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Finding an outstanding mascara that gives you the eyelashes of your dreams can take lots of trial and error, but finding one that does that andstays intact through tears, rain, and allergy seasonis downright challenging. Considering that smudged, runny, or flaky mascara can immediately ruin your makeup look,having a go-to waterproof favorite is a makeup bag must-have.
So, we scoured the internet to find the most popular waterproof mascaras—and we put 29 to the test. There weresweat and rain simulations, artificial tears, and a whole lot more that went into finding the cream of the crop. Luckily for you, we narrowed it all down,crowning eight winnersthat stood apart from the rest, and tapped professional makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell for her advice on how to get the most out of ‘em.
COVERGIRL Clump Crusher Waterproof Mascara at Amazon
Maybelline New York Lash Discovery Waterproof Mascara at Ulta
Lancôme Hypnôse Waterproof Mascara at Amazon
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Waterproof Mascara at Amazon
Innisfree Skinny Waterproof Microcara Mascara at Amazon
L’Oréal Bambi Eye Waterproof Mascara at Amazon
Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara at Sephora
In This Article
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Best Overall
COVERGIRL Clump Crusher Waterproof Mascara
Amazon
View On Ulta
View On Target
Nice amount of product on the brush
Curved brush allows for maximum coverage
Defined but natural-looking end result
Can take a few coats to build volume
Covergirl is known for some iconic mascaras, and if you ask us, this should be one of them. It features acurved brush with fine bristles, which is the type Sewell says can be the most helpful in gripping each lash evenly. And she’s totally right—the wandseparated our lashes and provided natural-looking definitionwith the flick of a wrist.
We appreciate that the brush has two sides: one to load product onto the lashes and another tocomb away any clumps. Why is this important? Well, many volumizing mascaras can be rather thick and deposit clumps along each lash. But, thanks to this innovative two-sided design, there were no clumps in sight.
The only con worth noting: Some online reviewers say that it can take several coats to achieve significant volume. However, we noticed fuller, elongated lashes after one swipe.
Who It’s For
This is a great choice for anyone seeking natural-looking definition (ideal for everyday makeup), as the brush deposits the right amount of product every time.
Benefits: Volumizing |Cruelty-Free:
Yes
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
Best Drugstore
Maybelline New York Lash Discovery Waterproof Mascara
Amazon
View On Target
View On Walmart
Thin wand is great for targeting bottom lashes
Provides clump-free definition
Even application
Not the most buildable formula
Chances are you’ve heard of (or tried) some of Maybelline’s most popular mascaras, but this one seems to fly under the radar. It features alengthening formula and a long, narrow brushthat pretty much resembles an eyebrow spoolie. Because the brush is so thin, it makestargeted application a breeze—especially on the lower lashes. There’s no doubt that it creates gorgeous, lengthened lashes, but we found it wasn’t the easiest to layer; it left a little bit of a mess after more than one coat.
Who It’s For
This mascara is aone-hit wonder: it creates gorgeous, lengthened lashes that last with a single stroke.But we caution against layering since it can get a bit messy after more than one coat. Plus, it’s available at almost any drugstore, so you should be able to find it easily.
Benefits: Lengthening | Cruelty-Free: Yes
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
Best Splurge
Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Waterproof Mascara
Ulta
View On Sephora
View On Ulta
Curved brush makes gripping the lashes easy
Provides buildable volume
Easy to remove
Has a strong fragrance, which is off-putting for an eye product
If you’re going to splurge on a mascara, let it be on this one. It features along, curved brush that goes the extra mile, ensuringa grip on every lash—including those hard-to-reach inner corner ones. You can layer it on as much as you’d like, but to be totally honest,we achieved dramatically voluminous lashes with a coat or two. Also important: During testing, we witnessed it remain completely smudge-proof and flake-free, even when put under watery conditions. While there’s no denying that $33 is a splurge as far as mascara goes, it accomplishes three major feats that other mascaras only wish they could.
The only downside is that we noticed a pretty strong fragrance, which isn’t ideal, especially for eye products, since it can be irritating. However, it is very common in waterproof formulas.
Who It’s For
If you’re looking for a mascara that allows you tobuild waterproof volume with minimal effort, this is a great option.
Benefits: Volumizing | Cruelty-Free: No
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
Best Volumizing
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Plumping Waterproof Mascara
Neutrogena
View On Target
View On Walmart
Tapered wand
Bold volume in just one coat
Easy to remove
Some may find it too clumpy
It’s not often that a brand groups a moisturizer and a mascara under the same line, but considering that Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost line is all about plumping and replenishing, it makes sense. Just like the iconic moisturizer, this mascarautilizes the power of hyaluronic acid for its hydrating and plumping benefits. The nourishing formula and the tapered wand work in tandem to provideextreme volume and a silky feel in just one coat.
