If I had to pick a product that would win the award for the most hotly-contested amongst my beauty editor pals then I’d have to give it to mascara. While we all have different skin types, hair textures and general beauty tastes, when it comes to things like brilliant foundations, head-turning fragrances and innovative serums, a lot of the time my peers and I tend to be in agreement about what constitutes the best. But with mascara, everyone has their own hot take on what makes one worthy of recommendation.
And I get it: lashes are deeply personal. While some of us want length and lift, others seek out curl and volume. I might rave about the brilliance of small, plastic wands for my short lashes while longer-lashed friends sing the praises of jumbo wands that are bristling with fibres. So when you add another factor into the mascara mix, things start to get even more complicated. I’m talking, of course, about the best waterproof mascaras.
Why should I wear waterproof mascara instead of my normal mascara?
I have to be honest: I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with waterproof mascaras. I get their appeal, of course – all of the lash-boosting benefits of a classic mascara, but with supercharged staying power. In fact, makeup artists often recommend layering a waterproof mascara over your usual formulation to reduce the risk of one of the most cardinal of mascara sins – flaking. And it genuinely works. But when I think about the arduous removal process that often comes hand-in-hand with using waterproof formulas, I tend to steer clear. Even if that means embracing a flakier eye look than I’d like.
But there’s no denying that some occasions simply call for a waterproof mascara. And for those such events – I’m talking best friends’ weddings, humid European city breaks or hen dos involving a significant amount of time spent on sweaty vodka-soaked dance floors – I have finely honed my collection of the best waterproof formulations.
These mascaras not only satisfy your lash needs (whether that be lifting, curling, volumising or all three) but they stay firmly put through tears, rain and sweat. Oh, and while they’re obviously designed to last (and hence don’t run, smudge or flake away once you’ve applied them) I’ve found that these modern waterproof mascaras are much easier to remove than their predecessors with some help from a bi-phase makeup remover or an oil-based cleanser.
Which brands do the best waterproof mascaras?
Without further ado, here are six of the best waterproof mascaras with my seal of approval.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Waterproof Mascara, £11.49
Despite what I said earlier about the general lack of consensus about best mascaras in the beauty community, when the original Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara launched basically every beauty editor I know was going wild for it.
The arrival of a waterproof version has been long-awaited and, thankfully, it doesn’t disappoint. It has the same flexible wand that really allows you to coat every single lash from root to tip with product, and it really extends short lashes thanks to an infusion of bamboo fibres. The only difference? It’s totally waterproof so it stays put all day without any signs of flaking.
L’Oreal Paris Air Volume Mega Waterproof Mascara, £10.99
Described by L’Oreal as a ‘whipped’ formula, this waterproof mascara is undoubtedly one of the best I’ve tried for adding a lightweight, lifted look to lashes. At first, I wasn’t entirely sure of the texture as I found it to be a little sticky straight out of the tube. However, the chunky bristle wand actually combs it through lashes with ease and any hint of tackiness simply ensures that it clings to your lashes all day so that coveted volume doesn’t start to fall flat.
The best thing for me about this mascara though? It’s a tubing formula, which means that you can rinse this away using just warm water – pretty much unheard of in the waterproof mascara market.
E.L.F Waterproof Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara, £5
This is a brilliant everyday mascara that ticks off the basic lash wish list (thicker-looking lashes with added length) with the added bonus of boasting a waterproof formula. It has a fairly unique wand in that it’s made from fibre bristles, but it’s still really easy to apply without smearing it all over your eyelids.
I like to think of this as the bread-and-butter of waterproof mascaras in that it won’t provide dramatic results, but it really does keep lashes looking good all day and it’s brilliant for creating a naturally fluttery eye look if you’re off to a pool party (I can dream) or heading out in torrential rain (more likely).
Milk Makeup KUSH High Volume Waterproof Mascara, £24
I’m a big fan of the original Milk Makeup KUSH Mascara thanks to how damn conditioning it is and, thankfully, its waterproof counterpart is just as brilliant. Thanks to the same nourishing infusion of hemp-derived cannabis seed oil (the cheeky star ingredient) it glides on silky-smooth and leaves lashes looking plump and separated.
And as well as all those kind-to-lash ingredients, it also uses vegan beeswax to help the formula stick without drying out lashes. The brush is chunky for sure, but it delivers flake-free volume and lift that can’t be rivalled if you want a full, glamorous lash look.
Huda Beauty Legit Lashes Waterproof Topcoat, £16
Although, strictly speaking, this isn’t a waterproof mascara in its own right, it will completely transform your favourite classic formulation into the best waterproof mascara you’ve ever tried.
Once you’ve applied your mascara, just wait for it to dry and then brush this clear gel topcoat over the top, from the roots to the tips of your lashes, just like you would a mascara. Once it’s set in place (it takes 30 seconds) your mascara will be totally waterproof and resistant to sweat, tears, smudging and flaking.
Totally genius and easily removed with an oil-based micellar water or oily cleansing balm at the end of the day.
Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara, £24
The original version of this is the bestselling prestige mascara in the States, so it comes as no surprise that Too Faced decided to launch a waterproof formula. For me, this really turns all of the preconceived notions I had about waterproof mascaras causing irritation and dryness on their head as this mascara is enriched with peptides, collagen and flower extracts to really condition and moisturise brittle lashes.
The secret to its waterproof status? Polymers that form a film over lashes for smudge-proof wear that lasts. And in terms of the look of your lashes themselves, the hourglass-shaped wand means that every lash is treated to the perfect amount of mascara to create a wide-eyed, fluttery and defined finish. Seriously, seriously, good.
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