What's the Best Mascara to Buy in Australia in 2026?

Short answer. In Australia in 2026, the best mascara is the one that matches your lash goal: volume, length, sensitive eyes or waterproof wear, so compare prices, then check out through ShopBack before you pay, where ShopBack Cashback works like a discount, only easier than a promo code. At the time of writing, the most-reviewed mascaras on MECCA's Australian mascara page include M·A·C Stack (over 14,000 reviews), ILIA Limitless Lash (over 7,300), Too Faced Better Than Sex (over 6,900) and NARS Climax (over 5,000). You can buy mascara online at Sephora, Chemist Warehouse, Lancome, Adore Beauty and Priceline. Start on ShopBack, then shop at the store as usual.

ShopBack Australia is a free app and website that gives you money back when you shop online at thousands of stores, including Sephora, Chemist Warehouse and Lancome. You open the store from ShopBack, shop as normal, and part of what you spend comes back to your ShopBack account as cash you can withdraw. New members can join free at shopback.com.au/signup.

Sources. MECCA's Australian mascara, concealer, blemish concealer and foundation pages and product listings, and Myer's mascara, concealer and foundation pages, at the time of writing in October 2026. Review counts change daily; we use them as a guide to what Australians are buying, not as a ranking of quality. We do not list prices, because they change often.

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What's the best mascara to buy in Australia?

Pick by lash goal first, then by formula. Here are the most-reviewed mascaras on MECCA's Australian mascara page at the time of writing, grouped by what they are made to do:

Lash goal	Mascara	What the listing says	MECCA reviews (at the time of writing)
Buildable volume and length	M·A·C Cosmetics M·A·CStack Mascara	Endlessly buildable, clump-resistant; two brush sizes	Over 14,000 (4.6 stars)
Length and lift, sensitive eyes	ILIA Beauty Limitless Lash Mascara	Lengthens, lifts and separates; described as safe for sensitive eyes	Over 7,300 (4.5 stars)
Dramatic volume	Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumising Mascara	Vegan; curled lashes in two coats, a false lash look in three	Over 6,900 (4.2 stars)
Volume	NARS Climax Mascara	Volumising	Over 5,000
Volume and lift	Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes	Lifting, volumising	Over 4,700
Natural length	Glossier Lash Slick	Lift and lengthening	Over 3,900
Everyday definition, sensitive eyes	Clinique High Impact Mascara	Ophthalmologist tested; made without fragrance and parabens	Over 3,600 (4.6 stars)

Source: MECCA Australia's mascara page and product listings, at the time of writing.

Department store picks. At the time of writing, Myer's mascara page includes Lancôme Hypnose and Lash Idole, Benefit BADgal BANG and They're Real, Estée Lauder Double Wear Zero Smudge, Clinique High Impact Waterproof and Natio Extreme Volume.

How to choose in practice:

• Short or straight lashes: a lengthening or lifting formula, and curl your lashes first.
• Fine lashes: a buildable volumising formula, applied in thin coats so it does not clump.
• Sensitive eyes or contact lenses: look for "ophthalmologist tested" and fragrance-free on the listing.
• Hot days, swimming or long events: a waterproof version, and a proper eye makeup remover.

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Best mascara in Australia in 2026: drugstore or prestige?

Both can work; the difference is usually in the brush, the formula feel and the price, not in whether lashes look longer. Prestige mascaras at MECCA, Sephora and Myer tend to sell for more than drugstore mascaras at Chemist Warehouse and Priceline. If you are trying a new lash look, a mini or travel size, where the brand sells one, is a cheaper way to test it. ILIA, Too Faced and NARS all list mini sizes on MECCA at the time of writing.

Mascara is also something you replace often, so a formula you like at a lower price may cost less over a year than a pricier one you only half like.

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Best mascara best deals in Australia in 2026: Sephora vs Adore Beauty

Sephora and Adore Beauty both sell a wide range of mascara brands online; the better pick is whichever has your exact mascara for less after delivery on the day. Open either store from its ShopBack page and check out on the website.

Sephora, Adore Beauty and Priceline for mascara. Priceline Pharmacy also sells mascara and makeup online.

