Looking at yourself in the mirror to find that your mascara is a smeared mess can feel like the final nail in the coffin of a long, stressful day. But what if I told you that there’s a mascara formula out there that delivers on its promise to stay smudge-free, yet doesn't require gallons of makeup remover to wash off? Behold the tubing mascara, your newest best friend in beauty. Celebrity makeup artist Brandy Allen explains that this popular formula "is made of polymers for a lash painting technique that layers the pigment to wrap around each individual lash for an extension effect." As a result, she says, tubing mascaras "are non-budging, which is great for oily skin, teary or sensitive eyes, and smaller eyes." She adds that because of its unique formula, a tubing mascara can be removed with water alone.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about tubing mascaras, courtesy of Allen, professional makeup artist Lauren O’Leary, and Marie Claire editors. From identifying ideal formulas to shopping for your next go-to product, we've got you covered.
The Best Tubing Mascaras
- Best Overall Tubing Mascara: Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara
- Best Volumizing Tubing Mascara: Perversion Volumizing Mascara
- Best Longwear Tubing Mascara: Kylie Cosmetics Kylash Volume Mascara
- Best Smudge-Proof Tubing Mascara: Laura Mercier Caviar Volume Panoramic Mascara
If you hate that flaky, crunchy feeling of most mascaras, E-Commerce Editor suggests checking out this Hourglass option. "This Hourglass mascara is definitely more natural than I tend to go for, but that's ok!" she admits. "It's perfect if you prefer a formula that leaves you with clean, dark, and wispy lashes without a ton of clumpy volume, this pick is one of my favorites. It's been pretty hot here in New York so it was the perfect time to test its anti-smudging powers. I wore it. for close to 10 hours in the humid heat and I didn't notice one flake or smudge all day. It also didn't leave my lashes looking or feeling crispy. And the wash-off process was completely seamless—it tubed off as expected and left no residue behind." Allen also stands buy it, adding that it's "100 percent vegan and cruelty-free, and it gives lashes intense length, lift, and definition." The formula is also free of parabens, sulfates, and formaldehyde.
Benefits: Length, Definition, Lift
Shades: Black
Pros: Editor-approved; Expert-approved; Non-smudging; Longwear; Natural finish; Easy cleanup; Vegan; Cruelty-free
Cons: Not as dramatic of a finish as its competitors
Marzovilla says Hourglass' mascara has all of the definition without any of the crunch.
Art Director Brittany Holloway-Brown loves a fully glam look, but she certainly doesn't like to look dripping at the end of a long day. "During the summer, I want as little on my face as possible," she admits. "We’re in the midst of a heat wave in New York and it seems by the time I get to the end of my block, I’m dripping sweat. Not cute. I let the sun be my makeup and use as minimal product as possible, paring the essentials down to tinted moisturizer, blush, lipstick and mascara. That means everything I use have to be top-notch with staying power. Perversion from Urban Decay is a new favorite, and from my photo you can see why. My eyelashes went from practically non-existent to the lush, thick lashes I covet. I like to pile on layers and this formula doesn’t weigh my lids down. My lashes are still pliable enough to separate with my fingers."
Benefits: Length, Thickness
Shades: Black
Pros: Editor-approved; Longwear; Strong staying power; Lightweight; Cruelty-free
Cons: More expensive than some competitors
The Urban Decay Perversion Volumizing Mascara takes Holloway-Brown's lashes to the next level.
Kylie Cosmetics certainly garners attention, thanks to its It Girl founder, but Digital Director Jenny Hollander says that this product lives up to the hype. After trying out the Kylash mascara, she explains, "I really put this mascara to the test—I wore it on two hot, busy June days, forcing it to stand up to sweat and 14-hour wear. I have long lashes that fold downwards into my eyes, so I have a hard time finding a mascara that doesn't clump my lashes or leave a thick black line over my line of vision. Though this mascara's wand was similar to others' that clump my lashes together (I was initially wary), it did a good job separating and coating my lashes without clogging them down. It also didn't end up smudged under my eyes, but it was still easy to wash off at the end of the day."
Benefits: Volume, Length
Shades: Black
Pros: Editor-approved; Longwear; Non-clumping, Non-smudging; Vegan
Cons: Some reviewers say it dries too quickly
Jenny Hollander tested out the Kylash mascara over the course of several humid, busy New York City days.
