I love, and I mean love, a good mascara (like any of these). Ergo -- yeah, I said ergo -- I hate when I waste my money on a tube that gives me flaky, smudgy or spidery lashes. I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume you feel the same. Ergo -- there it is again! -- you'll probably want to steer clear of the ones TotalBeauty.com users said were the worst they've tried. Unless you like raccoon eyes. Then by all means, buy away …

• Try these tips to salvage a bad mascara -- or make a good one even better.

• How about a quality (yet still cheap) eyeliner to go with that mascara?

• Or maybe free beauty products are more up your alley? I hear ya.