What’s everyone talking about?

　　Essence Lash Princess Mascara is the buzzy, cheap beauty product that has taken over TikTok “For You” Pages. TikTokers are captivated by the dramatic before and after videos of users who look like they're rocking false eyelashes but promise they're just wearing this mascara.

　　What’s the buzz about?

　　After 22 years in the business, essence is having a renaissance thanks to its array of affordable makeup, including the now legendary Lash Princess Mascara that is going viral on social media. Lash Princess is only $5, so it’s popular among budget-conscious shoppers like students and recent grads. Given its low price, you can afford to gift one tube to your loved one and treat yourself to a nice beauty gift.

　　Where’s all the hype coming from?

　　Amazon's number-one best-selling mascara earned a 4.4-star average rating from more than 316,100 Amazon reviews.TikTok is obsessed with the lash-enhancing powers of this mascara. Mini makeup tutorials, hauls, and reviews received over 39.3 million views.Years of coverage on sites such as Women's Health and StyleCaster.

　　So does it live up to the hype?

　　Key Specs

　　Essence Cosmetics Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara

　　Essence Cosmetics Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara

　　$5 at Amazon$7 at Walmart$5 at Ulta BeautyRating: 4.4-star average rating from more than 316,100 Amazon reviewsColors available: BlackWaterproof? No, but the brand also sells a that I wore to a friend's wedding and it held up nicely through the tears.Where to buy: , Ulta, and TargetWhat reviewers are saying: “If you want a good quality mascara, but don’t want to pay more than $10, then this is for you! It is easy to apply, the wand applicator is easy to use, and I find that it doesn’t really clump like some of my other ones do,” says one 5-star Amazon review.What I think: This budget-friendly mascara stands out in my well-edited cosmetics bag. A single coat deposits jet black color while thickening and lengthening my lashes, similar to the pricier options sold at Sephora, Nordstrom, and Ulta.

　　How’d we come to this conclusion?

　　There are several reasons why I enjoy using this ophthalmologically tested mascara, including:

　　The brush head: Lash Princess Mascara features a tapered brush head with shorter fibers at the tip. This design is great for coating the lashes near the inner corners of the eyes, and on the bottom lash line. (I’m a strictly mascara-on-the-top lashes girly, but you and your giftee can do y’all!)The formula: If you’re used to wetter mascaras like me, you’ll initially be taken aback by Lash Princess mascara’s drier formula. It’s not overwhelmingly dry during the first 4-6 weeks of use, but after a couple of months, I noticed it dries up quicker than expected. That may be an issue for some people who replace their mascaras every 3-6 months, depending on the brand. But I prefer replacing my mascaras every 1-2 months out of cleanliness. (The brand advises replacing Lash Princess Mascara every 3-6 months).The price: Lash Princess is only $5! You truly can't beat this low price, especially for how well it performs. Even if I go through six $5 essence mascaras in the year, that's the same price I'd pay for one tube of $30 .The wearability: Speaking of performance, this mascara doesn't flake and rarely clumps, even when I skip using a lash comb. (More on that in a bit.) I experienced very minimal smudging, which is saying a lot because it's something so common with other mascaras, I’ve come to expect it with pretty much every mascara I test. Lash Princess Mascara is definitely a product that lasted during nights out with friends, and I felt confident I didn’t look like a raccoon when talking to my colleagues in the office.Who it should be gifted to: Everyone who wants longer, more voluminous lashes on a budget will enjoy Lash Princess mascara. I would just caution anyone with short eyelashes to have realistic expectations. Our before and after shots won’t look as dramatic as our friends with naturally long lashes, and that’s OK! We will still experience a noticeable and beautiful difference where we can feel comfy not rocking falsies and worrying about overwhelming spider lashes.

　　Lash Princess Mascara applied to one of Nicole’s eyes.

　　What’s the bottom line?

　　You honestly can't go wrong with this mascara, especially for the price point! It performs very similarly to mid-tier and higher-end mascaras for a fraction of the cost. Though the essence Lash Princess Mascara is probably not something I’d use daily because I’ve been gravitating toward the “your lashes, but better” effect clear mascara provides. But, when I'm in the mood for my lashes to pop, yes, I'd absolutely continue using essence Lash Princess Mascara. It gives incredible volume, holds a curl nicely, and makes my lashes look longer and panther black.

　　All in all, essence Lash Princess mascara is a TikTok beauty product that actually lives up to the hype. Given the cheap price tag, you can totally stock up on a few backup mascaras for yourself and gift some to your lucky besties.

　　The OG

　　Too Faced Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara$17 at Amazon$22 at Walmart$28 at NordstromLong-Wearing

　　ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr Fantasize Lifting & Lengthening Mascara$13 at SephoraClean Formula

　　caliray Come Hell or High Water Volumizing Tubing Mascara$24 at SephoraWoman-Owned

　　Lawless The One & Done Volumizing Mascara$25 at Sephora$33 at QVC