Mascaras have gone beyond conventional black, embracing different shades of the colour spectrum. With brown at the peak of popularity, glance over our selection of the best brown mascaras for subtle yet defined lashes.

Brown is the new black. While a single swipe of the timeless black mascara is enough to give you fluttery, voluminous lashes, chances are, your vanity craves a more understated, soft hue for an au naturel, no-makeup makeup look. Having received the seal of approval from beauty mogul Kylie Jenner herself – who resorts to the chocolaty variant every opportunity she gets – brown mascaras are great for when you don’t seek over-dramatic results and much prefer subtler volume and dimension.

Brown mascaras lend a soft, defined effect, ideal for daytime and professional settings. And since I’ve pretty much traded my black for a toasty-brown shade – I protest brown mascaras don’t get the recognition they deserve – I’ve drawn up my favourites for you to glance through. But before introducing you to my coveted roundup, let’s delve into why you should pick brown mascara over its jet-black counterpart.

Why Pick A Brown Mascara Over Black?

First and foremost, brown mascara promises a natural, not-in-your-face appeal for those advocating for an everyday makeup look. If you desire length and volume sans bold colour, brown mascaras offer a less intense look while getting the job done. Besides, this chocolate shade is ideal for light-eyed beauty girls. Brown mascaras complement and accentuate the features of those with lighter eyes. Pick between a brown and black variant depending on the occasion, your eyeshadow preferences, and the kind of definition you’re looking for. While black mascaras may be ideal for special occasions, as they lend a more striking look, brown ones can give your eyelashes an understated, natural finish. As for the eyeshadow, light-neutral, warm colours pair well with brown mascara. Meanwhile, bold hues and smoky shades complement jet-black mascara. When debating between the two, take your personal style and preferences into consideration – a captivating showstopper look demands black, while a natural, barely-there makeup look is synonymous with brown.

The Best Brown Mascaras to Ace The ‘Clean Girl Aesthetic’

espressoh Mini Intenso Mascara - Moka

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A medley of carnauba wax, rice wax, and beeswax amplifies lash length and volume, while coffee arabica seed oil nourishes your eyelashes. Long-lasting, no-flaking, and easy to remove, this buildable mascara thickens your lashes at the roots and can be intensified with multiple coats.

FAE Beauty Brash - Brown

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This unique, one-of-a-kind formula doubles as a mascara and brow gel to enhance the appearance and quality of your hair. Buildable from a light coat to a bold eyelash extension look, the dual-sided wand layers every lash and brow hair, offering volume and length.

Soul Tree Ayurvedic Mascara - Soft Brown

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Lending Ayurvedic goodness, this 100% vegetarian, lightweight formula doesn’t clump and facilitates healthy lash growth. While organic tea leaves darken your eyelashes, black seed oil promotes eyelash growth, and castor oil hydrates the hair. Work your way from the root to the tip and reapply to get the desired effect.

Simply Nam Instant Lifting & Lengthening Mascara

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From lengthening and lifting to curling and strengthening, Simply Nam’s waterproof mascara delivers a high colour payoff sans clumping or smudging. Enriched with jojoba oil, avocado oil, pine leaf extract, and vitamin E, this formula promises growth and nourishment while preventing lash damage.

Rom&nd Han All Fix Mascara

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Meet this oil and water-resistant formulation that delivers all-day dimension without clumping or smearing. Rom&nd’s Han All Fix Mascara guarantees a strong eyelash hold and curls each hair with just one coat. The lightweight mascara also features a curved spoolie for evenly distributed application.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How are brown and black mascara different?

While a versatile black mascara lends a bold, striking finish – and is the ideal choice for most – brown mascara is gaining popularity owing to the natural, barely-there appeal it promises. Brown mascaras are appropriate for professional settings and dressed-down days.

• Who should wear brown mascara?

While anyone and everyone can wear brown mascara, it complements those with light eyes. It accentuates the features of those with blue, green, and hazel-hued eyes.

• Can you wear mascara every day?

While mascara can be worn daily, ensure you remove it before going to bed. Clinique’s Take The Day Off Makeup Remover is ideal for your lids, lashes, and lips. Note that wearing mascara daily can strain your eyelashes, leading to brittleness and breakage.