Once You Try the Best Tubing Mascaras, You'll Never Go Back
Longer lashes, easy removal, and approved for sensitive eyes.
A little bit about me: I’m a beauty editor with sensitive, watery eyes, and for a good decade, I haven’t been able to find a favorite mascara. Even the best mascara formulas can leave me looking like a raccoon with bloodshot eyes come noon. But about a year ago, I was introduced to the world of tubing mascaras. Unlike regular formulas, which use moisturizing oils and waxes to create length and volume, the best tubing mascaras leverage special polymers to create an elongated tube around every individual lash. Think: Lash extensions in a bottle.
While all tubing mascaras will have the above in common, they're not one-size-fits-all. Some have smaller wands that are great for lower lashes, a handful are high-quality drugstore mascaras, and others come in brown shades for a softer finish. This means that there's an option for everyone, and the list is much more extensive than I feel like the general public has been led to believe.
I’ve spent the past few weeks testing dozens of formulas (seriously, I’ve worn a different mascara for the past 21 days), noting everything from how long each formula wears to how much it flaked, and even how easy they were to remove with warm water. Yes, I took this extremely seriously because tubing mascara is a product that I truly believe more people should be using. After almost a month straight of testing, I feel more than qualified to bring you the best tubing mascaras for every concern and lash type.
Here, you’ll be able to shop the best of the best—and learn everything you need to know about tubing mascaras and how to apply them with a little help from celebrity makeup artists Brandy Allen, Vincent Oquendo, and Lauren O’Leary, and cosmetic chemist Ginger King.
The Best Tubing Mascaras
- Best Tubing Mascara Overall: Sarah Creal Back of the Cab Volumizing Longwear Tubing Mascara
- Best Curling Tubing Mascara: Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara
- Best Tubing Mascara for Thicker Lashes: Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara
- Best Tubing Mascara for Sensitive Eyes: Merit Clean Lash Lengthening Tubing Mascara
I’ve never had lash extensions, but I imagine this mascara is the next best thing. With a creamy, conditioning formula fortified with shea butter, Sarah Creal’s innovative tubing formula instantly lengthens and defines every single lash. It has an almost glossy-like finish and a rich black intensity that lasts 12 hours. Trust me, I’ve tried it.
Benefits: Volumizing; Defining; Conditioning
Shades: Black
Key Ingredients: Shea butter
Wand Type: Hourglass shape
What I Love: Dark black formula; Holds a curl; Great for straight lashes; Ophthalmologist tested for sensitive eyes; Comes off easily
What I Don’t: The bottle dries out a little too quickly
Review for MC: “I’m in my late 20s, and despite the fact that this entire beauty line is designed for women over the age of 40, I was still compelled to try the mascara, which promises to mimic lash extensions. I have incredibly straight lashes that struggle to hold a curl and disturbingly watery eyes. With two coats of this mascara (and a quick pump of my lash curler), my lashes are completely transformed. I’ve never received so many compliments on my ‘long’ lashes in my entire life. I suppose that’s why I’m already on my third bottle.” — Samantha Holender, Senior Beauty Editor
Samantha Holender before, during, and after testing Sarah Creal's tubing mascara.
If you’re on the hunt for a do-it-all tubing formula that can outdo your regular mascara, turn your attention to Tartlette. Similar to the brand’s Better Than Sex formula, you’ll receive an instant boost of length, volume, and curl. But unlike the cult-favorite formula, you shouldn’t have any flaking or raccoon eyes. My favorite thing about this formula is that it’s available in a travel-size bottle, ensuring the mascara doesn’t dry out.
Benefits: Volumizing; Curling; Lengthening
Shades: Black, brown
Key Ingredients: Shea butter; Castor oil; Carnauba wax
Wand Type: Tapered
What I Love: Easy to remove; Incredibly lengthening; Holds a curl; Jet black color; Ophthalmologist-tested
What I Don’t: Some report smudging (which is likely due to the rare addition of wax in a tubing mascara formula)
Review for MC: “I am a die-hard tubing mascara fan, but I'm very skeptical of any new ones I try. This one did not disappoint! I liked how much it lengthened my lashes. It also held a curl well and didn't budge all day. And taking it off at the end of the day was so easy!” — Jonelle Afurong, former Junior Visual Designer
Jonelle Arfuong before, during, and after testing Tarte's tubing mascara.
Tubing mascaras are typically better at length than they are at volume. But with Kevyn Aucoin’s specially designed volume-building fibers, you’ll get both benefits in a single swipe. This particular mascara has a chunkier brush than most other tubing mascaras, so you should only need one coat to get a high-impact finish. The color is also intense, making this a great tubing mascara for special events.
Benefits: Volumizing; Lengthening; Dark pigment
Shades: Black
Key Ingredients: Jojoba seed oil
Wand Type: Precision brush
What I Love: Very dark pigment; Thickens in addition to lengthens; Clump-free formula
What I Don’t: Requires many coats to build up impact
Review for MC: “I’ve been a loyal waterproof mascara fan for years but then this tubing formula came into my life and solved two of my biggest mascara pain points—it actually stays put all day long and it’s easy as can be to remove. Other mascaras will end up smudged under my eyes and on my eyelids but this one does not budge in the slightest. It also comes off completely with just warm water, no harsh scrubbing required. Given just how long and thick my lashes look with this mascara, I'd say I've found a new favorite.” — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Brooke Knappenberger before, during, and after testing Kevyn Aucoin's tubing mascara.
