, or the big bright rubber wand, but I love this stuff.  And the rubber wand?  Genius.  It distributes the formula evenly along all your lashes, and the bendy wand reaches every single lash.  Even better, it doesn't clump or smudge, even if you apply it with a sorta heavy hand (what?  I got excited at the packaging).

Max Factor Vivid Color Mascara, $10.12

I should state this upfront: I LOVE colored mascara.  Love.  As in, am not afraid to wear it to work LOVE.  So these, for a girl like me, are brilliant.  You'll pay a few bucks more, but it's still a safe way to explore pops of color without blowing out your ATM card.  Besides, if it turns out that lime green mascara doesn't look as hot as you thought it would, it's best that little experiment only sets you back $10.

A note, though: This mascara is all about color, not volume.  I first thicken up my lashes using the primer formula from Lash Fantasy, then apply my color of the day.  I'm sure Revlon doesn't mind, do ya, fellas?