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Go ahead and swipe one of these on ASAP. Essence Cream Jars
I have the world's most oily eyelids, so most traditional mascaras—yep, even ones labeled as "long-wearing" and even waterproof mascaras—end up smudging or smearing by the end of the day. That was until I tried tubing mascara. Instead of coating your lashes with thick layers of pigment like regular mascara, tubing mascara wraps each lash in water-resistant, tube-like polymers (kind of like a little cap that washes off). It sounds weird, but these tubes make your lashes look really good—and they stay looking really good for hours. Racoon eyes, be gone.
Ready to learn more? I had a feeling, which is why I tested and reviewed tons of tubing mascaras to bring you this list of the 15 best options—from brands such as Tower 28, Tarte, Essence, and more—along with expert tips from Los Angeles-based celebrity makeup artist Jenna Nicole.
✔️ P.S., This is new, up-to-date info, bb. We updated this article in April 2023 to add new tubing mascaras, complete with specs and reviews, and delete outdated oldies, just for you.
Keep scrolling for the full list of the 15 best tubing mascaras of 2023, plus expert info on how to choose a tubing mascara and the benefits of using a tubing mascara over a conventional one too.
OK, listen up: So not only does the formula of this tubing mascara take the cake, but the wand is a close second. Made with three different types of bands, the wand lengthens and defines each and every lash. Basically, this mascara is gold.
THE REVIEW: "It gives my lashes such a cute shape! I love that the formula is buildable yet lightweight. I haven’t had any issues with smudging as I have oily skin. Also, I am absolutely in love with the fact that the ingredients are non-toxic. Would definitely recommend it as this has become one of my new makeup staples!" reads one review.
Yes, this dual-ended tubing mascara requires you apply two different products—an eyelash primer and then a tubing mascara—but the results are so GD impressive that I doubt you'll mind. The primer is infused with panthenol and ceramides to condition lashes, while the little tubes in the mascara cling to lashes to provide a dramatic lengthening effect.
THE REVIEW: "This mascara is my favorite. I have very thin, blonde eyelashes and most mascara never seems to really do anything for me, but this one builds up and thickens my eyelashes in an instant," one tester writes.
This may be the least expensive tubing mascara on the list, but that doesn't mean it's the least effective. $5 bucks and a few swipes later, and this long-lasting, smudge-proof tubing mascara will leave your lashes looking thicker, longer, and more defined (no eyelash primer required).
THE REVIEWS: "It gives you volume, length, and comfort all for a great price" reads one tester's review, adding that they've "used $25 mascaras that don't even come close to this quality." Another reviewer writes, "it's like wearing false lashes without all of the hassle!"
If you're in the market for a cruelty-free, vegan makeup product, this here is your bb. Formulated with polymers that give a super long-lasting and lengthening effect, this tubing mascara is one of my all-time favorites for extra long lashes that don't smear or run.
THE REVIEW: "I've always struggled with thin, straight lashes and I always thought the solution was multiple coats of mascara. Well if that is also your problem, I'm here to tell you to stop searching. This mascara is not only buildable, but it also lengthens without adding the extra clump. Possibly the best mascara Tarte has created!" one review reads.
One time, halfway through a date, I went to the bathroom and noticed that my mascara had completely smudged underneath my eyes. Not a cute look, and I definitely could have avoided it if I had used this tubing mascara. It's on the pricey side, yes, but the formula doesn’t budge, so it won’t give you raccoon eyes (bless), but it will give you long, wispy lashes, thanks to the brush.
THE REVIEW: "I love this mascara for its natural look and the fact that it never ever smears, no matter what. I've tried other mascara but always come back to this one." writes one tester.
This mascara from Glossier is one of my all-time favorite mascaras. It gives lashes natural-looking length and definition (TBH it doesn't even look like mascara, just really good natural lashes) thanks to tiny tubing fibers and a lightweight, flexible formula. Plus it comes in two shades—an inky black and warm chocolate-y brown that I personally love.
THE REVIEW: "My favorite mascara and the only one I use! It's not clumpy, easy to take off, looks natural, and keeps my lashes long and luscious all day," reads one reviewer's review, adding that they absolutely recommend it!
This three-in-one tubing mascara gives your lashes lift and length, keeps them shiny and healthy thanks to ashwagandha (a plant-based ingredient rich in antioxidants), and strengthens your natural lashes with a peptide complex too. The effect? Lashes that look instantly gorgeous and better with time.
THE REVIEW: "I’m never impressed by mascaras, so I never expect anything great, but this has been the only one that works for ME," writes a tester, adding that "it doesn’t smudge on my lid or flake off, nor does it get clumpy."
With more than 4K reviews on Sephora.com, a lot of people stan this tubing mascara—and for good reason. It’s the OG tubing mascara, and the formula truly works to add both volume and length without smudging or flaking. It’s also water-resistant, i.e., just water alone won’t remove it from your lashes. So if you need a good cry, don’t worry about streaking.
THE REVIEWS: "It doesn’t smudge at all when you rub your eyes, but comes off very easily when you wash [your face]," writes a reviewer. "This stuff is AMAZING and lengthening!" says another tester.
If you’re going for a doe-eyed, va-va-voom look, this tubing mascara is a smart choice. The bristles have wavy brush fibers, so you’re able to catch, coat, lift, and curl each lash. For extra curl and volume, focus on applying your mascara to the base of your lashes to lift them up.
