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We all want thicker, darker, longer eyelashes. But not at the cost of smudges, flakes, or smears. Cue tubing mascara—a product that's formulated differently than most of the other ones on the makeup aisle.
Instead of the traditional style of mascara, which could be compared to painting lashes, tubing mascara is made of polymers that form around your lashes, almost like a jacket. When dry, tubing mascara forms a single, solid "tube" or sheath around each lash. And because each lash is individually wrapped, that means every single one looks thicker, darker, and holds its curl—and the formula doesn't bleed because of the polymer formation, too.
Note: the wash-off experience with tubing mascaras is unique. Each of the tubes that forms around your lashes remains completely intact once it has dried, and that includes when you're washing your face.
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ESSENCE Bye Bye Panda Eyes! Smudge-Proof Volumizing & Defining Mascara
ESSENCE Bye Bye Panda Eyes! Smudge-Proof Volumizing & Defining Mascara
Pros
- Easy to Remove
- Long-Lasting
- Vegan
Cons
- Takes a while to dry
This under $5 mascara has a vegan formula that coats lashes in a volumizing and lengthening formula that lasts for an entire workday.
Target rating: 4.2/5 stars
A Target reviewer says: “I simply cannot wear anything but tubing mascara and this does exactly what it says for an unbeatable price. Since it comes with the typical spoolie brush, it gives you a basic everyday look that can be built up if you want. It lasts all day with no flaking until late in the day. Comes off easily with water or a makeup wipe. I wish they’d do this with different brushes for different looks.”
milani highly rated lash extensions tubing mascara
milani highly rated lash extensions tubing mascara
Pros
- Comes off easily
- Cruelty-free
- 16-hour smudge-proof
Cons
- May weigh down lashes
A single swipe of this polymer, shea butter, and castor seed oil spiked formula holds lashes at a curl and makes them longer, too. Once you wash the mascara off, your lashes are even softer than before because of all the conditioning ingredients.
Ulta rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: "I think I might actually like this better than my beloved mascara. This is more black, more glossy, and so far, doesn't seem to thicken up and get gunky as fast as the other one. It removes just as easily, but stays on with no transfer all day easily. Love it."
Thrive Cosmetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara
Thrive Cosmetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara
Pros
- Comes in three shades
- Dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested
- No soap needed to remove
Cons
- Thick formula
This cult-loved product isn’t just a mascara—the formula also has castor seed oil, shea butter, carnauba wax, and B5 complex to condition and treat lashes, too. It comes in three shades (black, brown, and even the elusive blue), practically unheard of in the tubing mascara world.
Thrive rating: 4.5/5 stars
A Thrive reviewer says: “Love, love, love this mascara. It’s the only one I’ll ever buy. It gives my lashes length, volume, and a wow factor no other mascara gives me. It's super easy to take off and is a true tubing mascara.”
Kevyn Aucoin Beauty The Volume Mascara in Rich Pitch Black
Kevyn Aucoin Beauty The Volume Mascara in Rich Pitch Black
Pros
- Gel-like consistency
- Great for oily eyes
- Super-black formula
Cons
- Dries slowly
We love a super-thin wand. This short and spiraled spoolie makes it easy to coat lashes in the super-black formula. It's the perfect everyday, natural lash look.
Nordstrom rating: 4.2/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer says: "My oily eyelids made every other mascara (even Chanel) smudge or flake off little pieces on my face, but not this one. This stays on through a full workday, an afternoon workout, a run, and even a few tears."
Blinc Original Tubing Mascara Black
Blinc Original Tubing Mascara Black
Pros
- Water resistant
- Comes in black and brown shades
Cons
- Dries slowly
- Pricey
An icon in the world of tubing mascaras. It lasts all day (and night if that's what you need!) and the lightweight formula won't budge or smudge until you want to take it all off.
