The best waterproof mascaras
Best waterproof mascara: Beauty Pie The Perfect Waterproof Mascara
Best runner-up waterproof mascara: Etude Curl Fix Mascara
Best budget waterproof mascara: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Waterproof Plumping Mascara
A great mascara adds that extra “oomph” to any makeup routine. It wakes tired eyes, lengthens and lifts lashes and adds volume and flair to your gaze. But mascara can have the opposite effect on particularly humid or rainy days. Moisture, or a teary-eyed breakdown, can turn a once glamorous look into a runny mess.
There’s nothing worse than putting the time and effort into curling and plumping your lashes, only to have the rain or even a few tears smudge your look. That’s why we set out to find the best waterproof mascaras for those days when you know you’re bound to shed a few tears, hang poolside or even brave extreme weather.
To properly test waterproof mascaras, we took nine tubes to Long Beach on one of New York City’s notoriously humid and sweltering summer days. Not only did we note if the mascara was waterproof but we also considered if the formula itself was clumpy, if it lifted lashes, if the brush felt sturdy and if it was worth the price. Here’s what we discovered:
This waterproof mascara really lives up to its name. It checked all of our boxes: it added volume to my sad, straight lashes, added a long-lasting curl that survived ocean water and it’s even infused with vitamins to help lashes stay healthy.?
For someone with curly hair, I have surprisingly straight and brittle lashes. I’m always looking for a mascara that can lift and coat each lash without that frightening, overdone “spider leg” look. This mascara’s long, thin wand did just that and even stood out from the rest. The elongated spool grabbed every lash and coated them evenly, all while withstanding salty ocean waves and splashes without clumps or smudges.
With the price of everyday items on the rise, it’s rare to find good makeup under $10. This powerful “plumping” mascara by Neutrogena surprised me, simply because it feels too good for this low price. I appreciated the hydrating formula, developed with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. The only downside? There wasn’t much product in the tube and I felt I could use the entire bottle in one swipe.
Best waterproof mascara: Beauty Pie The Perfect Waterproof Mascara
As someone with frail, brittle lashes, I’m always looking for a mascara that can lift and add volume without having to spend too much time coating each lash. Believe me, it may seem like it takes a few minutes but it can be incredibly time-consuming to individually coat and un-clump each lash when you’re not working with much. I wear mascara daily and the cost and time add up, on top of the fact that you should be replacing mascaras every three months.
That’s why I was excited to try this waterproof mascara from the beauty line Beauty Pie, a brand on a mission to deliver high-quality “luxurious” cosmetics without traditional markups. I had never used a product from this brand, but this waterproof mascara truly blew me away. I found the formula to be especially smooth to apply compared to other mascaras. It also effectively lengthened my lashes, which is a difficult feat on my short, stubby fringe. Even in my sand-covered journal, I wrote in all caps that this mascara was amazing.
What was one of the most impressive parts of this mascara? After dunking my mascara-d lashes into the waves of Long Beach several times, this mascara did not budge once. Not a single trace of mascara was left behind, even after waves unexpectedly splashed me in the face. And most impressive of all? The curl and length survived the ocean water, even after several laps. Even though I was wearing mascara, the overall look still felt natural. I can only summarize this waterproof mascara as indestructible.
According to Beauty Pie’s website, this mascara is vegan and cruelty-free which scored bonus points for me. It’s also formulated with a hodge podge of hydrating skin care goodies like vitamin B5, acacia seed peptides, arginine and shea butter to condition and strengthen lashes.
This mascara was highly buildable, which is why I coated my lashes three times. Despite the heavy hand, the removal process was painless. I used Optase eye makeup remover on a cotton pad to gently lift the formula off my lashes and found it slid right off. Better yet? There wasn’t any leftover residue under my eyes.
