10 Best Better Than Sex Mascara Dupes You’ll Love!
We all know that iconic pink tube, but let’s be honest—your wallet doesn’t love the $30 price tag as much as your lashes love the volume.
Too Faced’s Better Than Sex is a cult classic for a reason, but what if you could get that same explosive, wispy drama for the price of a latte?
You shouldn’t have to choose between rent and great lashes.
We’ve rounded up the 10 best Better Than Sex mascara dupes that deliver high-end results without the luxury markup.
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Top 10 Better Than Sex Mascara Dupes
1. L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara is often touted as the closest dupe to the iconic Better Than Sex mascara. It offers a thick, voluminous formula that provides a similar dramatic lift and fullness to your lashes. The brush design is almost identical, featuring densely packed bristles that ensure even application and prevent clumping. This mascara also boasts a long-lasting wear, keeping your lashes looking luscious all day long without smudging or flaking.
In terms of formula comparison, L’Oréal’s version is slightly less thick than Better Than Sex, which can be a plus for those who prefer a lighter feel on their lashes. However, it still achieves that coveted bold look with just a couple of coats. The Lash Paradise formula includes conditioning ingredients like rose oil and cornflower extract, which help to nourish and protect your lashes.
When it comes to price, L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise is a winner. Retailing at around $10, it is significantly more affordable than the Better Than Sex mascara, which costs about $27. This makes it an excellent choice for beauty enthusiasts looking to achieve a high-end look without the high-end price tag.
2. Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara is another fantastic dupe that delivers impressive results comparable to Better Than Sex. This mascara features a unique fanning brush with ten layers of bristles that capture and coat every single lash, providing a wide-eyed, voluminous effect. The curved brush design helps to lift and separate lashes, creating a full-fan effect that enhances the natural shape of your eyes.
The formula of Maybelline Lash Sensational is a bit more liquid and buildable than Better Than Sex, which allows for more control during application. It contains a blend of waxes and oils that ensure a smooth glide and a comfortable wear. Additionally, it’s infused with a conditioning serum to keep lashes soft and flexible throughout the day.
Price-wise, Maybelline Lash Sensational is a great bargain at approximately $9. This makes it a cost-effective alternative that doesn’t compromise on quality or performance.
3. CoverGirl Exhibitionist Mascara
CoverGirl Exhibitionist Mascara is a popular dupe known for its ability to create bold, dramatic lashes akin to the Better Than Sex mascara. The brush features a densely packed, hourglass shape that mimics the original, allowing for maximum volume and lift. This design ensures that each lash is evenly coated, from root to tip, providing a full, fanned-out appearance.
The formula is slightly thicker than some other dupes, closely resembling the consistency of Better Than Sex. It’s designed to be buildable, so you can layer it for an even more intense effect without clumping. Additionally, it’s infused with nourishing ingredients like argan oil and biotin, which help to strengthen and condition lashes over time.
At around $8, CoverGirl Exhibitionist Mascara offers excellent value for money. It’s an affordable option that delivers high-impact results, making it a favorite among those seeking a reliable dupe for Better Than Sex.
4. Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara is a cult favorite among beauty enthusiasts for its remarkable ability to mimic the results of Better Than Sex at a fraction of the price. This mascara features a conic-shaped fiber brush that ensures precise application, capturing even the tiniest lashes and adding impressive volume and length.
The formula of Lash Princess is lightweight yet highly pigmented, providing a rich, black finish that enhances the look of your lashes. It’s designed to be buildable, allowing you to achieve a more dramatic effect with additional coats. Despite its affordability, it doesn’t skimp on performance, offering a long-lasting wear that resists smudging and flaking.
Essence Lash Princess is incredibly budget-friendly, typically retailing for around $5. This makes it an accessible option for anyone looking to achieve the lush, voluminous lashes associated with Better Than Sex without spending a fortune.
5. Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara
Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara is a high-performance dupe that combines the benefits of a mascara, lash serum, lash conditioner, and lash curler in one product. The brush features densely packed bristles that effectively separate and coat each lash, providing a full and voluminous look. The design of the brush also helps to lift and curl lashes, enhancing their natural shape.
The formula is rich and creamy, similar to Better Than Sex, and it’s infused with natural ingredients like rice bran, olive esters, and provitamin B5. These ingredients help to nourish and strengthen lashes, promoting healthier growth over time. The mascara is also free from parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, making it a great choice for those with sensitive eyes or skin.
While Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes is slightly more expensive than some other dupes, retailing at around $23, it’s still more affordable than Better Than Sex. Its multi-benefit formula and high-quality ingredients make it a worthwhile investment for achieving beautiful, healthy lashes.
6. Revlon Volumazing Mascara
Revlon Volumazing Mascara is a top contender among drugstore dupes for Better Than Sex, known for its ability to deliver voluminous, lifted lashes. The brush features a unique, hourglass shape with densely packed bristles that ensure even application and maximum volume. This design helps to capture and coat every lash, providing a full and dramatic effect.
The formula is lightweight yet highly buildable, allowing you to achieve a more intense look with additional coats. It’s enriched with nourishing ingredients like olive oil and shea butter, which help to condition and strengthen lashes. The mascara also boasts a long-lasting wear, resisting smudging and flaking throughout the day.
Revlon Volumazing Mascara is affordably priced at around $8, making it a great budget-friendly alternative to Better Than Sex. Its high-performance formula and innovative brush design make it a popular choice among those seeking a reliable dupe.
7. NYX Worth the Hype Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara
NYX Worth the Hype Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara lives up to its name, offering impressive results that rival Better Than Sex. The brush features a tapered design with densely packed bristles that allow for precise application and maximum volume. This design helps to lift and separate lashes, creating a wide-eyed, dramatic effect.
The formula is lightweight and buildable, allowing you to achieve the desired intensity with additional coats. It’s enriched with conditioning ingredients like jojoba oil and vitamin E, which help to nourish and protect lashes. The mascara also boasts a long-lasting wear, keeping your lashes looking fabulous all day long.
At around $8, NYX Worth the Hype Mascara is an affordable alternative that doesn’t compromise on quality or performance. It’s a great option for those looking to achieve the bold, voluminous lashes associated with Better Than Sex without breaking the bank.
8. Rimmel Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara
Rimmel Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara is a standout dupe that delivers impressive volume and lift, similar to Better Than Sex. The brush features an hourglass shape with densely packed bristles that ensure even application and maximum coverage. This design helps to capture and coat every lash, providing a full and dramatic effect.
The formula is rich and creamy, offering a smooth glide and comfortable wear. It’s designed to be buildable, allowing you to achieve a more intense look with additional coats. The mascara is also infused with conditioning ingredients like keratin and collagen, which help to strengthen and protect lashes.
Priced at around $7, Rimmel Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara is a budget-friendly option that delivers high-impact results. Its innovative brush design and high-performance formula make it a popular choice among those seeking a reliable dupe for Better Than Sex.
9. Milani Highly Rated 10-in-1 Volume Mascara
Milani Highly Rated 10-in-1 Volume Mascara is a versatile dupe that combines the benefits of a mascara, lash serum, and lash conditioner in one product. The brush features densely packed bristles that effectively separate and coat each lash, providing a full and voluminous look. The design of the brush also helps to lift and curl lashes, enhancing their natural shape.
The formula is rich and creamy, similar to Better Than Sex, and it’s infused with natural ingredients like bamboo extract and castor oil. These ingredients help to nourish and strengthen lashes, promoting healthier growth over time. The mascara is also free from parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, making it a great choice for those with sensitive eyes or skin.
Milani Highly Rated 10-in-1 Volume Mascara is affordably priced at around $10, making it a great budget-friendly alternative to Better Than Sex. Its multi-benefit formula and high-quality ingredients make it a worthwhile investment for achieving beautiful, healthy lashes.