Even though it created thick, bold lashes and stayed put throughout the day, it was easy to remove(i.e., it didn’t take literal days to get all of the remnants off of our lashes and face),which earned it a top score in the performance category. While we loved the experience of using this mascara, some online reviewers found it to be thick and clumpy. To avoid this, we recommend layering the formula slowly, allowing each coat to completely dry before adding more.
Who It’s For
If you have damaged, dry eyelashes in need of some TLC, we recommend this pick, which leans on restorative ingredients we’d be comfortable rubbing all over our faces. It’s also a good option foranyone seeking fullness, as it offers thick, bold lashes in one swipe.
Benefits: Volumizing | Cruelty-Free: No
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
Best for Everyday Wear
Innisfree Skinny Waterproof Microcara Mascara
Amazon
View On Yesstyle.com
View On Stylevana.com
Creates natural effect
Great for the lower lashes
Mess-free application and removal
Long, skinny wand is tricky to hold
Featuring a micro-fine brush that allows you to target each lash, this mascara is helpful in achieving that “I woke up like this” natural eyelash look. During testing, we noticed thatone coat goes a long way, especially for lengthening and curling lashes, and doesn’t make a mess all over your face or lids. The formula itself creates anelongated look, while the thin wand allows you to get super close to the roots and achieve a pretty curl. Because the wand is so long and skinny, it was a bit difficult to hold at first. However, the beautiful, natural-looking results quickly made that minor inconvenience worth it.
Who It’s For
If you love the look ofnaturally defined lashesbut struggle with smudging and flaking, this mascara could be just what you need.
Benefits: Curling, Lengthening | Cruelty-Free: No
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
Best False Lash Effect
L’Oréal Bambi Eye Waterproof Mascara
Ulta
View On Ulta
View On Target
Can be built up quickly
Completely smudge-proof
Easy to remove
Large brush can make detail work difficult
L’Oréal has plenty of outstanding mascara formulas in its line, but if you ask us, this one is underrated. The brush features acombination of long and short bristles that help separate the lashes for a fanned-out look—and the formula provides clump-free volume that lasts. While the brush is a bit big for targeting tight areas, it does agreat job at building on volume quicklywithout looking or feeling goopy. The results looked like falsies but saved us the tedious task of applying fake lashes.
While some waterproof formulas can be nearly impossible to remove without harsh rubbing with makeup remover, this onecame off surprisingly well with just a few swipes of a cotton pad soaked in makeup remover.
Who It’s For
A great choice for anyone looking to achieve a false eyelash effectwithout actually applying them, this mascara volumizes lashes without smudging or running.
Benefits: Volumizing | Cruelty-Free
: No
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
Easiest to Remove
Lancôme Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara
Ulta
View On Amazon
View On Ulta
Creates dramatic volume
Removes easily with micellar water
Brush makes gripping each lash easy
Can look a bit heavy
Popular with many beauty enthusiasts, Lancôme’s Monsieur Big Mascara is among the best of the best when it comes to mascara. And just like the original, this waterproof iterationcreates an incredibly full, dramatic lash look. One of the best attributes is that the brusheffectively provides intense volumewithout missing any of the lashes. Despite how thick it can be built up, itcan be removed quite easily with micellar water.
While we loved the results, we did find that after two coats our lashes looked slightly weighed down—so if you worry about droopy lashes, you may want to stick to just one.
Who It’s For
If you loathe removing mascara, this is a good choice for you. The formula washes off easily with a quick swipe of a micellar water or makeup wipe.
Benefits: Volumizing |Cruelty-Free: No
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
Best Applicator
Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara
Ulta
View On Ulta
View On Macys
Hourglass wand makes for even application
Not too heavy on the lashes
Delivers lift and volume
Slight flaking may occur
Just like the original, the waterproof version of the beloved Better Than Sex Mascara delivers intense volume and lift for the ultimate dramatic look. Thehourglass-shaped brush helps to separate and coat the lashes, while the intense black pigment adds striking definition. In addition to delivering on itslifting and volumizingclaims, we appreciated that the formula never weighed our lashes down when we tested it for ourselves. While it remained completelysmudge-freethroughout the tests (a huge win!), we did experience a bit of flaking, which prevented it from receiving a perfect score.
Who It’s For
If you often make a mess when applying mascara, look to this option that features aneasy-to-use brush. It helps guide application and ensure a picture-perfect finish every time.