THE REVIEW: "[This mascara] goes on so smoothly and comes off easier than any mascara I’ve had before," writes one reviewer, adding that it stays on all day, and when they want to remove it, they choose to use oil-free makeup remover as it does the job quick and easy!
If you have sensitive skin or eyes and the *thought* of new products makes you shudder, you'll be pleased to know this Thrive Causmetics mascara was specially formulated with sensitive peeps in mind. Plus, it makes lashes look super thick and lush and won't flake or smudge for hours and hours.
THE REVIEW: According to one reviewer, this is" THE BEST MASCARA EVER," adding that they often woke up in the morning with leftover mascara, leaving their eyelids irritated, from other brands. "This is the first mascara that doesn’t cause irritation!"
This tubing mascara will give you some major Bambi eyelashes. Seriously, you’ll have people wondering if you’re wearing fake lashes. The teeny-tiny bristles grip your lashes for intense volume and length, while the jojoba oil in the formula keeps ’em soft and shiny.
THE REVIEW: "This went on beautifully, lengthened, thickened, and coated every single lash on the very first pass," writes a tester. "It removes like a dream with just warm water and slight rubbing," they added.
Your new go-to product? This tubing mascara. Not only do the short, dense bristles grip and lift every lash, but they also work to separate and coat ’em. The result? Lashes that are defined but still look natural.
THE REVIEW: "My mascara always transfers to my lid, but NOT this one!" writes one reviewer. "I've been using this for years on my lower lash line," writes another, adding that "the formula is very black and it stays put."
The spiky, tapered wand on this tubing mascara will take your lashes up a notch. The bristles grip each and every lash (yes, even the teeny-tiny ones) at the root, giving them major length.
THE REVIEWS: When one tester doesn't feel like using their hard-to-remove mascaras, they turn to this one. "It doesn't give you the most dramatic, sky-high lashes, but it's full of good, clean ingredients that don't irritate my eyes." Another tester writes that "it makes [their] lashes look fuller and natural."
Made with a combo of water-resistant tubing polymers, thickening powders, carbon-black pigments, and a unique-shaped wand, this tubing mascara makes even the shortest, tiniest lashes look ultra long and voluminous.
THE REVIEW: "It's extremely black, and it separates and lengthens [my lashes] so beautifully!" writes a reviewer, and according to the tester, they're not ready to commit to false lashes, but this mascara does the job!
If you want your lashes to look great every day without an extensive routine or eyelash extensions, you need to swipe on this tubing mascara ASAP. The brush helps separate and coat your lashes, giving you a beautiful, your-lashes-but-better look. It’s perfect for a night out (or, like, any time you run into your ex and want to look amaze).
THE REVIEW: This is the mascara I have been searching for," writes one tester who, according to them, has been looking for a mascara that lasts long and doesn't flake. "The brush is fluffy and gives a stunning amount of length with no clumping!"
It comes down to personal preference when deciding which type of mascara is better per se. Regular mascara uses wax and pigment, which tends to flake easier. However, because conventional mascara is a majority of the mascara market, there are a ton of options.
On the other hand, tubing mascara uses a polymer that wraps around each lash to create a tube, hence the name. The tubes flake less, last long, are water-resistant, and are great for those with sensitive skin. Tubing mascara is also so easy to remove—just soak a cotton round in warm water, and the little tubes will slide right off. (FYI, they are water-resistant to cold water, but not to warm, hence the easy removal.)
In short, there are pros and cons to each, it's just about finding a formulation that works best for you.
Tbh, I still sometimes struggle to identify which mascara is a tubing mascara. Other than the ones labeled as such, it can be tricky to determine. To do so, take a look at the ingredients—if they include propanediol, 10 dimethicone, polysilicon-11, cera alba, or glyceryl stearate, congrats! Those are polymers, and that is indeed a tubing mascara.
Another way to determine the type is to remove your mascara. If you wash your face and are left with the dreaded raccoon eyes, it's conventional mascara. FYI, this is a good option if you already own the mascara.
According to Nicole, the main factor that contributes to the end results of your lashes is the brush. "A fat and fluffy applicator will give you voluminous, fat, and fluffy lashes," Nicole has told Cosmo, adding that "a long, skinny, more-precise wand will give you long, skinny, clump-free lashes."
Siena Gagliano is a contributing beauty editor at Cosmopolitan and has three years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news. She’s an expert at researching and writing beauty stories, like the best lip plumpers and the greatest cream blushes on the market, and feels especially knowledgable in tubing mascaras, because she is always on the hunt for long-lasting, water-resistant mascaras that come off easily (hence why she loves tubing mascaras). She regularly tests and analyzes mascaras on her own lashes for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top makeup artists and cosmetic chemists to assess new formulas and brands.
Lauren Balsamo is the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare and makeup stories that range from the best all natural foundations, to the greatest cream blushes on the market. Her tubing mascara picks were based on reviews, expert information, and personal testing.
Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for nine years at Cosmopolitan and has contributed to Women’s Health and Seventeen magazines as well. Follow her on Instagram.
Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces, as well as some fashion and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? Gotchu. What about how to achieve ridiculously glowing skin, a super bouncy blowout, or exactly how to use that viral face mask? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As NYC's newest resident, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini this city has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram where you'll see that her account is mostly dedicated to pics of her cute dog and that magazine life.
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