The Beauty Diary by Beck Sullivan: The must-have mascara that’s only $13

It’s the product you churn through and don’t want to spend a fortune on. This list will help.

For decades, women around the world have collectively spent millions of dollars and countless hours trying to unlock two of life’s great mysteries.

The first: How to find emotionally available men within a 50km radius. The second, just as perplexing quest, is finding the best affordable mascara on the market.

The first problem can be solved only with time, patience and a lot of alcohol. But the second will be solved right here, right now.

While high-end mascaras are beautiful and make you feel like a princess, they’re impractical. They’re nice to receive as gifts, but when it comes time to repurchase, you just want something cheap and easy that gets the job done.

Even actual rich people think $70 for a mascara is wild, especially when there are plenty of affordable products out there that are just as good as the fancy versions.

So in support of your bank account and saving your cash for more worthy causes (like these amazing serums), here are eight excellent mascaras under $40.

Missed a column? Catch up on every single edition of The Beauty Diary here.

MARC JACOBS VELVET NOIR MASCARA

Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Mascara. Picture: Supplied

Price: $39

Available from: Sephora

This is hands down my favourite mascara ever. The packaging is chic, the wand is amazing and it lasts for ages. Even when it does eventually start to dry out, you can still make the product work for you — your lashes will just be a bit more spidery.

Plus, $39 for a designer mascara is a pretty decent price. You don’t feel like you’re handing over an arm and a leg when you repurchase.

NARS CLIMAX MASCARA

Nars Climax Mascara. Picture: Supplied

Price: $35

Available from: Mecca Cosmetica

I have tiny little stubby lashes that look like someone accidentally snipped them off as part of a cruel joke. I have never truly known what it felt like to have long, luscious Kim Kardashian-esque lashes, until this mascara was released late last year.

Everything Nars touches turns to gold, and this product is no exception. The length you get on your lashes is pretty crazy, and the fun red tube makes using it every day a dream.

TOO FACED BETTER THAN SEX MASCARA

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. Picture: Supplied

Price: $33

Available from: Mecca Maxima

We’ll forgive this product for having a factually incorrect name, because it’s just so damn good.

Its fluffy brush creates amazing volume and also gives the lashes a little bit of a curl.

L’OREAL PARADISE MASCARA

L'Oreal Paradise Mascara. Picture: Supplied

Price: $24.95

Available from: Priceline, Chemist Warehouse

This is a dupe of the Too Faced mascara, even though it’s only really $8 cheaper.

People have this perception that drugstore mascaras are sooooo much more affordable than those stocked at Mecca and Sephora, but there’s usually very little price difference.

The best way to nab yourself a dirt-cheap mascara is to keep an eye on the sales at Chemist Warehouse. It’s pretty easy to find a product for about half its recommended retail price.

SPORTSGIRL GAME CHANGER MASCARA

Sportsgirl Game Changer Mascara. Picture: Supplied

Price: $12.95

Available from: Sportsgirl stores and online

After just one coat, this mascara seems underwhelming. But get stuck into a second coat, and your eyelashes will be long and thick.

This is a tubular mascara, meaning it doesn’t leave that annoying smudging under your eyes halfway through the day, and comes off literally in little tubes in the shower when you wash your face.

For this price point, it’s an absolute steal.

MECCA MAX EYE MAX VOLUMISING MASCARA

Mecca Max Eye Max Volumising Mascara. Picture: Supplied

Price: $25

Available from: Mecca Maxima

The chic, gold packaging makes this product feel a lot more luxe than it actually is.

It’s a solid and affordable mascara that can tide you over until payday.

LA ROCHE-POSAY RESPECTISSIME EXTREME VOLUME MASCARA

La Roche-Posay Respectissime Extreme Volume Mascara. Picture: Supplied

Price: $30

Available from: Priceline, Chemist Warehouse, Adore Beauty

I always associated this practical French pharmacy brand with killer skincare products and sunscreens, but they actually make mascaras and eyeliners too.

If you have sensitive eyes that often react to mascara, La Roche-Posay makes a fragrance-free version of this product for sensitive ladies and people who wear contact lenses.

MAYBELLINE GREAT LASH MASCARA

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara. Picture: Supplied

Price: $12.95

Available from: Coles, Woolworths, Priceline, Chemist Warhouse

This is the very first mascara I ever bought as a teenager. It saw me through some tough times and is still a cheap, easy favourite.

— This column is not sponsored and this is not advertorial content. Every review is independent, honest and ad-free.

— Love talking about beauty? Join our Facebook group, The Beauty Diary.

— If you have a beauty question or a product you’d like us to road test, DM me on Instagram or tweet me.

— Want more beauty tips? Read every week’s column here.