Benefits: Volumizing, Curling |Cruelty-Free
: Yes
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
Where We Stand
Our top pick is the CoverGirl Clump Crusher Waterproof Mascara, thanks to its incredible curved brush and buildable formula. But if you’re looking for a waterproof mascara that creates a bold lash, we recommend giving the L’Oréal Bambi Eye Waterproof Mascara a go.
How We Tested
buuk.top editors thoughtfully researched popular waterproof mascaras, taking expert recommendations and consumer reviews into account before selecting29 to put to the test. Testers applied mascara to clean lashes, let them dry, and then simulated tears and rain using eye drops and mistersto test for smudging, flaking, and running. The mascaras that scored highest made our list. All tests were performed in The Lab, our Manhattan product testing facility.
Attributes we considered for the mascaras we tested:
What application was likeWhether or not the mascara smudged, flaked, or ranHow quickly the mascara driedIf the formula delivered volume and/or lengthHow easy it was to remove after wear
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
Other Options We Tested
essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara
Aside from the rubber design on the handle which made gripping this affordable mascara incredibly easy, we appreciated that it delivered on its false lash-effect claim. Lashes looked longer and fuller, but we did find that it was just a bit clumpy.
buuk.top / Jessica Juliao
Byredo Waterproof Mascara
It’s safe to say that the packaging of this luxe mascara is chic, and the curved handle even helps to grip the product and make the application effortless. But while the results were beautiful, it failed the smudge test—making the waterproof claim hard to substantiate.
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
Eyeko Beach Waterproof Mascara
While this vegan mascara creates an elongated, wispy effect, we found that it flaked a bit and was very difficult to remove.
buuk.top / Tamara Staples
What to Look for in a Waterproof Mascara
Smudge-proof formula: It goes without saying that you should seek out a mascara formula that won’t smudge, bleed, or run when an unexpected rain shower (or cry session) crops up. Each of the mascaras on this list has been rigorously tested to withstand showers of all kinds.Desired result: Different mascaras yield different results, whether that be volume, definition, or length. If you want subtly defined lashes, choose something like the Innisfree Skinny Waterproof Microcara Mascara, which won’t build up too much volume too quickly. If you want bold, dramatic lashes, try a volumizing formula, like the L’Oréal Bambi Eye Waterproof Mascara, or a lengthening mascara that also plumps up lashes.Conditioning ingredients
: Waterproof mascaras can be drying on the lashes, especially since they often require you to scrub hard to remove them. Because of this, it can be worthwhile to look for formulas that contain nourishing ingredients to help counteract the potential damage to your lashes. If you have dry or brittle lashes to begin with, look for formulas that include ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, nourishing oils and waxes, and more. If you’re looking for a drugstore option with conditioning benefits, try the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Plumping Mascara Waterproof.
The main downside to using waterproof mascara is that it tends to be more difficult to remove than washable formulas. However, removing waterproof formulas without impairing your lashes is possible. Start by soaking a cotton pad in your makeup remover or micellar water of choice and gently press it on your lashes for thirty seconds, allowing it to loosen the mascara. Then, gently swipe the cotton pad across your lashes to remove the bulk of the formula. You can then cleanse your face to remove the excess and use a cotton swab and makeup remover afterward to remove any traces from hard-to-reach areas. If you find that traditional makeup remover or micellar water isn’t doing the trick, try using a cleansing balm, as the oils could help further break down the mascara.
Like regular mascara, you’ll want to be sure to reach for a new tube around every three months. Being diligent about getting rid of old mascara is important in order to avoid eye infections and skin reactions. Makeup can gather bacteria over time, and when it comes to your eyes, you want to avoid contamination as best you can.
According to Sewell, proper mascara application starts with a curl. “I always curl with a lash curler first before coating lashes evenly with one to two coats of waterproof mascara,” she explains. “My favorite way to apply waterproof mascara is to sandwich it in between a regular mascara for ultimate volume.”
Why Trust buuk.top
Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry. She has tested countless washable and waterproof mascaras, including several on this list. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at buuk.top since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.
Caitlyn Martyn is a commerce writer on staff at buuk.top, where she covers beauty and style-related topics. She is an experienced product tester and has tried hundreds of mascaras over the years, including a number of the formulas that appear on this list.
They spoke with an expert to get the skinny on all things waterproof mascara:
Kelli Anne Sewell is a professional makeup artist and founder of Makeup by Kelli Anne, a makeup tutorial platform.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough waterproof mascaras from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@buuk.top.com
, and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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