The Best Waterproof Mascaras

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Hot, sweaty weather and pool parties mean one thing: You need the best waterproof mascara in your makeup bag this summer. “If you choose a waterproof mascara, you will always create lift, because, [even with] the humidity, it prevents lashes from flopping,” says makeup artist Caroline Barnes. But is it possible to find a holy-grail mascara that really ticks all of your boxes? After extensive research into the many, many products out there, we would argue: yes. And Barnes agrees; it’s possible, but only if you know what to look for based on your needs.

“If you have thick, luscious lashes, then you [want] a mascara that has … a fat wand with big, thick bristles,” she says. “If you have fine, thin lashes, you want to use something that is a little bit tighter in application, so you don’t get a lot of mascara dumped onto your lashes.” A quick summary: Thick brushes are great for long, thick lashes and thin brushes work best for fine, sparse lashes. Keep this in mind as you look through our list of the best waterproof mascaras on the market.

Impressively, this mascara passed makeup influencer and YouTuber Zabrena’s shower test — it didn’t smudge, flake or budge as she ran water over her face — and it outperforms other more expensive mascaras. Unfortunately, it is difficult to remove (get your baby oil ready).

Though this mascara is not as voluminous as others and does get a little smudgy at the nine hour mark, it holds up during a busy day. Some reviewers also dislike the thickness of the brush. At $30 for 0.33 ounces (which lasts about three months), the Lancome Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara is one of our most expensive recommendations.

While some reviewers say NYX Worth the Hype is clump free, others argue that they experience minor clumps at the base of their lashes. A few complain that it has a chemical smell and is very difficult to remove.

While some buyers wish they had discovered this product sooner (before spending money on expensive alternatives), others argue that it takes three applications to create enough volume. It may also be overly drying. Note that this product contains beeswax, so it is not vegan.

Oftentimes with a volumizing mascara, you will have to deal with clumps — and LashBlast is no exception. It is prone to smudging during application, which makes applying mascara to the lower lashes even more difficult than usual.

A word of caution: Though this formula lasts me 8+ hours, it does start to flake by the end of the day. It can also lead to breakage or loss of lashes if you don’t clean it off completely — so I recommend using baby oil or a gentle makeup remover when you’re ready to take it off. Aquarian Gaze comes in one size: 0.25 ounces, which should last you between two and three months.

As with many no-clump mascaras, this product creates less volume than other comparative mascaras. Some reviewers note that it tends to smear during application and isn’t the best for tears or water sports, but they appreciate that this quality makes it easier to remove.

As with all long-lasting waterproof mascaras, however, MacStack is difficult to remove. In addition, it may not hold a curl as well as other products and may start to flake at the end of the day. Plus, it airs on the expensive side at $28 per tube.

Still, the thin wand has its drawbacks. Some users state that the brush is difficult to hold and maneuver. In addition, others argue that the mascara itself doesn’t hold a curl and the color is lighter than they would like.

Unfortunately, Ilia’s Limitless mascara is only water resistant, not waterproof. For everyday use, I haven’t had any issues with smudging or clumping, but I wouldn’t wear this to exercise or go to the beach. It’s also not a vegan formula, as it contains ethically-sourced beeswax.

This layerable mascara is smooth and easy to apply, and has an instant lengthening effect. Reviewers love that it doesn’t flake or smear during everyday use, though some mention that it isn’t as dramatic or voluminous as they would like.

Starting at $5.99, this is our most affordable pick. Zabrena notes that this product is also easy to remove compared to other waterproof mascaras, which is surprising considering its staying power. Keep in mind that this mascara may not hold a curl as well as other products.

Though this mascara holds up for quite some time (buyers say they have gone 10+ hours without smudging or flaking) some note that they have smudged it accidentally by rubbing their eyes. Reviewers also believe that the formula is on the dryer side and takes time to remove.

Though this mascara is one of the tougher ones to remove, buyers say that a cotton pad soaked in baby oil eventually does the trick. Make sure to completely remove it before you go to bed, as left-on product may cause your lashes to break.

Though many waterproof mascaras are prone to hardening, Sky High stays softer throughout the day — a plus if you don’t like the feeling of stiff, plastic-like lashes. A few common complaints: The formula is difficult to remove, and may irritate sensitive skin.

In addition, this formula contains caffeine to help “wake up” lashes and biotin to encourage growth. It is also less likely to clump than other brands, thanks to the castor oil in its ingredient list. To remove this mascara, apply warm water and a gentle makeup remover.

This product comes in two sizes: 0.28 ounces, which should last a month, and one ounce, which should last an impressive six months. A few reviewers mentioned that the mascara irritated their eyes, and the product dries and crusts too quickly around the tube opening.

Buyers note that Eyeko is a little too good at its job, because it dries very quickly and can be difficult to remove. Most reviewers agree that baby oil does the trick, and a piece of paper towel helps eliminate any dried-out clumps on the wand. The Eyeko Beach Waterproof Mascara comes in two sizes: 0.27 ounces, which should last you about three months if applied daily, and 0.1 ounces, which should last about one month if applied daily.

As with the toughest waterproof mascaras, this product is difficult to remove and requires an extensive cleaning process. However, most reviewers say this is par for the course and they appreciate the longevity of the formula.

Another plus: Reviewers note that this paraben-free mascara does not irritate their eyes. However, the product inside the tube tends to dry out after frequent use, and the formula doesn’t have the same staying power as other mascaras at similar price points.

Unfortunately, KissMe products are not as widely available as other brands in the United States. In addition, a few buyers didn’t think this mascara adequately lengthened and volumized their lashes.