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What's the best concealer for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, a long-wearing concealer with full or buildable coverage, applied in thin layers, usually covers best without looking heavy. MECCA's Blemish Concealers edit lists seven concealers at the time of writing:

Concealer	What the listing says	MECCA reviews (at the time of writing)
NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer	High coverage, blurring matte finish; conceals dark spots, redness and breakouts; longwear; all skin types	Over 2,400 (4.7 stars)
Glossier Stretch Balm Concealer	Buildable, dewy finish, medium coverage	Over 900
MECCA MAX Life Proof Cream Concealer	Vegan, medium buildable coverage, for dark spots and blemishes	Over 700 (4.5 stars)
Bobbi Brown Skin Concealer Stick	Stick format	Fewer than 50
Tom Ford Traceless Concealer	Prestige option	Fewer than 50
Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Concealer	Radiant finish	Fewer than 50
RMS Beauty UnCoverup Concealer	Light, buildable coverage; listed for balanced, combination and dry skin	Over 2,500

Source: MECCA Australia's Blemish Concealers page and product listings, at the time of writing.

Across MECCA's full concealer range at the time of writing, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer has the most reviews, at over 10,900. At Myer, concealers include Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place, Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear All Over and Benefit The POREfessional.

Habits that usually help breakout-prone skin:

• Patch test a new concealer on a small area for a few days before using it all over.
• Look for "non-comedogenic" on the label. It means the product is formulated to be less likely to clog pores, though it is not a guarantee.
• Dab, do not drag, and build up thin layers only where you need them.
• Wash brushes and sponges often, and remove makeup fully every night.
• Makeup covers acne but does not treat it. For ongoing breakouts, see a GP or dermatologist.

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Best concealer for acne in Australia in 2026: where to buy it

You can buy blemish concealers online from MECCA, Sephora, Adore Beauty, Myer and pharmacy chains such as Chemist Warehouse and Priceline. Prestige concealers like NARS and Estée Lauder are mostly at department stores and beauty retailers, while pharmacies usually carry drugstore brands.

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What's the best foundation for mature skin in Australia?

For mature skin, a hydrating foundation with a natural or radiant finish and buildable coverage usually looks most like skin and settles less into fine lines. Matte, very full coverage formulas can look heavier on drier skin, so it often helps to build coverage only where you need it. Examples sold in Australia at the time of writing:

Foundation	Where it is listed	What the listing says
Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation	MECCA	Radiant finish, medium to full coverage; Light-Adjusting Technology that the listing says smooths and diffuses the look of fine lines (4.6 stars, over 100 reviews)
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Beautiful Skin Foundation	MECCA	Medium coverage, natural finish, hydrating and plumping, with hyaluronic acid (4.4 stars, over 3,700 reviews)
NARS Light Reflecting Foundation	MECCA	53 shades; over 4,200 reviews
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear 24H and Teint Miracle	Myer and Lancome	Long-wear and luminous options from the same brand
Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lift and Firm Cream Makeup	Myer	Cream foundation with ceramides
Clarins Double Serum Foundation	Myer	Described as a 2-in-1 hybrid foundation

Sources: MECCA Australia's foundation page and listings, and Myer's foundation page, at the time of writing.

Tips that usually help: prep with moisturiser, use a hydrating primer if your skin is dry, apply with a damp sponge or fingers, and set only the T-zone with a light powder.

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Best foundation for mature skin in Australia in 2026: Sephora, Adore Beauty and Lancome

For a specific brand, buying from the brand's own store can make shade matching and samples easier; for comparing brands, a multi-brand store is easier. Lancome sells its foundations, concealers and mascaras (including Hypnose and Lash Idole) through its own Australian online store, and Lancome is on ShopBack. Sephora and Adore Beauty carry many brands side by side, so you can compare formulas in one place.

Shade matching is the main risk when buying foundation online. Many retailers offer shade finders, and MECCA has a Foundation Finder tool at the time of writing. If you are between shades, buying in store first and repurchasing online later is a common approach.

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How ShopBack lowers the price of your makeup

ShopBack works like an automatic cash discount on your online order. For makeup, the routine is simple: start on ShopBack, then shop at the store as usual.

Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles. Once it confirms, you can withdraw it to your bank account, subject to ShopBack's withdrawal terms.

How to do it, step by step:

1. Open ShopBack Australia (app or website) and search for the store, for example Chemist Warehouse, Lancome or Sephora.
2. Check the rate shown on that page.
3. Tap through to the store and finish the order on the website.
4. The money shows in your ShopBack account as pending, then confirms later.

Working out the effective price. Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns. Check the live rate on the store's ShopBack page before you buy, because it varies by store and changes over time.