Sephora rating: 4.1/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: "My favorite mascara. It doesn't matter if it's hot or cold, windy, or I'm staying inside. This mascara stays on ALL DAY with no shadow or black smudges under my eyes. It comes right off when I wash my face at night. I don't know how it works, but I know it does."
tarte tartelette tubing mascara
tarte tartelette tubing mascara
Pros
- Mini size available
- Cruelty-free
- Keeps lashes curled
Cons
- May dry out quickly
A super bold tubing mascara that's easy to apply with the graduated silicone brush. The vegan formula is made with shea butter, castor oil, and carnauba wax and is exceptionally good at keeping lashes curled.
Sephora rating: 3.5/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: "I hope this mascara never gets discontinued. It is by far the boldest look mascara you will ever try. I use it with the Tarte lash primer and my lashes have never looked better in my life. No flaking, no smudging! Amazing mascara!"
Trish McEvoy High Volume Mascara in Black
Trish McEvoy High Volume Mascara in Black
Pros
- Volumizing formula
- Good for multiple layers
Cons
- Pricey
- May clump lashes
Trish McEvoy makes two different variations of tubing mascara—a curling and a volume (here). This one has a straight-and-skinny brush, so you can capture every lash in an uber-lifting glossy formula.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: "No more raccoon eyes! No smearing! Easy to remove! It comes off in tubes with just warm water!! Best mascara ever!!!!!!!!"
Velour Lashes Pretty Big Deal Lash Boosting Mascara with Peptides
Velour Lashes Pretty Big Deal Lash Boosting Mascara with Peptides
Pros
- Serum-spiked formula
- Curved brush
- Ophthalmologist tested
Cons
- Formula may be thick
The curved brush acts like a mini-lash curler to lengthen and volumize lashes. Clinically tested, the formula has ashwagandha, sodium hyaluronate, castor oil, and shea butter to help nourish lashes while you wear it.
Amazon rating: 3.7/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “These photos don’t lie. This is applied directly to naked lashes WITHOUT curling. And believe me, I’ve never gone a day without at least curling. Compare to my normal lashes! It makes them look sad! A nice liquid but not a runny formula. Curved brush. Very expensive looking packaging - looks designer. Buying multiple tubes to keep it in stock!”
MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara
Pros
- Sustainable packaging
- Lasts for 16 hours
- Ophthalmologist-tested
Cons
- Fragranced
- Difficult to remove
For the days you need your mascara to last all day—and night—this formula was tested to keep lashes curled and glossed for 16 hours. The carbon black formula comes housed in sustainable packaging, is ophthalmologist-tested, and is sweat- and humidity-resistant.
Ulta rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: "I never buy high-end mascaras, just because they only last for three months once opened. However, I finally decided to take a risk and get a fairly expensive MAC mascara. I asked the lady at the MAC store for a mascara that gave length and volume, but was still wearable because I go to school. She told me to get this and I just LOVE it! It's perfect. I waited to get home to try it because I was trying out a new mascara while I bought it. It's so easy to use and turns my short, straight Asian lashes into beautiful, natural-looking, and healthy lashes! I wish I got the name of the MAC lady; I wanna thank her. Anyway, this definitely changed my perspective about high-end mascaras."
It Cosmetics Hello Lashes+ Volumizing Mascara with Lash Serum
It Cosmetics Hello Lashes+ Volumizing Mascara with Lash Serum
Pros
- Serum-spiked formula
- Easy to remove
Cons
- Wand can be tricky
The unique two-sided wand is a little tricky to get used to at first, but once you have a handle on it, you'll love this tubing mascara. Two nourishing oils, plus biotin, keep lashes healthy long after you wash the formula off.
Ulta rating: 3.8/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: "I'm a firm believer in the power of mascara. Even if I don't feel like putting on a whole face of makeup, I can still avoid looking like an extra from The Walking Dead by just applying mascara. But that mascara must lengthen, lift, and plump my lashes. I got all of that AND a very interesting wand when I tried It Cosmetics' new Hello Lashes+ mascara. The formula is very high quality and even feels good on my lashes. The wand applicator is a little tricky at first. Turn the tube upside down and roll it between your palms. It will pull the pigment to the brush and allow for better application. Because of the clever design of the brush head, it coats all my lashes, including my inner corners, and it really lengthens them, too!"
