Something I discovered about myself was that my mascara always transferred. I just thought it was due to my oily skin, and the humidity in the south. Years ago I had a makeup artist recommend a mascara for just my lower lashes. She was doing my makeup and asked me if my mascara ever transfers. I was like, yeah, always! She had me start using this tiny tube of MAC mascara. But I only ever used it on my bottom lashes. Years later, I am now hearing all this talk about tubing mascara. People SWEAR by it. Turns out that MAC mascara was tubing mascara and solved all my issues.
What Is Tubing Mascara
Tubing mascara is simply mascara that has one ingredient different than others. They’re polymers. You may see them in the ingredient list as polyvinylpyrrolidone. Polymers act differently in your mascara formula by creating a kind of film around your lashes. Instead of just applying pigment, it almost encapsulates the lashes. These are tube-like polymers that wrap around your lash and really make them look super long.
Benefits Of Tubing Mascara
You may notice some of your mascara flakes under your eyes, or transfers to your skin. Or maybe you go to take it off and it gives you raccoon eyes. These are all results of non-tubing mascara. Tubing mascara will avoid all of these issues. I always, always, had mascara transfer and could never wear mascara on my lower lashes. But now that I discovered tubing mascara, my lashes look so much better and I never have to worry about flakes or transfer under my eyes.
Since tubing mascara does a good job of lengthening and being semi-waterproof, you can also use this as a top coat. If you have a mascara that does a great job of adding volume and thickness, you can then top it with tubing mascara so it “sets” your mascara.
The last perk of tubing mascara is that it can be best for more sensitive eyes. Another thing I struggle with often. I’ve been a L’Oreal Carbon Black Voluminous mascara user for YEARS. I stuck to it because it didn’t irritate my eyes. I found myself hating any and all mascaras I tried so just stuck to my go-to. While I still love this mascara (I will use one of the below on my lower lashes though) I find that I have yet to discover any irritation while testing out tubing mascaras for today’s post. so if you have sensitive eyes, tubing mascara may be your answer!
My Favorite Tubing Mascaras I’ve Tried
Wander Beauty Mile High Club Mascara
I think this may be my favorite of the bunch. I find myself reaching for it the most. It gives so much length, has a great brush that makes it easy to apply to my top and lower lashes. It’s on the more expensive side for today’s list, but I would say totally worth it.
L’Oreal Paris Makeup Double Extend Beauty Tubes Lengthening 2 Step Mascara
I’d say the best drugstore tubing mascara, is this one from L’Oreal. It also comes with a primer on one side so you can prime your lashes first. I swear by a primer so this is a great way to have a 2-in-1. I liked the brush, formula and final result of this product. Would definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a drugstore option.
MAC Extended Play Lash
The mascara that started it all. This is the tiny tube of mascara that makeup artist suggested to me years ago. I’ve been using it for years on my bottom lashes only because I really liked another mascara for my top lashes. This is still a great product but again, lacks the volumizing and thickening of its tubing ingredient.
Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara
Tried and loved this one as well. I felt like it really lengthened my lashes too. It wore really well throughout the day for me. The Tarte Tartelette Tubing mascara helps to lengthen, curl and add volume all with 24 hour flake free and smudge proof formula.
Removing Tubing Mascara
The number one question I get when I share how much I now love tubing mascara, is how do you remove the tubing mascara? It is definitely more tricky because the tubing formula is technically waterproof. I have found using an oil cleanser and rubbing it across my lashes helps. But I truly just let it kind of stay on my lashes if it doesn’t all come off this way. I would not rub your lashes with a cotton pad and makeup remover, I find oil cleanser and just using your hands is best.
More Tubing Mascaras To Try
For testing purposes, I tried out four mascaras for this. The three above, which I love all of them, and then the fourth was the NYX one. It sadly arrived totally dried up. And after reading some reviews online, it looks like it dries up fast. It may have been slightly opened, not sure. But I wouldn’t recommend it. And if you want a drugstore option, the L’Oreal is the way to go. Below are a few more brands that are fairly popular when it comes to tubing mascaras.
Lastly, I would always recommend using a primer first. I find this makes the tubing mascara have a more thickening effect. I use the L’Oreal Paris volumizing conditioning primer. Have been a fan of this for years now and swear by it!