Best runner-up waterproof mascara: Etude Curl Fix Mascara
I prefer using any mascara with a slim wand, which helps get to the root of my lashes and properly lift each one. That’s why I loved this mascara from the K-Beauty line Etude, which had the thinnest and longest brush out of all the mascaras I tested. In my notes, I jotted down that this mascara curled my lashes and lengthened it pre-ocean dive, without any clumps. I was particularly struck by how long my otherwise short lashes looked after coating them with this magical mascara.
This mascara would have been a winner for me, especially considering its powerful, long-lasting lengthening power. However, after jumping into the waves, I did notice a few smudges. But they were minimal and not enough for me to write off this excellent mascara. I thought this would be great to wear on a day when you know you’re going to cry or even if it’s bound to be a rainy day.
It also comes in four shades to match different hair colors, which is the most versatility I’ve seen in mascara shades thus far. The brand even has a light, grey-brown for those with blonde or light brown locks.
Despite using a black shade, I didn’t end up looking like a raccoon after removing this waterproof mascara. With just water alone, this mascara will not budge. I promise you, it’s impossible to get the formula off lashes without a makeup remover and a cotton pad.
Best budget waterproof mascara: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Waterproof Plumping Mascara
I’ll admit, I adore Neutrogena. It’s a nostalgic brand for me; I used its products excessively as a teenager battling cystic acne and all of its products work well with my sensitive skin. Better yet, it’s typically more affordable than other skincare lines and is easily accessible in drugstores.
I love Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost line so I was eager to test this hydrating waterproof mascara on my dry lashes. I wasn’t a fan of the thick, almost awkward wand on first use. The thickness made it difficult to apply the otherwise smooth formula on my stubby lashes. Additionally, it felt like there wasn’t much product in the thin tube. One swipe later and I practically finished the tube.
That being said, the formula itself was beautiful. It felt like a conditioner on my brittle lashes, which desperately craved the keratin, hyaluronic acid and vitamin-infused formula. It also stood up quite well against the salty ocean water, although it did smudge a bit on my lower lashes.
Removing this mascara was also easy, considering I couldn’t use much product on my lashes thanks to the thicker wand. The formula instantly dissolved after applying Optase’s eye makeup remover, although some black smudges needed some extra love under my eyes. Overall, this mascara had a rich formula that (mostly) survived moisture, but the packaging and skimpy product docked it down for me.
How we tested
To test the endurance of our waterproof mascaras, we brought them with us to Long Beach outside New York City. We applied several coatings to both eyes and dived into the water to see how well the mascara reacted to moisture, all the while keeping note of:
- Application: Is this mascara easy to apply? Does the wand help coat each lash?
- Formula: We took note of the formula of each mascara. Does it have any skincare benefits, like hydrating vitamins?
- Smudge levels: We were mindful of the smudge factor of each mascara, pre-water and post-water. Did the mascara leave any smudges behind?
- Removal process: Waterproof mascaras are difficult to remove, but we noted just how long it took to remove each one.
- Waterproof power: We noted if each mascara could withstand several dunks in the salty waves of Long Beach. Did the mascara hold up or did it leave behind clumps and runny formula streaks?
- Price: We considered the price of each mascara. Was each one worth splurging on and would we purchase it again? Would we wear this even on days when we didn’t need waterproof mascara?
Remember, waterproof mascara … is waterproof. This means it takes much more time and effort to remove fully. If you decide that waterproof mascara is your new favorite product, you’ll need more than a simple splash of water to dissolve the extra coating from your lashes.
That’s why, before embarking on this waterproof mascara journey, we spoke with a board-certified optometrist, medical advisor, and founder of Line of Sight vision care Dr. Jennifer Tsai to get her best practices. We’re hyper-cautious with anything related to eyes considering how sensitive they are to infections. Eye makeup, in particular, easily (and quickly) collects bacteria, so it’s important to always apply makeup with clean hands and replace mascaras every three months. That said, she advised using a clinically tested sensitive eye makeup remover for this test.