10. e.l.f . Cosmetics Volume Plumping Mascara
e.l.f. Cosmetics Big Mood Mega Volume & Lifting Mascara is a budget-friendly dupe that delivers impressive volume and lift, similar to Better Than Sex. The brush features a unique, hourglass shape with densely packed bristles that ensure even application and maximum coverage. This design helps to capture and coat every lash, providing a full and dramatic effect.
The formula is lightweight yet highly buildable, allowing you to achieve the desired intensity with additional coats. It’s enriched with conditioning ingredients like vitamin B5 and wheat protein, which help to nourish and protect lashes. The mascara also boasts a long-lasting wear, resisting smudging and flaking throughout the day.
Priced at around $5, e.l.f. Cosmetics Big Mood Mega Volume & Lifting Mascara is an incredibly affordable option that doesn’t compromise on quality or performance. Its innovative brush design and high-performance formula make it a popular choice among those seeking a reliable dupe for Better Than Sex.
Criteria for Choosing the Best Dupes
When selecting the best dupes for Better Than Sex mascara, several criteria should be considered to ensure you get the most bang for your buck. First and foremost, the formula plays a critical role. A good dupe should have a rich, creamy consistency that is easy to apply and buildable for added volume and length. It should also contain nourishing ingredients to condition and strengthen lashes, promoting healthier growth over time.
The brush design is another crucial factor. The iconic hourglass-shaped brush of Better Than Sex is known for its ability to coat and lift every lash, providing a full and dramatic effect. A good dupe should feature a similar brush design with densely packed bristles to ensure even application and maximum volume. The brush should also be easy to maneuver, allowing for precise application and separation of lashes.
Price is also an important consideration when choosing a dupe. One of the main reasons for seeking a dupe is to find a more affordable alternative without compromising on quality. The best dupes should offer high-performance formulas and innovative brush designs at a fraction of the cost of Better Than Sex. This allows you to achieve the desired look without breaking the bank.
Tips for Applying Mascara for Best Results
Achieving the best results with your mascara, whether it’s Better Than Sex or a dupe, requires proper application techniques. Start by curling your lashes with an eyelash curler to lift and open up your eyes. Hold the curler at the base of your lashes and gently squeeze for a few seconds, then move it halfway up the lashes and squeeze again for a natural, lifted effect.
When applying mascara, wiggle the brush at the base of your lashes to deposit the most product and create volume. Then, slowly sweep the brush through to the tips of your lashes, ensuring even coverage. For added intensity, apply a second coat while the first coat is still slightly wet. This helps to build volume and length without clumping.
To avoid smudging, allow the mascara to dry completely before blinking or applying additional makeup. If you accidentally get mascara on your eyelids or under your eyes, wait for it to dry, then gently remove it with a cotton swab dipped in makeup remover. For a more dramatic effect, consider applying mascara to your lower lashes as well, using a light hand to avoid clumping.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Mascara Dupes
In conclusion, finding the perfect dupe for Better Than Sex mascara can save you money without sacrificing quality or performance. With options like L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise, Maybelline Lash Sensational, and CoverGirl Exhibitionist Mascara, you can achieve the same dramatic, voluminous lashes at a fraction of the cost. Each of these dupes offers unique benefits, from innovative brush designs to nourishing formulas, ensuring you can find the best fit for your needs.
When selecting a dupe, consider the formula, brush design, and price to ensure you get the most value for your money. Proper application techniques can also enhance the results, helping you achieve the desired look with ease. Whether you prefer a lightweight, buildable formula or a rich, creamy consistency, there’s a dupe out there that can rival the performance of Better Than Sex.
Ultimately, the best mascara is the one that makes you feel confident and beautiful. With so many affordable and high-quality dupes available, you can enjoy stunning, voluminous lashes without breaking the bank. So go ahead, try out these top dupes and discover your new favorite mascara!