Key Ingredients: Kaolin, carnauba wax, synthetic beeswax | Number of Shades: 1
Best Smudge-Resistant: Estée Lauder Double Wear Zero-Smudge Lengthening Mascara
Why It’s Worth It: Estée Lauder’s Double Wear Zero-Smudge is a glossy, intensely pigmented mascara with superfans who vouch for its volumizing and lengthening formula, which keeps under eyes smudge-free. The brush features long and short bristles to ensure every lash gets loved, allowing for raccoon-eye-proof wear for up to 15 hours, which is an obvious win.
Editor Tip: When we tried this stuff, it lived up to its smudge-proof claims, even through a sweaty workout (although it’s not tear-proof or waterproof).
Key Ingredients: Carnauba wax, kaolin, green tea extract | Number of Shades: 1
Best Brush: KVD Beauty Full Sleeve Long + Defined Tubing Mascara
Why It’s Worth It: The lightweight formula behind the KVD Beauty Full Sleeve Long + Defined Tubing Mascara gives intense tint, fanned-out lashes, and all-day wear. If you look closely — and we mean closely — you’ll find tiny hook-shaped branches coming off of the contoured applicator. They’re designed to grip from the root to the tip of the lash, coating all the while.
Editor Tip: If you want to see what this mascara is all about without dropping $25, start with the mini version, which is around half the price.
Key Ingredients: Carnauba wax, acacia Senegal gum, sunflower seed oil, bamboo extract | Number of Shades: 1
Frequently Asked Questions
How is tubing mascara different from regular mascara?
Cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos explains to Allure that while there is plenty of overlap between the ingredients in tubing mascara and regular mascara, there are also crucial differences. “The overall ingredient list for a tubing mascara might resemble a traditional mascara emulsion with traditional waxes and emulsifiers, but polymeric ingredients like polyurethane-35 and acrylates/ethylhexyl acrylate copolymer are necessary to form a ‘tube’ around each lash,” says Dobos. “The polymers have just enough adhesion to the lashes to hold them in place until you wiggle the tubes free with gentle pressure for removal.”
Tubing mascaras tend to be easier to take off. Instead of rigorously wiping your eyes with makeup remover or thoroughly massaging mascara away with cleansing oil, the polymer-formed tubes slide off with warm water and gentle pressure. While waterproof mascara may offer comparable staying power, their composition can be conducive to a full-force scrub-fest for removal — and even worse, they often claim a few lashes as collateral.
What are the benefits of tubing mascara?
“Tubing mascaras are known for their excellent long-wear and ability to resist flaking and smudging that can occur due oily sebum on the eyelids or tears watering eyes,” states Dobos. The film formed by the polymers acts like a protective sleeve around each lash, which means higher resistance to the elements and more durability. “Think of it as the saran wrap on your lashes,” Cosmetic chemist Ginger King says. “[The mascaras] add some bulkiness and are flexible enough to stretch for an eyelash extension look.”
How should I choose a tubing mascara?
When choosing a tubing mascara, check the ingredients list for key players. “If you’re looking for more volume, ingredients like silica microspheres will help fatten the appearance of lashes and allow for a smooth application,” Dobos explains. “And tiny rayon fibers can bring additional lengthening.”
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
