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Prices checked October 2026Not tested in handNo paid rankingsHow we pick
You give up: Leans more toward length than the big volume Better Than Sex is known for.
Short answer: The closest cheaper alternative to the Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara (0.27 oz) is the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara, about $14 instead of $29 (save 52%). What you give up: Leans more toward length than the big volume Better Than Sex is known for. The cheapest is the essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara at about $5. Prices checked October 2026.
Why it's a good swap A flexible tower brush builds length and fullness; washable and rated 4.5 by thousands.
You give up: Leans more toward length than the big volume Better Than Sex is known for.
Why it's a good swap A conical fiber brush adds length and volume for a false-lash look.
You give up: Reviews are mixed for some shades (3.7 stars for Black Brown at Ulta).
Why it's a good swap A wavy bristle brush and flower-oil formula for volume and length in one coat.
You give up: Some reviewers say the brown shade barely shows on dark lashes.
Typical US prices, checked October 2026. Not live prices; check the listing before you buy.
Looking for a cheaper alternative to the Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara (0.27 oz)? It usually sells for about $29. Here are 3 cheaper swaps from $5: the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara is the closest match from another brand and the essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara is the cheapest at about $5. Each one says what you give up for the lower price.
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara costs $29 at Ulta. Close cheaper picks are Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High and L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise ($14 each). The cheapest is essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara at $5.
Worth it if you want dramatic volume and length from one tube. Woman & Home found the hourglass brush reaches corner lashes without a mess, one coat looks natural and more coats build drama, and the formula includes peptides and acacia senegal gum extract.
A cheaper mascara makes sense if you mostly want length or a lighter look. Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara ($14) is the length pick, while L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara (0.28 oz) ($14) aims for volume and length in one coat.
| Option | Type | Typical price | You save | What you give up | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara (0.27 oz) | The original | $29 | – | – | View ↗ |
| essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara | Budget pick | $5 | $24 (83%) | Reviews are mixed for some shades (3.7 stars for Black Brown at Ulta). | View ↗ |
| Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara | Close match | $14 | $15 (52%) | Leans more toward length than the big volume Better Than Sex is known for. | View ↗ |
| L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara (0.28 oz) | Close match | $14 | $15 (52%) | Some reviewers say the brown shade barely shows on dark lashes. | View ↗ |
Typical US prices from retailer listings and price trackers, checked October 2026. They are not live Amazon prices and may have changed, so check the listing before you buy.
The essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara, at about $5 (83% less). A conical fiber brush adds length and volume for a false-lash look. The catch: Reviews are mixed for some shades (3.7 stars for Black Brown at Ulta).
The Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara, at about $14 (52% less). A flexible tower brush builds length and fullness; washable and rated 4.5 by thousands. The catch: Leans more toward length than the big volume Better Than Sex is known for.
It can be tricky: Woman & Home found the hourglass brush a little thick for shorter lashes and suggests the travel-size version instead.
In Woman & Home's test it layered without clumps, and flaking and smudging were close to non-existent after a full day of wear.
For length, yes. Who What Wear editors praised its flexible brush, but one said it's really good for length and not so much for volume, which is what Better Than Sex is known for. Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara costs $14.
Each swap links to amazon.com. Prices are typical US prices checked October 2026 and change often, so check the listing before you buy.
Every swap is a product sold in the US that does the main job of the original. Close match is another brand with similar features, Same brand, cheaper is an older, smaller or renewed model from the same maker, and Budget pick is the cheapest thing that still does the job. On each page, Closest match is the close match nearest the original in price, and Lowest price is the cheapest swap. We compare published specs, retailer listings and reviews; we don't test products ourselves.
A cheaper product is cheaper for a reason. Each swap says what you give up, like weaker noise cancelling, a smaller screen or a shorter warranty, so you can decide if the savings are worth it.
Prices are typical US prices from retailer listings and price trackers, last checked October 2026. They are not live Amazon prices, which change often. When a price couldn't be confirmed, the page says “Check price on Amazon” instead of showing a number.
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