This Viral $5 Mascara Might Be the Best One I Own

• The Essence Bye Bye Panda Eyes Mascara recently went viral on TikTok.
• TikTok users say that it lengthens lashes and doesn’t flake or smudge.
• Our editor tested the product and is sharing her results.

I’ve never been a big fan of mascara. There, I said it. It either clumps, or it flakes, or it takes two hours and five different kinds of makeup wipes to remove it, which I just don’t have the time for. Wearing mascara usually only goes one way for me: I apply it in the morning, and five minutes later, I’ve completely forgotten I’m wearing it at all. I end up absentmindedly rubbing my eyes with my hands, and when I happen to gaze at myself in a reflective surface a few hours later, I find that my eye makeup has migrated to practically every area of my face. Yeah, no thanks.

I thought it might be time to give up on mascara altogether until I saw the Essence Bye Bye Panda Eyes Mascara ($5) going viral on TikTok. Users on the platform praise the product for being lengthening, clump free, and — get this – smudge proof. I knew I needed to test it out for myself.

Before we get into how it worked for me, I should preface by saying that my lashes are short and stubby, they don’t hold a curl, and if you’re looking at me head on, you might ask yourself whether I even have eyelashes at all. I do, but they’re just not visible without lots of help from an eyelash curler and multiple swipes of mascara.

After finishing up my base makeup and some light eyeshadow, I curled my eyelashes and then applied the mascara by making a zigzag motion starting from the base of my lashes and moving upward toward the tips. The soft bristles made it easy to apply, and the formula didn’t feel too heavy or thick.

After one swipe, my lashes looked almost double their original length, and after two coats, my lashes looked not only longer but thicker, too. I’ve tested the brand’s Lash Princess Mascara in the past, so I wasn’t surprised that this mascara also added length and volume, but the true test would be whether it would smudge.

To test the claim, after applying two coats of mascara to each eye and letting it dry for 15 minutes, I rubbed my eyes with my hands and then swept a piece of tissue paper over my lashes. Although I did see one teeny-tiny speck pop off, other than that, there was no smudging or flaking whatsoever.

I’ve worn it a bunch of times since the initial trial run, and it’s always garnered the same results: long, thick eyelashes that look good all day long. Plus, at just $5, this is easily one of the most affordable mascaras I’ve ever tried. The best part? When it comes to removing it, I can get practically everything off with just water and a washcloth. I only need the tiniest bit of cleansing balm to get my lashes completely mascara free.

One thing to note is that although this mascara is smudge proof, it isn’t waterproof. I’ve worn it through a sweaty workout so I would say it’s water resistant, but I wouldn’t wear it for a full day of swimming. Also, although it’s great at lengthening my lashes, I have found that I do need to use the eyelash curler if I want to give my lashes both curl and length.

All in all, it’s landed a permanent spot in my makeup bag, and I can see why everyone on TikTok loves it. In my opinion, this product is perfect for anyone who is looking for a mascara that will last them at least a full eight hours without the need for constant mirror checkups. Not only is it great for adding length, but the fact that it stays in place throughout the day no matter what also makes it an ideal choice for anyone who is on the go.

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