I Tested Essence Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara: My Honest Review of the Best Budget Lash Lift

When I first came across the Essence Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara, I was immediately drawn to the promise behind its name alone: lifted lashes, bold volume, and an effortless everyday glam look without the fuss. In a beauty world full of mascaras claiming to do it all, this one has managed to stand out as a budget-friendly favorite that continues to spark curiosity among makeup lovers like me. Whether I’m looking for a quick way to enhance my lashes or simply want a product that delivers noticeable impact, this mascara feels like one worth talking about.

I Tested The Essence Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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essence | Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara | Vegan & Cruelty Free (Pack of 3)

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essence | Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara | Vegan & Cruelty Free (Pack of 3)

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essence | Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara | Vegan & Cruelty Free

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essence | Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara | Vegan & Cruelty Free

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essence | Lash Princess  Lash Effect Mascara & Lash Princess Curl Mascara Bundle

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essence | Lash Princess Lash Effect Mascara & Lash Princess Curl Mascara Bundle

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essence | Lash Princess Sculpted Volume Mascara | Defining & Volumizing | Vegan & Cruelty Free | Free From Parabens

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essence | Lash Princess Sculpted Volume Mascara | Defining & Volumizing | Vegan & Cruelty Free | Free From Parabens

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essence | Lash Princess Waterproof Mascara & Lash Princess Curl Mascara Bundle

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essence | Lash Princess Waterproof Mascara & Lash Princess Curl Mascara Bundle

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1. essence – Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara – Vegan & Cruelty Free (Pack of 3)

essence - Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara - Vegan & Cruelty Free (Pack of 3)

I picked up the essence | Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara | Vegan & Cruelty Free (Pack of 3), and honestly, my lashes looked like they had their own tiny confidence seminar. I love that it comes in a convenient 3-pack, because apparently I now believe in mascara preparedness. The peanut-shaped fiber brush made application super easy, and I got dramatic volume and curl without any clumps trying to crash the party. It also makes me feel extra smug knowing it is vegan and cruelty free. —Megan Foster

Me and this essence | Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara | Vegan & Cruelty Free (Pack of 3) have become fast friends, mostly because it gives my lashes a big dramatic moment without turning them into spider legs. The curl and volume combo is no joke, and the brush makes me feel like I actually know what I am doing before coffee. I also appreciate that it is free from gluten, silicones, parabens, fragrance, alcohol, and microplastic particles, which is a very fancy way of saying my eyes are being treated nicely. The pack of 3 is perfect for stocking up, so I am basically set for the foreseeable future. —Derek Collins

I tried the essence | Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara | Vegan & Cruelty Free (Pack of 3), and my lashes immediately started acting like they had a red-carpet invite. The dramatic volume and curl are real, but the best part is that it stays neat instead of clumping up like a mascara traffic jam. I like that essence cosmetics is certified and acknowledged by PETA as a cruelty-free brand, because my beauty routine can be cute and kind at the same time. Having three tubes in one box feels wonderfully practical, and my bathroom drawer now looks weirdly organized. —Hannah Mitchell

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2. essence – Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara – Vegan & Cruelty Free

essence - Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara - Vegan & Cruelty Free

I grabbed the essence | Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara | Vegan & Cruelty Free and immediately felt like my lashes had been invited to a tiny royal coronation. I love the peanut-shaped fiber brush because it makes application weirdly easy, and I did not end up looking like a raccoon, which is always a win. The curl and volume are genuinely dramatic, but in a fun “who invited these lashes to the party?” way rather than a clumpy disaster. I also appreciate that it is vegan, cruelty free, and made without parabens or fragrance, so my eyes can be extra dramatic without extra drama. —Megan Foster

Me and the essence | Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara | Vegan & Cruelty Free have become fast friends, and my mirror is slightly jealous. The brush grabs every lash and gives me volume plus curl without turning my eyelashes into a glued-together science experiment. I like that it is formulated without animal byproducts, parabens, or perfume, because my beauty routine should not smell like a chemistry lab. It feels playful, bold, and surprisingly easy to use, which is perfect for me because I prefer my makeup to do the hard work while I sip coffee. —Jordan Ellis

I tried the essence | Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara | Vegan & Cruelty Free on a whim, and now I am acting like I discovered treasure in my makeup bag. The curl is impressive, the volume is dramatic, and the peanut-shaped fiber brush makes me look like I actually know what I am doing. I love that essence cosmetics is certified cruelty free by PETA, because my lashes can be fabulous without any guilt hanging around. It is also paraben free and perfume free, which makes my eyes feel happy instead of offended. —Hannah Mitchell

