Great Lash Mascara Guide: Get Classic Lashes on a Budget

An educational guide from the Beauty AMZ research team. No hard sell, just what you need to know.
A Beauty Icon's Story
Great Lash debuted in 1971 to immediate acclaim and massive sales. It quickly became America's favorite mascara by a wide margin. The core formula has barely changed in over fifty years. That remarkable consistency built deep consumer trust across generations. Grandmothers, mothers, and daughters have all learned makeup with this tube. Its history is genuinely intertwined with the history of modern beauty itself. Few products survive fifty years in beauty. Great Lash earned it through trust. Its story reminds us that quality endures. Trends come and go quickly.
How the Formula Works
Conditioning agents coat each lash in a smooth, even layer. Rich pigments darken lashes convincingly from root to tip. The classic brush separates lashes while it coats them. The result is natural, healthy-looking fullness and definition. It will never give a dramatic false-lash effect. It promises healthy, defined everyday lashes instead. That honest, achievable promise is exactly why it endures. Simple, effective formulas never go out of style. This one proves it daily. Understanding formulas makes you a better shopper. Knowledge is real power.
Application for Best Results
Wiggle the wand firmly at the base of your lashes. Pull straight through to the tips in smooth motions. Apply two thin coats for the fullest effect. Let the first coat dry slightly between applications. Comb through with a clean spoolie for separation. Touch up lower lashes very lightly. This simple technique consistently gives the best possible results from the classic formula. The classic technique still works perfectly. Some things need no reinventing. Good habits compound over time. Your lashes will thank you daily.
Avoiding Raccoon Eyes
Oily eyelids cause the vast majority of mascara smudging. Prime your lids with translucent powder before applying mascara. Switch to waterproof formula in humid weather. Avoid applying too much product to lower lashes. Blot the wand on a tissue before going near the lower line. Carry cotton swabs for quick touch-ups. Prevention always beats trying to fix smudges after they happen. Prevention takes seconds and saves embarrassment. Make it part of your routine. A quick mirror check midday catches issues early. Stay ahead of smudges.
When to Move On
Try volumizing mascaras when you crave more dramatic fullness. Lengthening formulas suit naturally short lashes better. But countless users eventually return to Great Lash. Its unmatched reliability keeps bringing people back. There is absolutely no shame in loving a classic. The best mascara is simply the one you happily reach for every single day. There is no shame in loving a classic forever. Use what you truly love. Loyalty to what works is smart beauty. Trends should serve you, not rule you.
Recommended Products
These five Great Lash versions cover the iconic formula in washable, waterproof, and specialty brushes.

Best for: Best for a classic everyday mascara that is cheap and reliable.
Maybelline Great Lash Washable Mascara, Curved Brush
- Curved brush lifts and curls
- Classic lash-doubling formula
- Washable, easy to remove
- Ophthalmologist tested
Pros
- Iconic affordable mascara
- Curved brush grabs every lash
- Removes easily with water
Cons
- Smudges on oily lids
- Not waterproof
- Basic, not dramatic

Best for: Best for waterproof reliability on a budget.
Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara, Blackest Black
- Waterproof classic formula
- Intense Blackest Black pigment
- Lash-doubling brush
- Holds up in humidity
Pros
- Stays put all day
- Deep black color
- Very affordable
Cons
- Hard to remove
- Can flake by evening
- Dries out in the tube

Best for: Best for the darkest black lashes at the lowest price.
Maybelline Great Lash Washable Mascara, Blackest Black
- Deepest black shade
- Classic conditioning formula
- Suitable for sensitive eyes
- Contact lens safe
Pros
- Intense black lashes
- Gentle formula
- Unbeatable price
Cons
- Smudges easily
- No waterproof option here
- Modest volume

Best for: Best for coating every tiny lash, including corners and lower lashes.
Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Washable Mascara, Blackest Black
- Heart-shaped brush reaches tiny lashes
- Gets corner and lower lashes
- Classic Great Lash formula
- Washable wear
Pros
- Reaches every lash
- Good for lower lashes
- Cheap and cheerful
Cons
- Less volume than original
- Brush is small for some
- Smudges like the original

Best for: Best for a softer daytime lash look, especially on fair skin.
Maybelline Great Lash Washable Mascara, Brownish Black
- Softer Brownish Black shade
- Classic lash-doubling formula
- Natural-looking definition
- Easy washable removal
Pros
- Softer than black for daytime
- Great for fair complexions
- Very affordable
Cons
- Less dramatic
- Smudges on oily lids
- Limited availability sometimes
Ready to Choose?
See our top product picks for maybelline great lash, or jump straight to the head-to-head comparison of the two most popular options.