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The 10 Best Waterproof Mascaras That Have Never Failed Me
Tears and humidity are no match for these long-wear formulas
There are several reasons why you might choose a waterproof mascara over a regular formula. Maybe you cry a lot, like I do, and you don't want to pull a Lauren Conrad. If you live in a hot and sticky environment, a waterproof mascara can ensure that you don't resemble a raccoon by midday. Or maybe you just really need the wear and longevity that a waterproof mascara provides. After all, the best waterproof mascaras will not budge until they're met with a strong, oil-based makeup remover or cleansing balm (and even then, you'll have to scrub and soak a little). I've tested hundreds of waterproof mascara formulas over the years, but the 10 below are the ones that have earned my trust and loyalty for never flaking, smudging, or ghosting,
L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Volume Building Waterproof Mascara
Pros
- Top-rated on Amazon
Cons
Best for: Volume, length
Why I love it: L’Oréal's Voluminous formula is a staple in the kit of so many celebrity makeup artists. It delivers buildable volume, great pigment, and a fanned-out effect at a truly unbeatable price. The waterproof formula is great for special occasions like weddings, but I love the regular version for day-to-day wear to be a little gentler on my lashes.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Waterproof Mascara
Pros
- Comes in two shades
Cons
Best for: Volume, length
Why I love it: This mascara is waterproof, but it's nearly life-proof because I struggle to remove it at the end of the day. That being said, it really should be your top choice if you're looking for a mascara that adds volume and length and sticks around for hours (days?) on end. The flexible brush helps reach every single lash, even those little ones at the inner corners.
Pros
- Long-wear formula
- Inexpensive
Cons
Best for: Lash definition and length
Why I love it: Essence's mascaras are not only shockingly inexpensive, but the formulas are fantastic. This waterproof mascara offers dramatic lengthening, buildable volume, and lash definition at less than $5 a tube. There are thousands of glowing reviews on Amazon for Lash Princess, and most of them mention that there isn't really a makeup remover strong enough to remove it all in one go.
Pros
- Easy to remove
Cons
Best for: Volume and curl
Why I love it: Diorshow is one of the world's most iconic and famous mascaras (did you know Pat McGrath inspired it?). It delivers lashes that look fake with dramatic volume, curl, and pigment—in a formula that truly does not flake or budge. I also love that it's waterproof, but not bulletproof, so it does gently remove with an oil-based cleanser at the end of the day.
Pros
- Comes in three waterproof shades
- Great price
Cons
Best for: Volume
Why I love it: Available in three waterproof shades, LashBlast Volume Mascara is a drugstore staple for boosting lash fullness, volume, and length. I find the flexible brush so easy to wiggle along the lashline, and it even works well for bottom lashes, too.
L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara
Pros
- Infused with floral oils for soft lashes
- Great for everyday wear
Cons
Best for: Volumizing, lengthening
Why I love it: One of L’Oréal Paris's newest mascaras, Voluminous Lash Paradise delivers the prettiest fanned-out lash look and weightless, all-day wear. This is the perfect waterproof formula if you love your lashes to look longer but still want bold volume. Amazon reviewers call it the "best waterproof mascara. Period."
Yves Saint Laurent Lash Clash Extreme Volume Waterproof Mascara
Pros
- Contains iris florentina extract to fortify lashes
- Boosts volume by 400 percent
Cons
Best for: Volumizing
What our editors think: “This mascara is one of my go-to formulas for creating flutter lashes. If I could describe my perfect mascara wand, this would be it: a fluffy, cone-shaped brush that separates and adds volume from root to tip.” —Katie Intner, beauty market and commerce editor
MAC MACStack Waterproof Mascara
Pros
- 24-hour wear
- Brush helps reach every hair
Cons
Best for: Volume and length with no clumps
Why I love it: If buildable, clump-free volume is what you're after, pick up a tube of MACStack. It features something called Drench-Defense Technology, which helps each individual lash repel water. It promises weightless and 24-hour wear.
Lancôme Definicils Waterproof High Definition Mascara
Pros
- Tiny brush is great for finding every hair
Cons
Best for: Lengthening, separating, and lash-defining
What our editors think: “I love Lancome’s Definicils mascara for adding lots of length to my lashes, especially for a more natural lash look. The thin brush makes it easy to really get to the base of the lash, and the formula lasts all day long without flaking or transferring (a rare find in the mascara world).” —KI
Pros
- 12-hour wear
Cons
Best for: Volumizing, sensitive eyes
Why I love it: Some mascaras irritate my eyes because I wear contacts, but Clinique's formulas were designed with sensitivity in mind. High Impact mascara offers buildable volume and length in two shades, black and brown, and it's the perfect waterproof mascara option for contact-wearers, eye-rubbers, and those with allergies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my mascara running?
Mascara runs for several reasons—like simply having oily skin—but one sneaky culprit could be your skincare routine. Are you using oil-based cleansers or products? If the oils aren't adequately removed from your lashes or the surrounding skin, it could impact the wear of your mascara. If your mascara is flaking off by the end of the day, that could also be a sign that it's time to replace the dried-out formula for a new tube.
How do you remove waterproof mascara?
Waterproof mascara does not budge when it comes into contact with water, but oil will do the trick. A cleansing balm or oil-based makeup remover should make quick work of removing any waterproof mascara, but the most important thing to remember is that you need to be gentle with your lashes. Wearing and removing waterproof mascara can cause your lashes to fall out prematurely, leading to sparse lashes.
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