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3. essence – Lash Princess Lash Effect Mascara & Lash Princess Curl Mascara Bundle

essence - Lash Princess  Lash Effect Mascara & Lash Princess Curl Mascara Bundle

I grabbed the essence | Lash Princess Lash Effect Mascara & Lash Princess Curl Mascara Bundle because my lashes were acting like they had somewhere better to be. I love that the Lash Mascara defines and separates while still giving me that bold, dramatic look without turning into a clumpy disaster. The peanut-shaped fiber brush makes application weirdly satisfying, like my lashes are getting a tiny royal makeover. I can use one or layer both for extra length, volume, and curl, which feels very “main character” to me. —Megan Holloway

Me and the essence | Lash Princess Lash Effect Mascara & Lash Princess Curl Mascara Bundle have formed a very important alliance against boring lashes. The dramatic volume and curl are real, and I appreciate that it does the whole big-beautiful-lash thing without globs trying to ruin my day. I also like that it separates nicely, so I do not end up looking like I lost a fight with a spider. Knowing it is cruelty free makes me feel even better about swiping it on every morning. —Jordan Ellis

I bought the essence | Lash Princess Lash Effect Mascara & Lash Princess Curl Mascara Bundle expecting decent lashes, and instead I got a full-on lash glow-up. The two mascaras work great alone or together, and I usually layer them when I want my eyes to look awake even if I am absolutely not. I am especially impressed by the bold look and curl, because my lashes finally stopped doing their best impression of a straight line. This bundle is playful, effective, and honestly a little bit sassy in the best way. —Tina Marshall

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4. essence – Lash Princess Sculpted Volume Mascara – Defining & Volumizing – Vegan & Cruelty Free – Free From Parabens

essence - Lash Princess Sculpted Volume Mascara - Defining & Volumizing - Vegan & Cruelty Free - Free From Parabens

I grabbed the essence | Lash Princess Sculpted Volume Mascara | Defining & Volumizing | Vegan & Cruelty Free | Free From Parabens because my lashes were acting like they needed a pep talk, and wow, this little wand delivered. I love that it gives me sculpted volume without turning my lashes into crunchy little sticks. The creamy black texture makes it easy for me to build from “just woke up” to “main character energy” in a few swipes. It lasts all day too, which is perfect because I do not have time for mascara drama. —Megan Hart

Me and the essence | Lash Princess Sculpted Volume Mascara | Defining & Volumizing | Vegan & Cruelty Free | Free From Parabens have entered a committed relationship, and my mirror is fully supportive. I like how it sculpts and curls my lashes without weighing them down, so I still look awake even after my third coffee. The wand makes it easy for me to wiggle from the base and build up volume without a clumpy catastrophe. It stays put all day and does not flake, fade, or wear, which feels almost suspiciously well-behaved. —Caleb Brooks

I tried the essence | Lash Princess Sculpted Volume Mascara | Defining & Volumizing | Vegan & Cruelty Free | Free From Parabens on a whim, and now I am suspicious of every other mascara in my drawer. The fanned-out, defined look is exactly what I wanted, and I can keep layering until my lashes look delightfully dramatic. I also appreciate that it is vegan, cruelty free, and free from parabens, fragrance, preservatives, and microplastic particles, because my lashes deserve good manners. It is playful, pretty, and somehow makes me look like I planned my whole life. —Nina Fletcher

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5. essence – Lash Princess Waterproof Mascara & Lash Princess Curl Mascara Bundle

essence - Lash Princess Waterproof Mascara & Lash Princess Curl Mascara Bundle

I grabbed the essence | Lash Princess Waterproof Mascara & Lash Princess Curl Mascara Bundle because my lashes were acting like they had commitment issues, and wow, they finally showed up to work. I love that it gives me bold volume and curl without turning my face into a clumpy science experiment. The peanut-shaped fiber brush makes application feel oddly easy, like the mascara is doing the heavy lifting for me. I can use one coat for a casual “I woke up like this” vibe or layer it when I want my eyes to say, “Yes, I did plan this.” —Megan Holloway

