“No matter how many fancy mascaras I try, none can ever beat this one from essence that I’ve used since college. I’ve lost count of how many people have asked me about my lashes, to which I always excitedly offer to send them a link, beaming with pride over my affordable hidden gem. I find the formulation is at its best after a few uses, so don’t judge it too harshly upon first try. And if you really want to kick it up a notch, layer it with my other favorite essense mascara (also \\$5!).”—Meg Donohue, associate fashion commerce editor
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