I Only Tried Mascaras Over $40, and These Are the Ones Worth My Paycheck

I know it's a tough sell to get you to fork over some serious cash for a mascara when there are plenty of wallet-friendlier options out there. But if you were to ask me if high-end mascaras are worth the money, I have to be honest and say that some are. As someone who is admittedly drawn to fancy things, I've tried them all.

With the best high-end mascaras, you are paying for more than the aesthetically pleasing tube its held in and the designer brand name. Most of the time, these mascaras double as both makeup and haircare, as they're made with formulas that are intense with color and growth serum for natural long lashes. So while I'm not suggesting you scoff at a cheaper mascara, if you're in the market for something new and have the money to splurge a bit, check out the nine best ones below.

By Terry is a well-kept beauty secret that we can't keep to ourselves any longer. Not only does this mascara give lashes intense volume that lasts all day, but the formula is also infused with a technology that helps lashes grow.

This is one of the best water-resistant mascaras out there. The formula is rich enough in pigment that doesn't flake and is also made with a unique peptide complex that encourages lash growth. It is also made with antioxidants, so it's both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial.

The curved brush is anything but a gimmick and really gives your lashes a boost while providing the intense volume we seek.

We came for the beautiful tube, which is a work of art worthy of placement in one's Insta feed in our humble opinion. But we stayed for the great color payoff and the volume we get when we put on two coats. Opt for the deep burgundy shade over the classic black—the color is just fantastic.

Mascara can do a number on your lashes, and you'll want to find something that really takes care of them. This one from La Prairie passes our intense color and volume test, but it also conditions and hydrates your lashes to keep them healthy.

This is another great waterproof mascara that does not budge and lasts all day.

The thin brush separates lashes and ensures that the formula is distributed evenly everywhere. It's also water resistant, which is a huge plus.

We think it's safe to say that we all want long lashes. This mascara from Tom Ford gives us just that by giving our lashes an intense curl.

The most expensive mascara on this list is packed with super ingredients that take care of your lashes. Its formula is made with mineral salts, seaweed extract, and rosewater for the ultimate nourishment. It also contains peptides that not only encourage lash growth, but lashes come back stronger than before.

So if you're thinking of investing in a high-end mascara, you can't go wrong with any of the nine on this list.