Frequently Asked Questions
How is tubing mascara different from regular mascara?
While there is plenty of overlap between the ingredients in tubing mascara and regular mascara, there are also crucial differences, the main one being the former’s ability to wrap around lashes, Dobos explains. “The overall ingredient list for a tubing mascara might resemble a traditional mascara emulsion, with traditional waxes and emulsifiers, but polymers are necessary to form a ‘tube’ around each lash,” she explains. “The polymers have just enough adhesion to the lashes to hold them in place until you wiggle the tubes free with gentle pressure for removal.”
Tubing mascaras also tend to be easier to take off. Instead of rigorously wiping your eyes with makeup remover or thoroughly massaging mascara away with cleansing oil, the polymer-formed tubes slide off with warm water and gentle pressure. While waterproof mascara may offer comparable staying power, it can require a full-force scrub-fest to remove—and even worse, it often claims a few lashes as collateral.
How should I choose a tubing mascara?
When choosing a tubing mascara, check the ingredients list for key players. “If you’re looking for more volume, ingredients like silica microspheres will help fatten the appearance of lashes and allow for a smooth application,” Dobos explains. “And tiny rayon fibers can bring additional lengthening.”
You should also keep your lash goals in mind: Dorn says to consider the color, the type of brush used to apply the product, and the formula. For example, if your goal is a more natural look, try a brown mascara. Conversely, “I always love a black mascara for most big events, because this will stand out the most in photos and darken the lashes so they are more prominent,” she says.
A thinner, comb-like brush will be better for separation and clump-prevention, and will also be easier to use on bottom lashes; bigger brushes with more bristles can provide more volume (“but personally, I find these clump more often,” she notes). Wetter formulas “can really lengthen the lash and separate them easier,” says Dorn, while a quick-drying formula might clump a bit more, “but will hold a curl in the lash very well,” she says.
And pro tip: If you love a formula but find the brush just isn’t cutting it, “use a clean mascara wand to brush through the lashes as soon as you apply the mascara,” Dorn advises.
Are there any downsides to tubing mascara?
Tubing mascaras might not provide as much curl as they do length, volume, and separation, according to Dorn; to get around this, she recommends curling your lashes a few times before you put on the mascara and then coating the lashes. Additionally, she says that some find they don’t layer as well as traditional mascaras. (This makes sense; a lash can only take so many tubes.)
Meet the experts
- Kelly Dobos, a cosmetic chemist based in Cincinnati, Ohio
- Kat Dorn, a makeup artist based in New York City
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best tubing mascaras, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, makeup artists, and cosmetic chemists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear, longevity, and resistance. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
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After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