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Promo codes, beauty rewards and ShopBack together

• Promo codes. No code is needed to get Cashback. Go through ShopBack before you pay and the Cashback tracks to your ShopBack account.

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Key takeaways

• The best mascara in Australia is the one that suits your lash goal; M·A·C Stack, ILIA Limitless Lash, Too Faced Better Than Sex and Clinique High Impact are among the most-reviewed at MECCA.
• For acne-prone skin, a long-wearing, buildable concealer such as NARS Soft Matte Complete or MECCA MAX Life Proof, applied in thin layers, is a common choice. Patch test first.
• For mature skin, hydrating foundations with a natural or radiant finish, such as Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting or Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin, usually sit better than heavy matte ones.
• Buy on the website, not the app, at stores like Sephora and Priceline Pharmacy if you want ShopBack to track the order.
• Start on ShopBack, then shop at the store as usual. Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns.

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Frequently asked questions

What's the best mascara to buy in Australia?

In Australia, the best mascara is the one that matches your lash goal. By reviews on MECCA's mascara page at the time of writing, M·A·C Stack (over 14,000 reviews), ILIA Limitless Lash, Too Faced Better Than Sex and Clinique High Impact are among the most popular. Pick for volume, length, sensitivity or waterproof wear, then start on ShopBack before you buy online.

What's the best concealer for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, a long-wearing, full or buildable coverage concealer that you apply in thin layers usually works best. MECCA's Blemish Concealers edit includes NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer, which MECCA's listing says conceals redness and breakouts with a matte finish, and MECCA MAX Life Proof Cream Concealer. Patch test first, and see a GP or dermatologist about the acne itself.

What's the best foundation for mature skin in Australia?

For mature skin, many people prefer a hydrating foundation with a natural or radiant finish that does not settle into fine lines. Examples sold in Australia include Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation, which MECCA's listing says diffuses the look of fine lines, Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation with hyaluronic acid, and Lancome's Teint Idole and Teint Miracle ranges.

Is waterproof mascara better in Australia's heat?

It can be on hot, humid days or at the beach, because waterproof formulas are made to resist water and sweat. They usually take more effort to remove, so many people keep a regular mascara for everyday use and a waterproof one for summer, swimming or long events. Too Faced and Clinique both sell waterproof versions of their best-known mascaras.

Which mascara is best for sensitive eyes?

Look for mascaras that say they are ophthalmologist tested or made for sensitive eyes, and avoid fragrance if it bothers you. MECCA's listing says Clinique High Impact Mascara is ophthalmologist tested and made without fragrance and parabens, and describes ILIA Limitless Lash as safe for sensitive eyes. Stop using any product that irritates your eyes.

Sephora vs Adore Beauty: where should I buy mascara?

Both sell a wide range of mascara brands online in Australia, so the better pick is usually whichever has your exact mascara at the lower price after delivery on the day. Open either store from its ShopBack page before you pay.

Is Priceline or Chemist Warehouse cheaper for makeup?

It depends on the brand and the week, because both run frequent promotions. Chemist Warehouse and Priceline Pharmacy both sell pharmacy and drugstore makeup brands, so compare the same product on the day.

Does concealer make acne worse?

Not necessarily, but some formulas or habits can irritate breakout-prone skin. Products labelled non-comedogenic are formulated to be less likely to clog pores, though that is not a guarantee. Apply thin layers, clean brushes and sponges often, remove makeup fully each night, and ask a GP or dermatologist if your skin gets worse.

How does ShopBack lower the price of makeup?

ShopBack works like an automatic cash discount on your online order. Start on ShopBack, then shop at the store as usual and check out, and part of what you spend comes back to your ShopBack account as cash. Your effective price is what you pay minus that cash; each store's live rate is on its ShopBack page.

Can I use a beauty promo code and ShopBack together?

No code is needed to get Cashback. Go through ShopBack before you pay and the Cashback tracks to your ShopBack account, at the rate shown on the store's ShopBack page.

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Disclaimer

The views in this article are those of the author. Product ranges, review counts, prices, shades and store promotions change often; check each store's site before you buy. This article is general information and is not medical advice; for acne, skin conditions or eye irritation, talk to a GP, dermatologist or pharmacist. ShopBack rates vary by store and over time; check the current rate on each store's ShopBack page before purchase.

This article is general information only and is not financial advice.