If your main mascara concern is ensuring you don't end up with raccoon eyes, Junior Visual Designer Jonelle Afurong suggests trying out this option from Laura Mercier. "This mascara is super lightweight and perfect for the hot summer days," she says. "I tend to get oily around my eyelids, and mascaras usually smudge on me, but this one didn't do that. I'll reach for this mascara for when I want a more natural look."
Benefits: Volume
Shades: Black
Pros: Editor-approved; Lightweight; Great for oily skin; Smudge-proof
Cons: Effects aren't as dramatic as those of competitors
Jonelle Afurong wears Laura Mercier's Caviar Volume Panoramic Mascara on a hot summer day.
Also Recommended
If you love sustainable beauty as much as we do, consider this mascara from sustainable brand Merit Beauty. Knappenberger says, "As you might guess from the name, this mascara is made from completely clean ingredients, is vegan, cruelty-free, and even comes in recyclable packaging. Its formula is perfect for everyday wear or for those who prefer a natural look—in just a swipe or two, lashes are defined and lengthened, resulting in that wide-awake look. Lashes also get a conditioning boost thanks to fatty acids and olive oil."
Benefits: Length, Curl
Shades: Black
Pros: Editor-approved; Lengthening; Long-wearing; Smudge-proof; Clean; Vegan; Clump-free
Cons: Over $25; Doesn't add much volume
Every makeup wearer is familiar with the dreaded "panda eyes" effect, in which you find your mascara smudged all over your eyes after a full day of wear. Associate E-Commerce Editor Brooke Knappenberger recommends this mascara for those sick of their panda eyes, attesting, "A great tubing mascara doesn't have to cost you more than a cup of coffee. If you don't believe me, you have to try Essence's Bye Bye Panda Eyes! Mascara. This five dollar mascara works just as well to lengthen your lashes as the more expensive picks on this list. It also delivers the same long-lasting, smudge-proof results as other tubing mascaras, hence the name 'Bye Bye Panda Eyes.'"
Benefits: Thickness
Shades: Black
Pros: Editor-approved; Under $10; Lengthening; Long-wearing; Smudge-proof; Easy to remove, Cruelty-free
Cons: May flake with wear, according to some reviewers; Takes a bit longer to dry
Many of us spend the fall and winter looking forward to warm weather, but summertime has its faults: It's hot, sticky, and humid, wreaking havoc on painstakingly applied makeup. If you fear the heat will melt your makeup, Allen says to consider this tubing mascara from MAC. She says that in her experience, it's "sweat- and humidity-resistant and lasts up to 16 hours." It's also verified by ophthalmologists as safe for sensitive eyes and for wear with contact lenses.
Benefits: Lift, Definition
Shades: Black
Pros: Expert-approved; Tested by ophthalmologists; Doesn't run or smudge
Cons: Some reviewers found it too thick, so start small
If you wear contacts or have extra-sensitive eyes, opt for a mascara like this one from Clinique, which is ophthalmologist- and allergy-tested, has a fragrance-free formula, and won't flake into your eyes. Knappenberger says she also loves "its thin, tapered brush, which reaches the tiniest of lashes on the corners and bottom lashline."
Benefits: Length, Definition
Shades: Black, Brown
Pros: Editor-Approved; Lengthening; Defining; Long-wearing; Smudge-proof; Ophthalmologist-tested; Easy to remove
Cons: Only provides subtle volume
Anyone who's worn mascara knows that the worst formulas are the ones that clump. This dreaded phenomenon looks unsightly, leaves your lashes feeling heavy, and can even irritate your eyes. Allen says this is her ultimate non-clumping formula, adding that it's "a natural feeling formula for endless length and great volume."
Benefits: Length, Volume
Shades: Black
Pros: Expert-approved; Non-clumping; Voluminous; Lengthening; Comes in five colors
Cons: Some reviewers find the applicator wand fragile
Westmore Beauty's popular mascara promises to lengthen and volumize lashes, and it boasts a thick applicator that separates lashes and glides through them smoothly for easy application. Allen calls it an "ultra-precision" option that's "flake-free and clump-free with hyaluronic acid that increases the overall lash health over time."