On the other hand, reviewers note that the product doesn’t create much volume and the price point is high. A few unhappy customers vented that they can get the same satisfaction for half the price with other brands.

With its ability to instantly transform your appearance and draw attention to the eyes, waterproof mascara is one of the most important products in your makeup bag. However, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with information in the hunt for an excellent product. This buyer’s guide is designed to help you weed through the marketing lingo and find what truly works for you, but only if you first understand what kind of lashes you have and what your goals are for your mascara.

For instance, if you have straight lashes, your top priority is to keep them curled as much as possible. Look for waterproof mascaras that receive praise for “holding a curl” throughout a long day. It’s also important to look for a formula that isn’t too runny and dries quickly, as lashes are most likely to droop during the application process when the product is still wet.

If you have short lashes, however, you want to look for a mascara that creates the illusion of length. Pay attention to brands that receive good reviews for “lengthening,” and look for brushes that are thin and have wide-apart bristles. Ultimately, once you know your goals for your mascara, you can look into other important factors before purchasing.

When choosing the best mascara based on your goals, it helps to consider these factors:

This is arguably the most important feature, as the goal of a waterproof mascara is to avoid smudging even if you cry or jump in a pool. To find out whether a product will smudge before you buy it, first make sure that it is marked waterproof, rather than water resistant. Second, check out the reviews. If buyers rave about the product’s ability to stay glued to lashes through sweat and tears, you know you’ve got a winner.

A waterproof mascara is only as good as its staying power. How long does the brand claim its product will last before it begins to flake or smudge, and how long do reviewers say the product has lasted them? In addition, look for mascaras that are marketed as “long-lasting” or “8+ hours.”

Keep in mind that the longer you leave a waterproof mascara on, the more susceptible your lashes will be to breakage. Waterproof and water-resistant formulas tend to be drying, and with prolonged use, they can dry out lashes enough to make them snap.

Many waterproof mascaras flake at the end of the day because their formulas are drying. To counter this effect, look for ingredients that hydrate, such as hyaluronic acid, amino acids, castor oil, jojoba oil and argan oil. Biotin is always a plus, as it may promote growth and strengthen lashes.

The more smudge-proof a mascara is, the more difficult it will be to remove. Some makeup artists recommend pressing a cotton round soaked in baby oil to the eye and holding it there for a minute or two. Then, try to gently rub off the product. This method softens the mascara and may help reduce irritation — so you don’t have to scrub your eyes for 20 minutes.

If ease of removal is important to you, consider purchasing a water-resistant mascara instead. Water resistance will prevent smudging and flaking for a normal day at the office. In addition, it may be safer to use, as waterproof mascara tends to strip eyelashes of protective moisture they need.

If you have sensitive skin or wear contacts, it’s important to look through a mascara’s ingredient list before purchasing. Common ingredients that may cause irritation — which you may want to avoid — include: benzalkonium chloride, BHA, carbon black, parabens, titanium dioxide, retinol acetate and fragrance. If you don’t want to look through the ingredient list every time before purchasing, look for products that are fragrance-free and hypoallergenic.

It’s important not to confuse waterproof mascara with water resistant and tubing mascaras. This is the difference between each kind.

In simple terms, a water-resistant mascara is one that doesn’t allow water to penetrate through to the lash immediately, but eventually breaks down in water. “if you submerge your lashes in water with water-resistant mascara, your mascara will run, but with waterproof, it will not,” celebrity makeup artist Nina Soriano tells Makeup.com.

This might seem like an instant downside, but water-resistant mascara may be the best of both worlds. It won’t smudge or flake throughout the day, but you can wash it off at night without an extensive cleaning process. Still, a water-resistant mascara may not have the same curling abilities as its waterproof contender, and it certainly won’t hold up after a long bout of tears.

As mentioned above, a tubing mascara is one that forms a “tube” of product around each individual lash. This creates a layer of mascara that is difficult for water to penetrate — but not impossible. Like water-resistant mascara, tubing mascara will wash off with a good makeup remover or oil-based cleanser.

Tubing mascara is different from waterproof and water-resistant mascara because it contains polymers, or plastic-like, synthetic ingredients that block water. In contrast, waterproof and water-resistant formulas contain oils, waxes or silicones.

A true waterproof mascara repels water because it contains ingredients that repel water, such as oils, waxes or silicones. Unfortunately, water-repelling ingredients aren’t the best for the health of your lashes.

“The ingredients that are used to cause the formula to be waterproof can have the effect of drying out lashes, which can lead to them falling out,” Dendy Engelman, M.D., tells SELF. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give up waterproof mascara completely. Still, you may want to consider washing it off as soon as you no longer need it, and swapping it out with a traditional, wash-off mascara every so often.

Asking yourself these questions will help you narrow down your choices before purchasing a waterproof mascara.

A higher price doesn’t always mean you’re getting a better product, and that is especially true for waterproof mascara. You need not spend more than $30 on a tube, and you can get an excellent formula for under $15. In fact, many products on our list are less than $10.

As mentioned above, you will need a makeup remover, oil-based cleaner or face-safe oil to help you remove waterproof mascara. Cotton rounds may also be helpful in preventing the mascara from leaking down your face as you clean your lashes.

About 0.1 ounce will last you one month, so a standard 0.3 ounce tube should last you about three months. If you haven’t yet used all of your mascara in three months, it’s best to get a new tube regardless to prevent the buildup of bacteria. (Plus, a tube of waterproof mascara dries out more quickly than a standard wash-off formula.)

Once you have finished cleaning your lashes, replenish their moisture by applying a lash serum. Key ingredients to look for include collagen, biotin and moisturizers like hyaluronic acid. (Check out our list of the best eyelash serums here.)

Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? Check out these related product articles below:

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