With summer comes sweat, dips in the pool, the occasional rain, and maybe some tears — hey, we all cry, there's no shame in it! These are all givens in the warmer months, but one thing we'd rather avoid this season are the inky drips of sweat that run down our faces from our mascara. So, what's the fix to this? A waterproof mascara, of course.
"Conventional waterproof mascaras contain film-former ingredients to make the formula more hydrophobic — meaning that it doesn’t like to be dissolved by water and repels water," says NakedPoppy research scientist Marisa Plescia. However, not all waterproof mascaras actually live up to their claims: Many of them smudge, flake, and fade, while others can cause more harm than good to your precious eyelashes.
"Often these ingredients are synthetic and petroleum based," says Plescia. "Waterproof mascara can also be more drying to your eyelashes and, since it's difficult to remove, may cause damage to your eyelashes due to extra rubbing."
So, because I am the human guinea pig of beauty, I decided to put a bunch of waterproof mascaras to the test (R.I.P. my eyelashes) to see which one is truly the best of the bunch. Check out the crème de la crème below:
My lashes and I dedicated a full month — seriously, four whole weeks — to testing out the top rated waterproof mascaras on the market. During the testing period, I kept these pointers in mind:
• How long does the waterproof mascara last?
• Is it actually water-resistant?
• Any clumping, webbing, or flaking?
• Is it easy to apply?
• How easy is it to take off?
Many trials and errors later, I found the top 10 waterproof mascaras that can beat the heat. From drugstore to luxury buys, keep reading to learn more about the crème de la crème of waterproof mascaras.
Learn more about how we test products, from the questions we ask our testing team, to the types of products we feel are actually worth testing, to the overall time we put in to our testing process.
When it comes to the best of the best waterproof mascaras, this one from Shiseido just couldn't be beat. It has a shorter, thinner brush with slim nylon bristles that evenly coats each and every lash, plus the tip has tiny bristles that lets you get to the inner corners of your lashes with ease.
Its formula fits my Goldilocks-like "just right" taste — not too thick, but not too inky — and glides on without any clumping. It dries super fast, plus it doesn't irritate my sensitive eyes, which is a major plus in my book.
It’s buildable, quick-drying, long-lasting, and truly waterproof (it survived a 45-minute workout in 80-degree weather). Just note that it gets a bit flaky as you wipe it off, which makes removal a bit messy.
I'm a major fan of the original Better Than Sex Mascara (but who isn't?), so I was pretty excited to try out the waterproof version. And spoiler alert: It blew most of its competition out of the water.
Its hourglass wand gives lashes a boost of volume where they need it the most, and while the thick formula threw me off at first, I was delightfully surprised with how well it glided on. It's easy to build coats on top of one another, and I’d say three coats are perfect for the most dramatic finish.
The only reason why this one is second place is because the results don't show up as well in pictures.
If you're going for a dip in the pool or hanging out oceanside, then this is definitely the mascara you want to use. The formula is great for creating a defined. voluminous, and lengthened look, and it gets brownie points for its true-black formula that adds definition.
The triangle-shaped wand is unique and makes applying to inner and outer lashes clump-free. All you need is one coat of this gel-like formula to give you the results you want.
However, be prepared to spend some extra time and effort in taking this mascara off, because it seriously does not budge. I tried double cleansing, makeup wipes, and makeup remover to no avail, and I only fully removed it when I used the MAC Cleanse Off Oil, which makes removal an extra monetary investment (unless you want to remove all of your eyelashes).
Chances are, this is probably one of the first mascaras you've ever owned. This classic waterproof mascara has been around ever since I could remember, and is still a reliable formula for a great day-to-day look. It has a wider brush and short bristles to create a voluminous, more defined look — think of it as a lightly lined bra for your lashes, subtle but still accentuating.
Two things I will say about this mascara: It is slightly smudgy, so give it a few minutes to dry off. Also, stick to one coat, as it starts to get clumpy and web-like when you try to layer it.
News flash: You don't need to shell out the big bucks to get a waterproof mascara that actually works. This mascara gives lashes a great fanned-out effect that focuses length and volume on the outer lashes, while defining inner corners for a retro starlet effect. The formula does take a bit of time to dry, so don't go rubbing your eyes too quickly after applying!
Also, if you have a big soiree, you night want to pack this one in your bag — the formula fades away as the day goes by, so reapplying may be needed throughout the day.
If you're looking for a clean and green formula, tarte is always a great beauty brand to shop. Their Lights, Camera, Splashes waterproof mascara is a best-seller for its 4-in-1 formula that lifts, curls, volumizes, and lengthens without any toxins or red flag ingredients like mineral oil, parabens, or gluten.
This mascara comes with a classic wand that makes application a total breeze. Its formula is slightly thicker than most, which means a little can go a long way with your lashes — just one coat creates the perfect natural look. Add an extra layer for a more dramatic, voluminous look.
Plus, wiping it off is as easy as swiping it on: Just grab a makeup wipe (I used my all-time favorite, the Athena Club Soft Face Wipes), swipe off, and it's all gone.
One note about this mascara: It takes slightly longer to dry, so make sure you give yourself extra time to avoid smudging.
Looking for a big, bold look without breaking out the falsies? Then this waterproof mascara will do just the trick. It has a skinnier brush with thick, bushy bristles to coat each and every lash with its volumizing formula.
To put it simply, this mascara is like hairspray for your lashes: It makes them look enormous in just a few swipes! Plus, it will last from day to night while still looking fresh, which is a major plus for me.
If you want volume with a hint of length, try applying two coats — just be careful for clumping. Also, when removing this mascara you're going to need more than a face wipe, so make sure you have an oil cleanser on hand.
Make this waterproof mascara your go-to for skyscraper length. It's formulated to give you a vintage ’60s doe-eyed look à la Twiggy, and it definitely lives up to its name. Its slippery, ink-like formula and thin brush make for a perfect pair to create a clump-free, lengthened look. It gives off a subtle amount of volume, but reaches sky-high lengths that you won't get from other mascaras.
Bonus: It's great for giving bottom lashes a bit of a boost, especially since the waterproof formula won't smudge or flake onto your undereyes.
Want a simple, one-and-done situation? Then grab this waterproof mascara, stat. Its formula and thin brush make swiping on an easy, clump-, and web-free situation, plus the formula is intense enough to be finished applying in a single swipe.
I loved the thickness of the formula, but don't try applying more than one coat, because it will definitely clump. When it came to wearing throughout the day, it did ever so slightly smudge and leave a dark ring under my eyes, but it was easy to clean up with a tissue and concealer. As for removal, you can easily wipe it off with a makeup removing wipe.
If you live for drama, then you need this waterproof mascara. The big, fluffy brush grabs each and every eyelash to coat it with mascara, which can lead to an ever-so-slightly clumpy look that can easily be cleaned up with a cotton swab.
The formula is a bit on the liquidy side, so be prepared for a bit of post-application clean-up, but once it dries expect no clumping, fading, smudging, or any of the sorts — just dramatically bigger, more defined, and longer lashes in a single swipe. That's why this formula is great if you want length and volume.
Jennifer HusseinBeauty EditorJennifer is the Beauty Editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse.
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