Benefits: Definition, Length, Volume
Shades: Black
Pros: Expert-approved; Easy application; Lengthening; Flake- and clump-free; Moisturizing
Cons: May contain titanium dioxide
This double-sided mascara lengthens lashes in two quick, easy steps. First, use the clear basecoat, labeled Step One, to prime your lashes. Then, follow up immediately with Step Two, which is heavily pigmented for a thickening, volumizing effect. Allen calls it a "washable mascara with an 80 percent lash extension effect."
Benefits: Length
Shades: Black, Blackest Black
Pros: Expert-approved; Contains sulfates; Lengthening; Easy to use; Affordable; Easy to wash off
Cons: Contains sulfates; Extra step
If you're still unsure about tubing mascara, O'Leary's glowing review of this popular option will persuade you. "My favorite tubing mascara I have tried (and I've tried many ) is the Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash extension mascara," she says. "What I love about this formula is that it is really black, separates the lashes well, stays on long, and is easier to remove than my other mascaras."
Benefits: Length, Curl
Shades: Pink, Green, Blue, Purple, Brown, Black
Pros: Expert-approved; Highly pigmented; Defines lashes; Easy to remove; Long-wearing; Available in three shades; Clean and vegan formula; Dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested
Cons: Formula is a bit thick
E-Commerce Editor Julia Marzovilla counts herself a fan of this MAC pick. "I love this mascara because not only does it not flake throughout the day, but it's actually designed to be layered up," she says. "I can attest to the fact that it never clumps and never leaves my lashes feeling flaky, dry, or spidery. It's great for a light lengthening look in the mornings and can be layered up for more voluminous drama at night." This pick is also another Allure Best of Beauty winner and uses a combo of wax and copolymers to deliver its clump-free, lengthening look.
Benefits: Length, Volume
Shades: Black, Brown
Pros: Editor-approved; Lengthening; Clump-free; Buildable volume; Long-wearing; Defines lashes
Cons: Over $25
Why a Tubing Mascara?
- Lengthening: Because tubing mascara essentially wraps around each lash with tiny tubes, lashes appear noticeably longer and, according to O’Leary, more defined.
- Easy to remove: O'Leary explains that tubing mascaras create "little tubes around your lashes," which are easier to remove than the pigments of non-tubing mascaras. Thus, they can wash off with warm water alone. This makes tubing mascara a great option for those with sensitive eyes who can't tolerate makeup removers.
- Long-wearing: Tubing mascara has some serious staying power, too. “Tubing mascara is longer lasting and doesn't come off until it's removed,” O’Leary says. “It's not waterproof but usually claims to be water resistant, meaning it's less likely to smudge or transfer until removed.”
What to Look For in a Tubing Mascara
- Ingredients
Ingredients are what truly set tubing mascaras apart from their contemporaries. Allen advises looking for polymers such as Dimethicone, Propanediol, Polysilicone-11, Cera alba, Glyceryl stearate. Ingredients may also simply list "polymer" or "copolymer." Any of these compounds make your mascara a tubing mascara.
- Brush shape
Everyone has a different effect they are going for when it comes to mascara, so it’s important to consider the right brush shape and size for your personal goals. Typically, a denser and smaller brush will give you voluminous lashes, whereas a thinner, longer brush will result in lengthened and clump-free lashes. But don’t be afraid to mix two mascaras to achieve the effect you want—it’s actually O’Leary’s favorite trick. “I feel like this helps the longevity of my mascara and helps to separate and define at the end of my mascara application,” she says. “But you must do the tubing mascara after a normal mascara because tubing mascara dries quickly and is meant to be longer lasting, making it harder to apply more coats once it's applied.”
Meet the Expert
Lauren is a New York City/Minneapolis based makeup artist, men's groomer, and beauty expert. She grew up in Minnesota but had her heart set on living in New York City since she was very young. As a lifelong artist, she was always on top of the latest beauty trends. Lauren specializes in beauty, editorial, celebrity, commercial/print, film & TV work. A few of her clients include Guess, Maybelline, Saks Fifth Ave, Samsung, Conde Nast, and celebrities Niki Taylor, Kaia Gerber, Joey Fatone, Shaq, Charlotte Mckinney, Hannah Brown, James Van der Beek, and more.
