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Facebook bargain hunters say this $5 mascara creates the 'longest lashes ever'

'I’m 60 and I have worn mascara since I was 14 — NONE compare': Fans love this smudge-proof, irritation-free, no-flake formula.

Multiple tubes of the mascara on a blue background.
A mascara this popular for only $5? We're smashing that "add to cart" button. (Amazon)

I don't know about you, but when it comes to discovering the best beauty products, I always head over to social media. From eye creams to concealers and brow gels, there are endless recs from actual women (not bots!) of all ages. One of my favorite platforms to hunt for budget finds, though? Facebook groups dedicated to bargain-hunting — and dozens of savvy women are chatting about the affordable $5 Essence Bye Bye Panda Eyes Tubing Mascara.

I mean, one member with thinning eyelashes declared that it's "totally smudge-proof" and "gives me the longest lashes ever." Talk about a glowing review. 

$5 at Amazon
Explore more purchase options
$5 at Ulta Beauty$5 at CVS Pharmacy

So, why is the Essence mascara ahead of the game? It's a tubing mascara, which means it doesn't just cover your lashes but actually wraps around each and every one, coating it with a water-resistant formula. The tube-like enclosures allow for a clump-free and smudge-proof look that lasts forever. Speaking of formula, the vegan and cruelty-free mascara is made without gluten, oil, fragrance, silicone, parabens and microplastics.

The real magic of a tubing mascara, comes at the end of of the day. To remove it, just apply gentle pressure and warm water (key word being warm) to your eyes and the formula will glide right off. No makeup remover necessary. And can we talk about how it's just $5 at Amazon? Thank you to the Facebook gods for bringing this beauty into my (and now your) life.

With over 5,500 perfect five-star reviewers, it's clear that Amazon shoppers love it just as much as Facebook users.

"This stuff is the best," shared one five-star Amazon reviewer. "It's the first mascara I've worn (in my 60+ years) that does not clump, does not smudge, does not flake and does not irritate my eyes. Great stuff." Another shopper in her 60's agreed, "I am 60 years old and I have worn mascara daily since I was 14. NONE of them even compare!"

"I originally purchased this because I heard it was a tubular mascara and I wanted to try it out," explained a second happy Amazon customer. "It's a fair price so I figured why not? This mascara stays on all day, and washes off so easily, making it gentler on the eyelashes. No flaking under the lashes and the brush separates my eyelashes so perfectly. Just wow. This is my new go-to mascara."

"This mascara physically cannot clump," declared this five-star mascara fan. "It is so easy to apply and really defines every lash. There is no better tubing mascara for the money." Although they (clearly) love it, the same shopper added: "I wish it came in brown also to have a shade for every occasion."

Both Facebook users and Amazon reviewers adore just how buildable the tubing mascara is. Instead of stocking their makeup bags with multiple mascaras for different occasions (I'm guilty of this, too), they only need the one. Want a daily look for the office? Just one swipe will do. But if you want to amp it up for a night out, pile on a few coats for a va-va-voom moment. However, this reviewer did note that the bolder look "can take a long time to achieve." Here's a tip: Another reviewer added in their five-star review that they "went over [theirs] about four times" to get a more voluminous look.

If you end up loving it so much, why not stock up with this pack of three?

$15 at Amazon

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

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