It's fair to say that the Duchess of Sussex (formerly known as Meghan Markle) knows a thing or two about make-up and we were all ears when it was reported that she had recommended one of her favourite mascaras to a make-up artist. Prior to Meghan's wedding to Prince Harry, the former actress spent a large bulk of her time filming blockbuster TV series Suits. This involed a lengthy session or two in the make-up chair daily so it stands to reason that Meghan grew to know quite quickly what products really worked for her. One mascara made such an impression on Meghan that she even recommended it to another make-up artist. The make-up artist in question, Lydia Sellers, worked with Meghan on Suits from 2015 to 2017.
READ MORE: Meghan Markle's Make-Up Artist On How To Get That Duchess-Worthy Glow
'Meghan is the type of girl with many talents,' Lydia told HELLO! Magazine. 'She is someone that is "in the know" when it comes to products, tips, tricks, and trends. Working with her was always a collaborative effort. Meghan is very self-assured when it comes to what she likes in a beauty routine and our time together very rarely ventured too far from her classic make-up look.' Meghan's classic look always involves long, curled and volume-packed lashes, and as soon as she hit on a mascara that delivered she let Lydia know about it. 'Meghan actually introduced me to a drugstore mascara, Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious Mascara. I keep it stocked in my kit now at all times thanks to her!' You might expect a Hollywood celebrity who had access to each and every make-up brand out there to stick to a high-end mascara with an equally high-end price point, but Maybelline's Lash Sensational Luscious Mascara comes in at a budget-friendly £8.99. Well, if it's good enough for a Duchess!
Keen to browse the best in budget mascaras? Read up on our favourites here or shop them all (including Meghan's favourite budget mascara) below:
Shop: The Best Budget Mascaras In The Business
Best Budget Mascaras 2021 - Grazia
1 of 7L'Oréal Paris Bambi False Lash Mascara, £10.99
'I tried this mascara a year or so ago and was head over heels from the first swipe. I'm a big fan of hedgehog like plastic brush heads - the sort that are chunky in size with lots of little plastic spikes as opposed to a brush. They seem to grab my lashes from root to tip and give them serious length and curl. This one obliged no end. I got curl, length, volume and staying power.' - Annie Vischer, Beauty Editor.
2 of 7Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara, £9.99
'No one does mascara better than Max Factor. My favourite is the OG Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara. Its tapered tip and fluffy bristles add drama, length and curl.' - Emma Stoddart, Beauty Writer.
3 of 7Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious Mascara, £8.99
'I remember hearing that Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, had recommended this mascara to make-up artist Lydia Sellers back when we knew her as Meghan Markle. Clearly I had to give it a go and I wasn't disappointed. For mega volume and length, this is my go-to.' - Annie Vischer, Beauty Editor.
4 of 7Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara, £11.99
'I've already mentioned that I'm a sucker for a chunky, plastic brush on a mascara wand, and this was the first one that persuaded me of their effect. They have enough traction to lengthen your lashes to the maximum degree, and the formula of this one is light enough to give a really natural, wide-awake look with just a couple of coats.' - Annie Vischer, Beauty Editor.
5 of 7L’Oréal Paris Paradise Extatic Mascara, £11.99
'Castor oil is well-known for its lash and brow-boosting properties. People the world over use it on them daily to up their condition, thickness and volume - so when L'Oréal Paris first launched a mascara enriched with it I was first in line to give it a try. If you want a long-lasting helping hand with your natural lashes, this is the mascara to try.' - Annie Vischer, Beauty Editor.
6 of 7Max Factor Rise & Shine False Lash Effect Mascara, £12.99
'My favourite newer mascara has to be the Max Factor Rise & Shine False Lash Effect Mascara. It's got an hourglass shaped brush and boasts thick bristles on one side to load up loashes with the formula, as well as thin bristles on the other side to comb out lashes and separate them. This one is "the one" for me.' - Emma Stoddart, Beauty Writer.
7 of 7Maybelline Great Lash Mascara, £5.99
'This one's an oldie but a serious goodie. I remember hearing about this from every pro when I started out in beauty journalism - it was the go-to for make-up artists on TV and movie sets. If it's a slick look you're after, make a grab for this one.' - Annie Vischer, Beauty Editor.
READ MORE: 7 Bargain Mascaras That Are Just As Good As Their Top-Selling Luxury Equivalents
READ MORE: The Best Mascaras Specifically Formulated For Sensitive Eyes