If you love sustainable beauty as much as we do, consider this mascara from the eco-conscious brand Merit Beauty. This mascara is made from non-toxic ingredients and even comes in recyclable packaging. Its formula is perfect for everyday wear or for those who prefer a natural look. Lashes are defined and lengthened in just a swipe or two, resulting in that doe-eye wide-awake look. Thanks to fatty acids and olive oil, your lashes also receive a conditioning boost.
Benefits: Lengthening; Defining
Shades: Black
Key Ingredients: Fatty acids; Olive oil
Wand Type: Chunky
What I Love: Lengthening; Long-wearing; Smudge-proof; Clean; Vegan; Clump-free
What I Don’t: Doesn’t do a great job at curling lashes
Review for MC: “If I’m going for the clean girl aesthetic (read: slicked-back bun and minimal, glowy makeup), Merit is my go-to. Every single makeup product the brand puts out strikes the perfect balance between enhancing my features without overpowering them. That’s exactly what I get with this mascara. It ever-so-slightly lengthens each individual lash without clumping them together, flaking off, or creating a heavy, weighed-down appearance. Plus, the black is dark enough to brighten up my eyes, but light enough that it’s impossible to tell if I’m actually wearing any mascara at all.” — Samantha Holender, Senior Beauty Editor
Samantha Holender before, during, and after testing Merit's tubing mascara.
You’ll get clean, dark, and wispy lashes without a ton of clumpy volume with a few swipes of the Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara. Not one, but two, of our expert makeup artists named this formula as their favorite, so you know it’s a good formula to consider. “This formula is really budge-proof, especially during long press days,” notes Oquendo. “This is one of my favorite formulas. I’ve even used it on bottom lashes.” Allen echoes the sentiment, mentioning that, “it gives lashes intense length, lift, and definition.”
A brush with three suspended bands will help you master the clean-girl aesthetic by way of Tower 28’s Makewaves Mascara. It’s able to coat every little lash (even those little ones on the outer corner) with incredible ease. “This mascara gives a light, natural finish that’s ideal for daily wear, keeps my straight lashes curled for the entire day, and never, ever smudges or flakes—regardless of the humidity or my activity level,” says Marie Claire’s Senior Beauty Editor, Samantha Holender.
Defined lashes, a smudge-proof formula, and length that can make even the tiniest of lashes look like extensions? Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Future Lash Mascara will deliver all of this in a sleek black tube that feels next-level chic. “It is a super black formula, so it really makes my client's eyes stand out,” Oquendo says. "I found that I get a great even application from it, and I don’t have to worry about my client's mascara running on the red carpet.”
Drugstore makeup lovers rejoice—Essence is once again coming through to save the day. This time, with its Bye Bye Panda Eyes! Mascara. “A great tubing mascara doesn't have to cost you more than a cup of coffee,” says Marie Claire’s commerce editor, Brooke Knappenberger. “This $5 mascara works just as well to lengthen your lashes as the more expensive picks on this list. It also delivers the same long-lasting, smudge-proof results as other tubing mascaras, hence the name 'Bye Bye Panda Eyes.” Plus, this formula builds beautifully on the lash.
Ophthalmologist- and allergy-tested, fragrance-free, and no flakes falling into your eyes? Yes, a mascara like this exists, courtesy of Clinique's Lash Power Mascara. Knappenberger loves its thin, tapered brush, which she says “reaches the tiniest of lashes on the corners and bottom lashline.”
A tubing mascara that is removed easily, holds a curl, and lengthens the lashes is like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But it does exist, and we all have Thrive Causemetics' Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara to thank. “This is my favorite tubing mascara that I have tried (and I've tried many)," O'Leary says. "What I love about this formula is that it is really black, separates the lashes well, stays on long, and is easier to remove than my other mascaras." This mascara also comes in pink, green, blue, purple, brown, and black options.
What Is Tubing Mascara?
“Tubing mascaras are non-budging, which is great for oily skin and smaller eyes,” explains Allen, noting they're also some of the best mascaras for sensitive eyes. With these formulas, you’ll get more length than volume and a jet-black finish that still looks natural. Removing your eye makeup is as easy as can be—splash some water on your face, and the tubes of product will dissolve.
How Is Tubing Mascara Different From Regular Mascara?
The biggest difference between tubing and regular mascara is how the formula coats your lashes. “A tubing mascara uses polymers that will form little tubes to envelope the lashes and provide a volumized look,” explains King. “A regular mascara is usually made with waxes and oils—it also tends to smudge more.”
Deciding which option is best for you is largely up to personal preference. Just keep in mind that a regular mascara is better at providing thickness, density, and volume, whereas a tubing mascara will excel at lengthening.
What Are the Benefits of Tubing Mascara?