ELAIMEI Black Thrive Mascara Waterproof
ELAIMEI Black Thrive Mascara Waterproof
Pros
- Volumizing formula
- Pretty packaging
Cons
- Tube may dry out quickly
- Not great for layering
This under-$10 serum is the product that started the “Botox in a bottle” trend on TikTok. Packed full of peptides, with continual use, it dramatically reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and crepey skin.
Amazon rating: 4.1/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Great products, but THIS one is the SAME quality as Glossier and Thrive! It wears well, washes off easily, has no smudging, no flaking, bonus sparkles on the package. I’m on my 3rd tube. Lashes don’t fall. It adds volume and length. It’s amazing.”
Elizabeth Mott Black Lengthening Mascara
Elizabeth Mott Black Lengthening Mascara
Pros
- Lengthening formula
- Paraben-free
- Lightweight
Cons
- Dries on lashes quickly
The c-shaped silicone brush makes it easy to apply the paraben-free, lengthening formula on both top and bottom lashes.
Amazon rating: 3.9/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: "Incredibly light and fluttery. It doesn't really tube off; more like it disintegrates in water with soap. It washes off easily and does not smudge with sweat or rain. I've bought this again and again—and I've tried all the greatest hits."
What is Tubing Mascara?
Say hello to tubing: the not-so-pretty word that may be one of the more exciting terms ever to be embossed on a mascara label. "Instead of the traditional oils and waxes used in mascaras, tubing formulas use a flexible polymer that is an excellent film former," says cosmetics consultant and chemist Nick Morante. Tubing mascara goes on slightly wetter than regular versions; when it dries, the lacquer shrink-wraps around each lash, giving "360-degree coverage," according to makeup artist Troy Surratt. As more of the polymer is brushed on, the tube builds up and out, like the structure of an icicle or a stalactite, adding millimeters to even the shortest of hairs.
"It's like you're actually stretching out the lashes. You can keep building length at the end," says Stila makeup artist Sarah Lucero. "It gives you a precise, pristine, retouched look."
Is Tubing Mascara Easy to Remove?
Not only does the emulsion of tubing mascara create a smooth, shiny surface, but it's also water soluble, so while normal sweat and tears won't disturb it, several splashes of H2O will cause the tubes to swell and loosen their grip on lashes, easily rinsing off. The smudge-prone (eye rubbers, those with oily skin, or those who live in a humid climate) love that the tubes are immune to smearing; sensitive types with easily irritated eyes or fragile lashes appreciate the formula's easy-off aspect.
Is Tubing Mascara Bad for My Lashes?
So 10 years after tubing first hit the U.S., why doesn't it have more fans? "Some women got a little freaked out by the sight of all the tubes rinsing off into the sink. They were worried that they were losing lashes," Surratt says. And although tubing polymers allow you to add length to each lash, they don't dramatically increase plumpness. Now companies such as Blinc and L'Oréal cater to those who want showgirl style results—lashes that look long and full—with a two-step approach. Their tubing primers provide a creamy base coat of moisturizing ceramides and panthenol plus thickening pigments. In addition to pumping up the volume, "the primer replenishes lashes and ensures an even mascara application," says Roseanne Fama, head of L'Oréal's Cosmetic Product Development.
Meet the Experts
Troy Surratt is a celebrity makeup artist and formulator who has a line with an incredible tubing mascara.
Sarah Lucero is the head makeup artist at Stila.
Roseanne Fama is the Vice President of Product Development at IT Cosmetics and former head of L'Oréal's Cosmetic Product Development division.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
ELLE's beauty editor Margaux Anbouba doesn't want to brag, but yes, those are her real lashes. Oh wait, plus three coats of mascara. Yeah—three different coats of three different mascaras, and a fourth waterproof-one on the bottom.
As ELLE’s beauty editor, Margaux wants to try it all and do it all…and she does. She's not afraid to chop, slather, dye, swipe, inject, and more—and if it's worth your time and money, she’ll rave about it here.
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