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No runny mascara here.
Byrdie
In This Article
Byrdie
TL;DR
Our overall standout is theMAC Stack Waterproof Mascara.
It goes above and beyond in the length, volume, and definition department.
It is relatively easy to remove and doesn’t smudge or flake.
PHOTO: MAC
A great budget option is theEssence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara.
It even compares to its higher-end counterparts.
We also tapped professional makeup artistKelli Anne Sewellfor her advice on how to get the most out of them.
We evaluated each one based on its ease of use, overall look, wear, and removal.
After literal sweat and tears, we narrowed it down, crowning winners that stood apart from the rest.
For this standout, that is only the bare minimum.
PHOTO: Ulta
This favorite from MAC effectivelylengthensandvolumizesfor beautiful, defined lashes.
Swipe on a single coat for an everyday makeup look or multiple for afalsie-looking effectsans clumps.
We love that the brush combs and separates the lashes to ensure you achieve a fanned-out finish.
Byrdie / Jennifer Maldonado
We love the eye-opening effect it creates, but its impressive performance made it stand out even more.
It stayed beautifully intact, lasting through a facial and sweaty workout.
Victoria, tester:“I loved this mascara brush!
PHOTO: Sephora
This mascara delivered both length and volume.
It created an eye-opening effect.”
Aside from the great price, we were more impressed with this mascara’s lengthening and lifting impacts.
Byrdie / Elena Garcia
The tapered wand easily coats the lashes in the inner and outer corners of our eyes.
We only wish it added a bit more volume.
The formula is pretty lightweight, so it didnt weigh down the lashes or ruin their curl.
PHOTO: Ulta
It created a prettynatural, defined look thats great foreveryday makeup looks.
Byrdie / Jennifer Maldonado
Jennifer, tester:“This mascara is truly great for the pricejust $5.
It lifts my lashes and stays put all day without any fallout.
It’s definitely a great drugstore mascara.”
It features a lightweight and buildable formula that thickens the lashes without weighing them down and ruining yourcurl.
The effects are dramatic.
PHOTO: Ulta
We loved that, as we layered it, it didnt getclumpyor stick the lashes together.
While the brush is a bit large, the bristle design is perfect for a fanned-out look.
And once its on, its not going anywhere.
It remained intact without signs of smudging or flaking all day long.
This is not a natural-looking mascara at all.
Instead, your lashes will look bold and dramaticI love it."
PHOTO: Sephora
A few coats worked to significantly elongate and emphasize every lash without weighing them down or creating any clumps.
It didnt smudge or flake during spritz tests in the lab or while wearing it daily.
Victoria, tester:“I loved the way my lashes looked with this mascara.
It gave them a major lift and added a ton of length.
I felt like my lashes were nicely separated and maintained the curl all day.”
Luckily, this editor favorite separates your lashes for a full, fanned-out look.
PHOTO: Ulta
Plus, this standout has true staying power as it didn’t flake, smudge, or budge.
We also love that it could be layered without lookingspidery.
Victoria, tester:“My lashes definitely looked way longer with this mascara.
Byrdie / Tina DiRosa
My lashes looked separated, not clumpy, and the look stuck around all day.”
The soft wand effortlessly combs through hair, giving them a noticeable push.
There’s nothing better than va-va-voom lashes that look defined, separated, and plush.
PHOTO: Sephora
We thought the brush was easy to use and did a nice job combing and separating our lashes.
Instead, we found it best forno-makeup makeupor everyday looks.
Once applied, we were quite impressed with the performance.
It didnt smudge or flake at all and was among the easiest to remove.
Byrdie / Tina DiRosa
Tina, tester:“I think this achieved more of a natural look.
The brush picked up a good amount of product.
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
This pick fromMilk Makeupis a breeze in comparison.
Infused withhemp-derivedcannabis seed oil, the formula nourishes and conditions for healthier-looking lashes, the brand claims.
We appreciated how hydrating the formula felt and loved the fluffy, bristly wand.
It helped us achieve long, full lashes with noticeable volume.
Given that it’s easier to remove, it is not as long-lasting as the other recommended mascaras.
Victoria, tester:“I found this mascara to be the least drying out of them all.
It came off easily with a cotton pad dampened with waterproof makeup remover.
The picks on this list were carefully considered and met our Byrdie-approved standards.
you’re able to apply waterproof mascara the same way you apply a nonwaterproof mascara.
Mascara, for me, always starts with a curl, but thats personal preference, says Sewell.
She then combs the wand through her lashes to add a second coat.
However,removing waterproof formulaswithout impairing your lashes is possible.
Then, gently swipe the cotton pad across your lashes to remove the bulk of the formula.
Like regular mascara, youll want to reach for a new tube around every three months.
Being diligent aboutgetting rid of old mascarais important to avoid eye infections and skin reactions.
Meet Our Expert
We spoke with an expert to better understand all things waterproof mascara.
Why Trust Byrdie
Alyssa Kaplanis an associate editor and product tester for Byrdie specializing in cosmetics.
She has tested countless washable and waterproof mascaras, including several on this list.
For this article, Alyssa analyzed feedback from testers who tried over 30 mascaras.
She narrowed it down to these top picks that outperformed the rest.
Amanda Rosenthalis a writer for Byrdie.
She covers all things beauty, skincare, and hair care.
She considers herself a mascara connoisseur, having tried dozens of mascaras, including ones on this list.
Her personal favorites include the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High and L’Oreal Telescopic.