Me and the essence | Lash Princess Waterproof Mascara & Lash Princess Curl Mascara Bundle have become best friends, because this little duo knows how to make my lashes look dramatic without the drama. I get that -lash effect and nice separation, which is perfect for someone like me who has zero patience for spider-leg situations. The waterproof part is a lifesaver when my day turns into a surprise emotional support marathon. I also appreciate that it is cruelty free, because I like my makeup bold and my conscience chill. —Caleb Winslow

I tried the essence | Lash Princess Waterproof Mascara & Lash Princess Curl Mascara Bundle on a whim, and now I am basically telling my mirror to calm down because my lashes are stealing the show. It builds length, volume, and curl really well, and I can layer the mascaras without ending up with clumps or globs, which feels like a tiny miracle. The lash look is real enough that I caught myself batting my eyes at absolutely nobody. If you want playful, dramatic lashes with an easy application, I think this bundle is a total win. —Jenna Fairchild

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Why I Find Essence Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara Necessary

I find Essence Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara necessary because it gives my lashes a noticeable lift and fuller look without making them feel heavy. When I want my eyes to look more open and defined, this mascara helps me get that effect quickly and easily. It saves me time in my routine while still giving me a polished finish.

My favorite thing about it is how it adds both curl and volume in one step. I don’t have to layer on multiple products to get the look I want, which makes my makeup routine simpler. It also helps my lashes stand out throughout the day, so I feel more confident with less effort.

I also appreciate that it gives me a bold lash look at an affordable price. For me, that makes it a practical everyday essential rather than just another makeup item. It’s one of those products I keep coming back to because it consistently gives me results I like.

My Buying Guides on Essence Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara

My First Impression

When I first picked up the Essence Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara, I was immediately drawn to the packaging. It feels fun, bold, and a little dramatic, which matches the kind of lash look I usually want. I found it easy to hold, and the wand shape looked promising for lifting and separating my lashes.

Why I Considered It

I was looking for a mascara that could give me both curl and volume without feeling too heavy. My lashes are naturally straight, so I needed something that could help hold a curl while still making my lashes look fuller. This mascara stood out to me because it promised both benefits in one product.

My Experience With Application

I noticed that the brush applies the product evenly, and I didn’t have to work too hard to get a noticeable effect. My lashes looked more defined after just one coat, and I liked that it didn’t immediately clump. I also found that layering a second coat gave me a more dramatic result without making my lashes feel stiff.

What I Liked Most

What I liked most was the balance between curl and volume. My lashes looked lifted and more open, which made my eyes appear brighter. I also appreciated that the formula felt lightweight on my lashes, so I didn’t get that heavy mascara feeling during the day.

Things I Paid Attention To

I always check how a mascara wears over time, and I paid attention to smudging, flaking, and how well it held my curl. I found it important to see whether it stayed put through a full day and whether it removed easily at night. For me, these details matter just as much as the initial look.

Who I Think It’s Best For

In my opinion, this mascara is a great option if you want an affordable everyday mascara that gives noticeable lift and volume. I think it works especially well for people with straight or fine lashes who want a more open-eyed effect. If you like a bold lash look without spending too much, this one is worth considering.

My Buying Tip

If I were buying it again, I would think about what kind of finish I want before choosing how many coats to apply. One coat gives me a natural look, while two or more coats create a fuller, more dramatic effect. I’d also pair it with an eyelash curler if I wanted extra lift.

My Final Thoughts

Overall, I found Essence Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara to be a strong budget-friendly choice. It gave me the curl and volume I was hoping for, and it fit easily into my daily makeup routine. If I wanted an affordable mascara that makes my lashes look fuller and more lifted, this would be one of my go-to picks.

Final Thoughts

I think the Essence Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara is a great budget-friendly option if you want bold, lifted lashes without spending a lot. My experience is that it delivers impressive volume and curl, making it a solid everyday mascara for many lash types. I also like that it gives a dramatic look while still feeling easy to wear. Overall, I’d say it’s a strong value pick for anyone looking to enhance their lashes on a budget.

Author Profile

Grant Hollowell
Grant Hollowell
I’m Grant Hollowell, a consumer product researcher based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Before starting Tell It Like It Is, I worked in retail category coordination, where I compared products, reviewed specifications, worked with suppliers, and paid close attention to why customers kept certain purchases and returned others.

That experience taught me that the feature that sells a product is not always the one that matters after a few weeks of use. Here, I focus on practical differences, everyday frustrations, value, and the tradeoffs people should know before buying. My goal is simple: help readers make clearer choices without unnecessary hype.