- Lengthening
Because tubing mascara essentially wraps around each lash with tiny tubes, lashes appear noticeably longer and, according to O’Leary, more defined.
- Easy Removal
O'Leary explains that tubing mascaras create "little tubes around your lashes," which are easier to remove than the pigments of non-tubing mascaras. Thus, they can wash off with warm water alone. This makes tubing mascara a great option for those with sensitive eyes who can't tolerate makeup removers.
- Long-Wearing
Tubing mascara has some serious staying power, too. “Tubing mascara is longer-lasting and doesn't come off until it's removed,” O’Leary says. “It's not waterproof but usually claims to be water-resistant, meaning it's less likely to smudge or transfer until removed.” You shouldn’t experience any running, bleeding, or black circles under your eyes.
What Do I Look for in Tubing Mascara?
- Ingredients
Ingredients truly set tubing mascaras apart from their contemporaries. Allen advises looking for polymers such as dimethicone, propanediol, polysilicone-11, cera alba, carnauba wax, and glyceryl stearate. Ingredients may also simply list "polymer" or "copolymer." Any of these compounds make your mascara a tubing formula.
Because mascara can be harsh on lashes, you'll also want to look for nourishing and conditioning ingredients like shea butter, castor oil, or vitamin E in your formulas.
- Brush Shape
Everyone has a different effect they are going for when it comes to mascara, so it’s important to consider the right brush shape and size for your aesthetic goals. Typically, a denser and smaller brush will give you voluminous lashes, whereas a thinner, longer brush will result in lengthened and clump-free lashes. But don’t be afraid to mix two mascaras to achieve the effect you want—it’s actually O’Leary’s favorite trick.
“I feel like this helps the longevity of my mascara and helps to separate and define at the end of my mascara application,” she says. “But you must do the tubing mascara after a normal mascara because tubing mascara dries quickly and is meant to be longer-lasting, making it harder to apply more coats once it's applied.”
How Do I Apply Tubing Mascara?
If you want to apply tubing mascara like a pro, take Oquendo’s words of advice: “Curl your lashes first and then apply from the base of the lash line. Make sure you get the mascara from root to tip, so that you can have a bright-eyed look.” While you shouldn’t experience any clumping when using a tubing mascara (a huge plus!), you can always use a lash comb to ensure a defined finish.
How Do I Remove Tubing Mascara?
Part of the allure of a tubing mascara is the removal process. If you have sensitive eyes, you know that eye makeup remover, which is needed for regular mascaras, can be irritating. Tubing mascaras, on the other hand, will come off with just a splash of water. “It’s much more gentle to the eyes,” says King. Use unscented micellar water and a cotton pad for an irritation-free cleanse.
Why Trust Marie Claire
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
How We Tested
I personally tested 21 tubing mascaras, while the rest of the Marie Claire team tested an additional nine. We evaluated each product on wear, how much it flaked, how long it stayed on lashes, and how easy it was to remove with warm water.
Meet the Experts
Lauren is a New York City/Minneapolis based makeup artist, men's groomer, and beauty expert. She grew up in Minnesota but had her heart set on living in New York City since she was very young. As a lifelong artist, she was always on top of the latest beauty trends. Lauren specializes in beauty, editorial, celebrity, commercial/print, film TV work. A few of her clients include Guess, Maybelline, Saks Fifth Ave, Samsung, Conde Nast, and celebrities Niki Taylor, Kaia Gerber, Joey Fatone, Shaq, Charlotte Mckinney, Hannah Brown, James Van der Beek, and more.
A native of Los Angeles, Brandy Allen started working in make-up at the age of 18 while earning her bachelor’s degree in Journalism. She worked in corporate beauty and sales for five years with companies such as MAC, Make Up For Ever, Napoleon Perdis, DuWop, Fashion Fair and Maybelline. While working in make-up throughout college, she honed her skills, product knowledge and customer service. Over the years, Brandy has become one of the industry’s go-to artists for women of color. She’s accentuated the natural beauty of celebrities such as Aja Naomi King, Keke Palmer, Janelle Monae, Serayah McNeil, Danielle Brooks, Yara Shahidi, and many more. Brandy is known for color mixing and flawless skin.
Vincent Oquendo is a globally recognized makeup artist, known for his bold aesthetic and creative vision. A “make-up maestro,” according to ELLE, Vincent's red carpet clients include Lily Collins, Janelle Monae, Bella Hadid, Karlie Kloss, Hailey Bieber, Diane Kruger, and Jessica Biel.
Ginger King has been passionately creating beauty products from concept to finish since 1995. She is well versed in innovative concepts, creative product formulation, advanced technology applications, ergonomic package development and impactful competitive analysis. Ginger has developed over hundreds of products from hair care to skin care, and sun care to color cosmetics. Her claim to fame products include the revolutionary first to market Joico ICE SPIKER, water resistant hair glue, Freeze 24.7 Ice Shield, SPF 15 face wash and Avon Advance Techniques Color Protection series. Her Avon True Color Eye shadow and Daring Definition Mousse Mascara have also been selected as the finalists for CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women) for 2005 and 2006 respectively.