This doctor-recommended eye makeup remover is made with ionized water, which means it acts like a magnet to quickly dissolve eye makeup. It’s also formulated with hyaluronic acid, pro-vitamin B5 and manuka honey to nourish and hydrate the skin around your eyes.
Everything to know about waterproof mascara
When to wear a waterproof mascara over a standard one
“Waterproof mascara is a true triple threat when it comes to adding volume, definition and length to lashes,” said celebrity makeup artist and facialist, Desireé Delia. “If you’re attending an event where you know you might tear up, this is for you. Same goes if you’re looking for something smudge-proof with long wear or just want your eyes to pop more.
Be warned — as great as waterproof mascaras are, there are still risk factors. Dr. Jennifer Tsai, board-certified optometrist, medical advisor, and founder of Line of Sight vision care, issued this warning: “I don’t typically recommend waterproof mascara since they can be difficult to remove, increase irritation and lead to eyelid buildup. However, there are some benefits of choosing waterproof mascara when it comes to water-related activities, humid months, or activities that cause sweating such as running.”
What to look for in a waterproof mascara
“If someone wants to use waterproof mascara, they should look for hypoallergenic and fragrance-free formulations with nourishing ingredients like vitamin E and natural oils,” added Dr. Tsai. “Even though it’s waterproof, the mascara should still be removable with a gentle makeup remover to avoid damaging your lashes and the delicate skin around your eyes.”
“Aside from the ‘wow’ factor, I’m looking for how it behaves in different scenarios like rain, snow, or 16-hour days,” said Delia. “I’m looking to see if it’s a tubing mascara, which slides off your lashes in the removal process making it easier and less messy.”
Be cautious about wearing waterproof mascara underwater or while sweating
“While generally safe, wearing waterproof mascara underwater or while sweating can potentially lead to eye irritation,” said Dr. Tsai. “It’s important to choose a high-quality waterproof mascara that is hypoallergenic and eye doctor-tested to minimize the risk of irritation.”
How to safely remove waterproof mascara
Dr. Tsai can’t recommend Optase’s eye makeup remover enough. “Sensitive eyes are such a point of frustration for so many of my patients and often can go untreated if not cared for properly. Many patients with eye sensitivity may not realize the products they’re using are contributing to their issue,” said Dr. Tsai. “It’s great to have this innovation on the market to recommend to them.”
Delia had one last word of advice, saying, “Absolutely no sleeping overnight with your waterproof mascara on,” she said. “Remove your mascara and wash your face before the sleepies kick in at the end of the day. Think of it as the full picture of self-care, not just for your skin but your lashes too.”
Other waterproof mascaras we tested
After reading the instructions, I realized this mascara can be worn on its own or layered over any other Bobbi Brown mascara to make it instantly waterproof. I thought that was a fun perk, in addition to the clean formula. It’s paraben-, sulfate-, phthalate- and gluten-free for those with severe allergies.
But I did love the formula of this mascara and found that the curl held up. There wasn’t much transfer after splashing around the ocean water, too. However, it is on the pricier side. I don’t think I would purchase this mascara again.
Despite the thicker formula, I did find that the mascara itself didn’t budge after dunking my head in the ocean water several times. It also comes in two shades, black and brown, which could be noteworthy for brunettes.
It’s formulated with polymers that tube the lash, which adds extra volume. And it did survive several ocean runs without much transfer. I would invest in this mascara for a long pool day or waterfront vacation. However, be warned: You will spend days trying to remove the raccoon eyes created by this mascara. I relied heavily on the Optase makeup remover for this mascara, and still found myself wiping mascara off my lashes for days after.
After diving into the water, this mascara held up fairly well. It did leave behind a few smudges under my eyes but they weren’t terrible. I’d suggest this tube to anyone with long, lifted lashes not prone to clumping mascaras.
There also seemed to be very minimal product in the tube, which could have been better considering the brush looked sturdy. It also left behind clumps after several tries in the ocean. Although I liked the brush, I wouldn’t purchase this mascara again.
